College basketball has always been a stage for coaches to share their ideas and visions. John Calipari did it for 15 years, and now Mark Pope is taking his turn. With the ever-changing dynamics of the sport, Pope is advocating for a significant shift in the standard 31-game schedule to a 40-game schedule ahead of postseason play.

Coach Pope's Perspective

When asked about playing in multi-team events compared to holiday tournaments like the Maui Invitational, Pope opened up a larger discussion about college basketball. He emphasized that while events like Maui are great for teams and fans, they come at a cost, especially with NIL factors and revenue sharing. The number of games in conference play also plays a role, and it's a complex mix that needs to be figured out.

The Need for a Longer Season

Pope believes that making the season longer gives teams a better chance to build and develop. For teams that are newer and less familiar, having more games allows them to gel and gain staying power. He personally experienced this when he jumped to an 82-game schedule in the NBA after his college days. The added games also prepare players better for the next level, as they face more challenges and develop more skills.

Benefits of a 40-Game Schedule

One of the obvious benefits is increased revenue. The NCAA would surely appreciate this, as it would generate more funds for the sport. Additionally, a longer season gives teams more opportunities to play against different opponents and build home-and-home matchups. It allows players to experience a wider range of competition and grow as athletes.Pope continued, "It makes a huge difference in another revenue stream. It gives you a huge opportunity to go play other teams. If we would finally pass this and change this legislation where we can play DI opponents without having some kind of makeshift (events) where we’re just allowed to play DI opponents in an exhibition game, I think that’s great for basketball. It gives us the chance to have the flexibility to maybe go jump into really special MTEs, too."

Academics and Student-Athletes

Pope is confident that players can handle a 40-game schedule academically. He pointed out that there are sports already playing over 40 games in college, and student-athletes can still excel in their studies. He believes that this approach fits in better with the NIL era, as it gives players more time to develop their brands and engage with the sport.Is anyone actually listening to his push for change? Pope isn't sure, but he believes that if you have the platform, you should use it. "I don’t know if a lot of people are listening yet, but I’d love it if we got there at some point," he said.If Pope has his way, a 40-game schedule against DI competition may soon become a reality in college basketball.