Honestly - Where Does UK BB Fit?

[philstat]

Yet they just lost their coach who said, and I quote,

Saw that, which makes zero sense, believe that could have been they wanted him out and that's how things are becoming, kind of happened to Cal here his last year or so, was being choked off. Instead of firing, you turn things to a trickle, MD has a lot of money, UA, the military, government in the area, they're well funded.

 

[Blue wood]

We are top 10 in every resource you could name, plus we have a tradition unlike any other. UK was, is and will always be one of the elite college basketball programs.

These trolls are hilarious

 

[philstat]

These trolls are hilarious

I mean true, though the results haven't spoken to that over the past 20 years or so, just hasn't been the case.

 

[Panthur]

Better watch your opinion and skepticism around here. Cause you will be labeled negative Nancy quick. All cause you care and are concerned in the direction. Pope needs time. But we got alot of hoper's around here.

Holy crap, right? All he said was he's worried because he loves his team and the challenge looks daunting. He could definitely probably use a, "Buck up, little camper!" speech. But all these people seeing it as a reason to target him seem just looking for excuses to abuse their fellow man. You have to think a decent amount of this stuff is more about unresolved childhood issues than about poor worried Philstat thinking, "I wish my favorite team with its brilliant coach had more money."

As to the subject at hand, ESPN can do what it wants but I believe that at least in a pretty good measure social media will take a lot of the wind out of ESPN's sails. And at least for this past season, social media in general loved the fire out of Pope and Kentucky. At least while we were healthy.

 

[ABLCommenter]

To be fair, it just sucks. Yes, I will watch every game. Yes, I will root like hell for us to win every game. We can be with the best in NIL. It just isn’t as fun anymore. The fact we are on Jayden Quintaince watch is just wild. Not a state of the program, the state of the sport. I’d rather have all 5 stars and two returning starters than all new transfers. New team each year anyway. But the only difference is the latter is what wins now.

 

[crxohio]

These trolls are hilarious

You been hating in the past. Still the same result.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

Pope did a fantastic job when you consider:

1. The SEC he entered at Kentucky wasn't the SEC that existed when Cal was taking this over. This is a Brutally Tough Conference.

2. He had to prove himself and the man went 2-1 against the Final Four participants including giving the National Champions 1 of their 4 losses.

3. Injuries delayed the growth of the team and ability to see where they could've been when everyone is usually pushing to peak.

4. Scrutiny of not having an NCAA win and having program he left win ahead of him to get to 2nd Rd/Sweet 16 and then Cal do the same. All he did was go out and get the job done and set a great tone for next year and ahead.

We all didn't care for how it ended but it was a great foundation year. Let's see what happens moving forward but love the direction and also as fans we've got to understand the Brutally competitive SEC now. This is like the old Big East. It's a war every night. You'll lose if you don't bring it and it builds toughness/calluses for the NCAA Tournament as we saw with teams who advanced deep and won it all.

 

[philstat]

To be fair, it just sucks. Yes, I will watch every game. Yes, I will root like hell for us to win every game. We can be with the best in NIL. It just isn’t as fun away. The fact we are on Jayden Quintaince watch is just wild. Not a state of the program, the state of the sport. I’d rather have all 5 stars and two returning starters than all new transfers. New team each year anyway. But the only difference is the latter is what wins now.

Yeah, sadly, that's where things are today.

 

[Blue wood]

I mean true, though the results haven't spoken to that over the past 20 years or so, just hasn't been the case.

20 years? What about Cals first 5 years?

 

[SkyPrince1]

I say we shut the program down for a few years, regroup, then try to compete against the new-look NCAA and Florida's mid-major transfer mercenaries.

We don't have this championship game tonight without the covid rule.
Just saying.

 

[philstat]

20 years? What about Cals first 5 years?

It was a magical ride, that ended with the only title over the past 25 years or so.

 

[Blue wood]

Holy crap, right? All he said was he's worried because he loves his team and the challenge looks daunting. He could definitely probably use a, "Buck up, little camper!" speech. But all these people seeing it as a reason to target him seem just looking for excuses to abuse their fellow man. You have to think a decent amount of this stuff is more about unresolved childhood issues than about poor worried Philstat thinking, "I wish my favorite team with its brilliant coach had more money."

As to the subject at hand, ESPN can do what it wants but I believe that at least in a pretty good measure social media will take a lot of the wind out of ESPN's sails. And at least for this past season, social media in general loved the fire out of Pope and Kentucky. At least while we were healthy.

I think people are tired of the skeptism all the damn time. Things are going good and will get better vut you babies need to get a safe space and cry it out.

 

[Blue wood]

It was a magical ride, that ended with the only title over the past 25 years or so.

So fng what? You said 20 years which is not true. We did win one title but went to other final fours in that stretch. Your acting like we are Indiana. Sorry we didn't win 4 titles in a row. Your statements are redicolous

 

[Panthur]

I think people are tired of the skeptism all the damn time. Things are going good and will get better vut you babies need to get a safe space and cry it out.

You're a child and a nasty one.

 

[crxohio]

Ridiculous js

 

[crxohio]

Like I said. Earlier, once upon a time. The natural color is purple. Not blue

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

It was a magical ride, that ended with the only title over the past 25 years or so.

We went 20 years without a title and only two final four appearances between them.

 

[SkyPrince1]

It's not just about the money, it's also the environment, Lexington doesn't compete with a lot of these collegiate atmospheres, nor does the environment at Rupp, it's better than it has been, though compared to many other programs, falls short.

You're not making that statement through the eyes of a 18-22 yr old.
A beautiful campus doesn't land you recruits in 2025.
Let's face it, these kids on the team now are rich relatively speaking.
Our bench warmers are driving brand new Escalades.
They have money to persue any kind of entertainment they want.
The divide between football and basketball players and the rest of the students is at an all time high and getting wider each year.

 

[kycottontail]

The campus of Texas A&M is absolutely unparalleled, with them being a service supported school, that place is flowing with money, I spent a week there recently and it was epic. You're also close to Houston and as I said, the campus itself and the amenities are world class.

Its so good that there coach left for Maryland

 

[SkyPrince1]

The campus of Texas A&M is absolutely unparalleled, with them being a service supported school, that place is flowing with money, I spent a week there recently and it was epic. You're also close to Houston and as I said, the campus itself and the amenities are world class.

I'm sure the real students love it there.

 

[flacat22]

Not a loser, just a realist, there are at least 20 programs, better resourced than UK and that's probably being overly generous, probably 30+.

List them.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Not a loser, just a realist, there are at least 20 programs, better resourced than UK and that's probably being overly generous, probably 30+.

Are you high?

 

[HagginHall1999]

I've been saying this for awhile. If you're a basketball player in Lexington, what are you doing for entertainment away from the court? Visiting the airport? Kentucky Horse Park? Going to Winchester to see the Ale-8 factory? Hanging out at a defunct Fayette Mall?

A lot of players don't want some elaborate form of entertainment....they want a GF and to play basketball.

Entertainment = distraction

What do you think players are doing in Durham and Chapel Hill? Touring the Andy Griffith museum?

What about Stors? Checking out the ESPN studios?

Look what Jamarr Chase said about Cincinnati. If a player is serious it is about their craft, not their personal entertainment.

 

[HagginHall1999]

The campus of Texas A&M is absolutely unparalleled, with them being a service supported school, that place is flowing with money, I spent a week there recently and it was epic. You're also close to Houston and as I said, the campus itself and the amenities are world class.

They are sure reeling in the talent Phil.

 

[ToddStrong]

If you don't think Kentucky can compete in this era I think you haven't been paying attention to the transfer portal. Florida just won a title with a third year coach who had never won a single tournament game before this year. Auburn just had their best year ever as did Alabama and Tennessee.

Kentucky is the cream of the crop in the SEC basketball landscape. I don't think that's going to change. It's just going to be tougher with traditional football powers now investing heavily in basketball, but make no mistake. Florida and Tennessee will always be football schools. Kentucky will invest the majority of what they have in basketball and kids will see that.

 

[bthaunert]

A few thoughts:

1. Pope probably just had the least talented team, on paper, that he will have in his time at UK and took then to the Sweet 16.

2. The SEC will never be better than it was this year. This year was unprecedented. While they will remain a strong conference, I just don’t see a way the conference won’t take some sort of step back.

3. Location of a university means very little to these guys, especially transfers. Hell, a majority of portal guys don’t even visit the school, it’s all done by zoom. OP mentioned Texas A&M. I’ve been there a few times and College Station, TX is definitely not a place that’s going to draw in a college basketball player. Ahd it’s 1.5 hours from Houston, which the OP mentioned as a draw. Those guys are never going to Houston.

4. NIL - from all indications, our NIL is strong. I’ve seen nothing to suggest otherwise. If you’re into rankings, UK has the third best class in the nation combining HS and portal. If our NIL wasn’t strong, then no way we would be that high.

So, better roster on paper + weaker conference moving forward + strong NIL = a team that can compete in the new world.

 

[9timeChampion]

Stupid post I think you are probably someone when cal left was in depression mode. Them programs you listed most are garbage. Lexington is a good city and Kentucky has a great fan base and some wannabe fans like yourself.

 

[bigblue2243]

Not a loser, just a realist, there are at least 20 programs, better resourced than UK and that's probably being overly generous, probably 30+.

you are crazy.... 30 + to an sec team and blue blood at that

 

[jeffky]

The system has changed radically in the last few years, I'm not sure UK has the resources nor the environment to compete at the absolute upper elite level, given today's climate. I believe Pope is awesome, his energy, passion and care for his players are second to none, I'm just not sure in this construct can the program compete to where it needs to be. Today it's all about maximum exposure, media, and the biggest one, money, just not overly confident UK is in the top 10 when it comes to these type of resources, I'm going to say, we're not, IMO.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

If the court puts that 20 mil salary cap in place, we'll be much better off. I think that hard cap will make it easier on the coaches to raise the money, because we know Mitch isn't going to help. Plus it will be an even playing field.

One thing that's hard to admit is how far behind we are. Bama, Houston, and Auburn would've beaten us 10/10 times. It took our best game of the year by far to barely beat Florida, who improved a ton by end of season. March Florida would've killed us. Same with duke, who we don't beat if maluach doesn't cramp.

I actually think Pope's single game coaching is great, as good as there is out there. I think his recruiting, especially with the staf, is excellent. Next step is player and team development. I know there were injuries but there was very little individual improvement. All the guys were basically the same and so was the team.

 

[SkyPrince1]

If the court puts that 20 mil salary cap in place, we'll be much better off. I think that hard cap will make it easier on the coaches to raise the money, because we know Mitch isn't going to help. Plus it will be an even playing field.

One thing that's hard to admit is how far behind we are. Bama, Houston, and Auburn would've beaten us 10/10 times. It took our best game of the year by far to barely beat Florida, who improved a ton by end of season. March Florida would've killed us. Same with duke, who we don't beat if maluach doesn't cramp.

I actually think Pope's single game coaching is great, as good as there is out there. I think his recruiting, especially with the staf, is excellent. Next step is player and team development. I know there were injuries but there was very little individual improvement. All the guys were basically the same and so was the team.

Most 5th year players have peaked.
That's why the NBA won't draft most even after a strong season.

 

[justanotherguy505]

The system has changed radically in the last few years, I'm not sure UK has the resources nor the environment to compete at the absolute upper elite level, given today's climate. I believe Pope is awesome, his energy, passion and care for his players are second to none, I'm just not sure in this construct can the program compete to where it needs to be. Today it's all about maximum exposure, media, and the biggest one, money, just not overly confident UK is in the top 10 when it comes to these type of resources, I'm going to say, we're not, IMO.

Like Kentucky has been outside of 2011-2015. Mid.

 

[RexBowie]

If the game becomes purely about money, Kentucky is in better position than 99.99% of programs. We are one of the top grossing programs or the top grossing program every season. We have a massive fanbase and have the highest attendance.

Right now we in this hybrid state where billionaires and millionaires inject money. If that money is coming from the school though, it would actually improve our standing.

Albeit, then universities don’t want this model because it eats away from revenue, but that’s really how it should be.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

Better watch your opinion and skepticism around here. Cause you will be labeled negative Nancy quick. All cause you care and are concerned in the direction. Pope needs time. But we got alot of hoper's around here.

If UK basketball brought me as much misery as it apparently does you I would either quit watching sports all together, switch teams or see if a Dr could give you some kind of anti depressants.

 

[cats#1again]

I've been saying this for awhile. If you're a basketball player in Lexington, what are you doing for entertainment away from the court? Visiting the airport? Kentucky Horse Park? Going to Winchester to see the Ale-8 factory? Hanging out at a defunct Fayette Mall?

The same thing 21 year old kids do in every city
You go out . There's only a couple things college kids do
N it ain't top golf

 

[Jamal Mercer]

62 posts in TEN YEARS. What a standard!

Low post count in that amount of time is a good thing lol

 

[Stretch98_rivals101536]

A lot of players don't want some elaborate form of entertainment....they want a GF and to play basketball.

Entertainment = distraction

What do you think players are doing in Durham and Chapel Hill? Touring the Andy Griffith museum?

What about Stors? Checking out the ESPN studios?

Look what Jamarr Chase said about Cincinnati. If a player is serious it is about their craft, not their personal entertainment.

Or Gainesville, FL. Now there's a mega media market and entertainment complex.

 

[USARMYWILDCAT]

I think we can be a top 10 NIL basketball team. We need our Athletic Director to understand we are a basketball school first and foremost. I love Kentucky football but I’m sorry they should eat after Kentucky basketball. You make sure the Kentucky basketball team has every resource they possibly need. Once that’s accomplished and then you fund the other teams. There should be no expense spared for the basketball team. This might be an unpopular opinion but it’s how I feel about it.

 

[philstat]

A few thoughts:

1. Pope probably just had the least talented team, on paper, that he will have in his time at UK and took then to the Sweet 16.

2. The SEC will never be better than it was this year. This year was unprecedented. While they will remain a strong conference, I just don’t see a way the conference won’t take some sort of step back.

3. Location of a university means very little to these guys, especially transfers. Hell, a majority of portal guys don’t even visit the school, it’s all done by zoom. OP mentioned Texas A&M. I’ve been there a few times and College Station, TX is definitely not a place that’s going to draw in a college basketball player. Ahd it’s 1.5 hours from Houston, which the OP mentioned as a draw. Those guys are never going to Houston.

4. NIL - from all indications, our NIL is strong. I’ve seen nothing to suggest otherwise. If you’re into rankings, UK has the third best class in the nation combining HS and portal. If our NIL wasn’t strong, then no way we would be that high.

So, better roster on paper + weaker conference moving forward + strong NIL = a team that can compete in the new world.

Very optimistic and excellent post!

 

[philstat]

I think we can be a top 10 NIL basketball team. We need our Athletic Director to understand we are a basketball school first and foremost. I love Kentucky football but I’m sorry they should eat after Kentucky basketball. You make sure the Kentucky basketball team has every resource they possibly need. Once that’s accomplished and then you fund the other teams. There should be no expense spared for the basketball team. This might be an unpopular opinion but it’s how I feel about it.

I agree 100%, Stoops is just not the answer and with a decently talented team they were horrific last year, believe UK should go back to the basics, UK BB, first and foremost.