Rick Pitino Sends a Surprising Message to Mark Pope After Big Win Over Duke, Sparking Major Buzz in College Basketball

In the unpredictable world of college basketball, surprises come in all shapes and sizes. But a message from Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino to BYU’s Mark Pope after a monumental victory? That’s a rare gem that has left fans and analysts alike buzzing.

After BYU’s impressive 76-69 win over Duke in a thrilling early-season matchup, Mark Pope received an unexpected communication that turned heads across the sport. The message came straight from one of the most respected and storied coaches in the game: Rick Pitino, the legendary former coach of Louisville and current head coach at Iona College. The message was short, but the timing and content were enough to create a ripple effect throughout the basketball world.

The Surprising Message

According to sources close to Pope, Rick Pitino’s message was both complimentary and pointed. “Congrats, Mark. You’ve got something special there,” Pitino is reported to have said. “Keep it going. Duke win is just the beginning—now go prove you can handle the talk.”

At first glance, the message seems like a simple note of congratulations. However, for those who know the competitive nature of college basketball and the fiercely guarded world of coaching egos, the subtext of Pitino’s words is what is truly noteworthy.

A Show of Respect and Challenge

Pitino, who has won national championships with both Louisville and Kentucky, is known for his sharp insights into the game and his high standards for excellence. The phrase “now go prove you can handle the talk” seems like more than just a casual remark. It’s a challenge to Pope, a young coach who has made waves in recent seasons, but who has yet to establish himself as a perennial powerhouse in the coaching ranks.

This message, coming from Pitino—who himself knows the pressure of living up to expectations after big wins—signals that Pope’s victory over Duke, a blue-blood program, has placed him squarely in the spotlight. The win over Coach K’s successor, Jon Scheyer, was a statement victory, but Pitino’s message seems to imply that it is only the beginning of what Pope must do to establish sustained success at BYU.

“I think Pitino’s message is a nod of respect to Mark, but it also sends a clear signal that the real work is just beginning,” said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. “Beating Duke is impressive, no doubt, but now Mark Pope needs to back it up. It’s a reminder that in college basketball, you can’t rest on one win, no matter how big it is.”

Mark Pope’s Rapid Rise at BYU

Mark Pope, who took over as head coach at BYU in 2019, has quickly established himself as one of the rising stars in college basketball. Under his leadership, the Cougars have become a consistent force in the NCAA Tournament conversation, and Pope’s coaching style—combining modern analytics with a traditional emphasis on tough defense and disciplined offense—has earned him widespread praise.

The win over Duke came at a crucial time for Pope’s program. BYU, which has long been a competitive force in the West Coast Conference (WCC), has shown it is capable of beating elite teams in high-pressure moments. This victory over Duke solidified Pope’s status as a coach who can win big games, but it also placed him firmly in the conversation with the sport’s elite coaches.

Pitino’s Influence and Legacy

Rick Pitino, who has returned to prominence at Iona after a controversial exit from Louisville, is known for his ability to motivate and challenge his players and fellow coaches. Pitino has made it clear that he believes in the power of competition and pushing others to reach their potential. His message to Pope, while congratulatory, is also a reminder of the expectations that come with success in college basketball.

“I’ve seen what Mark has built at BYU, and I think he’s a special coach,” Pitino said during a recent interview. “But I also know that one big win doesn’t define a coach or a program. It’s the consistency, the ability to handle the ups and downs, and the pressure of being in the spotlight that separates the good from the great. Mark’s a smart guy, he’ll get it.”

For Pitino, sending such a message is consistent with his career-long philosophy of mentorship and competition. While his legacy as a coach is cemented, Pitino’s commitment to the game remains strong, and his willingness to engage with younger coaches shows his desire to see the next generation thrive.

The Buzz Around College Basketball

The message has sparked a flurry of discussion not just in coaching circles, but among fans and analysts. Many see Pitino’s words as a sign that BYU, under Pope’s guidance, has arrived as a legitimate contender. “If Rick Pitino is sending you a message like that, it’s a sign that he sees something in your program,” said former NCAA coach and current commentator Fran Fraschilla. “And knowing Rick, it’s also a challenge to take that next step.”

As for Pope, he was reportedly humbled by the message and took it in the spirit it was intended—a mixture of respect, encouragement, and the type of tough love that coaches often need to hear from their peers. While Pope didn’t go into specifics about his conversation with Pitino, he did comment on the pressure of living up to high expectations.

“I respect Coach Pitino immensely,” Pope said after his team’s win over Duke. “He’s done it all, and I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from coaches like him. It’s an honor to have someone like Rick Pitino believe in you, and I’ll keep working every day to earn that kind of respect.”

What’s Next for Mark Pope and BYU?

The win over Duke, combined with Pitino’s unexpected message, has given BYU a significant boost in both visibility and confidence. The Cougars are now squarely in the mix as a team to watch in the NCAA tournament, and Pope’s ability to build on this momentum will be crucial for the program’s future.

But with Pitino’s challenge hanging over him, Pope is fully aware that the road ahead won’t be easy. College basketball is a marathon, not a sprint, and the real test will be whether Pope can continue to recruit top talent, develop his players, and keep his program competitive on a national scale.

For now, though, Mark Pope and BYU will take the win over Duke—and the message from Rick Pitino—as both a validation of their current success and a reminder that the hard work is far from over. The real challenge, as Pitino so succinctly put it, is to “prove you can handle the talk”—and live up to the high expectations that come with it.

As college basketball fans, we’ll be watching closely to see if Mark Pope can rise to that challenge—and if Rick Pitino’s message turns out to be the spark that propels BYU into the national conversation for years to come.