"I love when players make coaches look smart cause we're NOT!": Mark Pope showers praise on Kentucky's Ansley Almonor after Wildcats beat MS State

Mark Pope had Ansley Almonor to thank after the Kentucky Wildcats pulled off a thrilling 95-90 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs in their SEC showdown at Humphrey Coliseum on Saturday. Almonor provided the spark off the bench for the Wildcats, who improved their overall record to 13-3.

Almonor scored nine of his 11 points in the second half, helping the Wildcats fend off the Bulldogs' rally. He shot 4-of-7 from the field, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. All three of Almonor's 3-pointers came in a two-minute span during the second half, helping No. 6 Kentucky build an 89-82 lead with 5:16 remaining.

Almonor, a transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson, has been one of Pope's trusted reserves, averaging 5.1 points and 1.8 rebounds through 16 games. He has scored in double figures thrice this season, including the game against No. 14 Mississippi State. Pope praised Almonor in an interview with Kentucky Sports Radio's Jack Pilgrim after the game.

"This Ansley Almonor is really special because he came here understanding what he was walking into," Pope said. [5:45]

"He came here understanding that Andrew Carr was sitting there and the roster was almost done. He’s like, 'I’m coming anyway, man, cause I want to come, and I’m going to find a way to win games.'"

Mark Pope thanked Almonor for making him look like a genius after his stellar performance against Mississippi State.

"I said this so many times. Ansley Almonor is a perfect fit for how we play and he’s going to win us some games," Pope said. "I love when players make coaches look really smart cause we’re not, but sometimes they make us look smart and Ansley did that."

"What a brilliant performance from him. I’m telling you, that’s why you come to Kentucky. Because you can never ever buy what Ansley Almonor just did and what he just experienced. Never."

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Jaxson Robinson delivers for Mark Pope in Kentucky's win over Mississippi State

All five starters scored in double figures for the Kentucky Wildcats, who bounced back from Tuesday's 82-69 loss to Georgia. Jaxson Robinson led Kentucky in scoring, dropping a season-high 27 points. He shot 9-for-12 from the field, including 7-for-10 from beyond the arc.

Kentucky Wildcats guard Jaxson Robinson (#2) reacts against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Humphrey Coliseum. Photo: Imagn

Otega Oweh and Andrew Carr also contributed, scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively. Amari Williams and Lamont Butler each amassed 10 points for the Wildcats, who have now won their last 19 meetings with Mississippi State in the regular season.