CELEBRITY
Mark Pope Credits Taylor Swift Stat For BYU’s Big 12 Tournament Win
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – BYU basketball head coach Mark Pope doesn’t hide from his fandom of superstar Taylor Swift.
The “Swiftie” leading BYU through its first-ever Big 12 Tournament brought up Swift on Wednesday after his team defeated UCF 87-73 in the Second Round of the tourney.
Mark Pope is a diehard Taylor Swift fan
“I didn’t share this with the guys before, but this is really important,” said Pope in his press conference after defeating UCF. “When I was in this building seven months ago, I talked about how we were excited to be picked 13 because it’s Taylor Swift’s favorite number.”
Mark Pope is the ultimate Taylor Swift fan. #BYUHoops #GoCougs #Big12 pic.twitter.com/AJi4PsMcAu
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 13, 2024
Who can forget that moment from Big 12 Media Day last October by Pope? Pope mentioned he attended Taylor Swift’s concert last summer with his daughters and felt being picked 13th in the league was a good sign for his team.
He was right.
BYU finished the regular season in fifth place and won its first game in the Big 12 Tournament.
The power of 13
Pope continued after the win over UCF, “This morning I found out, courtesy of the greatest statistician SID ever (Tyson Jex), that our first game against UCF was on January 13th, our second game was on February 13th, and so we knew that with our third game on March 13th, like, the deck was stacked against these guys, man, it’s not even fair. It’s not even fair.”
#BYU defeats UCF in the Second Round of the Big 12 Tournament.@Mitch_Harper shares his takeaways from BYU’s big win over the Knights.#BYUHoops #GoCougs #Big12Hoops pic.twitter.com/t3fuMJV9Xt
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 13, 2024
Any mention of Taylor Swift always resonates slightly stronger in Kansas City, thanks to the fact that Swift is dating Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce.
“Plus, we’re in Kansas City. I mean, what? It’s beautiful,” Pope said as he turned to players Fousseyni Traore and Richie Saunders. “If I had told you guys that before the game, would you be like, our dude has lost his mind?”
Traore, who finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds while also shutting down UCF big man Ibrahima Diallo to zero points and zero rebounds, responded to his coach, “A little bit.”
BYU will look to harness the power of Taylor Swift tomorrow in Kansas City as they take on Texas Tech in the Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinals.
The tip-off for BYU vs. Texas Tech is at 10:30 a.m. (MT) on ESPN2 and KSL NewsRadio.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
Take us with you wherever you go.
Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.
ROYAL SHOCK AT MIDNIGHT! Meghan Markle stunned the world with a bombshell: “WE ARE EXPECTING OUR THIRD BABY!!!” The Duchess didn’t stop there — she even hinted at the BABY’S GENDER, sparking chaos online. Harry looked emotional, but Palace insiders fume at being “BLINDSIDED” once again. Will this new arrival strengthen Meghan’s power — or ignite another royal war?
5 HOURS AGO! Prince Louis’ Heart-Shattering Screams ECHO Through Buckingham Night — William Delivers DEVASTATING News To The Nation As Princess Anne BREAKS DOWN In The Rain: “Oh dear God, Louis…” SEE MORE BELOW
Rex Ryan EXPOSED for LYING About Shedeur Sanders — The Truth the Cleveland Browns Are DESPERATE to Hide! What Really Happened Behind Closed Doors That Made Them REFUSE to Even Mention His Name?…..read more
An animal shelter on the edge of collapse was saved in silence — not by headlines, but by Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift. They carried 200 lbs of supplies, wrote a blank check… and vanished. But the real shock? Staff later found a hidden envelope beneath a dog bed, sealed with 7 words that left everyone speechless. See the full story below
NFL EARTHQUAKE?! Jerry Jones SECRETLY Plotting to Snatch Shedeur Sanders Behind Closed Doors – Fans STUNNED as Rumors Swirl That Haslam Has Finally LOST CONTROL in a Move Nobody Saw Coming!…..read more
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce finally met their first baby. The ultrasound clearly revealed the baby’s gender and they were all smiles when the doctor read the results. Read more
The hometown diner where Travis Kelce had his first date with Taylor Swift announced it was closing — until they quietly bought it and reopened it as a soup kitchen. But the menu on the blackboard that first day had a hint at their next chapter…… story below
5 MINUTES AGO: Palace CONFIRMS Tragic News About Kate Middleton Health. Andrew cried out in despair: ‘Oh, we are heartbroken…'” SEE MORE BELOW
When Does The Life of a Showgirl Come Out? All About the Release of Taylor Swift’s 12th Studio Album
