- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Lexington Today
By the People, for the People
Kentucky Basketball Prepares for Vanderbilt Rematch
Updates from Coach Mark Pope's press conference and a look ahead to the upcoming SEC Tournament
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
On the latest episode of the KSR Happy Hour podcast, hosts Tyler Thompson, Jack Pilgrim, and Zack Geoghegan discussed updates from Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope's recent press conference, including the possibility of hiring a general manager. They also previewed the upcoming rematch against Vanderbilt and looked ahead to the SEC Tournament, which is less than two weeks away.
Why it matters
Kentucky basketball is a powerhouse program in the SEC, and their performance in the final stretch of the regular season and the conference tournament will be crucial in determining their seeding and potential path to the NCAA Tournament. The Vanderbilt rematch is an important game as the Wildcats look to avenge an earlier loss and build momentum heading into the postseason.
The details
During his press conference, Coach Pope discussed the possibility of hiring a general manager to assist with roster management and other administrative duties. The hosts also touched on some interesting historical notes, such as someone hitting Pope with a car while he was riding his bicycle in Lexington 30 years ago. The upcoming rematch against Vanderbilt will be a key test for the Wildcats, as the Commodores handed them a loss earlier in the season. The hosts also discussed the latest SEC Tournament scenarios for Kentucky and the importance of their women's basketball team's matchup against the third-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks.
- The KSR Happy Hour podcast was recorded and published on February 26, 2026.
- The Kentucky men's basketball team will face Vanderbilt in a rematch on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
- The SEC Tournament is less than two weeks away, with the first round scheduled to begin on March 13, 2026.
The players
Mark Pope
The head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team.
Jack Pilgrim
A co-host of the KSR Happy Hour podcast and a reporter covering Kentucky basketball.
Zack Geoghegan
A co-host of the KSR Happy Hour podcast and a reporter covering Kentucky basketball.
Tyler Thompson
The host of the KSR Happy Hour podcast and a reporter covering Kentucky sports.
South Carolina Gamecocks
The women's basketball team from the University of South Carolina, currently ranked third in the nation.
What they’re saying
“Can you believe it's less than two weeks away? Also, can you believe someone hit Mark Pope while he was riding his bicycle around Lexington 30 years ago, or that Saturday's women's game vs. No. 3 South Carolina is only on SEC Network+? Blasphemy.”
— Tyler Thompson, Host, KSR Happy Hour (on3.com)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This episode of the KSR Happy Hour podcast provided valuable insights into the current state of Kentucky basketball, including updates on the team's preparations for the Vanderbilt rematch and the upcoming SEC Tournament. The discussion highlighted the importance of the Wildcats' performance in the final stretch of the season and the potential impact on their postseason aspirations.
