Fully Convinced this is a Mental Issue

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,300
59,920
113
I'm very disappointed in him right now, but I know that means nothing. We're just fans. But how can ANYONE, who is supposedly all about the school they used to play for (regardless of school) ALLOW something like that to happen? If ever there was a moment when a team pulls something out of their *** to protect the dignity of their home court, this is it.

Truthfully if I had to peg it, I think hes too nice. Too much of a religious, gee willikers country boy. And that works for some things, but not for others. Being the head coach for an elite basketball program is the latter.

I think you have to be a certain type of egomanic/lunatic to coach here. You have to be able to thrive under the pressure
 
Nov 7, 2010
23,504
126
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I don’t think Pope has enough backbone to discipline these guys. Last years team and a lot of his BYU teams had a lot more maturity, so it didn’t take a lot of oversight with team issues. That combined with not having a PG. Of course I’m just guessing
His job is on the line. He’s going to have to discover that backbone. . . .
 

buc puppet

All-Conference
Mar 22, 2004
678
1,221
92
Well it’s a mental issue now because they suck and everyone hates them.

but it’s a recruiting issue. We suck because our players aren’t good. It’s not their fault. All they did was say yes. All the good players said no.
 

BlueBlood96Cat

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2022
2,679
4,708
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Consistency of bad body language, no motion, bad ball movement, can't shoot is a mental issue.

We have seen these players shoot well... before the UofL game.

Whatever happened before that UofL game has changed the course of the season.

Yes I know talent is also an issue. But what is putting us down is the mental.

It's clear Pope hasn't found a solution.

Another issue is that these players *may* not believe in Pope as the coach, which is a major issue
There are clear issues. All those rumors were probably not rumors. This team has seriously regressed. Going the wrong way. It was awful. I can’t say anything else about this game other than it was awful. So awful I can’t just one off it. This ranks up there with Saint Peters just for the lack of effort alone.

Whole team is just so uninterested.
 

sk73

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2013
3,089
3,122
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Why is it that we are the only team in the country that knows what we paid what in NIL? I say it is BS and someone put out fake news to create animosity between the team members. We don't hear anything on what other teams have paid
From the first time I saw the report there were about 10 teams listed. We were listed as 20million+. Duke , Kansas and ,I think, Florida were in the 10 million + category. Several teams right behind. I have no idea how accurate those figures actually are but both of tonight game announcers mentioned the figure 22 million again tonight as well. Also read that Gonzaga NIL is 3 million.
 

BlueBlood96Cat

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2022
2,679
4,708
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After thinking about it all game, watching the game, and them recalling past games. Oweh is one of the causes for this mental issue., If he is the cancer, you server it. The guess is based off bad consistent body language, complaining he doesn't get the ball, when he's not a willing passer.

If I was the media, I would hound Pope to tell us what happened before the UofL game.
That’s the thing . Something happened and we deserve to know why the team that represents the State of Kentucky is a complete joke at the moment.
 

paulcalhoun_rivals397471

All-Conference
Aug 23, 2024
1,221
3,728
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Why is it that we are the only team in the country that knows what we paid what in NIL? I say it is BS and someone put out fake news to create animosity between the team members. We don't hear anything on what other teams have paid
The Herald Leader has printed things numerous times over the years designed to hurt the program.
 
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Smeegs

Senior
Nov 19, 2025
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This used to be the way it was done, but I don’t think it still works in today’s world of NIL money, the portal, big money promises, and pampered prima donna players with their own agents and lawyers. Nowadays there are certain players that coaches feel obligated to play regardless of their attitude/effort.

Old school coaches like Knight and Rupp wouldn’t last a week in today’s CBB world.
 

TortElvisII

Heisman
May 7, 2010
51,701
96,948
66
Why is it that we are the only team in the country that knows what we paid what in NIL? I say it is BS and someone put out fake news to create animosity between the team members. We don't hear anything on what other teams have paid
very interesting
 
Jul 6, 2025
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It's just zoom action on top of the key or wings. That's it.

We don't even run that. I saw it a little in the second half when we tried to show some life. I really think the players are rebelling and not wanting to run it.

He absolutely must just play guys that play with effort and sit every one else. You cant have oweh out there walking around. If he doesn't like it, send him home and hope he transfers mid season so we can save that money. Same for anyone else not wanting to be a team player.

If pope doesn't take a serious stand now, he has no chance. Not just here, but anywhere in major college basketball.
 

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
1,029
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I have played basketball for years. I am a natural 2 who can shoot lights out. I say this from experience.

When you're down on your self, on a team you don't like because of ball hogs, bad attitudes or whatever, your mental has a high chance to decrease. Therefore, your ability to shoot is there, but the accuracy of shot has waned.

People who say we don't have shooters are only looking at the numbers. While the numbers are correct and shows we don't have shooters, but we actually do. Look at games before the UofL Game. Look at our offensive rhythm.

If you have never played basketball, the mental part may be foreign to you.

Steph Curry is one the greatest shooters and he has said multiple times that his shooting slumps are factored by his mental rhythm rather than his form and mechanics.

Ever notice when Noah can shoot lights out in practice or warm ups and them goes 2-7 for an example?

Pressure is a multiplier because the mental tightens the body. The mechanics didn't change, the thoughts did.

Shooting is also muscle memory. A jump shot is your brain recalling a motor pattern cleanly and consistently. Emotions, focus, hesitation can interfere with that. The whole motion is off.

There are clearly non shooters on the team and Mo D is obviously one of them. I am talking about players like, Jasper, Chandler, Aberdeen, Jelly, Noah, Williams, 'oweh'.

So when you say we don't have shooters. We do.

My argument is that the reason why we have offensive woes is because its all mental issues. I know. I lived it, been there. And if you're a basketball player you have some comprehension of it too.

Like I said in many threads before. There is a cancer on this team and it needs to be severed.

---

One additional thing I'll add is that I think Pope relies too much on analytics and positivity, he simply ignores the emotional issues this team is dealing with. This is why last night he said "Otega had some good points and plays". Did bro even watch the game?
 

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
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We don't even run that. I saw it a little in the second half when we tried to show some life. I really think the players are rebelling and not wanting to run it.

He absolutely must just play guys that play with effort and sit every one else. You cant have oweh out there walking around. If he doesn't like it, send him home and hope he transfers mid season so we can save that money. Same for anyone else not wanting to be a team player.

If pope doesn't take a serious stand now, he has no chance. Not just here, but anywhere in major college basketball.
We ran more zoom in the 1st half, and second half was just messy with offensive plays.
 

BCD

Senior
Dec 30, 2002
672
665
93
They all have the yips and are wilting under the pressure and bright lights.
 

Anon1764301234

Redshirt
Nov 27, 2025
24
34
13
Truthfully if I had to peg it, I think hes too nice. Too much of a religious, gee willikers country boy. And that works for some things, but not for others. Being the head coach for an elite basketball program is the latter.

I think you have to be a certain type of egomanic/lunatic to coach here. You have to be able to thrive under the pressure

There is some truth to this. Kentucky has done pretty well when arrogant and slick New York Italians have helmed the ship. It’s a major and unique head coaching job and it requires a stern ego exploding with confidence to helm it. Heck you need that alone just to handle the fanbase.
 
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rivercatinfl

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2012
1,686
1,591
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After thinking about it all game, watching the game, and them recalling past games. Oweh is one of the causes for this mental issue., If he is the cancer, you server it. The guess is based off bad consistent body language, complaining he doesn't get the ball, when he's not a willing passer.

If I was the media, I would hound Pope to tell us what happened before the UofL game.
I'd be more apt to rely on the players who are playing hard. We've got a better chance of winning playing without the cry babies. They are stealing g our season.
Play Chandler, Johnson, Moreno, Noah and JQ soon. Sit the rest of them and pick 3 subs who want to win.
Those guys with the exception of JQ (hasn't played yet) are the players who want to win badly.
Stay with that 8 and don't run players in and out.
We've all seen enough of these other kids moping and playing hero ball.

If This team wants to play 9-10 players they should be in constant motion and run the competition's leg off. But we don't do that. We just run around the circle, then launch a 3 pointer.

Pope has got to figure this out quickly or he is done for at UK.
 
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LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,300
59,920
113
There is some truth to this. Kentucky has done pretty well when arrogant and slick New York Italians have helmed the ship. It’s a major and unique head coaching job and it requires a stern ego exploding with confidence to helm it. Heck you need that alone just to handle the fanbase.

Italian coaches are pretty common, which is odd for a sport that really doesnt feature a lot of Italian-American players. But go down the list.. not only is it Calipari and Pitino.. but Geno Auriemma, Valvano, Carnesseca, Massimino, Carlisimo, Pat Reily, Izzo Fraschila and im sure theres more.
 

Johnfarrel

All-American
Oct 9, 2001
5,308
5,338
113
I have played basketball for years. I am a natural 2 who can shoot lights out. I say this from experience.

When you're down on your self, on a team you don't like because of ball hogs, bad attitudes or whatever, your mental has a high chance to decrease. Therefore, your ability to shoot is there, but the accuracy of shot has waned.

People who say we don't have shooters are only looking at the numbers. While the numbers are correct and shows we don't have shooters, but we actually do. Look at games before the UofL Game. Look at our offensive rhythm.

If you have never played basketball, the mental part may be foreign to you.

Steph Curry is one the greatest shooters and he has said multiple times that his shooting slumps are factored by his mental rhythm rather than his form and mechanics.

Ever notice when Noah can shoot lights out in practice or warm ups and them goes 2-7 for an example?

Pressure is a multiplier because the mental tightens the body. The mechanics didn't change, the thoughts did.

Shooting is also muscle memory. A jump shot is your brain recalling a motor pattern cleanly and consistently. Emotions, focus, hesitation can interfere with that. The whole motion is off.

There are clearly non shooters on the team and Mo D is obviously one of them. I am talking about players like, Jasper, Chandler, Aberdeen, Jelly, Noah, Williams, 'oweh'.

So when you say we don't have shooters. We do.

My argument is that the reason why we have offensive woes is because its all mental issues. I know. I lived it, been there. And if you're a basketball player you have some comprehension of it too.

Like I said in many threads before. There is a cancer on this team and it needs to be severed.

---

One additional thing I'll add is that I think Pope relies too much on analytics and positivity, he simply ignores the emotional issues this team is dealing with. This is why last night he said "Otega had some good points and plays". Did bro even watch the game?
It is not a shooting problem. If they are open they can make shots. The problem is they can't get open on their own. The bigger problem is they can't, or won't rebound, and they can't, or won't play defense. And the lack of effort is glaring. It looks like a bunch of millionaire children with no work ethic.
 
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rivercatinfl

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2012
1,686
1,591
97
It's just zoom action on top of the key or wings. That's it.
I liked a couple of Lowe drives. They either resulted in a FT or a pass to an open guy. We just couldn't make a basket.
We have to have that penetration to open up passing lanes. We also didn't get many feeds to the post. This bigs have to be involved to get others open.

Future Teams will play us just like the Zags, Ul and Mi State did. We have to solve the problems in the offense.

Our defense stunk too. About 3 minutes into the second half we played better more aggressive defense. We gotta man up and play physical defense.

I'm really hoping Pope can figure this out.
 

AllBall

All-Conference
May 5, 2015
3,822
4,617
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Why is it that we are the only team in the country that knows what we paid what in NIL? I say it is BS and someone put out fake news to create animosity between the team members. We don't hear anything on what other teams have paid
Pope leaned into it. He said he wanted to have the highest NIL, toughest schedule, best facilities...etc. He could've keep quiet and stopped the speculation just like the UL locker room incident.
 

AllBall

All-Conference
May 5, 2015
3,822
4,617
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Well it’s a mental issue now because they suck and everyone hates them.

but it’s a recruiting issue. We suck because our players aren’t good. It’s not their fault. All they did was say yes. All the good players said no.
Bc no one talented wants to only play 20 mins a game. If u were a stud would u be okay sharing time with less talented players?
Money is great but they also wanna display their talent to potentially move on to the next level.
 

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
1,029
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I keep on seeing post on here that people think or problems will be fixed with scheme, etc. Yes that is true.

But nothing will be fixed until mental is fixed.