I 100% realize this is the roster pope put together but this is not the type of roster he is going to succeed with, at least offensively. His offensive scheme demands shooters at all positions on the floor and we consistently have 3 mostly average or well below average shooters on the floor at all times. Couple that with playing a passive defense that doesn’t create turnovers and easy basket opportunities you have a recipe for what we have seen now against the only two teams with a pulse we have played. Sorry but I don’t think this is a NCAAT team. We will be squarely on the bubble come March at best.
Not a Pope Roster!!!
- Thread starter Cats_2010
- Start date
With JQ and JLowe he might be able to put together an offense that would work. And the D would be a lot better. But chances of them both being able to play this year … not good having to count on that.
Dang that's crazy they forced this roster on Pope, who do we call about this
I agree. It seems he went all athletic guys this year. Unfortunately that hasn’t translated into a physical defensive team. Not really sure what you would call this team.
If players aren’t wanted to play with one another, it doesn’t really matter of Quaintance and Lowe come back. Talent can’t fix turmoil.
I have zero sympathy for this roster. None. You have money. You have brand. You have to recruit better.
This team looks nothing like the team that played Purdue.
I agreed with you up until the last two sentences.
I know Pope has said he wants to take great defensive players and use his system to make them better offensively, but I don't think that works without shooting.
There are players on this team who could space the floor, but they won't play the majority of the minutes because they have other deficiencies. It will be interesting to see how Pope deals with that reality going forward.
I know Pope has said he wants to take great defensive players and use his system to make them better offensively, but I don't think that works without shooting.
There are players on this team who could space the floor, but they won't play the majority of the minutes because they have other deficiencies. It will be interesting to see how Pope deals with that reality going forward.
Looks a lot like the team that played Georgetown.
It's sad because he's one of us, but no one person is bigger than the program. He has to go if he can't figure this out, and soon. Way too much money and expectations devoted to this team.
No excuses.
His offense relies on a big man that can pass and spread the floor as a deep threat. When that happens, it allows for all the cuts and screens. With JQ out (his rebounding likely keeps the little brother game close) and Lowe sidelined, we are missing key pieces both offensively and defensively.
Hard to judge an entire season on 3 games, especially when we haven’t had a healthy roster yet. It’s also hard to not be extremely frustrated at this point as it has been a while since we’ve seen a UK team dominate and not struggle.
Hard to judge an entire season on 3 games, especially when we haven’t had a healthy roster yet. It’s also hard to not be extremely frustrated at this point as it has been a while since we’ve seen a UK team dominate and not struggle.
Last edited:
Purdue was probably treating the game like an exhibition, for all we know Painter did no scouting and just let them play so he could use the film.
If only there was something the coach could do - like change the offense to fit what the team does well. I guess you have to be a good coach to do that. Anyone know where we can get one
Pope is 54 years old, hand picked the roster, and seems completely baffled how this team plays. This won’t change this year nor next. Over before it really started.
Just no! JQ and Lowe aren't great shooters or offensive players for that matter. You don't magically get better on offense by adding two not so great offensive players.
We apparently spent 22 million freaking dollars.
I could go get you a roster from midmajor ranks that would play with 10x the heart of this bunch for 5.
We ought to be 2012 for 22 million freaking dollars. Just about should be able to hand pick them in today's landscape. It is amazing to me we always miss the Wilkersons ect that would actually elevate the team when we are dumping 22 mil on basically scrubs.
What do we need to actually compete? 100 mil a season?
Is pope that bad of a recruiter that he can't buy a competent team who can actually compete (not win) with the teams that actually have decent talent and coaching?
Either the 22 mil number is completely over inflated or something is bad wrong with the ability to assemble a roster. When this NIL crap kicked off I never thought we would have to pay a few mil for a bench player like wtf I figured the Anthony Davis, john walls maybe but role players making millions is hysterical.
I could go get you a roster from midmajor ranks that would play with 10x the heart of this bunch for 5.
We ought to be 2012 for 22 million freaking dollars. Just about should be able to hand pick them in today's landscape. It is amazing to me we always miss the Wilkersons ect that would actually elevate the team when we are dumping 22 mil on basically scrubs.
What do we need to actually compete? 100 mil a season?
Is pope that bad of a recruiter that he can't buy a competent team who can actually compete (not win) with the teams that actually have decent talent and coaching?
Either the 22 mil number is completely over inflated or something is bad wrong with the ability to assemble a roster. When this NIL crap kicked off I never thought we would have to pay a few mil for a bench player like wtf I figured the Anthony Davis, john walls maybe but role players making millions is hysterical.
This roster is the consequences of missing on all your top targets both in the portal and high school. Recruiting is a major issue with Pope. He did a piss poor job picking his staff. Hart has as much business being here as Pope does being the head coach.
I certainly hope I am wrong about those last two but I’m having a hard time seeing this team play for a full 40 minutes against decent competition. We don’t really have a single player on the roster that whenever he shoots we all feel like it’s going in. Why Diaboute is even allowed to shoot a 3 at all is a mystery to me.
I do think this teams identity (if they find one) will be defensively. But in this era of basketball that is not going to get you very far. I felt great about this team after Purdue but that seemingly was fools gold as they haven’t come close to looking like that since. I’ll be watching the rest of the year but with zero expectations.
Who banged who’s GF? That’s what it looks like out here.
I hate to agree, but I must. We don't have shooters. Trent Noah was supposedly the best shooter on the team. That should tell us something. He is just too slow footed and then freaks out when he gets a look and can't even make a shot under any pressure whatsoever. The best shooter on the team is Chandler but he can't take them all. I love Dioubate's hustle and strength, but he catches the ball on the perimeter and they don't even guard him. Garrison is still making rookie mistakes. Oweh can't shoot. Our 2nd best shooter (Aberdeen) is having to play point guard, and he's not a point and we lose his scoring when he's running point. I agree, Pope's offense needs at least 4 guys on the floor who are at least a threat to make a 3. We have 2 guys like that, and every defense just needs to shadow Chandler. It's too easy to shut us down.
In reality, Purdue missed a ton of open shots.
JQ is a black hole offensively. He will help with offensive rebounding perhaps, but his value is only on the defensive end.
Technically yes, he hand picked the roster. But lets not forget that almost none of these guys were his first choice. He could not recruit at BYU but everyone told me it was because it was BYU and they aren't allowed to have sex and whatnot. Now BYU is landing the top guy without pope. So now he is at KY and he still cannot land recruits. Some people just aren't cut out for sales and I'm afraid our coach is one of those people. His first mistake after coming here was not allowing Orlando A. to stick around.
Give Stokes a blank check now. IMO he becomes the most important high school recruit since John wall.
I’ve never truly gave up hope on any Kentucky team but after the build up and comparisons Pope has made with this team. I found out how much I truly hate dumb coaches. Take a job you know you can’t do and act like you understand the assignment.
Fire him and get Pitino here for one last run. I see right through this guy just like Cal and his true intentions.
Fire him and get Pitino here for one last run. I see right through this guy just like Cal and his true intentions.
I know one thing about that roster- they do not like each other and nothing good will happen this year if they can't learn to be a team. I think back to some pro day comments the coaches made about how competitive they were and even about breaking chairs at Pope's house over a card game or something. There were rumors of dustups during summer practice but that's not so unusual. But if these dudes can't stop fighting each literally and figuratively it's going to be like 2020-21 all over again. Pope looks shell shocked and has no clue how to handle this group. I'm extremely disappointed. Some on that staff had better get them boys in hand. I'd run them until they couldn't puke. One way or another they need discipline
That's something else that should be addressed, and it could be done soon if Pope wanted to.. but thats let go of an assistant or two. I've said this about Cal and I'll say it about Pope: the head coach can't do it all. That's why you have like 5 assistants. And for as bad as we have looked, that tells me some of these assistants aren't pulling their weight.
Problem is, what sort of connections does Pope have to grab different assistants?
OP is right, this isn't a Pope roster. I was really surprised that he brought in so many non-shooters. I think the staff overreacted from last year.. last year's team had injuries and not great D.. so he brings in a ton of players to reduce the affect injuries would have (on paper), and he brought in defensive minded players like Aberdeen, Mo D, and JQ.
I only thought this would work if our D was top 10 or better statistically...As bad as we look offensively right now, an elite D would have kept us in the game.
JQ will make a big difference, but the main thing is effort and chemistry and those are lacking right now.
Also on JQ.. not sure what everyone thinks of Sam Vacenie but he was really complimentary of JQ and how good he is defensively... not only is he an elite rim protector but he was saying that he's also elite in defending ball screens. But that was last season, with different coaches... so if he regresses you have to blame it on this staff.
I only thought this would work if our D was top 10 or better statistically...As bad as we look offensively right now, an elite D would have kept us in the game.
JQ will make a big difference, but the main thing is effort and chemistry and those are lacking right now.
Also on JQ.. not sure what everyone thinks of Sam Vacenie but he was really complimentary of JQ and how good he is defensively... not only is he an elite rim protector but he was saying that he's also elite in defending ball screens. But that was last season, with different coaches... so if he regresses you have to blame it on this staff.
Perhaps? Dude was a monster inside. How he doesn’t improve rebounding, both offensively and defensively, I would be shocked.
This is Pope’s team. If you are going to run a system then recruit to your system.
If you are going to recruit zone players then play a zone.
Pope doesn’t prepare for games and it’s obvious he doesn’t prepare and plan for roster building.
Pope is one of us for sure. And he is coaching like any fan pulled from the stands and given the head coaching job.
There was nothing on Pope’s resume that warranted his being named UK’s coach.
It’s on Pope now to do the right thing.
No way Barney will.
If you are going to recruit zone players then play a zone.
Pope doesn’t prepare for games and it’s obvious he doesn’t prepare and plan for roster building.
Pope is one of us for sure. And he is coaching like any fan pulled from the stands and given the head coaching job.
There was nothing on Pope’s resume that warranted his being named UK’s coach.
It’s on Pope now to do the right thing.
No way Barney will.
Good point. After the game Painter said that neither defense was that great because a ton of open shots were missed. He was basically saying our D wasn't great and they missed a bunch of open looks.
You can teach a kid to shoot well but playing great defense....that's something of innate ability.
Some players got it, others just go through the motions waiting for the offense to start.
He should call Pitino and ask him about those full court press defense plays.....man when Pitino was here, it seemed like defense was on another level.
Some players got it, others just go through the motions waiting for the offense to start.
He should call Pitino and ask him about those full court press defense plays.....man when Pitino was here, it seemed like defense was on another level.