Anyone else indifferent for the coming basketball season?

Wunky · Tuesday at 8:38 PM

Kentucky basketball fandom is like freedom… it only takes one or two generations to lose it. First Cal accepted mediocrity, then the administration accepted it, now fans are starting to accept it. Many, many young fans haven’t got a clue what UK basketball used to be. It’s sad, but it is what it is.

I heard Matt Jones today talking about how the whole “sacred cloth” thing was corny and cringe. As important as tradition is… he’s right. Nothing is more important than WINNING, and winning takes Jimmy’s and Joe’s. We get some here and there, but we don’t have a team loaded with them like we should.

paulcalhoun_rivals397471 · Tuesday at 10:51 PM

WallMash said:
so much misery and whining in the comments. I'm a realist. Pope has to prove he's more than he is - a life time 60 percent winning coach.

But I always feel hopeful at the start of a season. And don't a have a dead heart about the team.

It's 63.5 not 60 and circumstances do matter. I have gone to great lengths numerous times demonstrating how many coaches who went on to do great things had done little to no more and in some cases even less pretty deep into their careers. I'll make no claims what the future holds for Pope but the past in no way proves he is not capable of considerably more than we have seen to this point.

DonAndy · Tuesday at 10:58 PM

Wunky said:
Kentucky basketball fandom is like freedom… it only takes one or two generations to lose it. First Cal accepted mediocrity, then the administration accepted it, now fans are starting to accept it. Many, many young fans haven’t got a clue what UK basketball used to be. It’s sad, but it is what it is.

I heard Matt Jones today talking about how the whole “sacred cloth” thing was corny and cringe. As important as tradition is… he’s right. Nothing is more important than WINNING, and winning takes Jimmy’s and Joe’s. We get some here and there, but we don’t have a team loaded with them like we should.

Popes barely had any Jimmy's. He most definitely ain't had any Joe's.

Edit. Pope ain't had a Jimmy or a Joe. Otega was a stud tho.

Wunky · 2026-09-30T02:15:15-0500

DonAndy said:
Popes barely had any Jimmy's. He most definitely ain't had any Joe's.

Edit. Pope ain't had a Jimmy or a Joe. Otega was a stud tho.

We needed Mitchell. For a brief moment, we were cooking with grease. When that fell through, was anyone really surprised?

paulcalhoun_rivals397471 · 2026-09-30T02:19:42-0500

Wunky said:
We needed Mitchell. For a brief moment, we were cooking with grease. When that fell through, was anyone really surprised?

I'm never surprised when the SEC or the NCAA step in to screw Kentucky.

Wunky · 2026-09-30T02:39:05-0500

paulcalhoun_rivals397471 said:
I'm never surprised when the SEC or the NCAA step in to screw Kentucky.

Maybe they screwed us. Or maybe a program like Kentucky should never have to pin all their hopes on an 11th-hour transfer who probably wasn’t gonna be eligible because his brother/agent didn’t do his due diligence.

Kentucky basketball should never be held together with bubble gum like it is now.

DonAndy · 2026-09-30T02:44:52-0500

Wunky said:
We needed Mitchell. For a brief moment, we were cooking with grease. When that fell through, was anyone really surprised?

When Pope literally had the guy committed and then still lost him i just gave up. Just another scenario I've never seen. It isn't funny but I had to laugh when I woke up and seen Mitchell back to Missouri after celebrating his commitment. That was Pope's chance and it just isn't going to work out.

I just hope he steps down and the separation doesn't have to be ugly.

dckala2_ · 2026-09-30T03:10:15-0500

Yes, sadly indifferent. Won’t win the league, won’t win the sec tourney (or make the weekend), sweet 16 ceiling.

all the judge injunctions, Aberdeen transferring inter league and just so happened to put his name in the portal even tho he was out of eligibility. Then Kansas getting guys out of nowhere.

Got a weirdo at head coach. Idk, hopefully blatt has the stones to get oats or something. Pope tried, but he’s just not the guy to lead Kentucky basketball. And now another year will go by.

paulcalhoun_rivals397471 · 2026-09-30T04:54:11-0500

dckala2_ said:
Yes, sadly indifferent. Won’t win the league, won’t win the sec tourney (or make the weekend), sweet 16 ceiling.

all the judge injunctions, Aberdeen transferring inter league and just so happened to put his name in the portal even tho he was out of eligibility. Then Kansas getting guys out of nowhere.

Got a weirdo at head coach. Idk, hopefully blatt has the stones to get oats or something. Pope tried, but he’s just not the guy to lead Kentucky basketball. And now another year will go by.

Our fanbase is plagued with a load of crybaby's. I certainly hope our staff and players do not just give up and hoist the white flag like so many of the whiner's on this board. I'll not concede anything about our season before it has even begun.

Those who can not handle adversity need to just take a break from it all or pick another team to bandwagon until things are going well enough to suit them. The incessant complaining and scapegoating is not helping a thing. The fact that so many insist a large chunk of the fanbase trying to run off the coach doesn't have a negative impact on recruiting is mindboggling.

theKybluedude · 2026-09-30T05:08:07-0500

Lots of whiners in the UK fanbase. Not the group you would want with you behind enemy lines. Loser mentality.

This could be a great UK season but they already anticipate the worst …in the preseason to say the least.

I’m going to let it play out. Not going to give up prior to the season. Think we have the talent to win big. Like the makeup of the team and believe it will be a fun season. Good players at all positions and once healthy good depth. Shooters and length. Experience. Size. Multiple All SEC candidates. Will always stand behind any UK staff in a rebuild and who truly deeply care about UK basketball. Major injuries derailed the first 2. Not fair to judge a program with those setbacks. No team or coach could have overcome those injuries. Think we are in good hands. Defining year.

My advice is to save the personal pain and take the year off if it brings no enjoyment. Find a hobby, adopt your local high school team, do some volunteer work but for heaven’s sake stop the incessant preseason whining. No real UK fan wants to read needless negative speculation right now.

Plenty of time to assess the program good or bad post season. I’m very optimistic on the upcoming season. Best group yet in CMP’s tenure.

theKybluedude · 2026-09-30T05:10:43-0500

paulcalhoun_rivals397471 said:
Our fanbase is plagued with a load of crybaby's. I certainly hope our staff and players do not just give up and hoist the white flag like so many of the whiner's on this board. I'll not concede anything about our season before it has even begun.

Those who can not handle adversity need to just take a break from it all or pick another team to bandwagon until things are going well enough to suit them. The incessant complaining and scapegoating is not helping a thing. The fact that so many insist a large chunk of the fanbase trying to run off the coach doesn't have a negative impact on recruiting is mindboggling.

Congrats on your UK HOF induction.

DonAndy · 2026-09-30T05:13:16-0500

theKybluedude said:
Lots of whiners in the UK fanbase. Not the group you would want with you behind enemy lines. Loser mentality.

This could be a great UK season but they already anticipate the worst …in the preseason to say the least.

I’m going to let it play out. Not going to give up prior to the season. Think we have the talent to win big. Like the makeup of the team and believe it will be a fun season. Good players at all positions and once healthy good depth. Shooters and length. Experience. Size. Multiple All SEC candidates. Will always stand behind any UK staff in a rebuild and who truly deeply care about UK basketball. Major injuries derailed the first 2. Not fair to judge a program with those setbacks. No team or coach could have overcome those injuries. Think we are in good hands. Defining year.

My advice is to save the personal pain and take the year off if it brings no enjoyment. Find a hobby, adopt your local high school team, do some volunteer work but for heaven’s sake stop the incessant preseason whining. No real UK fan wants to read needless negative speculation right now.

Plenty of time to assess the program good or bad post season. I’m very optimistic on the upcoming season. Best group yet in CMP’s tenure.

Well as a real UK fan it just seems more logical to call it like it is than to act like Mark Pope is magically going to lead us to the promise land. Most real UK fans are tired of all the bullcrap.

Everyone's been way too nice to this guy we have running the show. I don't give a damn about 1996. It's 2026. And I was born in 96....

DonAndy · 2026-09-30T05:26:32-0500

Spoiled crybaby fans don't like not even being a threat in the conference...much less nationally....save that reach for the stars crap.

Every other fan base is happy with our current state. We shouldn't be. I'd rather hear the negativity and truth than get smoke blown up my behind. "Reach for the stars tiger " save that bullcrap

Cats_2010 · 2026-09-30T05:48:40-0500

paulcalhoun_rivals397471 said:
Our fanbase is plagued with a load of crybaby's. I certainly hope our staff and players do not just give up and hoist the white flag like so many of the whiner's on this board. I'll not concede anything about our season before it has even begun.

Those who can not handle adversity need to just take a break from it all or pick another team to bandwagon until things are going well enough to suit them. The incessant complaining and scapegoating is not helping a thing. The fact that so many insist a large chunk of the fanbase trying to run off the coach doesn't have a negative impact on recruiting is mindboggling.

So players aren’t coming here because the fanbase as a whole is not happy with the coach? So your contention is hey coach, thanks for the strong offer, I know UK basketballs history and it would be an honor to play here plus the large bag your dropping but think I’m gonna have to go elsewhere because a lot of fans aren’t happy with you.

I mean seriously repeat this scenario in your head a few times and try and get to the point that the ridiculousness of this contention shines brightly.

KFuqua · 2026-09-30T05:58:24-0500

Just like it's been for my entire life, I am excited and can't wait to get the season rolling. GO BIG BLUE!

LineSkiCat14 · 2026-09-30T06:49:14-0500

Yeah, im at a "wait and see" approach with Pope. Ill keep my eye on some of the exhibitions and early game and if this team demands my attention, even somewhat.. ill tune in. But if we look like last year, I have other stuff to watch.

jrpross_rivals · 2026-09-30T07:12:43-0500

KapitalCat said:
I'm very excited for the season because I see it going two possible ways . One this turns out to be a team that competes for the SEC regular season and gets to an elite 8 and Pope has a monster fall recruiting haul. Or it's more of the same, 12 losses, middle of the pack SEC, key injuries that provide excuses and a 7 seed and early NCAAT exit and in that case Batt will make the right call. So lets let it play out.

My worry is that it’s right in the middle; we lose 8-10 games, get a 4-5 seed, get to the second round, maybe even sneak into the Sweet 16, and they decide to give him another year. The problem is, I think that’s our peak with Pope.

Damage_inc · 2026-09-30T07:15:26-0500

Jamal Mercerr said:
I have. Nothing compares to Cal’s drivel the last few years.

I never cared what cal said because I don't matter. Recruits matter and they liked what he was saying. Pope is the opposite. He is constantly kissing the fan bases *** when we really don't need it. All while elite recruits think he is a dork. That's a problem.

jrpross_rivals · 2026-09-30T07:15:27-0500

Jamal Mercerr said:
I feel about the same as I did in Cals last 4-5 years. Except Popes voice and comments don’t sound like nails on a chalkboard like Cal’s did.

Kentucky will be “back” at some point. It’s inevitable. Unfortunately I don’t think Pope can do that. There will be a homerun hire in the coming years just like Pitino, just like Cal.

I really hope Batt actually knows how to conduct a coaching search unlike Mitch “hey we have an alum doing mediocre at a mid-major” Bernhardt.

Damage_inc · 2026-09-30T07:20:21-0500

This reminds me of the clyde years. Our football team had some juice that kept us all marginally happy while we all knew the bball coach was a dead man walking. It's odd that we have never been really good at both sports at the same time. Cal came in and rocked while football fell completely off the map. Then Cal started sucking and low and behold Stoops had a couple 10 win seasons. The table looks to be set for some exciting football years. I hope that history doesn't repeat itself for bball sake

KapitalCat · 2026-09-30T07:37:23-0500

jrpross_rivals said:
My worry is that it’s right in the middle; we lose 8-10 games, get a 4-5 seed, get to the second round, maybe even sneak into the Sweet 16, and they decide to give him another year. The problem is, I think that’s our peak with Pope.

That is a legit concern I just chose to go one way or the other but certainly there is a middle ground that would be a worst case scenario.

BlueVelvetFog · 2026-09-30T08:03:38-0500

Why not look forward to both?

Wunky · 2026-09-30T08:38:34-0500

KapitalCat said:
That is a legit concern I just chose to go one way or the other but certainly there is a middle ground that would be a worst case scenario.

The only way the “middle ground” scenario plays out is if J. Batt thinks average is acceptable for Kentucky basketball. And if he does, then he needs to be shitcanned, too.

BoneToPick · 2026-09-30T08:45:17-0500

It is tough going into the season without what I would consider to be a go-to guy. We really needed Mitchell.

KapitalCat · 2026-09-30T08:47:47-0500

Wunky said:
The only way the “middle ground” scenario plays out is if J. Batt thinks average is acceptable for Kentucky basketball. And if he does, then he needs to be shitcanned, too.

That was my initial thought with the all or nothing post. But I can still see a possible scenario where we are really good but not elite which is where I want to be next year.

FitchandMurray29 · 2026-09-30T09:08:52-0500

I’ve had similar thoughts and just don’t feel excited. There’s no juice in the program right now. BBM being too early this year exacerbates the problem.

Pope needs an injection of life into this thing fast. A 5 star commitment, exhibition win over TTU, etc. He also needs these fifth years to not be eligible.

I’ve been much more optimistic than most on Pope and this team. My confidence did take a hit with all these possible fifth years guys potentially playing. Big difference imo from being team 15 as compared to being team 20 in a more competitive field.

Win your exhibitions, beat KU, get some recruiting momentum…excitement will be back.

Very curious to see what happens with fans if Tech comes in here and handles us.

MegaBlue05 · 2026-09-30T09:14:34-0500

I’m too invested in college and NFL football to give basketball a single thought right now if being honest.

I’ll worry about it after Halloween.

meteordealer · 2026-09-30T09:21:46-0500

Catastic5 said:
Usually I’m excited for this time of the year. Last year, I was elated for the coming season, especially after beating Purdue, but now? I wouldn’t call it dread. I know some people are probably dreading this year. But with the football team doing much better than expected, I can’t muster up much to care that college basketball is a month away.

I've been indifferent for the past 8 years or so.

BlueWorldOrder74 · 2026-09-30T09:22:40-0500

I’m no overly excited. I’ll get more excited closer to game time. I don’t really care about BBM, it’s been a **** show for way too long. When the first exhibition game is here, I suspect I’ll get more excited. But I’m not positive on that. I just don’t think this season is going to be much different than the last two, and that just isn’t going to go well.

Starrcade · 2026-09-30T09:24:17-0500

Be leery of the OP. He surfaced as a "new account" within 15 seconds of a post of mine in a game thread and came after me. You don't surface that fast unless you saw something said that you wanted to argue about. So he's clearly using a side accouht and didn't have the nads to attack me with his real acct.

bigblueinsanity (the real) · 2026-09-30T10:28:21-0500

Indifferent is a good way to put it. We know what Pope is. We know the roster we have. Short of some really good breaks, we will be middle of the SEC road and playing on Thursday in Nashville.

Not alot to get excited about.

ftp000 · 2026-09-30T10:59:40-0500

What an idiotic thread. If you're indifferent you don't spend time on a fan board.
This cesspool gets stinkier and fuller by the second.

PS. Nobody cares, you hand ringing old women.

bleedsblue5 · 2026-09-30T11:08:13-0500

I want to be, I think we have some fun pieces and if they defended the ball well we could be nasty. We just need Pope to get focused on D like Pitino did and I think he will. That happens and watch out.

Feral Manatee · 2026-09-30T12:12:20-0500

BookofMormon said:
This is called post-Calolitis.

Right about now, Cal would have his next fleet of 5stars walking in the door that everyone would be craving practice reports on hoping they were the next John Wall and Anthony Davis, meanwhile shopping for his next brood of future studs everyone is hoping to hit. And he's doing it with ease whereas you could expect him to land everything, and the best at it. Better than Duke, UNC, Kansas. And as much as Cal's system flunked the other pieces of coaching, recruiting will always be the most important course. So it gave entertainment and hope annually, and you could flex this part of year.

Cal keeps it interesting all year, then March hits.

Meanwhile Pope hasn't really made much of a dent with the top HS kids, backed into Milan, no one thinks he's landing anything and a laughing stock on the recruiting trail other than chucking bags at kids.

I wonder if not for NIL what our recruiting classes would have been looking like these past couple years. Because the pictures and videos from recruits with Pope that we have seen are just shockingly cringe inducing. And I say that with love for the man. Pope is a really great person. But it feels like if not for the giant bags UK is able to offer (which in total is up near the top of college basketball budgets)
we might be really, really struggling if all else was even close to being equal. I see other top young coaches and you listen to them and they are sharp, dynamic leaders with a plan and a personality to sell it. As much as I love the man it often feels like Pope is perpetually Mr Magoo at a poker table filled with sharks.

WeWant9 · 2026-09-30T12:23:02-0500

It's the end of Sept, I am not really in bball mode yet. Stuff like summer practice reports, BBM, B/W game don't really excite me anymore, but I know when the actual games roll around, I will get that excitement going.

BookofMormon · 2026-09-30T12:39:50-0500

Feral Manatee said:
I wonder if not for NIL what our recruiting classes would have been looking like these past couple years. Because the pictures and videos from recruits with Pope that we have seen are just shockingly cringe inducing. And I say that with love for the man. Pope is a really great person. But it feels like if not for the giant bags UK is able to offer (which in total is up near the top of college basketball budgets)
we might be really, really struggling if all else was even close to being equal. I see other top young coaches and you listen to them and they are sharp, dynamic leaders with a plan and a personality to sell it. As much as I love the man it often feels like Pope is perpetually Mr Magoo at a poker table filled with sharks.

Post of the day.

And yes, the challenge of Pope. There isn't a place for kind and dopey in today's CBB world, when so much money is at play. He doesn't have the overall savvy to compete with this generation of coaches. Much of the old guard left for similar reasons. Roy William's wasn't exactly a tack, he was a basketball Dad. Winners these days are Hurley, May, Golden, Painter. These guys can light up a microphone and process a mile a minute.

This is why I love Hodgson. Edge, dynamic, alpha. He has a gameplan and it's crystal clear. I would put good money he kills it at PC. It bears watching Murray at BC. He has a gameplan and system, I'm just not sure if he has the alpha to coach/lead. TBD there. I'd take Hodgson over Lucas. I think he's the next great coach, and a guy this fanbase would gush over.

I would go after him the first sign of success there, before he has a chance to really prove it and hit market. I'm calling he's at UK or Tenn next, guy has SEC written all over him.

theBlues · 2026-09-30T12:41:22-0500

Im The Village Idiot said:
No. If you aren’t ready for basketball season, we aren’t the same. Even in the case where the roster WASNT expected to be good, I’m still absolutely EXCITED for basketball season, which has a regular season that lasts only four months of the year. Not claiming to be fan of all fans but I can’t empathize with being nonchalant about basketball time in the bluegrass, regardless of how good/bad the team is expected to be. Did some of you not get passed the fanship generation to generation, through the ups and downs, the good times and bad times?

Can’t wait until basketball season!! LFG!!!

Me too; I'm excited about basketball. I think the team still has a chance to be very good. We've got a legit All-American candidate in Milan and for us to be really good he needs to be our second best player(yeah, I'm looking at you, Malachi).

BookofMormon · 2026-09-30T12:56:22-0500

theBlues said:
Me too; I'm excited about basketball. I think the team still has a chance to be very good. We've got a legit All-American candidate in Milan and for us to be really good he needs to be our second best player(yeah, I'm looking at you, Malachi).

Anyone not pumped about hoops is too myopic into UK. UK will figure it out at some point, enjoy the journey and the sport. This team also has potential. Don't sleep on Wilkins.

MegaBlue05 · 2026-09-30T12:56:58-0500

WeWant9 said:
It's the end of Sept, I am not really in bball mode yet. Stuff like summer practice reports, BBM, B/W game don't really excite me anymore, but I know when the actual games roll around, I will get that excitement going.

This is me, but I have never been a basketball first/only fan. I’m in football mode right now.

I will DVR BBM and skip to the men’s team like usual. I will get a tad excited for B/W scrimmage and then the actual excitement will hit in exhibition season.

FLBBNFAN · 2026-09-30T13:11:54-0500

Im The Village Idiot said:
No. If you aren’t ready for basketball season, we aren’t the same. Even in the case where the roster WASNT expected to be good, I’m still absolutely EXCITED for basketball season, which has a regular season that lasts only four months of the year. Not claiming to be fan of all fans but I can’t empathize with being nonchalant about basketball time in the bluegrass, regardless of how good/bad the team is expected to be. Did some of you not get passed the fanship generation to generation, through the ups and downs, the good times and bad times?

Can’t wait until basketball season!! LFG!!!

Im still looking forward to the season and think we may be better than expectations. Hopefully Wilkins and some of the other guys break out this year. The continuous injuries are concerning in my opinion.

I bashed Pope a lot the final 2 months of last season. He's our coach for now and if he has another year like last season he will be gone in six months so either he kills it this year or we have a new coach in April.

Anyone else indifferent for the coming basketball season?

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