Pat Kelsey says he respects Mark Pope but ‘wants to tear his face apart’ when they play in the United Kingdom

Louisville, Kentucky —

Pat Kelsey, the University of Louisville basketball coach, was the main speaker at the Salute to the Game Luncheon for the St. X vs. Trinity rivalry game on Friday, where he discussed his rivalry with Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope.

Kelsey began his statement by talking about a dream he had involving himself and Pope.

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“In my dream, there was a UFC fight. Dana White, the president of the UFC, is here. This space is crowded with a thousand people. And I arrive there and look up… strange dream. “And the main event, Kelsey vs. Pope,” he announced. “So, if you see anything on. Social media and other things happen, and the person is a competitor, just as I am. He is a head coach at one of the best programs in the country. So am I. We compete both on the court and in recruiting. We head outside. But, you know what? There is honour among thieves. We genuinely respect one another. Mark Pope, in my opinion, is one of the best coaches in the world, as well as a world-class father and husband. I still want to rip his face off when we play them in November.

Kelsey’s “dream” was a reference to a social media rumour that he and Pope had a fight at a recruit’s house recently.

With new faces taking over each program last season, the Battle of the Bluegrass rivalry appears to be alive and thriving.

The Cardinals and Wildcats face off early this season, with Louisville hosting Kentucky on November 11 at the KFC Yum! Centre.