Chicken Littles, Gloom and Doomers, Sky is Falling

[Kentucky15]

If Cal was still the UK coach I don't think you would be defending our terrible play. Even Pope admitted 3 guys weren't focused.

Post makes no sense at all. Calipari was at war with fans and had proven himself unreliable for 5 years. He was getting killed year after year, and taking no accountability. Losing to, not just top 12 teams, but first round duds to nobodies. what does that have to do with Pope in year 2, after doing great with the hand he was dealt year 1, also in November on the road?

Pope doesn’t have the sample size yet to critique anything and he’s done well. There isn’t anything to critique to be honest, he’s tinkering early with a roster he’s learning to coach. This isn’t a typical Pope team. He’s not doing a damn thing in the mold of Calipari. He’s the opposite. He’s adjusting and he’s fixing a problem we (UK fans) complained about for half a decade or more by going the route of player retention.

What we have here is an unhinged group that doesn’t like the loss so they’re acting like jackasses. I get it, I’ve said that. But some over analyzing this to death and it’s to the point of ridiculous. If Pope doesn’t work, then we will see when we’ve got a sample size to work with. You don’t have that, you’ve got a stupid game in October to a team we are 18-40 against. Louisville is insignificant. Nobody cares, UK fans wanted to win but we can’t beat them every single time. Learn probability, we were destined to lose at some point. Lousville got their superbowl, in a game too early to matter. This has nothing to do with friggin John Calipari. When he becomes that, he’ll get the Calipari treatment.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Post makes no sense at all. Calipari was at war with fans and had proven himself unreliable for 5 years. He was getting killed year after year, and taking no accountability. Losing to, not just top 12 teams, but first round duds to nobodies. what does that have to do with Pope in year 2, after doing great with the hand he was dealt year 1, also in November on the road?

Pope doesn’t have the sample size yet to critique anything and he’s done well. There isn’t anything to critique to be honest, he’s tinkering early with a roster he’s learning to coach. This isn’t a typical Pope team. He’s not doing a damn thing in the mold of Calipari. He’s the opposite. He’s adjusting and he’s fixing a problem we (UK fans) complained about for half a decade or more by going the route of player retention.

What we have here is an unhinged group that doesn’t like the loss so they’re acting like jackasses. I get it, I’ve said that. But some over analyzing this to death and it’s to the point of ridiculous. If Pope doesn’t work, then we will see when we’ve got a sample size to work with. You don’t have that, you’ve got a stupid game in October to a team we are 18-40 against. Louisville is insignificant. Nobody cares, UK fans wanted to win but we can’t beat them every single time. Learn probability, we were destined to lose at some point. Lousville got their superbowl, in a game too early to matter. This has nothing to do with friggin John Calipari. When he becomes that, he’ll get the Calipari treatment.

Agreed. I expected the loss. I still think we lose one more non-con.

 

[Kentucky15]

I don’t disagree with anything you said. I think sometimes people are just lumping everyone who said something bad about the game into a single category. I am not one of the people with long term concerns. I think Pope WILL get the defense figured out, and I expect if he doesn’t, he is smart enough to find a new D coordinator. I don’t have a problem with a thing you’ve said.

Yea common thing to be lumped into a category. I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. Kentucky played like ****. Nothing wrong with being unhappy about it and nothing wrong with learning what went wrong. Now some of these guys man, acting like idiots. I get a lot but damn, I’ve seen some absolute ridiculous post lately and coming from me who will run them out faster than anybody. Whew. People gotta chill for a second.

And I’ve said I will be giving Pope some extra time. He’s important we need him to work. It’s a legacy play and we need it bad. Fire him in year 3, no way of knowing what would have happened year 5-20. So I’m being more patient than I’ve ever been with a UK coach. That’s true.

 

[kybassfan]

Is this a valid criticism? Nearly every early deep shot Louisville attempted in the game came off of a simple dribble hand off or pick. We had two players in the action inside the three point arc on most of them. Why wouldn’t we have played tighter on the perimeter, especially knowing Louisville’s scoring comes primarily from the perimeter players? Does Pope not trust the players he added to this roster to defend with any pressure or does he tactically prefer to play a more drop coverage defense? That isn’t “dat coach don’t shoot dem 3s durr”. That’s a valid defensive concern based on Pope’s defensive tendencies. There are many, many criticisms that Pope earned with this game. It’s time for him to fix the issues, because much of the fanbase isn’t going to allow the excuses for poor play for very long. We lost more than a Kentucky coach should have last year, but it was largely out of his control. He has a big payroll and a pick of players than almost every other D1 coach would be jealous to have and insane depth to boot. Ten or more losses won’t cut it this year—it’s time for him to show us he is as good as we believe he is. I trust Pope will.

You think you have seen this teams best? That’s what you are implying.

And for what it’s worth, many of their shots came from inside out as they strolled leisurely into the lane. Of course we flailed at them while they took their time shooting. I doubt that will happen 10 - 15 games into the season.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

You think you have seen this teams best? That’s what you are implying.

And for what it’s worth, many of their shots came from inside out as they strolled leisurely into the lane. Of course we flailed at them while they took their time shooting. I doubt that will happen 10 - 15 games into the season.

No, I don’t think I’ve seen this teams best…I’m confused what made you think that. I don’t see anything in my post stating such or remotely implying it…??

 

[bbnkat02]

Yea common thing to be lumped into a category. I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. Kentucky played like ****. Nothing wrong with being unhappy about it and nothing wrong with learning what went wrong. Now some of these guys man, acting like idiots. I get a lot but damn, I’ve seen some absolute ridiculous post lately and coming from me who will run them out faster than anybody. Whew. People gotta chill for a second.

And I’ve said I will be giving Pope some extra time. He’s important we need him to work. It’s a legacy play and we need it bad. Fire him in year 3, no way of knowing what would have happened year 5-20. So I’m being more patient than I’ve ever been with a UK coach. That’s true.

So let's say the results are thus:

Y1. S16- No SECT Champ
Y2. S16- SECT Final Game (L)
Y3. R32- SECT FF

Do we continue and just hope for the best or would Pope be on the hot seat?

 

[Anon1759768907]

So let's say the results are thus:

Y1. S16- No SECT Champ
Y2. S16- SECT Final Game (L)
Y3. R32- SECT FF

Do we continue and just hope for the best or would Pope be on the hot seat?

i think its not that simple of a question, is the sweet 16 a 28 win team that fizzled out, or a team that barely makes the tourney and overachieves

gotta look at the whole picture

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

So let's say the results are thus:

Y1. S16- No SECT Champ
Y2. S16- SECT Final Game (L)
Y3. R32- SECT FF

Do we continue and just hope for the best or would Pope be on the hot seat?

He’d be on the hot seat if by year three, he hasn’t made it past the S16. I feel pretty confident to say that’s fair

 

[kybassfan]

No, I don’t think I’ve seen this teams best…I’m confused what made you think that. I don’t see anything in my post stating such or remotely implying it…??

So many complaining about one game. Only logical explanation is they think it’s going to be like that every game.

 

[CapnBlubs]

He’d be on the hot seat if by year three, he hasn’t made it past the S16. I feel pretty confident to say that’s fair

Agree and if he did it one more time in his fourth season, he'd probably be out.

I think Pope is a good person and really want him to succeed. But I've had serious concerns from the start and every time we fail to play defense it only builds on my original worries.

Nice breakdown in your defensive possession thread, btw. Appreciate the effort and I agreed with most of what you said in it.

 

[Vek96]

It’s comedy when 3 games into the season some are so negative and lose all sense of reason about the season. One game does not define any season.

It’s a message board. We just lost to our hated, in state rival, and looked awful doing it.
WTF do you expect?

That being said, I think this team will be good, if anyone can stay healthy. However, with Michigan State, UNC, Gonzaga, Indiana, and St John’s still to play before Conference play begins, you have to beat some of these teams, or, you’re going to find yourself in a deep hole when SEC play begins.

 

[Kentucky15]

So let's say the results are thus:

Y1. S16- No SECT Champ
Y2. S16- SECT Final Game (L)
Y3. R32- SECT FF

Do we continue and just hope for the best or would Pope be on the hot seat?

Depending on what he says, what his plan is, and what the roster will look like. I’ll say this, if I see that exact thing I’d probably say he’s got to make back to back elite 8’s at minimum and needs a final four in year 4 or 5. If it rounds out to more of the same over the next season, I’d fire him for those results year 5.

There is a reason I’m personally giving more time. Mark is a guy that will protect the program moving forward. A lot of those guys are dying off and we don’t have Calipari to see it on. We need Mark and his guys to be the next brass at UK that set the stage. I don’t think some people understand what guys like Mike dying mean. We had Joe all those years, Mike and some others they’re all gone. Calipari and his guys won’t be there for this. I don’t want to end up n a situation where Barnhart successor and men not associated with Kentucky are in control here, or have all power consolidated into them. We need mark and therefore I’m going to be a little more patient. I’m allowing him the learning curves and I wouldn’t usually do that.

Even Riley helped force the Calipari hire. They won’t be around now.

 

[UKnine]

You think Hurley won a title his first year at a major university? You're just going to compare Pope, who is just starting in year 2 at UK, to Hurley starting in 2023?
It took Hurley 6 years to get Rhode Island to the NCAAT and it took him 3 years to get UConn to the tournament.
Pope started with zero players and coaches last year and playing in the toughest conference of all time, got a 3 seed and made it to the SS.
In what world is Pope nowhere close to Dan Hurley?
I mean, if you're going to do this, why don't you just compare him to 1973 John Wooden?
You guys are unreal, we lost 1 game and it was a road game in a hostile environment against a top 10 team.
Get a grip.

Right, but his post claimed that MP wasn't close to heing on the same tier as DH.

I would argue MP is well ahead of DH's pace. He just needs to win b2b titles in like 8 years.

These make me giggle a whole lot. You were vehement that Pope was on the same tier as Hurley. Bet you wish that stupid takes could be erased from the internet.

 

[kyjeff1]

These make me giggle a whole lot. You were vehement that Pope was on the same tier as Hurley. Bet you wish that stupid takes could be erased from the internet.

Some of that was tongue-in-cheek, the whole "he just has to win b2b titles in the next 8 years" should have been obvious, but, here we are.

All I was saying was Hurley didn’t just start out winning titles, he struggled for a while too. But he struggled at Rhode Island, where they really don’t care.

How much of a loser are you? You went back to a thread from early November to dig **** up?

I'm so ashamed that I was thinking positive about our coach, youuuuuu got meeee. Congrats.

 

[UKnine]

Some of that was tongue-in-cheek, the whole "he just has to win b2b titles in the next 8 years" should have been obvious, but, here we are.

All I was saying was Hurley didn’t just start out winning titles, he struggled for a while too. But he struggled at Rhode Island, where they really don’t care.

How much of a loser are you? You went back to a thread from early November to dig **** up?

I'm so ashamed that I was thinking positive about our coach, youuuuuu got meeee. Congrats.

Just went back because you were making fun of me 2 months ago for stating the obvious that any real basketball person knows. Mark Pope is three tiers below Hurley and you had them as the same. Sorry! Most idiot post of the year. Congrats!!

 

[kyjeff1]

Just went back because you were making fun of me 2 months ago for stating the obvious that any real basketball person knows. Mark Pope is three tiers below Hurley and you had them as the same. Sorry! Most idiot post of the year. Congrats!!

Show me where I said he was on the same tier as Hurley. I need to see that.

If I literally said that, I will fully apologize.

You know, I was all over Cal his last 4 years. I was very vocal on here. I showed my hate for him every chance I got. Now, with Pope, I wanted to give him a fair shot. I shot my negativity wad with Cal and I didn't want to be viewed as someone that is overly critical of any coach we get, so I stayed very positive with Pope. Is what it is, but I find it very hard to believe I said Pope was on Hurley's level.

 

[Tim0808]

No Robinson no Kerr A hurt butler and hurt Carr and still made the first sweet 16 in 5 years not toention prior to that wins over Ug, Duke, UT twice and the Zags. But that doesnt meet your agenda

We were not good last year. We had some shooters that got hot and bailed us out of a few games. Just like the injuries you speak of, Duke was killing us until their top 2 players cramped out of the game. Yeah we beat Tennessee but pissed down our legs when it counted and was embarrassed by the Vols. Ohio State destroyed us in MSG. A bad Georgia team spanked us. Alabama tied a school record beating us 3 straight times. A one man Clemson team owned everyone on the team. Oklahoma was beating us until Oweh decided to scrap Pope's system and go one on one and will the team to two wins only because he did not want to lose to his former teammates.

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

Just went back because you were making fun of me 2 months ago for stating the obvious that any real basketball person knows. Mark Pope is three tiers below Hurley and you had them as the same. Sorry! Most idiot post of the year. Congrats!!

We’ve all had our individual turning points with pope
We were all coping with Pope so idk why you pick him specifically to go after
No need to hate. We’re all in the same boat with this goofball in charge

 

[CatPatrick13]

We were not good last year.

Any team that makes it to the sweet 16 is pretty good. Can’t even argue that dude.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

It’s pretty clear this is a team who will compete for championships. The problem many are missing is we are NOT healthy. Oweh is not healthy. JQ isn’t playing. Bad luck and our PG is rusty and he’s battling an injury. We’re relying on guys off the dribble that normally wouldn’t be asked to do it. That’s why we look slower. Add to it they’ve next played together and aren’t synced up, at a rivals house who never beat us and build the game up for months. And it’s barely out of October and just outside of exhibitions. You could clearly see Oweh knowing last night he didn’t have the ability to cut. Clearly could see Jlow grabbing at his arm, and he’s been out. They still nearly found a way to win that game. That shows what this team will be when we’re more in cohesion and have played meaningful minutes. Vegas moved that line because they got information about the teams situation. Namely Oweh.

Give it time. You can’t almost win a game like that if you aren’t one of the best out there.

Nope, sadly that isn’t the case. We all have them the benefit of the doubt but the second exhibition showed this real team.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Let's just keep making excuses for every time we lose, and move forward.

Best PFP, add Pope as a Jester in the background and we have the reason our BBall team sucks.

 

[wkycatfan7]

Pope made some mistakes with this roster, or maybe he didn't get who he wanted. At any rate, this roster does not fit his coaching philosophy. They are primarily athletes and not so much skilled basketball players. I want to give to give him a 3rd season to see if he can right the ship. I really liked lasted years team.

 

[[email protected]]

We were not good last year. We had some shooters that got hot and bailed us out of a few games. Just like the injuries you speak of, Duke was killing us until their top 2 players cramped out of the game. Yeah we beat Tennessee but pissed down our legs when it counted and was embarrassed by the Vols. Ohio State destroyed us in MSG. A bad Georgia team spanked us. Alabama tied a school record beating us 3 straight times. A one man Clemson team owned everyone on the team. Oklahoma was beating us until Oweh decided to scrap Pope's system and go one on one and will the team to two wins only because he did not want to lose to his former teammates.

Don’t forget that Gonzaga was kicking our *** worse than what Duke was doing after the first half. It’s wild to see the amount of games in just two seasons of UK losing or down double digits after the 1st half. What in the world is Pope saying to the players during pregame?!

 

[Ash Williams]

Show me where I said he was on the same tier as Hurley. I need to see that.

If I literally said that, I will fully apologize.

You know, I was all over Cal his last 4 years. I was very vocal on here. I showed my hate for him every chance I got. Now, with Pope, I wanted to give him a fair shot. I shot my negativity wad with Cal and I didn't want to be viewed as someone that is overly critical of any coach we get, so I stayed very positive with Pope. Is what it is, but I find it very hard to believe I said Pope was on Hurley's level.

You did say that. You're trying to hide behind a mask of pedantry, but your comment that he quoted clearly delivers the message that you believed that.

kyjeff1 said:
Right, but his post claimed that MP wasn't close to heing on the same tier as DH.

I would argue MP is well ahead of DH's pace. He just needs to win b2b titles in like 8 years.

 

[kyjeff1]

You did say that. You're trying to hide behind a mask of pedantry, but your comment that he quoted clearly delivers the message that you believed that.

kyjeff1 said:
Right, but his post claimed that MP wasn't close to heing on the same tier as DH.

I would argue MP is well ahead of DH's pace. He just needs to win b2b titles in like 8 years.

Did I make that post yesterday, or in November? That matters.

Compare Pope's first year at UK to Hurley's first year at UConn, Pope was far better, of course, the portal helped.

Then, you had the beatdown we put on Purdue in that exhibition game.

All I was saying was there was a path for Pope to be at that level. He's at UK, he's intelligent and he will have every resource possible. Don't act like you predicted this debacle, nobody did.

The b2b titles comment was meant to be funny.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Don’t forget that Gonzaga was kicking our *** worse than what Duke was doing after the first half. It’s wild to see the amount of games in just two seasons of UK losing or down double digits after the 1st half. What in the world is Pope saying to the players during pregame?!

Imho that shows a lack of coaching. The players cannot game after game come out and get beat down like this without poor preparation.

 

[CarbonLib]

i've been on this board for a long time.....y'all are hella-hard on coaches......

 

[darkshadesofblue]

The sky isn’t falling, but our program sure is

 

[Tim0808]

Any team that makes it to the sweet 16 is pretty good. Can’t even argue that dude.

Any team that makes it to the sweet 16 is pretty good. Can’t even argue that dude.

I guess we have to agree to disagree on that. I do not think every team in the sweet sixteen is good. However, you have the right to your standards. I guess you think St. Peters (2022) and Kansas State (2023) were a great teams because they made it to the Elite Eight. Now, I understand why Kentucky was beat by these teams.

 

[OGtruebluewildcat]

People don’t seem to understand that this is exactly why big names said no thanks post Tubby and again after Cal.

All the post crying about “MB should’ve hired so and so…”

Folks, in an era when a coach can make great money and recruit just about anywhere nobody is the least bit interested in coming and dealing with you all.

Season and a half in calling for jobs!

We’re lucky Pope played here otherwise he’d have said “f$&k off…” too!

Go ahead and run him off and see what we get next!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

We’re lucky Cal had a big ego otherwise he probably would’ve said no. Was on pace to pretty much do at Memphis what he did here.

Nate Oates wants no part of this.

 

[Argonaut]

People don’t seem to understand that this is exactly why big names said no thanks post Tubby and again after Cal.

All the post crying about “MB should’ve hired so and so…”

Folks, in an era when a coach can make great money and recruit just about anywhere nobody is the least bit interested in coming and dealing with you all.

Season and a half in calling for jobs!

We’re lucky Pope played here otherwise he’d have said “f$&k off…” too!

Go ahead and run him off and see what we get next!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

We’re lucky Cal had a big ego otherwise he probably would’ve said no. Was on pace to pretty much do at Memphis what he did here.

Nate Oates wants no part of this.

You’ll be scratching your head when UNC and Kansas make big splash hired in the coming years while Kentucky is stuck in the mud. What’ll your excuse be then? Or are you going to claim that those programs better than our’s?

 

[OGtruebluewildcat]

You’ll be scratching your head when UNC and Kansas make big splash hired in the coming years while Kentucky is stuck in the mud. What’ll your excuse be then? Or are you going to claim that those programs better than our’s?

UNC’s most recent hire wasn’t big splash. Again, lucky he was an alumn with a special affinity for the place.

Scheyer, actually doing pretty good. He’s safe for now, but I wouldn’t say he was a big splash hire considering the majesty of Duke. They literally could’ve had anyone. Another situation where they’re lucky he’s an alumn.

So that’s the 3 biggest basketball programs, all have made relatively recent changes. All 3 former players who weren’t really big names. Pope the only one with any kind of HC experience.

Would not shock me if KU makes a similar kind of hire.

Who’s getting big hot names? Non traditional powers with fans who won’t scream and holler after a down season.

Bama…Oates has it made in the shade. If Football loses 2 games tide forget basketball is even a sport. They have more fans on hold waiting to cry to Finebaum than pay attention to basketball.

Hurley will not leave UConn for any of the above big 3. Huskies have some hardware, but they don’t have the insanity. He wanted no part of this.

Drew can win a title and recruit to Baylor. Sniffed around Lexington for a hot minute probably passed one nut job “WHOOOO GO CATS 40-0 national champs…” Rupp Rafters regular on the street and promptly ushered his wife and kids back to the jet, chucked up the deuces and said “nah…we’re good in Texas…”

Auburn made a great hire in Pearl. Houston with Sampson. Florida, Michigan, Zona, Texas Tech…non traditional powers no nut job expectations or emotions…

Just the evolution of things. 10-15+ years ago big names, hot up and coming names would take big swings at big programs. Only way to make insane money, have resources to recruit and have legit shot at post season.

Not anymore.

Starting to see it in football as well.

 

[TotheMoon88]

Pope made some mistakes with this roster, or maybe he didn't get who he wanted. At any rate, this roster does not fit his coaching philosophy. They are primarily athletes and not so much skilled basketball players. I want to give to give him a 3rd season to see if he can right the ship. I really liked lasted years team.

Why did you like last years team? They couldn’t guard anyone and lost 12 games

 

[wkycatfan7]

Because he had to throw it together so quickly and it seemed to click, and they just seemed like a very likable team.

 

[Tim0808]

People don’t seem to understand that this is exactly why big names said no thanks post Tubby and again after Cal.

All the post crying about “MB should’ve hired so and so…”

Folks, in an era when a coach can make great money and recruit just about anywhere nobody is the least bit interested in coming and dealing with you all.

Season and a half in calling for jobs!

We’re lucky Pope played here otherwise he’d have said “f$&k off…” too!

Go ahead and run him off and see what we get next!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

We’re lucky Cal had a big ego otherwise he probably would’ve said no. Was on pace to pretty much do at Memphis what he did here.

Nate Oates wants no part of this.

Oh, how awful it would have been if Pope had said "f$&k off..." I feel so lucky now.

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

Oh, how awful it would have been if Pope had said "f$&k off..." I feel so lucky now.

ikr, don't threaten us with a good time, pal

 

[wildcat111]

It’s comedy when 3 games into the season some are so negative and lose all sense of reason about the season. One game does not define any season.

Now that we are half way thru the season and it has been a total disaster, do you still feel the same?