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sports17h ago
Santa Clara's Herb Sendek has Experience with Kentucky and Mark Pope
- Sendek, Santa Clara’s coach, has intimate ties to Kentucky and Mark Pope, facing them multiple times in conference play.
- Sendek spent four years on Kentucky’s bench and was part of Pitino’s early staff, including the 1993 Final Four run.
- Santa Clara earned its NCAA berth in 2026 after a WCC Tournament semifinal upset over Saint Mary’s.
- Kentucky will play Santa Clara in St. Louis, in a No. 7 vs No. 10 matchup opening the NCAA Tournament.
- Sendek sees Kentucky as a talent-rich program with an outstanding coach, acknowledging the challenge ahead for Santa Clara.
- The matchup marks Santa Clara’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since the Steve Nash era days.
- Herb Sendek’s career includes head coaching stints at Miami (Ohio) and NC State before Santa Clara.
- KY-Santa Clara game will be a strategic clash, with Sendek studying Kentucky’s draw and preparing via film room notes.
- Santa Clara’s coach has faced Kentucky before and will aim to challenge a strong Wildcats squad in St. Louis.
- The article traces Sendek’s coaching arc from Kentucky to Santa Clara, highlighting resilience and persistence.
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