The Wildcats are beating expectations and playing pretty ball in Year 1, but their new coach's link with the fan base is powering the vibes.

Mark Pope left BYU 10 months ago to return to his alma mater Kentucky, where he plied his craft at the direction of legendary coach Rick Pitino. Now, as head coach roaming the sidelines of Rupp Arena, that leap of faith is paying off big time.

There is no bigger story in college basketball this season than John Calipari‘s long-awaited return to Lexington — whether the out-of-touch suits making the calls on national coverage agree or not. It’s consuming our lives in the best way possible,