Mark Pope loves Milwaukee.
He didn’t just play for the Milwaukee Bucks, he was a starter for the Milwaukee Bucks.
In fact, of the 153 games Pope played for four NBA teams over six seasons, all 57 of his starts were as a member of the Bucks spread over the 2000-01 and 2001-02 campaigns.
“I have so many memories,” the Kentucky basketball coach said Sunday after learning that his Wildcats will open NCAA Tournament play at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
“It’s a really special place to me. George Karl was the only coach — sorry George — dumb enough to actually start me in the NBA.
Started most of the season there on a great team (2000-01) that made an epic run to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 7.”