He seems like he's hell bent on doing everything his way, whether it makes sense or not.
Mark Pope show is on now
- Thread starter kyjeff1
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Agree. It’s funny you use the baseball analogy. I will be at my son’s college games and watch our pitcher blow two fastballs by the batter inevitably to watch the coach call off-speed to inevitably speed up the bat of the batter. Mind-numbing stupidityWe all have our differing opinions but I disagree with this 100%. It’s absolutely not being overblown. What Pope did Saturday by NOT starting his best players is giving the entire team a “safe” and “cautious” mental approach. The exact opposite of what they should be feeling at the start of the game. What does an approach that basically says “let’s be really careful and play two or three of our inferior players a few minutes and see if we can keep the score within striking distance”. Meanwhile, our likely best three point shooter, our projected top 10 NBA draft pick AND our one and only legitimate point guard will cheer really hard that they’re not down 20 when they finally get into the game.
Guys like JQ, Cam and Lowe sit there and watch CC, Aberdeen and Moreno give up 8-10-12 points in a row and get the Bama crowd in a frenzy - THEN they’re inserted into that? Of course that makes a difference. A huge, gigantic difference. By that time Bama was throwing in everything they shot - it’s called momentum and it’s the deciding factor in most “somewhat” evenly matched games.
Do we win Saturday if the lineup of: Lowe, OO, Cam, Mo and JQ start? Probably not, but at least we would have “come out swinging” with our best pitch. If you’ve got a 103 mph fastball - don’t throw a bunch of ineffective 88 mph sliders
JQ is:
1. Still hurting
2. Afraid he's going to get hurt
3. Not very athletic
4. Not in game shape
One of those things or a combination. They blew by him.
I think it's absolutely absurd to not start your best lineup, especially when you constantly find yourself down by 10-20 points in the first half.
But it's not just the opening tip, against good teams, you better play your best 5 guys as often as possible.
Someone earlier said we didn't really start falling behind until after Lowe and JQ came in, but here’s the deal with that, when those 2 came in, at least 2 legit starters sat. Pope only played our best lineup for 1 minute the entire game. That is some Calipari crap right there.
When you don't start your best 5, it isn't going to be easy to get your best 5 on the court at the same time, especially the way Pope shuffles players in and out.
The comments from Pope tonight are very troubling to me, if he was serious, it tells me he still hasn't learned his lesson, so we're going to be getting our faces rubbed in more dogsh*t until he does.
But it's not just the opening tip, against good teams, you better play your best 5 guys as often as possible.
Someone earlier said we didn't really start falling behind until after Lowe and JQ came in, but here’s the deal with that, when those 2 came in, at least 2 legit starters sat. Pope only played our best lineup for 1 minute the entire game. That is some Calipari crap right there.
When you don't start your best 5, it isn't going to be easy to get your best 5 on the court at the same time, especially the way Pope shuffles players in and out.
The comments from Pope tonight are very troubling to me, if he was serious, it tells me he still hasn't learned his lesson, so we're going to be getting our faces rubbed in more dogsh*t until he does.
I learned to cuss from my grandmother watching Gimel play. Lol
Let's just pretend that he's slowing improvement so everyone comes back, lol.
He is VERY athletic. I can tell you that for sure. I’d doubt he has his legs under him fully and the way he favors a side indicates he may be playing with some fear or pain.
Cream is a much better communicator, IMO.
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Anyone ever watched him talk analysis? He may be weird as ****, but he does know the game. He sort of reminds me of Hurley Lite. I've seen him blow up, he's got a temper. I wish Pope would get one.
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Well, if he's going to do that, then why pout like a child in the post game interviews, then change nothing?
The learned trait stayed dormant until Briscoe.
Bingo! We had the same problem with Cal's last team.
They were down four when they came in. It is absolutely overblownWe all have our differing opinions but I disagree with this 100%. It’s absolutely not being overblown. What Pope did Saturday by NOT starting his best players is giving the entire team a “safe” and “cautious” mental approach. The exact opposite of what they should be feeling at the start of the game. What does an approach that basically says “let’s be really careful and play two or three of our inferior players a few minutes and see if we can keep the score within striking distance”. Meanwhile, our likely best three point shooter, our projected top 10 NBA draft pick AND our one and only legitimate point guard will cheer really hard that they’re not down 20 when they finally get into the game.
Guys like JQ, Cam and Lowe sit there and watch CC, Aberdeen and Moreno give up 8-10-12 points in a row and get the Bama crowd in a frenzy - THEN they’re inserted into that? Of course that makes a difference. A huge, gigantic difference. By that time Bama was throwing in everything they shot - it’s called momentum and it’s the deciding factor in most “somewhat” evenly matched games.
Do we win Saturday if the lineup of: Lowe, OO, Cam, Mo and JQ start? Probably not, but at least we would have “come out swinging” with our best pitch. If you’ve got a 103 mph fastball - don’t throw a bunch of ineffective 88 mph sliders
I shared some beers with him right after he quit playing. He told story after story and I loved every second of it.
Good post. I will add that he does not always, 100% of the time, tell the truth to the players. He is more of the type of person that will quickly figure out what you need to hear to get you out of his office. He does not act mature if a conversation is a little off putting. That’s my two cents- not providing examples- so take it or leave it.
That’s why I’m scared about another year with him. He’s not going to change his staff and probably won’t even hire a GM. He’ll be running it back next year with the same crap and will basically be a lame duck coach. It’ll be similar to Joker’s 3rd year. And at least Joker got a 3rd year because he beat Tennessee for the first time in 30+ years. Pope is getting another year “just because”.
Anybody see John Wall or Big Cuz playing for this dude? Especially after one on one time at Keeneland.
But it's not overblown when the best 5 only played together 1 minute of the game.
So great, Lowe and JQ come in, but Oweh and Mo D sit. Then we have JQ, Lowe, Chandler, Aberdeen and Garrison.
Then, JQ and Aberdeen sit, still no Kam, but Chandler just gave up another 3.
Start your best 5 and try to get your best 5 rest, then get them back on the court together as much as possible.
Heck, Kam didn’t play the first 8 minutes of the 2nd half, Chandler seemed to get endless playing time. These lineups make no sense.
Pope shuffles players in and out every 2 minutes, there is no continuity and as we can clearly see, there's no fluidity on offense and no communication on defense.
Play your best 5 players from the opening tip, especially if you're going to shuffle players in and out like a guy on cocain that cant sit still.
Pope probably writing it down so he won’t forget.
i could understand how he could lose a team with that kind of ‘talk’.
Imagine a team with a lack of identity and then listen to that speech.
That tweet tells me he would make the perfect HS girls basketball coach.
Oh, I didn't say he would win many games, but he would be able to relate with all the girls and they could all get in touch with their feelings while they all get pedicures.
I was suspecting that Pope verbal diarrhea could cost him recruiting and some games but now I am sure…..
should I say , whom he reminds me also a master of word salads …?
Can see the parents staring at each other while Pope tells them that he’ll develop their kid by first helping them get in touch with their feelings.I was suspecting that Pope verbal diarrhea could cost him recruiting and some games but now I am sure…..
should I say , whom he reminds me also a master of word salads …?
Someone should ask about the players skill development. Has anyone on this team improved since the beginning of the season in any capacity where they can look back and say playing at UK helped me get better at basketball?
Seems like when we have had bad seasons in the past atleast the players gain draft status or improve draft status over the season. In this case, I don't think anyone is on that trajectory?
Seems like when we have had bad seasons in the past atleast the players gain draft status or improve draft status over the season. In this case, I don't think anyone is on that trajectory?
According to the transcript this unwatchable….unless you are into torturing yourself.
Yes. Apple Podcasts includes them under the name “UK Sports Radio Network.” I think they are usually added like a day after or so. Not on there yet.
Well, he DOES have 4 daughters…part of me wonders if this is why he’s gotten so soft
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Depends on the daughters. I have 2. One of them would beat me to a pulp if I did some of the things Pope has been doing. You don't show weakness around that chick, it wouldn't end well.
Now she has 2 daughters, the youngest one is a complete savage. I sleep with one eye open when I visit.
I hate to say this but if this is popes take then he is at best lacking common sense at worst and idiot. Every successful coach knows the team to get out the gate to a lead is in a much better position. You use a lot of energy trying to catch up that if you get there you don’t have enough to finish out strong. Pope doesn’t think all those quick leads in 96 didn’t demoralize their opponent. I’m done with this joker. Even though he played a couple seasons im on the verge of all out dislike for pope. Where I think barney is the problem for hiring pope I’m at the point where I believe pope is in league with Barney. Every AD except ours would be showing pope the door. When a guy doesn’t have it you don’t keep him around because he captained a team 30 years ago. Barney said that was a big reason he hired him.