Let's stop pretending

[JwUKFan11]

Pope isn't and never was the man for the job. 95% of the fanbase knew that as soon as it was announced. This team is trash and has been all year; a couple of lucky wins don't, change that. I know he will be given a 3rd year but he shouldn't be, and it's an absolute shame that Mitch Barnhart has been allowed to destroy UK Basketball.

 

[TTTblue24]

I’m trying to like this team but we do some the most stupid things on the road, there’s absolutely zero sense of urgency until we get down 15-20. Now we are back to making scrubs look like AA cause we just refuse to hustle and play hard from the start.

 

[TheDude73]

Pope isn't and never was the man for the job. 95% of the fanbase knew that as soon as it was announced. This team is trash and has been all year; a couple of lucky wins don't, change that. I know he will be given a 3rd year but he shouldn't be, and it's an absolute shame that Mitch Barnhart has been allowed to destroy UK Basketball.

I would seriously believe Pope is so in love with Kentucky and it's fans that if this year continues as bad as it has started, he will quit on his own (while of course looking for a job at a lesser challenging school). He knows how we think and frankly I don't think he'll stick around if he doesn't think it's working.

The ONLY reason I believe he'd come back for year three (again, assuming this year blows and we don't make the NCAA's) is because we had three top players injured.

 

[JwUKFan11]

Spent by most reports the most in the country in NIL, and could only get role players. Now, with even less money and JMI restrictions, we can't get a single player. This doesn't get better, it gets worse.

 

[caliman]

I’m trying to like this team but we do some the most stupid things on the road, there’s absolutely zero sense of urgency until we get down 15-20. Now we are back to making scrubs look like AA cause we just refuse to hustle and play hard from the start.

It is so maddening why that happens game after game. And it was the same thing last season as well.

That is a tell tale sign of a coaching issue and it’s not sustainable.

 

[96Cats]

I remember the collective disgust online on all platforms when Pope was announced. I think BBN has done an admiral job at trying to support this experiment for the sake of a former player, but none of us (including Pope) should be in this position. Barnhart is the worst.

 

[TTTblue24]

I like pope but seems to be in over his head, I wanted pearl from the start and still do but this is what Ky basketball has come to.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

Pope isn't and never was the man for the job. 95% of the fanbase knew that as soon as it was announced. This team is trash and has been all year; a couple of lucky wins don't, change that. I know he will be given a 3rd year but he shouldn't be, and it's an absolute shame that Mitch Barnhart has been allowed to destroy UK Basketball.

The UK athletic dept is a disaster and disgrace. Mitch has to go now so a new AD can hire the basketball coach. Pope is a good guy but in over his head at UK. He was a snap hire. Now go get a coach.

 

[CoffeeCat]

Who's pretending

 

[JwUKFan11]

Who's pretending

I think we have all tried to support and rally behind the hire. It's over. I want him gone and this "experiment" was a fail, like most things MB does.

 

[hypocrithatr]

Pope should have never been considered for the JOB. If you don't know by now I don't what to say, MITCH BARNHART has tried to destroy the MBB program for a long time he finally has achieved his goal!!!!!!!! BARNHART should have been fired years ago he's a %ucking disgrace.

 

[UKGrad24]

I went nuts the night he was hired then bought in to support this. Pope must go. But if I get to pick, Mitch first. I am truly disgusted by this BOT supporting Mitch barhart through these years. He’s the worst AD in the country. And for sure, 100%, the SEC. His parting gift is the destruction of the Kentucky program through JMI and Mark Pope.

 

[hypocrithatr]

I don't blame POPE, no one in his position would turn down a job opportunity like this. This lays squarely on MITCH BARNHART"s back.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

But hey we are in second place in the SEC, I wonder if we will be ranked next week

 

[Zuma75]

Pope isn't and never was the man for the job. 95% of the fanbase knew that as soon as it was announced. This team is trash and has been all year; a couple of lucky wins don't, change that. I know he will be given a 3rd year but he shouldn't be, and it's an absolute shame that Mitch Barnhart has been allowed to destroy UK Basketball.

My first reaction on hearing the news was to text my dad, “what the hell is Barnhart doing???”

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I would seriously believe Pope is so in love with Kentucky and it's fans that if this year continues as bad as it has started, he will quit on his own (while of course looking for a job at a lesser challenging school). He knows how we think and frankly I don't think he'll stick around if he doesn't think it's working.

The ONLY reason I believe he'd come back for year three (again, assuming this year blows and we don't make the NCAA's) is because we had three top players injured.

He may love us, but I’m sure he loves setting his family up for life as well. He’s still competitive and will want to prove he can do it. Not many people would give up their dream job willingly.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I don't blame POPE, no one in his position would turn down a job opportunity like this. This lays squarely on MITCH BARNHART"s back.

Agreed, he has ruined our money making programs each two times and still has a job. It boggles the mind.

 

[Nightwish]

You're not breaking news here. The first warning sign was at the very beginning...

"Remember 1996?! '96! I was on that team! Denim! Pitino! 1996! 1996!"

UK Admin got fans to buy in by trying to convince us it was 1996 again and not 2024. When you're selling mostly nostalgia, that's a problem.