Morning After

[megablue]

Pope is 54 years old and has coached for decades with marginal success. He is what he is and we’re stuck with it.

Mark Pope turned 53 on September 11th
Sean Miller turned 57 on November 17th
Pope has 211 wins 63.6% win%
Miller has 487 wins 71.3% win%
Pope didn't have the resume for this job.
It is OJT for him at a MAJOR program.

 

[Cats192]

I don't think our defense is bad because of Pope's inability to coach it. I don't think defense is some concept that eludes him.

When I watched the game last night, it didn't look to me like guys were lost or confused. They just weren't trying. Now you can put that on Pope.

But I don't think the conclusion is Pope can't coach defense. I think the guys aren't giving any real effort on defense. And he's either got to fix that or the season is doomed.

 

[kybassfan]

I see Pope gracefully stepping away after this year before we can fire him. Something isn't right. Can't lure any big time recruit or portal prospect (unless they need a place to rehab) despite allegedly having tons of NIL deals to throw at them. Falling behind in way too many nationally televised games. Overpaid players throwing hissy fits and rolling their eyes. He sounds completely defeated, like a coach that knows his players don't respect him. I hate to say it, but there's only one constant (we'll, two if you count our awful athletic director).

ATP I'm struggling to see how we win any of the marquee non-conference games. And when we roll into Fayetteville and get the brakes beat off of us by a mid Razorbacks team, that will be the point of no return.

I so wanted this to turn out different, but I'm now resigned to the fact that it just isn't going to.

Gracefully stepping away. ROFLMAO!!! That’s very fast paste of you,

 

[BigBlueGuru]

Lol for real, that's what I saw the "fighting" was about. Who knows lol. But it's happened before. I remember something like that with Patrick Sparks and Rondo

If you saw it somewhere surely you can provide a link or you lost all credibility on this site as just trying to stir sh*t.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

More hilarity. The LOD trashed the last four coaches. They have created a hostile environment for any coach due to this entitled petty nonsense. Already they are going for number five. The best part? They think it’s their god given right to dump all over the program from their 30 yr old lazy boys.

Let me ask 2 questions. Who plays the role or has a Chuck Hayes heart on this team? What gave you the impression that any one of those players gives a damn about you, Kentucky or a championship?

The goal here is next payday. It’s not next championship. No coach can fix that. Until our players fix that, you guys can enjoy trashing our Cats. I’m sure it’s very therapeutic.

No one on the team cares about either of us, guy. They have seven or eight figure bank accounts and drive Maseratis. You can sit on your high horse if you want, but my opinion has the same level of validity as yours.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I don't think our defense is bad because of Pope's inability to coach it. I don't think defense is some concept that eludes him.

When I watched the game last night, it didn't look to me like guys were lost or confused. They just weren't trying. Now you can put that on Pope.

But I don't think the conclusion is Pope can't coach defense. I think the guys aren't giving any real effort on defense. And he's either got to fix that or the season is doomed.

I hope you’re right but so far, it doesn’t look like Pope is making good defensive adjustments

 

[Cats192]

I'll add:

We don't have any idea what we're doing on offense right now. I think we don't have the shooters to run the system we ran last year. No one on this team has the gravity that Brea or Robinson had. So cutting lanes don't open up. Drivers can't drive.

 

[kybassfan]

How's Pope's dick tasting?

You really shouldn’t post home videos here.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I'll add:

We don't have any idea what we're doing on offense right now. I think we don't have the shooters to run the system we ran last year. No one on this team has the gravity that Brea or Robinson had. So cutting lanes don't open up. Drivers can't drive.

Matt Jones said that on radio last night. I agree. Tried to fix defense and now we don’t have enough offense AND the defense stinks

 

[megablue]

I'll add:

We don't have any idea what we're doing on offense right now. I think we don't have the shooters to run the system we ran last year. No one on this team has the gravity that Brea or Robinson had. So cutting lanes don't open up. Drivers can't drive.

Ansley Almonor would play 25 minutes on this team.
I wish we had him.

 

[Anon1755209580]

I didn’t say we have any, nor do I think the mythical word means a damn thing. What I do know is Michigan State doesn’t have any and it looks to me like we got absolutely shellacked despite it. Then, you got fans saying it’s because we don’t have Mikel Brown lol. All the while Arkansas with Darius Acuff beat Winthrop by one. It’s actually funny if you think about it.

Lol, MSU has 7 dudes ranked in the top 50 of the RCSI top 100 for their respective classes. 2 more in the top 100. The Fears kid certainly looked good and he was ranked 34th. So I would say they certainly have some high end talent.

We absolutely do not have a Mikel Brown type. He is legit as ****! Does that mean he's perfect? No! But anyone being honest would love to have him or something similar.

Acuff is another very legit player along with Thomas. ****, I would happily take Wagner at this point. He would likely be our best player, and that's saying something. And winning by 1 is still winning. I don't need or require perfection. I do like effort, energy, God given talent and skill. The aforementioned all have that. We currently do not.

 

[Anon1755209580]

You really shouldn’t post home videos here.

You don't like me putting yours on here?


Don't forget to play with the balls!

 

[kybassfan]

No one on the team cares about either of us, guy. They have seven or eight figure bank accounts and drive Maseratis. You can sit on your high horse if you want, but my opinion has the same level of validity as yours.

That’s my point. How is a coach supposed to fix that? You keep making this about you. This is about players who clearly have nothing invested in the Cats.

In your zeal to make yourself feel better I guess you have to blame something. Trashing a coach seems to be the simple way out. They can always get another one. No blood no foul right?

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Lol, MSU has 7 dudes ranked in the top 50 of the RCSI top 100 for their respective classes. 2 more in the top 100. The Fears kid certainly looked good and he was ranked 34th. So I would say they certainly have some high end talent.

We absolutely do not have a Mikel Brown type. He is legit as ****! Does that mean he's perfect? No! But anyone being honest would love to have him or something similar.

Acuff is another very legit player along with Thomas. ****, I would happily take Wagner at this point. He would likely be our best player, and that's saying something. And winning by 1 is still winning. I don't need or require perfection. I do like effort, energy, God given talent and skill. The aforementioned all have that. We currently do not.

Bro, I literally posted the high school rankings for both teams’ starters. We have by far more “high school talent” than them, even without comparing our benches which even furthers the point. Two of their starters were ZERO star players that didn’t even get on Rivals 250. But the answer is due to talent? lol.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

That’s my point. How is a coach supposed to fix that? You keep making this about you. This is about players who clearly have nothing invested in the Cats.

In your zeal to make yourself feel better I guess you have to blame something. Trashing a coach seems to be the simple way out. They can always get another one. No blood no foul right?

No. In my mind my criticisms have nothing to do with me and everything to do with Pope. I didn’t like the adjustments I saw on film. If you like them, fine. Do your thing. I’m not telling you that you can’t think the low pressure conservative defensive philosophy is wonderful. Nor am I telling you that drop coverage can’t be your favorite scheme in the history of basketball. I don’t like it. That’s all. Especially when we get torched and he stays in it. You’re perfectly just in saying, “That’s what I like, Coach!” Do you, man. I think it’s silly not to confront the horrors in the program with honesty.

 

[Anon1755209580]

Bro, I literally posted the high school rankings for both teams’ starters. We have by far more “high school talent” than them, even without comparing our benches which even furthers the point. Two of their starters were ZERO star players that didn’t even get on Rivals 250. But the answer is due to talent? lol.

Do you not understand math or something?

We have 8 players in the top 100 of their classes. 1 of those is JQ. He happens to be the highest rated and the only one better than 20th. He also isn't playing so can't count him.

Another is Hawthorne, who also isn't playing. So he doesn't currently factor in either.

Lowe was 97th, but again, also isn't playing, so he also doesn't count.

No we are down to 5. However, one of those is Garrison, at number 39 of his class? You actually thinking he is that talented?

Okay, so that leaves 4.

#72 Oweh (playing like ****)
#30 Chandler
#25 Moreno
#20 Johnson (playing like a true freshman)

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Do you not understand math or something?

We have 8 players in the top 100 of their classes. 1 of those is JQ. He happens to be the highest rated and the only one better than 20th. He also isn't playing so can't count him.

Another is Hawthorne, who also isn't playing. So he doesn't currently factor in either.

Lowe was 97th, but again, also isn't playing, so he also doesn't count.

No we are down to 5. However, one of those is Garrison, at number 39 of his class? You actually thinking he is that talented?

Okay, so that leaves 4.

#72 Oweh (playing like ****)
#30 Chandler
#25 Moreno
#20 Johnson (playing like a true freshman)

Huh? I didn’t say anything about JQ or anyone else on the bench.


pg - Jeremy Fears - 4* HS Rank 37

sg - Trey Fort - HS Unranked

sf - Coen Carr - 4* HS Rank 33

pf - Jaxon Kohler - 4* HS Rank 81

c - Carson Cooper - Unranked HS Player



Michigan State 83, Kentucky 66



pg - Denzel Abderdeen - 4* HS Rank 117

sg - Collin Chandler - 4* HS Rank 35

sf - Otega Oweh - 4* HS Rank 75

pf - Mouhamed Dioubate - 4* HS Rank 99

c - Brandon Garrison - 4* HS Rank 43

 

[Anon1755209580]

Huh? I didn’t say anything about JQ or anyone else on the bench.


pg - Jeremy Fears - 4* HS Rank 37

sg - Trey Fort - HS Unranked

sf - Coen Carr - 4* HS Rank 33

pf - Jaxon Kohler - 4* HS Rank 81

c - Carson Cooper - Unranked HS Player



Michigan State 83, Kentucky 66



pg - Denzel Abderdeen - 4* HS Rank 117

sg - Collin Chandler - 4* HS Rank 35

sf - Otega Oweh - 4* HS Rank 75

pf - Mouhamed Dioubate - 4* HS Rank 99

c - Brandon Garrison - 4* HS Rank 43

Ohh, we are only counting part of the teams. Gotcha!

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Ohh, we are only counting part of the teams. Gotcha!

Would you like me to post the whole teams lol? That will make it brutally worse! Hold on and I will just for you buddy

 

[Anon1755209580]

Would you like me to post the whole teams lol? That will make it brutally worse! Hold on and I will just for you buddy

Umm, I just did that for you....well, I broke down those that actually play currently.

Based on top 100 rankings from RSCI

2025-26 Kentucky Wildcats Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Check out the detailed 2025-26 Kentucky Wildcats Roster and Stats for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

We avg a rank of 43.375 when factoring our roster vs theirs.

2025-26 Michigan State Spartans Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Check out the detailed 2025-26 Michigan State Spartans Roster and Stats for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

MSU avg is a 40.8.

 

[Eastkybball]

Where did you hear that at? That would certainly explain many things, including Oweh looking like he’s lost the will to live

I heard it was a white BBW from Harlan who was kin to Noah lol.

 

[kybassfan]

No. In my mind my criticisms have nothing to do with me and everything to do with Pope. I didn’t like the adjustments I saw on film. If you like them, fine. Do your thing. I’m not telling you that you can’t think the low pressure conservative defensive philosophy is wonderful. Nor am I telling you that drop coverage can’t be your favorite scheme in the history of basketball. I don’t like it. That’s all. Especially when we get torched and he stays in it. You’re perfectly just in saying, “That’s what I like, Coach!” Do you, man. I think it’s silly not to confront the horrors in the program with honesty.

Adjust what? How do you adjust players that don’t care if they perform well? I can tell you Benny ball is failing. Again. I can tell you trashing a coach is failing . Again. Just being honest here. I can tell you the players don’t want to play defense Again. I can tell you that with our defense, you lose.

No coach in 70 years has scored, made a free throw, blocked a shot, defended a play or even logged a minute on the court as a player. I know coaches are an easy target for you. Simple. Visible Enjoy your therapy. This problem is about fortitude, dedication and guts Not simple or easy

 

[FLBBNFAN]

I don't think our defense is bad because of Pope's inability to coach it. I don't think defense is some concept that eludes him.

When I watched the game last night, it didn't look to me like guys were lost or confused. They just weren't trying. Now you can put that on Pope.

But I don't think the conclusion is Pope can't coach defense. I think the guys aren't giving any real effort on defense. And he's either got to fix that or the season is doomed.

Yeah there was absolutely no effort at all. That was the disheartening part. I can't remember many games over the years where the guys just laid down from the start.

I hate to say it but that falls squarely on the coach. If there are guys causing issues/tuning him out then Pope needs to sit them or let them leave. Allowing that will spread to the guys who are trying and make Pope look like a cuck.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Would you like me to post the whole teams lol? That will make it brutally worse! Hold on and I will just for you buddy

Here, the whole teams as you requested sir:
Used Rivals for e
Only makes it even worse



pg - Jeremy Fears - 4* HS Rank 37
sg - Trey Fort - HS Unranked
sf - Coen Carr - 4* HS Rank 33
pf - Jaxon Kohler - 4* HS Rank 81
c - Carson Cooper - Unranked HS Player

6th - Cameron Ward - 4* HS Rank 99
7th - Jordan Scott - 4* HS Rank 58
8th - Kur Teng - 4* HS Rank 57

9th - Divine Ugochukwu - HS Unranked
10th - Jesse McCulloch - 3* Unranked

11th - Brennan Walton - No Listing
12th - Collin Walton - No Listing
13th - Denham Wojcik - HS Unranked
14th - Nick Sanders - No Listing

Michigan State 83, Kentucky 66

pg - Denzel Abderdeen - 4* HS Rank 117
sg - Collin Chandler - 4* HS Rank 35
sf - Otega Oweh - 4* HS Rank 75
pf - Mouhamed Dioubate - 4* HS Rank 99
c - Brandon Garrison - 4* HS Rank 43
6th - Malachi Moreno - 4* HS Rank 27
7th - Jasper Johnson - 4* HS Rank 18
8th - Kam Williams - HS Unranked
9th - Trent Noah - 3* HS Rank 140
10th - Andrija Jelavic - International

Inactive - Jaland Lowe - 4* HS Rank 88
Inactive - Jayden Quaintance - 5* HS Rank 7
Inactive - Reece Potter - HS Unranked
Inactive - Braydon Hawthorne - 4*

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Adjust what? How do you adjust players that don’t care if they perform well? I can tell you Benny ball is failing. Again. I can tell you trashing a coach is failing . Again. Just being honest here. I can tell you the players don’t want to play defense Again. I can tell you that with our defense, you lose.

No coach in 70 years has scored, made a free throw, blocked a shot, defended a play or even logged a minute on the court as a player. I know coaches are an easy target for you. Simple. Visible Enjoy your therapy. This problem is about fortitude, dedication and guts Not simple or easy

I don’t what to tell you, buddy. If you think my criticisms are wrong that’s fine. I can only observe with my own eyes and brain. I can’t use yours. Don’t read my posts if they bother you.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Yeah there was absolutely no effort at all. That was the disheartening part. I can't remember many games over the years where the guys just laid down from the start.

I hate to say it but that falls squarely on the coach. If there are guys causing issues/tuning him out then Pope needs to sit them or let them leave. Allowing that will spread to the guys who are trying and make Pope look like a cuck.

He could go full Josh Heupel and just not put up with it and build with those worth building around. I think a lot of reasonable fans would understand why that needs to happen if he did it

 

[Anon1755209580]

Here, the whole teams as you requested sir:
Used Rivals for e
Only makes it even worse



pg - Jeremy Fears - 4* HS Rank 37
sg - Trey Fort - HS Unranked
sf - Coen Carr - 4* HS Rank 33
pf - Jaxon Kohler - 4* HS Rank 81
c - Carson Cooper - Unranked HS Player

6th - Cameron Ward - 4* HS Rank 99
7th - Jordan Scott - 4* HS Rank 58
8th - Kur Teng - 4* HS Rank 57

9th - Divine Ugochukwu - HS Unranked
10th - Jesse McCulloch - 3* Unranked

11th - Brennan Walton - No Listing
12th - Collin Walton - No Listing
13th - Denham Wojcik - HS Unranked
14th - Nick Sanders - No Listing

Michigan State 83, Kentucky 66

pg - Denzel Abderdeen - 4* HS Rank 117
sg - Collin Chandler - 4* HS Rank 35
sf - Otega Oweh - 4* HS Rank 75
pf - Mouhamed Dioubate - 4* HS Rank 99
c - Brandon Garrison - 4* HS Rank 43
6th - Malachi Moreno - 4* HS Rank 27
7th - Jasper Johnson - 4* HS Rank 18
8th - Kam Williams - HS Unranked
9th - Trent Noah - 3* HS Rank 140
10th - Andrija Jelavic - International

Inactive - Jaland Lowe - 4* HS Rank 88
Inactive - Jayden Quaintance - 5* HS Rank 7
Inactive - Reece Potter - HS Unranked
Inactive - Braydon Hawthorne - 4*

Lol what is the rsci rank? That's what we're discussing.

Now, which team's averages higher?

 

[Ford to Mashburn]

I don't think our defense is bad because of Pope's inability to coach it. I don't think defense is some concept that eludes him.

When I watched the game last night, it didn't look to me like guys were lost or confused. They just weren't trying. Now you can put that on Pope.

But I don't think the conclusion is Pope can't coach defense. I think the guys aren't giving any real effort on defense. And he's either got to fix that or the season is doomed.

No effort and they’re not playing together as a team

 

[GoAndRunIsGoneAndDone]

Yeah, I don't blame Pope for his adjustments or lack of, on defense. I simply don't think you can adjust scheme and make up for the lack of effort we watched last night. Surely he knows how to coach rebounding but we didn't do that at all either...and it's 99% effort. Also, it was obvious that guys were just not cutting/moving on offense either. Again, that's just effort too, bt done right, it's coordinated, and systematic movement. Still, looked like a zero effort game all the way around. I don't know why but that's the biggest thing I see right now. Gotta cut the cancer out if it doesn't improve asap. Oweh looks like dog crap. We all know he can do so much better than he is.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Yeah, I don't blame Pope for his adjustments or lack of, on defense. I simply don't think you can adjust scheme and make up for the lack of effort we watched last night. Surely he knows how to coach rebounding but we didn't do that at all either...and it's 99% effort. Also, it was obvious that guys were just not cutting/moving on offense either. Again, that's just effort too, bt done right, it's coordinated, and systematic movement. Still, looked like a zero effort game all the way around. I don't know why but that's the biggest thing I see right now. Gotta cut the cancer out if it doesn't improve asap. Oweh looks like dog crap. We all know he can do so much better than he is.

Either come to Jesus or find a new school, that should Pope’s motto to the players at this point

 

[kybassfan]

I don’t what to tell you, buddy. If you think my criticisms are wrong that’s fine. I can only observe with my own eyes and brain. I can’t use yours. Don’t read my posts if they bother you.

What makes you think it bothers me. It’s entertaining. This type crap has been going on since the Tubby days. Fail fail fail. New coach! Fail fail. Jack more 3’s? Fail fail fail. How could someone not laugh at that?

I’ve heard insanity defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The shoe is fitting….

Results will improve when our players own the result. Not before

 

[FLBBNFAN]

He could go full Josh Heupel and just not put up with it and build with those worth building around. I think a lot of reasonable fans would understand why that needs to happen if he did it

In my opinion the rotation needs cut down so why not crack the whip and weed out the malcontents . I can at least get behind the guys who are giving effort and want to be here.

 

[kybassfan]

Either come to Jesus or find a new school, that should Pope’s motto to the players at this point

Doh,coach, you know we got our money, right?

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

I don’t what to tell you, buddy. If you think my criticisms are wrong that’s fine. I can only observe with my own eyes and brain. I can’t use yours. Don’t read my posts if they bother you.

He carried Cal's water for year

 

[FLBBNFAN]

Either come to Jesus or find a new school, that should Pope’s motto to the players at this point

Yep should tell them there are no starters and every position is open and will be decided in practice for the next game.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

Doh,coach, you know we got our money, right?

Yes but if Pope sits down some guys or let's one go it sure doesn't do much for their reputation and professional chances. Getting labeled as a cancer doesn't help your draft status or getting signed overseas.

Just ask Sanders about his NFL draft night experience. The NBA only has 2 rounds so Pope has leverage that he can use to affect their future at the next level.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

What makes you think it bothers me. It’s entertaining. This type crap has been going on since the Tubby days. Fail fail fail. New coach! Fail fail. Jack more 3’s? Fail fail fail. How could someone not laugh at that?

I’ve heard insanity defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The shoe is fitting….

Results will improve when our players own the result. Not before

Brother, it’s like every post I have you reply with something inflammatory to it. By this point, there’s no secret. We all know who I am as a poster. I’m an analytical guy who is very critical about in-game stuff. I have a very specific view about what wins in CBB. You don’t have to read the posts if you know you’re gonna just effectively tell me to shut up or control my speech. I have just as much a right to be here as you

 

[TFCat11]

I see Pope gracefully stepping away after this year before we can fire him. Something isn't right. Can't lure any big time recruit or portal prospect (unless they need a place to rehab) despite allegedly having tons of NIL deals to throw at them. Falling behind in way too many nationally televised games. Overpaid players throwing hissy fits and rolling their eyes. He sounds completely defeated, like a coach that knows his players don't respect him. I hate to say it, but there's only one constant (we'll, two if you count our awful athletic director).

ATP I'm struggling to see how we win any of the marquee non-conference games. And when we roll into Fayetteville and get the brakes beat off of us by a mid Razorbacks team, that will be the point of no return.

I so wanted this to turn out different, but I'm now resigned to the fact that it just isn't going to.

My sentiments exactly!

 

[FLBBNFAN]

Bro, I literally posted the high school rankings for both teams’ starters. We have by far more “high school talent” than them, even without comparing our benches which even furthers the point. Two of their starters were ZERO star players that didn’t even get on Rivals 250. But the answer is due to talent? lol.

Man for man we have the most talent going by rankings. Our problem is our coach got embarrassed by Izzo . The other problem is our best guy is still rehabbing and our sec player of the year (pre-season) is playing at a mid major level right now.

MSU has a couple of starters who are better than any of our guys or at least better right now. We currently don't have anyone playing at a elite level that can carry the team.

Unfortunately our competitors have at least 1-2 guys per team that are at a elite level. We have zero . Hate to say it but that falls on talent evaluation and player development and its so blatantly obvious right now.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Man for man we have the most talent going by rankings. Our problem is our coach got embarrassed by Izzo . The other problem is our best guy is still rehabbing and our sec player of the year (pre-season) is playing at a mid major level right now.

MSU has a couple of starters who are better than any of our guys or at least better right now. We currently don't have anyone playing at a elite level that can carry the team.

Unfortunately our competitors have at least 1-2 guys per team that are at an elite level. We have zero . Hate to say it but that falls on talent evaluation and player development and its so blatantly obvious right now.

God, I hope JQ is the next coming of Dikembe Motumbo or we are in trouble