Going Forward - Blow it Up

[TheResistance]

Pope needs to wipe the slate clean immediately at today's practice. Have tryouts for the rotation.

He and the staff need to rid themselves of any preconceived notions about the team and the planned starting lineups.

Reward hard work at practice, do NOT reward perceived place on the team, preseason accolades, etc.

Realize that you did not recruit shooters this year and change your gameplan to shoot LESS threes per game.

If it doesn't work, who cares, whatever Pope has been doing isn't working with this group.

 

[Zuma75]

With all his talk about culture issues ... whatever's at the bottom of that, it's not getting fixed without some major corrections.

 

[MonsterMash79]

Everybody’s gotta understand UK’s roster is mostly made of “leftover” players. This is just what it is, it’s disappointing but the truth make the tournament at least

 

[fisherscatfan]

Everybody’s gotta understand UK’s roster is mostly made of “leftover” players. This is just what it is, it’s disappointing but the truth make the tournament at least

Which was understandable Year 1. This year the roster construction at guard is puzzling and zero commits for next year is alarming.

 

[philstat]

To be clear, Pope over invested in Oweh, BG, Lowe and absolutely with JQ = checkmate for the year, a broken roster with some solid components, nothing more.

 

[cat tat2]

I want Pope to get rid of anyone that is a “problem”. Give us a group that is together and focused on the task at hand. Like last year, less talented but a more cohesive unit. Just my opinion.

 

[BlueBomb]

Realize that you did not recruit shooters this year and change your gameplan to shoot LESS threes per game.

It's hard to understand why Mo seems to have the green light from three. Love that guy, but damn...

 

[Kats meow]

It's hard to understand why Mo seems to have the green light from three. Love that guy, but damn...

Bricks and airballs.

 

[KentuckyStout]

It's hard to understand why Mo seems to have the green light from three. Love that guy, but damn...

He’s been nearly as big a disappointment as Oweh.

 

[Anon1755209580]

It's hard to understand why Mo seems to have the green light from three. Love that guy, but damn...

The only player on this team that should have s green light from 3 is chandler. Johnson is way too trigger happy and should only be allowed to take wide open 3s or one's that are in the flow of the offense. Otherwise he should sit after each bad one. If Williams finds his stroke, I would give him the light as well.

 

[TheResistance]

It's hard to understand why Mo seems to have the green light from three. Love that guy, but damn...

Pope wanting his system over anything else. Analytics may have told him that the numbers would work with this group, but screw analytics. We are not a good shooting team and MO clearly isn't a shooter. If Pope doesn't amend his strategy, this may be his last year at UK.

 

[MonsterMash79]

Which was understandable Year 1. This year the roster construction at guard is puzzling and zero commits for next year is alarming.

I totally agree ..

 

[MonsterMash79]

He’s been nearly as big a disappointment as Oweh.

Said it in another post.. Oweh won’t do this year..

 

[KYWC36]

Everybody’s gotta understand UK’s roster is mostly made of “leftover” players. This is just what it is, it’s disappointing but the truth make the tournament at least

I guess that means all of college sports is left over rosters then because the NIL causes record moves each season for b ball and football, no offense, that's just a silly take

 

[KYWC36]

Pope needs to wipe the slate clean immediately at today's practice. Have tryouts for the rotation.

He and the staff need to rid themselves of any preconceived notions about the team and the planned starting lineups.

Reward hard work at practice, do NOT reward perceived place on the team, preseason accolades, etc.

Realize that you did not recruit shooters this year and change your gameplan to shoot LESS threes per game.

If it doesn't work, who cares, whatever Pope has been doing isn't working with this group.

Fully agree

 

[wccat]

It's hard to understand why Mo seems to have the green light from three. Love that guy, but damn...

He did seem to have heard a message at halftime to attack the rim. That he did do.

 

[wccat]

Said it in another post.. Oweh won’t do this year..

When I read that he was preselected as the SEC POY, I thought No Way! I like the guy and am a UK fan and still thought No Way for Oweh!!

 

[Seth_C]

It's hard to understand why Mo seems to have the green light from three. Love that guy, but damn...

It's because we have a roster full of guys who need to prove they can shoot to make an NBA roster, so they are using games for practicing shooting. Sure, they could practice shooting in their spare time but that time is better spent working on their social media presence because ultimately that's how they earn their pay.

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Pope needs to wipe the slate clean immediately at today's practice. Have tryouts for the rotation.

He and the staff need to rid themselves of any preconceived notions about the team and the planned starting lineups.

Reward hard work at practice, do NOT reward perceived place on the team, preseason accolades, etc.

Realize that you did not recruit shooters this year and change your gameplan to shoot LESS threes per game.

If it doesn't work, who cares, whatever Pope has been doing isn't working with this group.

Love it!

 

[MonsterMash79]

I guess that means all of college sports is left over rosters then because the NIL causes record moves each season for b ball and football, no offense, that's just a silly take

Actually there’s really good portal players and then there’s mediocre portal players. We whiff on the really good ones, JMO

 

[KYWC36]

Actually there’s really good portal players and then there’s mediocre portal players. We whiff on the really good ones,

Yea, we have but I think people need to understand why. We automatically assume we can get who we want and if we don't, well Pope can't recruit. Its an arrogant thought process. Times have changed, Kids don't need UK or any blue blood program anymore, they can go to the highest bidder (and I don't mean just NIL) and still reach their dreams. We may care about the names on the chest, they don't, not elite players anyway. Couple that with Pope actually builds a system and not the collection of best available and you have this misconception. Lexington is a boring city(comparatively), in a boring state...... I am not shocked the playing field has leveled.

 

[JPFisher]

Pope needs to wipe the slate clean immediately at today's practice. Have tryouts for the rotation.

I tend to wipe after blowing things up as well...

To your point, I agree. Nobody's spot is secure right now. You either produce or you don't.

A starting 5 of Aberdeen, Chandler, Kam, MoD, and Moreno is very, very feasible right now.

Depth would be Johnson at 1, Noah and Oweh at 2-3, Jelly at 4-5, and Garrison at 5 until JQ can relieve him of that bit of responsibility.

Just a wild start to the season. I hope Pope is up for the challenge and is able to make some really, really tough calls. Some hard conversations need to take place.

 

[theBlues]

Our portal players have not been the major problems. One was injured when we signed him and hasn't played yet and the other got injured and hasn't really played and neither Aberdine, MoD, nor Williams are among this team's worst problems. The problems are among the other players.
It doesn't look like any of the returning players except Chandler have progressed at all and some have regressed. Of the two freshman playing both
show promise for the future, but overall, I don't see how you can say either are good players right now(so far).

 

[Kentucky15]

Pope wanting his system over anything else. Analytics may have told him that the numbers would work with this group, but screw analytics. We are not a good shooting team and MO clearly isn't a shooter. If Pope doesn't amend his strategy, this may be his last year at UK.

I keep saying this, analytics will get your *** handed to you. The older coaches know this and don’t go all in. You can’t. Analytics don’t tell you many things, and if you over rely on it you’re screwed many times over. Math guys think the world of it because on paper the math is the math. On the court the math doesn’t translate. Athletes understand this all too well. Same reason just because a pitcher stacks up on paper against certain hitters doesn’t mean he’s not going to give up 10 that day. You have to have good instinct as a coach and know when and when not to go by math. Book dorks never understand this.

 

[JPFisher]

Everybody’s gotta understand UK’s roster is mostly made of “leftover” players. This is just what it is, it’s disappointing but the truth make the tournament at least

Lowe, Kam, and JQ were all the best players on their respective teams last year.

We have four returnees (one of whom needs to get his head out of his *** and play like the SEC POY).

We have four freshmen: three top 35 freshmen and one who played professionally overseas AND has so far been one of the few bright spots so far.

Aberdeen isn't a "leftover." He played behind the best PG in the country last year.

The only folks we could really consider "leftovers" would be MoD (which, that's a stretch) and Reece Potter.

Just a strange take. It's wild what losses do to our fanbase. We're literally beginning to parrot lazy takes from rival fanbases.

There's a ton to rag on right now. PG issues, the need for a GM... Idk. But when I sit down and look at the roster, I don't see many leftovers.

 

[Monday Nitro]

Lowe, Kam, and JQ were all the best players on their respective teams last year.

We have four returnees (one of whom needs to get his head out of his *** and play like the SEC POY).

We have four freshmen: three top 35 freshmen and one who played professionally overseas AND has so far been one of the few bright spots so far.

Aberdeen isn't a "leftover." He played behind the best PG in the country last year.

The only folks we could really consider "leftovers" would be MoD (which, that's a stretch) and Reece Potter.

Just a strange take. It's wild what losses do to our fanbase. We're literally beginning to parrot lazy takes from rival fanbases.

There's a ton to rag on right now. PG issues, the need for a GM... Idk. But when I sit down and look at the roster, I don't see many leftovers.

90% of what you read here is just stuff thrown against the wall. It's just people enjoying hearing themselves talk. Some didn't even watch the game, read about it the next day and headed over here to stir the pot.

 

[JPFisher]

I keep saying this, analytics will get your *** handed to you. The older coaches know this and don’t go all in. You can’t. Analytics don’t tell you many things, and if you over rely on it you’re screwed many times over. Math guys think the world of it because on paper the math is the math. On the court the math doesn’t translate. Athletes understand this all too well. Same reason just because a pitcher stacks up on paper against certain hitters doesn’t mean he’s not going to give up 10 that day. You have to have good instinct as a coach and know when and when not to go by math. Book dorks never understand this.

This is something I think Pope will really need to consider moving forward.

If we had 60 regular season games per year, sure. There are so few games in CBB that by the time you get enough of a sample to analyze anything, players have progressed past early season issues, some guys have been injured, the team has come together, and, oh yeah, the season is pretty much already over. Welcome to March.

I don't know how much reliance Pope has on his numbers, but I too am starting to get the idea that it's too much.

 

[JesusCal92]

With all his talk about culture issues ... whatever's at the bottom of that, it's not getting fixed without some major corrections.

So an all white team? I would love that

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Put the ball in Jasper Johnson’s hands let him run the offense and make plays. Prepare for next year. Show recruits we use a point guard..

 

[fs-ripcord65]

I want Pope to get rid of anyone that is a “problem”. Give us a group that is together and focused on the task at hand. Like last year, less talented but a more cohesive unit. Just my opinion.

I agree, 100% . I came to the Board today to ask, "Has anybody been dismissed from the squad yet ?" Now I'll proceed to read further to see whether my question has already been answered in another thread.
I'll finish for now by saying, "Mark Pope is my man, ridin' or walkin' ! ! !

 

[NociHTTP]

Said it in another post.. Oweh won’t do this year..

He looks like he doesn't care. If he doesn't go to the NBA this year, I look for him to leave college ball or transfer where he can be "the man".

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Put the ball in Jasper Johnson’s hands let him run the offense and make plays. Prepare for next year. Show recruits we use a point guard..

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Fa shoooooooo lol

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

Lowe, Kam, and JQ were all the best players on their respective teams last year.

We have four returnees (one of whom needs to get his head out of his *** and play like the SEC POY).

We have four freshmen: three top 35 freshmen and one who played professionally overseas AND has so far been one of the few bright spots so far.

Aberdeen isn't a "leftover." He played behind the best PG in the country last year.

The only folks we could really consider "leftovers" would be MoD (which, that's a stretch) and Reece Potter.

Just a strange take. It's wild what losses do to our fanbase. We're literally beginning to parrot lazy takes from rival fanbases.

There's a ton to rag on right now. PG issues, the need for a GM... Idk. But when I sit down and look at the roster, I don't see many leftovers.

Agreed. The roster is capable. Pope just isn't getting what he needs out of them. It's that simple.

 

[catfanlou]

Pope needs to wipe the slate clean immediately at today's practice. Have tryouts for the rotation.

He and the staff need to rid themselves of any preconceived notions about the team and the planned starting lineups.

Reward hard work at practice, do NOT reward perceived place on the team, preseason accolades, etc.

Realize that you did not recruit shooters this year and change your gameplan to shoot LESS threes per game.

If it doesn't work, who cares, whatever Pope has been doing isn't working with this group.

Agree . Both Moreno and JJ should start based upon what I have seen thus far . Also Diabonte . Let the others fight it out based solely on performance.

 

[KyKevin]

When I read that he was preselected as the SEC POY, I thought No Way! I like the guy and am a UK fan and still thought No Way for Oweh!!

I thought if he improved from last year, he could be, but his head is FU right now, worse then his turf toe.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

Yea, we have but I think people need to understand why. We automatically assume we can get who we want and if we don't, well Pope can't recruit. Its an arrogant thought process. Times have changed, Kids don't need UK or any blue blood program anymore, they can go to the highest bidder (and I don't mean just NIL) and still reach their dreams. We may care about the names on the chest, they don't, not elite players anyway. Couple that with Pope actually builds a system and not the collection of best available and you have this misconception. Lexington is a boring city(comparatively), in a boring state...... I am not shocked the playing field has leveled.

Hate to say this but Duke seems fine. That was tough to say.

 

[KYWC36]

Hate to say this but Duke seems fine. That was tough to say.

If you mean in recruiting, yes they are- only way to respond to that, other than going back to, we aren't who we think we are. Pope is not the reason why we aren't getting top 5 ish recruits. We haven't in years, we haven't won anything in years...... and that started long before Pope. Which was my point, our fans think we can just say hey come here and that is not our reality. Also, Duke isn't winning a lot of hardware with those recruits, but they have won more than we have. Boozer said in his post game interview Duke was the top Brand in bball, and whether you agree with that or not, I think my point was, we aren't as big of destination spot as many of our fans think we are,

 

[seccats04]

Pope wanting his system over anything else. Analytics may have told him that the numbers would work with this group, but screw analytics. We are not a good shooting team and MO clearly isn't a shooter. If Pope doesn't amend his strategy, this may be his last year at UK.

Ever hear of a guy named Mitch Barnhart? Pope isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. He got rewarded for making the S16 last year. We’re stuck with him for better or worse.