Demarcus Henry to UNC

Snarks

All-American
Jan 31, 2005
8,843
7,895
93
Anyone arguing that Pope was the best we could get is insane. We struck out on Hurley, got turned by Scott Drew which is already way further down on the list of coaches we shouldve been talking to and went to Pope. Pope was about to get run off at BYU and we came to save the day and gave BYU 6 million for this nightmare. MITCH had an awful list and couldve easily gone with a young hungry coach instead of a career 'okay' coach. Hes done nothing with his top 5 NIL other than fail at recruiting and im still puzzled how Pope is a genius offensive coach yet he would nearly split Amari at like 22 to 24 minutes with Brandon 'im awful at basketball' Garrison. I literally dont see any other coach splitting time w a guy who can get a triple double vs one that might kick the ball in the stands. We talked to almost NOBODY for this horrible coaching hire and doubled down on an awful contract that we likely couldve landed Pope for half that money. Everyone hated the hire at first for good reason. Talked into it but its clearly just awful now.
Mitch panicked and used nostalgia to sell the hire. We bought it, but that time has long passed.
 

Catastic5

All-Conference
Sep 12, 2026
617
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Mitch panicked and used nostalgia to sell the hire. We bought it, but that time has long passed.
I’ve never been sold on Mitch “panicking”. He allowed his Mormon assistant AD to convince him to hire fellow Mormon Mark Pope.

Just the way I’m saying that stinks to high heaven. We didn’t get a serious coaching search. Mitch wanted to hire his buddy Scott Drew and when that failed, the Mormon assistant AD got his guy because he was Mormon. You know how common Mormon cronyism is in Utah? Why was this acceptable at a public institution?

Do you think Marc Hill would’ve suggested Mark Pope if he wasn't a Mormon?
 
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Aug 23, 2024
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How? I listed off every one of Pope's accomplishments as an assistant and a HC prior to UK, which was nothing. You have to look at how a coach is raised, what he's coming in with. You're just looking at numbers without any sense of the meaning behind them.
You are just reaching for anything that fits your agenda. There is no objective measurement to suggest with any level of certainty that Hodgson would do any better here than Pope. I'll not say he couldn't possibly do better or maybe even much better. You can't really conclude that he wouldn't be about the same or possibly worse either.
 
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Catastic5

All-Conference
Sep 12, 2026
617
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You are just reaching for anything that fits your agenda. There is no objective measurement to suggest with any level of certainty that Hodgson would do any better here than Pope. I'll not say he couldn't possibly do better or maybe even much better. You can't really conclude that he wouldn't be about the same or possibly worse either.
You probably can’t get much worse than what we already have. Might as well pull the lever and hope our next coach is better. Better than waiting around watching Pope tie a noose around the program’s neck.
 

BookofMormon

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2026
1,263
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You are just reaching for anything that fits your agenda. There is no objective measurement to suggest with any level of certainty that Hodgson would do any better here than Pope. I'll not say he couldn't possibly do better or maybe even much better. You can't really conclude that he wouldn't be about the same or possibly worse either.
By your theory, the next coach will have already accomplished what it is you expect them to do at UK. Not how it's going to work brother. Sounds like you want Jay Wright, Billy Donovan, Hurley, Golden, Bill Self. Good luck with that.
 
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Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
43,981
66,867
113
You guys are total whiners and if you think the non stop negativity surrounding the program has no effect you are naïve to the point of stupidity. I've never claimed everything is great but all of the complaining helps nothing and does in fact hurt the situation.
The Nancies attack. But they also get very defensive whenever anyone suggests their constant harping is bad for the program. We know Kam Williams’ dad is not the only parent to interact with the fan base. Football dads have frequented this site. Others must lurk. The Nancies act like UK should be better than other programs but will defend themselves by saying every program has naysayers on message boards. What? So, UK is just every other program? They play no part in the image of UK?

They are also delusional to think their constant nagging is somehow helpful to getting a new coach. While parents of players and recruits may venture here to get a feeling, the AD knows the Nancies are irrational with the redundant comments. So, they are influencing nothing.

That said, it is clear that some of the Nancies don’t care about the program and are out to hurt Mark Pope, personally. Those who deny these posters exist are most likely that person. Comments about his religion are typical. For some, the ugliness goes beyond just being emotionally immature.

For others (most I hope), not those who just pretend to be fans, it is nothing more than emotional immaturity. Their up and downs are premised solely on how UK did last. They can puff their chests at 7-1 in football but will completely go over a ledge if UT spanks UK. It’s a sad existence. (The same people attacked Stoops but were silenced when he won 7 games and non-existent when UK won 10 - during those days, RunnieNose only posted about basketball - LOL).

Before the boards merged here, fans would constantly say Rupp Rafters was “the worst” and not worth visiting. I think we know why. The emotionally labile Nancies are an example. They are ugly toward UK staff, coaches, players, fans … In their broken world they believe the lie that THEY are what makes UK great. LOL
 
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Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
43,981
66,867
113
I remember all the Memphis media always saying be prepared when cal leaves he will try to leave it as bad off as he can. He’s a very spiteful person. So I’m sure he did everything he could to sour recruits and agents on UK soon as he got to Arkansas.
Hope that is not true.
 

BookofMormon

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2026
1,263
1,645
113
You probably can’t get much worse than what we already have. Might as well pull the lever and hope our next coach is better. Better than waiting around watching Pope tie a noose around the program’s neck.
Yeah, no. You can't upgrade Pope by 10%, next coach has to be the guy. Risking two bad coaches in a row would flatline the program.
 

0r1c

Senior
Jan 4, 2026
335
798
93
Many programs are "one coach away."

It's clearly easier for Kentucky football to change the program from an expectation standpoint as opposed to basketball. Kentucky FB ranked top 10 and a 7-1 record has the fanbase ecstatic (and surprised). With BB it's simply expected.
? no, It's much harder for Kentucky to turn it around in 1 year and compete in football, that's why it's been so fun and everyone is talking about it. Basketball could turn on a dime at any moment, just like BIlly G to -> Cal/John Wall.
 

UKortho

Heisman
Oct 13, 2015
5,311
10,402
77
The Nancies attack. But they also get very defensive whenever anyone suggests their constant harping is bad for the program. We know Kam Williams’ dad is not the only parent to interact with the fan base. Football dads have frequented this site. Others must lurk. The Nancies act like UK should be better than other programs but will defend themselves by saying every program has naysayers on message boards. What? So, UK is just every other program? They play no part in the image of UK?

They are also delusional to think their constant nagging is somehow helpful to getting a new coach. While parents of players and recruits may venture here to get a feeling, the AD knows the Nancies are irrational with the redundant comments. So, they are influencing nothing.

That said, it is clear that some of the Nancies don’t care about the program and are out to hurt Mark Pope, personally. Those who deny these posters exist are most likely that person. Comments about his religion are typical. For some, the ugliness goes beyond just being emotionally immature.

For others (most I hope), not those who just pretend to be fans, it is nothing more than emotional immaturity. Their up and downs are premised solely on how UK did last. They can puff their chests at 7-1 in football but will completely go over a ledge if UT spanks UK. It’s a sad existence. (The same people attacked Stoops but were silenced when he won 7 games and non-existent when UK won 10 - during those days, RunnieNose only posted about basketball - LOL).

Before the boards merged here, fans would constantly say Rupp Rafters was “the worst” and not worth visiting. I think we know why. The emotionally labile Nancies are an example. They are ugly toward UK staff, coaches, players, fans … In their broken world they believe the lie that THEY are what makes UK great. LOL
Ladies and gentlemen, we have found the Grand Poobah/head buffoon of the Beta chapter of Pope’s Dopes.
 

Johnnie Africa

All-Conference
Feb 27, 2003
1,175
3,605
113
I've seen this moronic claim several times on here. It's like accusing a parent of whining when they tell their 3 year old to stop whining.

The fact that you actually believe you are responsible for making the decision on Stoops is hilarious. Thinking that real men whine like little girls when their spoiled desires aren't immediately fulfilled is even funnier.

This post seems a bit hypocritical to your other posts imo. In other posts you state the negativity on this board will actually hinder UKs ability to bring in a top tier basketball coach yet in this post you find it laughable that anyone on this board has an influence with regards to coaches. Which is it? I personally agree with this particular post, which is that this board has little influence.
 

BarefootBeach

Senior
Oct 30, 2025
467
915
93
The Nancies attack. But they also get very defensive whenever anyone suggests their constant harping is bad for the program. We know Kam Williams’ dad is not the only parent to interact with the fan base. Football dads have frequented this site. Others must lurk. The Nancies act like UK should be better than other programs but will defend themselves by saying every program has naysayers on message boards. What? So, UK is just every other program? They play no part in the image of UK?

They are also delusional to think their constant nagging is somehow helpful to getting a new coach. While parents of players and recruits may venture here to get a feeling, the AD knows the Nancies are irrational with the redundant comments. So, they are influencing nothing.

That said, it is clear that some of the Nancies don’t care about the program and are out to hurt Mark Pope, personally. Those who deny these posters exist are most likely that person. Comments about his religion are typical. For some, the ugliness goes beyond just being emotionally immature.

For others (most I hope), not those who just pretend to be fans, it is nothing more than emotional immaturity. Their up and downs are premised solely on how UK did last. They can puff their chests at 7-1 in football but will completely go over a ledge if UT spanks UK. It’s a sad existence. (The same people attacked Stoops but were silenced when he won 7 games and non-existent when UK won 10 - during those days, RunnieNose only posted about basketball - LOL).

Before the boards merged here, fans would constantly say Rupp Rafters was “the worst” and not worth visiting. I think we know why. The emotionally labile Nancies are an example. They are ugly toward UK staff, coaches, players, fans … In their broken world they believe the lie that THEY are what makes UK great. LOL
Amen
 

Padsfs07

All-Conference
Jan 19, 2013
4,046
3,974
108
There should be a feature for mods to just close a thread down if the player nor school is mentioned at all in the last two pages worth of posts.

It’s ridiculous how yall argue over the same thing in very single thread.
 

theBlues

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2025
2,051
4,635
113
Honestly, being upset over this seems performative to me. I didn't expect UK to take a big basketball recruit out of North Carolina 30 years ago and I don't today. UNCheat is still a popular program in the state of North Carolina, even though they suck. If the money is equal the home state school wins unless they're a dud. It's why we will probably sign Kellan Hall in football and we wouldn't be in the conversation if he was born and raised in Texas or Alabama and a lifelong Longhorn or Tide fan. We wouldn't have gotten this guy if Cal was still here either. Or did Cal just not want him at Arkansas?
 
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BookofMormon

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2026
1,263
1,645
113
Honestly, being upset over this seems performative to me. I didn't expect UK to take a big basketball recruit out of North Carolina 30 years ago and I don't today. UNCheat is still a popular program in the state of North Carolina, even though they suck. If the money is equal the home state school wins unless they're a dud. It's why we will probably sign Kellan Hall in football and we wouldn't be in the conversation if he was born and raised in Texas or Alabama and a lifelong Longhorn or Tide fan. We wouldn't have gotten this guy if Cal was still here either. Or did Cal just not want him at Arkansas?
State has nothing to do with it, he's playing out of Zona. He took the best deal, Cal didn't want to escalate his offer as this kid/position not a priority for him. Cal not playing with as much money as UNC.
 

Mike-D

Heisman
Jul 14, 2001
50,558
75,899
113
The Nancies attack. But they also get very defensive whenever anyone suggests their constant harping is bad for the program. We know Kam Williams’ dad is not the only parent to interact with the fan base. Football dads have frequented this site. Others must lurk. The Nancies act like UK should be better than other programs but will defend themselves by saying every program has naysayers on message boards. What? So, UK is just every other program? They play no part in the image of UK?

They are also delusional to think their constant nagging is somehow helpful to getting a new coach. While parents of players and recruits may venture here to get a feeling, the AD knows the Nancies are irrational with the redundant comments. So, they are influencing nothing.

That said, it is clear that some of the Nancies don’t care about the program and are out to hurt Mark Pope, personally. Those who deny these posters exist are most likely that person. Comments about his religion are typical. For some, the ugliness goes beyond just being emotionally immature.

For others (most I hope), not those who just pretend to be fans, it is nothing more than emotional immaturity. Their up and downs are premised solely on how UK did last. They can puff their chests at 7-1 in football but will completely go over a ledge if UT spanks UK. It’s a sad existence. (The same people attacked Stoops but were silenced when he won 7 games and non-existent when UK won 10 - during those days, RunnieNose only posted about basketball - LOL).

Before the boards merged here, fans would constantly say Rupp Rafters was “the worst” and not worth visiting. I think we know why. The emotionally labile Nancies are an example. They are ugly toward UK staff, coaches, players, fans … In their broken world they believe the lie that THEY are what makes UK great. LOL

Lol
 
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Aug 23, 2024
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By your theory, the next coach will have already accomplished what it is you expect them to do at UK. Not how it's going to work brother. Sounds like you want Jay Wright, Billy Donovan, Hurley, Golden, Bill Self. Good luck with that.
I'm saying there is no sense replacing Pope at this point with zero certainty that the replacement is any kind of upgrade.
 

BookofMormon

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2026
1,263
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You just tried to tell me the exact opposite 3 posts back. I see very little to no evidence that Hodgson is even a 10% upgrade at this point.
Just watch and you can thank me later.

You are performing the cardinal sin in how to evaluate talent, focusing on what someone didn't do with no sense of what they did do or can do.

The travesty will be if he lands with another H1. I can see that Tennessee job being attractive once Barnes leaves, great NIL with 10% of the pressure.
 
Aug 23, 2024
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? no, It's much harder for Kentucky to turn it around in 1 year and compete in football, that's why it's been so fun and everyone is talking about it. Basketball could turn on a dime at any moment, just like BIlly G to -> Cal/John Wall.
It can and has been done here without even changing coaches as well. Curci went from 2-8-1 in year 3 to 8-4 and 10-1 in years 4 and 5. Claiborne went from 0-10-1 year one to 6-4-1 and 9-3 in years 2 and 3. Morris went from 2-9 year one to 7-5 year two. Brooks went from 2-9 and 3-8 in years 2 and 3 to back to back 8-5 in year 4 and 5. Hall went from 13-13 in year two to 26-5 and the national title game in year 3.
 
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Aug 23, 2024
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This post seems a bit hypocritical to your other posts imo. In other posts you state the negativity on this board will actually hinder UKs ability to bring in a top tier basketball coach yet in this post you find it laughable that anyone on this board has an influence with regards to coaches. Which is it? I personally agree with this particular post, which is that this board has little influence.
Influencing recruits, their parents, current players, and prospective coaches with a toxic environment is not the same as forcing the A.D.'s hand. I've been told repeatedly for years by you guys how stubborn Barnhart is but you believe you made him fire Stoops. The time had come and he was removed based on results. Had he won the last two games last season he would very likely still be here despite all the whining and the fact that you guys would have still wanted him fired.
 
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Aug 23, 2024
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Just watch and you can thank me later.

You are performing the cardinal sin in how to evaluate talent, focusing on what someone didn't do with no sense of what they did do or can do.

The travesty will be if he lands with another H1. I can see that Tennessee job being attractive once Barnes leaves, great NIL with 10% of the pressure.
You are asking me to believe you have a crystal ball and can see the future. You are acting like a woman who believes her intuition to be infallible.

I am evaluating him by the same measure I am evaluating Pope. There is nothing in his background that makes it clear he would be any better.
 
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Johnnie Africa

All-Conference
Feb 27, 2003
1,175
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Influencing recruits, their parents, current players, and prospective coaches with a toxic environment is not the same as forcing the A.D.'s hand. I've been told repeatedly for years by you guys how stubborn Barnhart is but you believe you made him fire Stoops. The time had come and he was removed based on results. Had he won the last two games last season he would very likely still be here despite all the whining and the fact that you guys would have still wanted him fired.

So this message board influences recruits, their parents, current parents, and prospective coaches but also this immense influence is not carried over to the AD? That’s an interesting line of thought. I’m assuming this message board also can only exert this ability to the basketball program who is not in a good place but simultaneously is not able to influence the football program which is currently in great shape?
 
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Aug 23, 2024
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So this message board influences recruits, their parents, current parents, and prospective coaches but also this immense influence is not carried over to the AD? That’s an interesting line of thought. I’m assuming this message board also can only exert this ability to the basketball program who is not in a good place but simultaneously is not able to influence the football program which is currently in great shape?
Did you not claim for years that Barnhart was extremely hard headed? You don't believe moving on from Stoops could have been his decision and not something forced by the whiniest of fans? Recruits and coaches decide whether they wish to step into a toxic situation. The A.D.'s job is to tune out whiners and make rational decisions.
 

Johnnie Africa

All-Conference
Feb 27, 2003
1,175
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Did you not claim for years that Barnhart was extremely hard headed? You don't believe moving on from Stoops could have been his decision and not something forced by the whiniest of fans? Recruits and coaches decide whether they wish to step into a toxic situation. The A.D.'s job is to tune out whiners and make rational decisions.

I never claimed one time ever that Barnhart was hard headed. I claimed he was incompetent. I also think the AD has 1000000% more to do with bringing in and attracting prospective coaches and retaining them than this MB. That is the primary reason 2 of his 3 hires in basketball were BCG and Mark Pope, who are both awful. His relationship with Cal was also a major reason Cal left, his contract with Stoops was abhorrent, his hiring of Joker was pathetic, and his swim scandal should have had him fired.
 
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