For the first time since 2019, the Kentucky men’s basketball team is going to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. First-year head coach Mark Pope — who famously was a captain on UK’s 1996 national title team — has taken the Wildcats beyond the first week of March Madness for the first time in six years.

Given a pair of notable results Saturday, Sunday became a must-win for Kentucky coach Mark Pope. His players delivered him to the Sweet 16 in Year 1.

While Kentucky was busy earning its way into the Sweet 16, head coach Mark Pope was adding another year onto his Wildcats contract, as well as earning a hefty bonus at the same time.