Mark Pope, the head coach of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, recently shared his admiration for Mark Few, the long-time head coach of Gonzaga, who has been a prominent figure in college basketball for over two decades. Few, who has been at the helm of the Gonzaga basketball program since 1999, has led the team to unparalleled success, consistently competing at the highest levels and maintaining a reputation for excellence in college hoops.
Pope, who has known Few for many years, took the time to reflect on their relationship and express his deep respect for Few’s accomplishments. During a media session on Thursday, Pope described Few as not only an exceptional coach but also a genuinely remarkable person. He recounted one of his early interactions with Few, dating back to when Pope was just starting his head coaching career at Utah Valley University. The two coaches crossed paths when Pope’s team played a “buy game” at Gonzaga, a common arrangement where smaller programs face more prominent teams. Although Utah Valley was outmatched by Gonzaga during the game, the memory that Pope holds dear is not the outcome on the court but the kindness and generosity Few showed afterward.
After the game, Pope found himself in the locker room trying to regroup, still adjusting to the pressures of being a new head coach. As he walked out, he was surprised to find that Few was still in the arena, waiting to offer support and encouragement. According to Pope, it was moments like these that exemplified Few’s character. Few’s dedication to helping others and his genuine nature stood out, particularly as he took the time to engage with Pope during a challenging moment in his early coaching career. Pope’s admiration for Few goes beyond personal interactions; he also deeply respects Few’s ability to build and maintain high-performing teams year after year.
Pope was full of praise for the unique and consistent style of play that Few has cultivated at Gonzaga. He pointed out that, regardless of the players on the roster, Gonzaga always plays a distinct brand of basketball that is immediately recognizable. In fact, Pope emphasized that if you were to remove the names from the jerseys, it would still be easy to identify a Gonzaga game simply by watching how the team plays. Few’s approach to coaching has produced a well-defined style, one where the team’s identity is clear, and they execute it with precision.
The respect Pope has for Few is not limited to personal admiration; it extends to the basketball program he has built at Gonzaga. Few’s success in turning Gonzaga into a powerhouse program, maintaining consistent national competitiveness, and producing NBA-level talent year after year is, in Pope’s eyes, almost “unfathomable.” Few’s ability to sustain this level of excellence over such a long period has earned him the admiration of coaches, players, and basketball fans alike. According to Pope, Few’s coaching success is a testament to his remarkable talent and commitment to the game.
As Kentucky prepares to face Gonzaga, Pope is aware of the challenge that lies ahead. The two teams share a similar fast-paced style of play, which promises an exciting, high-energy game. Kentucky will have to match Gonzaga’s intensity and physicality, which has been a hallmark of Few’s teams for years. Pope acknowledges that Gonzaga’s unique style of play is a formidable challenge but one that Kentucky is ready to face. The matchup will not only be a test of physicality but also of strategic execution, as both teams aim to assert their identity on the court.
This upcoming game against Gonzaga represents another crucial opportunity for Kentucky to prove themselves against one of the best programs in the nation. With Mark Pope leading the Wildcats, the team will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Clemson, and they will face the daunting task of trying to navigate the distinct and effective style that Few has built at Gonzaga over the years. However, Pope’s respect for Few’s program and the challenge it presents only adds to the anticipation of what promises to be a thrilling basketball contest.