The SEC fined Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope $25,000 over his "post-game conduct and comments" following his team's 75-74 loss at Auburn Saturday.
Auburn won the game with 1.1 seconds to go on a tip-in from Elyjah Freeman. That play was followed by a controversial offensive foul against Colin Chandler, which set up Auburn's game winner.
"Mitch, if those mother F'ers try to fine me, screw 'em because I did not say a word about how they cheated us," Pope said to Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart as he left the postgame podium.
"University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Mark Pope has been issued a public reprimand and fined $25,000 by the Southeastern Conference for post-game conduct and comments related to officiating following the Wildcats' game at Auburn University on February 21," the SEC said in its statement on Tuesday. "The comments violated SEC Bylaw 10.5.3 (Sportsmanship) and the SEC Commissioner's Regulation regarding Public Criticism of Officials, which prohibit coaches, student-athletes and institutional staff from publicly criticizing officials or disclosing officiating-related communications."
Pope said he wants his team to stay focused, regardless if things felt "personal."
"We refuse to give control to people that are outside of our program. Refuse," Pope said after the loss. "Regardless of how personal it might get or how bad it might get, we refuse to give control to fans, to give control to anybody else associated with this game. Regardless of how blatantly people are trying to make this not happen, we refuse to give them our power. ... We don't make excuses. We don't do that. Regardless of what is happening. Regardless of how disgraceful things are, we don't give away our power. Regardless of how embarrassing, personal, awful, unacceptable things are, we refuse to give away our power."
