Kentucky coach Mark Pope fined by SEC for postgame comments

SEC has imposed fines kentucky $25,000 to coach Mark Pope for his “post-game conduct and comments” following his team’s 75–74 loss. golden brown color The league was announced on Saturday.

Auburn won the game eliza freeman1.1 seconds left for tip-in. That play was followed by a controversial offensive foul call. Colin Chandler That made Auburn the game winner.

“Mitch, if they motherfuckers try to fine me, screw them because I didn’t say a word about how they betrayed us,” Pope said to Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart as he left the podium after the game.

The league said Pope violated SEC rules after the game.

“University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope has been publicly reprimanded and fined $25,000 by the Southeastern Conference for comments related to post-game conduct and umpiring following the Wildcats’ game at Auburn University on Feb. 21,” the SEC said in its statement Tuesday. “The comments violated SEC Bylaw 10.5.3 (sportsmanship) and the SEC Commissioner’s Regulation Regarding Public Criticism of Officials, which prohibits coaches, student-athletes and institutional employees from publicly criticizing officials or disclosing officiating-related communications.”

Saturday’s game was the third consecutive loss for Kentucky, which reportedly spent more than $20 million on its current roster, and the team’s fourth loss in seven games just weeks before Selection Sunday. Late in Saturday’s game, Chandler was whistled for pushing an Auburn player on the inbounds about 14 seconds before the game started. On the next possession, Auburn sealed the win on Freeman’s putback.

After the game, Pope said his team had to stay focused, even if things got “personal.”

After the defeat the Pope said, “We refuse to give control to those who are outside our program. Refuse.” “No matter how personal it gets or how bad it gets, we refuse to give control to the fans, to give control to anyone else associated with this game. No matter how clearly people are trying to make it not happen, we refuse to give them our power. … We don’t make excuses. We don’t do that. No matter what’s happening. No matter how outrageous things are, we don’t give our power. No matter how shameful, personal, horrible, unacceptable it is.” There are things we refuse to give up our power.”