Iowa State's head coach, T.J. Otzelberger, is known for instilling a gritty, physical style of play in his team-a fact not lost on Kentucky's coach, Mark Pope. Having faced off against Otzelberger before, Pope is well aware of the challenge his team faces.
“They’re relentless, and he’s got unbelievable leadership on his team and they got incredible toughness, and I think that stems from his personality as a head coach. He’s really ingrained that on his guys,” Pope noted on Saturday in St.
Louis. “So you know, it’s going to be a whole-hearted blood, sweat, and tears endeavor, and it makes the games really fun.”
The stakes were high as Kentucky and Iowa State clashed in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional second round, each vying for a coveted spot in the Sweet Sixteen.
While Pope acknowledges Iowa State’s physical approach, he’s clear that Kentucky won’t stray from their own game plan. UK sophomore guard Collin Chandler emphasized maintaining their style amidst the physicality.
“I think they bring it to you which triggers a response, but I think we can be aggressive in that response,” Chandler said. “Don’t let them dictate what we do.”
Kam Williams, a reserve wing, added that setting the tone early could be crucial. “If you’re the aggressor, then you kind of control the entirety of the game,” Williams explained. “We just do what we do well and we’re going to come up with a victory.”
Freshman center Malachi Moreno, who’s been targeted more due to his recent standout performances, echoed this sentiment. “Coach Fox says we gotta be the hammer, not the nail,” Moreno shared. “Just bring that aggressiveness, match their intensity, and make plays for each other.”
Pope is keen on establishing a strong inside game with Moreno and Brandon Garrison, who shone in their overtime win against Santa Clara. “They make it really difficult because they’ll come double team every single post catch. But our guys are elite-level passers, so I think we’ll have some play there,” Pope noted.
He stressed the importance of dominating the glass and protecting the rim. “You impose your will as a rim protector and take up space in the lane, moving bodies, and that’ll be another battlefront. All those things will be really important for us.”
As these two teams face off, the battle of wills and styles promises to deliver an intense and thrilling contest.