I am not giving up on Pope until we see what year 3 is like under him. I think he is a great coach and he just missed badly on the players he chose to construct this years team. HIs first year he constructed a team that could have won it all if not for so many injuries. I am holding out hope that he can do that again in year 3. If not then I am jumping of the Pope train.
Not giving up on Pope
- Thread starter HappyBlue
- Start date
If he can't recruit it makes it a lot tougher to hang #9.
Despite this boards relentless bitching and moaning Pope will almost certainly be given 4 years to show what he can do unless next year is an absolutely off the rails disaster. So unless you’re just a miserable loser all you can do is cheer and hope for the best that Pope can turn this thing around. Last year was an incredibly impressive first year so I’ll choose to hang my hat on that.
There are a lot of miserable people on here.
I agree. Things look tough right now, but willingly to give Pope some time. You are right. He overachieved in his first year. Coming in late and piecing together a team like he did was impressive. This year things just ain’t working. Injuries, effort, team not meshing, put in whatever reason you want.
IF we get healthy, Q gets back, Lowe gets back, and this team plays with effort and heart, I still think it’s a sweet 16 team.
but looking to next year we 1000% need to wrap up stokes, Collins and/or somebody else AND get some portal studs for next year. Chandler and Moreno are about the only two I’m excited to have back next year. Need a go to player like stokes and some shooters and dawgs around him.
In the past a coach would be given that much time but with NIL and the money involved now I will have to respectfully disagree. I’m not saying Pope should be fired or anything like that I’m just saying that coaches won’t be given as much time now as they used to get in the past.
4 years is just two more years, it’s really not that long. And if next year is an absolute disaster and recruiting doesn’t look like it’s headed in a good direction that might be all she wrote.
Look at college football and the major schools firing coaches. Now that millions of dollars are involved I just don’t see it happening as much as in the past but I could be wrong. Schools have secretly bought players for decades but now that it’s legal it’s the Wild West lol
you think he’ll be fired at the end of this year? After the job he did last year? Do you think that would make any other coach come here? That would be complete insanity.
No I don’t think so. I’d say next year will be the year that determines if he makes it here or not.
I learned a long time ago not to buy into the super hype of a new coach. It's happening right now on the FB board. Pope did exceed my expectations for a 1st year coach. However, the honeymoon is over the next couple of seasons will determine if Pope has what it takes.
So, year 3 Pope is all the sudden going to start closing on 5*’s and 1st option portal studs?
He’ll have a worse team than this current one to work with, unless he can retain everyone and add a few stud superstars, and he has shown ZERO (all Caps) ability to get any of those types, while apparently having 50% more money to work with than the other coaches who are beating him out for those guys!
He’ll have a worse team than this current one to work with, unless he can retain everyone and add a few stud superstars, and he has shown ZERO (all Caps) ability to get any of those types, while apparently having 50% more money to work with than the other coaches who are beating him out for those guys!
Pope is 14-15 against P4 opponents. Concerning.
1-8 in his last 9 games against top 25 teams. Here's a stat. Since 2017: UK has two wins against P4/5 schools in the NCAAT. UCLA and Illinois.
I like Pope, I hope he wins tonight and starts a long winning streak.
Pope is going to be one of the best. He loves UK and he hates losing. He'll adapt and he'll recruit for his system. We have not seen the final product by any means. I only see two issues from a hindsight perspective. BG has not progressed as hope to hold down the 5 spot while JQ gets healthy. Too many 4's needed another big and definitely another experienced PG. The PG didn't have to be NBA level, but small conference 3/4 years of college experience. Now we have to wait out the injuries and then the light will come on. I do believe there is valuable experience being gained by many. Kam and Jelavic are getting better.
I can't imagine there's a UK fan that doesn't want Pope to succeed. And as for big picture, it doesn't matter anyway. He's not being fired short of 4 years unless he just falls off the map.
I hope this turns around. That's all I can do. What I won't do is spend money to watch this effortless team. I did pay for very good seats in Bridgestone for the SEC. Sat 10 rows off mid court to watch a team quit.
I had LL for tonight. I sold them at a loss and won't be going to Nashville. Right now I have no plans to attend the SEC tourney. That will be only the second one I've missed since it came back in 1979.
I'll keep watching and hoping and I would love to eat crow on Pope. As of now I think he was the wrong hire.
I hope this turns around. That's all I can do. What I won't do is spend money to watch this effortless team. I did pay for very good seats in Bridgestone for the SEC. Sat 10 rows off mid court to watch a team quit.
I had LL for tonight. I sold them at a loss and won't be going to Nashville. Right now I have no plans to attend the SEC tourney. That will be only the second one I've missed since it came back in 1979.
I'll keep watching and hoping and I would love to eat crow on Pope. As of now I think he was the wrong hire.
He went 24-12 and finished in a 3 way tie for 6th in the SEC with a Sweet 16. I’m not sure why people think it was some amazing job. Tubby Smith was called 10 loss Tunby and ran out of town for doing that consistently.
Pope just needs to recruit to his system and have a team full of shooters. His system without shooters is just ugly.
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10 loss Tubby had a full healthy roster most seasons.
Pope didn't have a PG for a big chunk of the season. He lost his best overall player/scorer in Robinson late in the year.
Context matters. I know everyone wants to sing this magical "This is Kentucky, no excuses." But injuries affect teams. I
It was also his 1st season. Most people understand coaches have a tougher time in their 1st season. Mark Pope's tougher season was 24 wins and a Sweet 16.
Nate Oats 1st season at Bama was 16-15. No post-season appearance.
Todd Golden's 1st season at Florida was 16-17. NIT.
But Mark Pope goes 24-12 with a Sweet 16, and boy, what a bad job.
Give Cal a pass for all the injuries his last 5 years that y’all love to talk about. Oh wait, that’s different.
Let’s not just start saying stupid things with no context like you’re talking to your wife who watches one game every five years. Feel free to compare the SEC last year with the SEC in 2002
. We had the most wins over top 15 teams in the HISTORY of our program. When fully healthy we beat the national champions 110 to 105 in one of the most entertaining and well played games we’ve had in years and we made the sweet sixteen for the first time in 6 years, all with ZERO returning players and having to put together a team AND STAFF in one month. If you think that was average then I’m putting you on ignore.You’re right, that’s awesome. We should hang a banner.Let’s not just start saying stupid things with no context like you’re talking to your wife who watches one game every five years. Feel free to compare the SEC last year with the SEC in 2002
You people are into firing everyone. That is your culture. We live in a microwave society where everyone wants instant gratification.
You people are into firing everyone. That is your culture. We live in a microwave society where everyone wants instant gratification.
Really good logical points, reminds me of talking to teenagers.
My biggest concern with Pope was always getting the talent. When he landed that 1st Xfer class and signed Lewis, Johnson and Moreno I was all on board that I was wrong. Then this year and the misses started piling up, he took guys that don’t fit his style and I got disappointed and doubted. Now looking in to this whole NIL/JMI/SCORE Act I am beginning to think Pope is really fighting an uphill battle.
It looks like Mitch went all in thinking the SCORE Act would pass. The SCORE Act is in my opinion in UKs best interest btw. Signing with JMI brought in a lot of money to help w/revenue sharing. Great! JMI deal looks like it was going to be a service to get “true” NIL deals which the SCORE Act would require and put a stop to the “pay for play” of the collectives. Also great! The JMI deal however looks like it effectively stopped outside collectives by their requirement to approve UK athlete deals. This COULD be an issue.
So now with the SCORE Act tabled by Congress, other schools are still buying players through collectives which is not really monitored. Deloitte did an analysis and said something like over 70% of current collective deals would not be allowed if in essence they were regulated for true service standards and market values. I’m guessing that’s what Mitch meant when he got upset and said UK won’t break the rules. If other schools are giving large NIL deals that are essentially pay to play through collectives and UK isn’t (beyond revenue sharing) that’s tough to overcome.
A lot of this is me reading and interpreting but how did Pope quickly go from getting guys he wanted in the 1st portal and HS class to missing in the portal on so many primary targets and with HS kids? Seems odd.
And no I’m not carrying the torch for KSR. If I recall, there was bad feelings over various issues regarding use of UK brand, player access etc. don’t know how true and don’t care. Dont care how UK’s NIL impacts anyone besides UK. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t legitimate concerns being raised.
I hope I am wrong and Collins and Stokes commit soon.
It looks like Mitch went all in thinking the SCORE Act would pass. The SCORE Act is in my opinion in UKs best interest btw. Signing with JMI brought in a lot of money to help w/revenue sharing. Great! JMI deal looks like it was going to be a service to get “true” NIL deals which the SCORE Act would require and put a stop to the “pay for play” of the collectives. Also great! The JMI deal however looks like it effectively stopped outside collectives by their requirement to approve UK athlete deals. This COULD be an issue.
So now with the SCORE Act tabled by Congress, other schools are still buying players through collectives which is not really monitored. Deloitte did an analysis and said something like over 70% of current collective deals would not be allowed if in essence they were regulated for true service standards and market values. I’m guessing that’s what Mitch meant when he got upset and said UK won’t break the rules. If other schools are giving large NIL deals that are essentially pay to play through collectives and UK isn’t (beyond revenue sharing) that’s tough to overcome.
A lot of this is me reading and interpreting but how did Pope quickly go from getting guys he wanted in the 1st portal and HS class to missing in the portal on so many primary targets and with HS kids? Seems odd.
And no I’m not carrying the torch for KSR. If I recall, there was bad feelings over various issues regarding use of UK brand, player access etc. don’t know how true and don’t care. Dont care how UK’s NIL impacts anyone besides UK. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t legitimate concerns being raised.
I hope I am wrong and Collins and Stokes commit soon.
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I realize it’s the internet and everyone just wants to throw out a quick quip.
But, again, CONTEXT matters.
Pope’s injury losses are to teams like Tennessee, Louisville, Michigan State, Alabama.
The frustration with Cal was that we were losing to Evansville, UNC-Wilmington, St. Peter’s and Oakland. Cal admitted he didn’t know Jack Goehlke was a shooter.
You can give a pass to whoever you want for whatever reason. I’m more inclined give a pass for a loss to 3 top 25 teams than Evansville or St. Peter’s
He did better than Pitino did in his first year on the job.
Nobody here is gonna quit on Pope as they have no control over it. They aren’t gonna stop watching games. One even started the last two game chats, lmao. They are just being drama queens.
I'm not giving up but he needs to do better. Play these guys to their strengths. We aren't gonna be the 3pt shooting monster like last year's team and that's ok. We got the bruisers, let em go out and kick *** so we can compete in the SEC, i thought that's why we assembled this team. Can't keep getting pounded on the glass or we're getting shellacked in conference play
I live in Indianapolis area and have always been a Bengals fan. My son had a teammate who has a dad who is a Bengals fan. Each week we are done with them lol. Every weekend we are laughing that here we sit watching them. I’m gonna get mad. Gonna get emotional. Gonna be back.
I was done with Cal, still am. No regrets. I hope and pray to my core Pope succeeds. Beyond the selfish aspect, he freaking loves it more than anyone I’ve ever seen.
Cal has a nation al championship, 4 Final Fours, and 7 Elite 8’s in 14 years. Some context matters you mean. Like the last 5 years talking point which included a year with no NCAA Tournament. I’m just laughing at the inconsistencies and the agendas. I’m more inclined to give a pass to a coach who will have a banner hanging in Rupp who is 5 in in history in career NCAA Tournament wins and 6th in overall wins in the history of basketball compared to to one with 2 career NCAA Tournament wins wins. Context only matters when it fits the agenda.
That’s said I have faith in Pope, I just need him to strictly recruit to his system. This is chess, not checkers, just because you can take a piece doesn’t mean that you should. I think he will learn from this roster situation that doesn’t mesh well and not be put in this situation again.
Cal is gone. Tubby is gone.
This is the Pope era. There’s not even any leftover players.
My feelings on Pope have nothing to do with previous coaches.
I loved Pope the player.
For coach he is now NHP to me.
No Hope Pope
This is the Pope era. There’s not even any leftover players.
My feelings on Pope have nothing to do with previous coaches.
I loved Pope the player.
For coach he is now NHP to me.
No Hope Pope
If these guys don’t fit his “system,” then for the love of God change the system to meet their strengths. That’s what coaches do. That’s assuming they have strengths.
I am not super young or old, but I do wonder how this board would’ve reacted in the 2001 season when we were 3-5 on December 16 with losses to two unranked teams.
That team went on to win the SEC and SEC Tournament and got a 2 seed.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not happy with the season so far, but good lord, screaming for the coach’s firing 8 games into year 2 makes the screamer sound like an idiot. It’s not going to happen and screaming about it won’t make it happen.
My theory is the loudest screamers are a) left over Cal stans b) people against the hire in the first place who were quiet last year but relishing in “I told you so” this year c) people who allow the success of this basketball program to determine their self worth and emotional wellbeing.
Outside of anything scandalous, he’s getting a year 3 whether BBN likes it or not.
The problem here is how we are playing. Not the record.
If we play as hard as we can tonight against Gonzaga then the results are secondary.
Megablue05 said:
"I am not super young or old, but I do wonder how this board would’ve reacted in the 2001 season when we were 3-5 on December 16 with losses to two unranked teams.
That team went on to win the SEC and SEC Tournament and got a 2 seed.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not happy with the season so far, but good lord, screaming for the coach’s firing 8 games into year 2 makes the screamer sound like an idiot. It’s not going to happen and screaming about it won’t make it happen.
My theory is the loudest screamers are a) left over Cal stans b) people against the hire in the first place who were quiet last year but relishing in “I told you so” this year c) people who allow the success of this basketball program to determine their self worth and emotional wellbeing.
Outside of anything scandalous, he’s getting a year 3 whether BBN likes it or not."
"I am not super young or old, but I do wonder how this board would’ve reacted in the 2001 season when we were 3-5 on December 16 with losses to two unranked teams.
That team went on to win the SEC and SEC Tournament and got a 2 seed.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not happy with the season so far, but good lord, screaming for the coach’s firing 8 games into year 2 makes the screamer sound like an idiot. It’s not going to happen and screaming about it won’t make it happen.
My theory is the loudest screamers are a) left over Cal stans b) people against the hire in the first place who were quiet last year but relishing in “I told you so” this year c) people who allow the success of this basketball program to determine their self worth and emotional wellbeing.
Outside of anything scandalous, he’s getting a year 3 whether BBN likes it or not."
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I want coach Pope to succeed here. I, however, can't ignore some of the red flags that we seeing with this team. Frankly, some of the issues are ones that I wouldn't have expected. Dozen plus minute scoring droughts are not something I thought we'd be dealing with after hiring Pope. And the shooting woes, my goodness.