Ok, I like Pope, but what the hell (UofL Pregame "Issue")

[kybassfan]

Sometimes he’s talking in front of the media, but really he’s speaking to his team.

This is one thing that is a mystery to me. With Cal, many were whining that he never shared anything. Pope kinda opens up a lot more about subtle things that happen and transpire during a day and people freak out. I mean its not like they spend all day on body language or stuff like that but these things do come up. Its modern coaching. Hell I can recall Tubby calling in a shrink in 2005. Cal called in the Harrison's dad in 2014 to get their heads right. Those are just things we know. To borrow a line from a movie, basically a coach will piss on a spark plug if it makes the team roll. One of the best coaches in history, Phil Jackson, was down right Zen about it all. Maybe Cal had it right and just run the team and let others twist in the wind. Clearly, some can't handle the truth. I think it's kinda cool he does this. I like the insight. Basketball I can understand. Mechanics I can see. I don't really need to hear him drone on about that.

And yeah, you are right. He sends messages to his players like that. Probably hoping they hear or read it. Why, I'm guessing just to reenforce a point.

 

[Scratchycat2]

Ehh. If he focuses on a winning product, he can show up twirling a sock on his privates to the pressers for all I care.

Wild comment

 

[KYFOSSIL]

No, I get it. I don't get blaming lackluster coaching and lackluster defense on that. That is crap.

You don't think UoL was hyped all day? It's just a bad excuse. Something out of character for Pope.

Dude for someone not "worried about it". You seemed worried about it.

 

[kybassfan]

Not the routine- the cutesy little answers. I don't care for that stuff. He said it so serious on Tuesday after the loss. And then today is like "too hyped".

Nah, not buying that. Getting too hyped doesn't have you down 20 at times

Its just a weird response is all.

Did you get the impression he was trying to sell it to you? Even talking to you? Or even cared if you ‘ bought’ it. Just curious.

On game days and I’m sure other times these guys run around with mics stuck in their faces. They don’t have a hoard of little PR brats handing them reams of talking points. On the 100 top priories list, you probably didn’t make it. He is trying to think of any bit of ribs to get the talking head out of his face.

I say all of this to say something that should be very obvious. Regarding your opinion on his random mic moments, he don’t care. At all.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Is pressure already bothering him?

Again, love the guy, but what? He sounds so different from last year.

This crap wears me out.

 

[FurdTurgason]

Some of our fans are just miserable. They want every one of our teams to start at the top and work it's way sideways.

Something was off with Oweh and a couple others. It's EARLY NOVEMBER. For God's sake let them grow. You don't judge a coach by early losses. You judge them by how they make the team better by learning from then.

This is why playing our arch rival on Nov. 11 was a horrible idea.

 

[Woodrow24]

Some of our fans are just miserable. They want every one of our teams to start at the top and work it's way sideways.

Something was off with Oweh and a couple others. It's EARLY NOVEMBER. For God's sake let them grow. You don't judge a coach by early losses. You judge them by how they make the team better by learning from then.

This is why playing our arch rival on Nov. 11 was a horrible idea.

It really was a bad idea to play them this early

 

[bbnkat02]

Dude for someone not "worried about it". You seemed worried about it.

It’s called a discussion board. We’re discussing it.

Wild it’s hard for some old time posters to get that.

 

[bbnkat02]

Some of our fans are just miserable. They want every one of our teams to start at the top and work it's way sideways.

Something was off with Oweh and a couple others. It's EARLY NOVEMBER. For God's sake let them grow. You don't judge a coach by early losses. You judge them by how they make the team better by learning from then.

This is why playing our arch rival on Nov. 11 was a horrible idea.

It was an awful idea to play them this early. I doesn’t help they are actually decent too. And it was at their place. And their fans are acting like their own win in nearly half a decade means they are suddenly the best team in history.

I think that coupled with that awful GT performance and trying to figure out what’s going on with Owen and Lowe getting hurt AGAIN is just a bad cocktail of crap.

 

[TFCat11]

It really was a bad idea to play them this early

Both teams had the same amount of time to prepare! No excuses!!

 

[KYFOSSIL]

It’s called a discussion board. We’re discussing it.

Wild it’s hard for some old time posters to get that.

You be you . But there's a difference between a discussion board and a bitching board. I'm not saying that's what you're doing, but a lot of people do.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Pope is Mr. Hyperbole and Mr. Riddle at times.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

TBH, this isn't the first time he said something a bit weird and probably won't be the last time.

Cal did this too. I listen to all of these pre and post game conferences and some of the things I hear are just like...........wait what did he just say lol.

It's just coach speak tho.

 

[bbnkat02]

TBH, this isn't the first time he said something a bit weird and probably won't be the last time.

Cal did this too. I listen to all of these pre and post game conferences and some of the things I hear are just like...........wait what did he just say lol.

It's just coach speak tho.

It's just so weird. The Taylor Swift reference was the really strange part too.....

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

This is one thing that is a mystery to me. With Cal, many were whining that he never shared anything. Pope kinda opens up a lot more about subtle things that happen and transpire during a day and people freak out. I mean its not like they spend all day on body language or stuff like that but these things do come up. Its modern coaching. Hell I can recall Tubby calling in a shrink in 2005. Cal called in the Harrison's dad in 2014 to get their heads right. Those are just things we know. To borrow a line from a movie, basically a coach will piss on a spark plug if it makes the team roll. One of the best coaches in history, Phil Jackson, was down right Zen about it all. Maybe Cal had it right and just run the team and let others twist in the wind. Clearly, some can't handle the truth. I think it's kinda cool he does this. I like the insight. Basketball I can understand. Mechanics I can see. I don't really need to hear him drone on about that.

And yeah, you are right. He sends messages to his players like that. Probably hoping they hear or read it. Why, I'm guessing just to reenforce a point.

I’ve said since day one that eventually Pope is going to get tired of the media around here. In a social media world, you expect unrealistic fans all the time, but what you may not expect is KSR to run headline stories on literally no information getting everyone in a tizzie over next to nothing and so on. Also, they speak about player performances as fact, but when you go pull up the film, you start wondering what game they were watching. Just last night, rave reviews for Jelavic. Guess it’s time for him to start taking MO’s minutes, right? Then, you go watch the game and realize they said that because he made a shot and scored some points. He got killed on the boards and still looks lost half the time. The only people on that site that I think know the difference with a pick and roll and a casserole are Brandon Ramsey, Zack G and Shawn Smith.

 

[kybassfan]

I’ve said since day one that eventually Pope is going to get tired of the media around here. In a social media world, you expect unrealistic fans all the time, but what you may not expect is KSR to run headline stories on literally no information getting everyone in a tizzie over next to nothing and so on. Also, they speak about player performances as fact, but when you go pull up the film, you start wondering what game they were watching. Just last night, rave reviews for Jelavic. Guess it’s time for him to start taking MO’s minutes, right? Then, you go watch the game and realize they said that because he made a shot and scored some points. He got killed on the boards and still looks lost half the time. The only people on that site that I think know the difference with a pick and roll and a casserole are Brandon Ramsey, Zack G and Shawn Smith.

That’s a whole other can of worms. You may be right but there is also another phenomenon at play as well. Social media and the sports press feed on each other. Administrations, businesses and sports organizations know this. They laugh at it. They manipulate it. This is one area where I think Pope has to ripen a bit. Cal became a master at it, He taunted, slapped, twisted and used social media and the press like a rag doll.

This may get to Pope after a bit. I think it will come to the point where he simply doesn’t care. I don’t think it will become a cat and mouse thing like with Cal. But Pope is a smart guy with a solid academic background. If it helps his program he will manipulate social media and the press. He may be doing it already. Already he has this forum buzzing over some psychological BS which lowers the crap directed at his players in a young season.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

That’s a whole other can of worms. You may be right but there is also another phenomenon at play as well. Social media and the sports press feed on each other. Administrations, businesses and sports organizations know this. They laugh at it. They manipulate it. This is one area where I think Pope has to ripen a bit. Cal became a master at it, He taunted, slapped, twisted and used social media and the press like a rag doll.

This may get to Pope after a bit. I think it will come to the point where he simply doesn’t care. I don’t think it will become a cat and mouse thing like with Cal. But Pope is a smart guy with a solid academic background. If it helps his program he will manipulate social media and the press. He may be doing it already. Already he has this forum buzzing over some psychological BS which lowers the crap directed at his players in a young season.

I don’t disagree. He definitely took a jab at the media yesterday, by intentionally joking that the reason he put the starters back in the game was because of a fight between Dioubate and another player. I think he may tire, not just of the over abundance of coverage on certain things, but the willingness to run with wild stories. You had KSR folks playing guessing games about player fights before the game and all this. It’s on Pope to do better with choosing words wisely, but I also have figured he probably gets a little annoyed with the media already. You’ve had players like Collin Chandler state that he absolutely had to stop looking at socials and the way he said it indicated he thought the BBN fans and/or media are often way out of line. Even this season, we’ve chosen our whipping boys and go to town on literally every appearance of struggle.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

I don’t disagree. He definitely took a jab at the media yesterday, by intentionally joking that the reason he put the starters back in the game was because of a fight between Dioubate and another player. I think he may tire, not just of the over abundance of coverage on certain things, but the willingness to run with wild stories. You had KSR folks playing guessing games about player fights before the game and all this. It’s on Pope to do better with choosing words wisely, but I also have figured he probably gets a little annoyed with the media already. You’ve had players like Collin Chandler state that he absolutely had to stop looking at socials and the way he said it indicated he thought the BBN fans and/or media are often way out of line. Even this season, we’ve chosen our whipping boys and go to town on literally every appearance of struggle.

But social media is a problem that all the top schools have to deal with. I remember Coach K making a statement defending a player he thought fans were going after too hard. No doubt the comments can get out of line but coaches and players are now being paid big bucks so they are just going to have to learn to live with it.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

But social media is a problem that all the top schools have to deal with. I remember Coach K making a statement defending a player he thought fans were going after too hard. No doubt the comments can get out of line but coaches and players are now being paid big bucks so they are just going to have to learn to live with it.

I’m not just talking about social media though. I’m talking about the media specifically. Also, fans criticizing is one thing but people go way too far and usually do so without any knowledge of what they are even watching.

 

[WildcatNC]

Eh. I'd rather him speak honestly than give coach speak. Probably best not to mention it, but he was just trying to be honest without putting anyone on blast unnecessarily.

I'm way more concerned with what it was and why we got curb stomped than the fact he mentioned it vaguely.

 

[Runt#1969]

It definitely IS out of character to hear CMP speak so, I'll be the first to say that. Inquiring minds mant to know. Regardless of the coach speak and psychology of the game aside,

Whatever it takes to motivate and get them ready for every game had better end in better results that that game at Louisville. They are better than that. Maybe that was his ultimate point as well ?

 

[bbnkat02]

But social media is a problem that all the top schools have to deal with. I remember Coach K making a statement defending a player he thought fans were going after too hard. No doubt the comments can get out of line but coaches and players are now being paid big bucks so they are just going to have to learn to live with it.

Yep. Especially so now that they are making big bucks. Welcome to pro sports.

 

[megablue]

Pope is Mr. Hyperbole and Mr. Riddle at times.

He employs psychobabble on occasion.

 

[kybassfan]

I don’t disagree. He definitely took a jab at the media yesterday, by intentionally joking that the reason he put the starters back in the game was because of a fight between Dioubate and another player. I think he may tire, not just of the over abundance of coverage on certain things, but the willingness to run with wild stories. You had KSR folks playing guessing games about player fights before the game and all this. It’s on Pope to do better with choosing words wisely, but I also have figured he probably gets a little annoyed with the media already. You’ve had players like Collin Chandler state that he absolutely had to stop looking at socials and the way he said it indicated he thought the BBN fans and/or media are often way out of line. Even this season, we’ve chosen our whipping boys and go to town on literally every appearance of struggle.

Well Chandler is right about that. This board, twitter et al stepped way over the line many times. Many on the board would whine and bleat over their God given right to trash the program while the battle hymn played in the background. I somewhat fault the university for simply not disowning them. This year is starting faster, the assault on Pope has begun even sooner than that of BCG.

Don’t get me wrong,I don’t necessarily disagree with you. I do think there are a number of potential outcomes I think at some point the University will step in. They have a number of measures they can take and one nuke they can use. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[kybassfan]

But social media is a problem that all the top schools have to deal with. I remember Coach K making a statement defending a player he thought fans were going after too hard. No doubt the comments can get out of line but coaches and players are now being paid big bucks so they are just going to have to learn to live with it.

I wouldn’t be too sure about that. That cancel sword cuts both ways.

 

[kybassfan]

Eh. I'd rather him speak honestly than give coach speak. Probably best not to mention it, but he was just trying to be honest without putting anyone on blast unnecessarily.

I'm way more concerned with what it was and why we got curb stomped than the fact he mentioned it vaguely.

Yeah, but… He would be the only one…..

He is not going to dwell on the UL loss. It’s noting more than game film now. Get real on that.

 

[jackson75]

If they are upset by mean comments now Lord help them in the NBA because it will get much worse.

 

[UKCowboys]

Lets see....coach is answering questions for the media, doesn't want to make excuses and say its a road game against a ranked team with his best player out or Oweh couldn't hit the broad side of a barn and his best two players turned the ball over more than the entire other team, or he had kids miss two front ends of one and ones and two kids miss wide open 3 looks...so he says some ridiculous crap in an attempt to not throw kids under the bus and essentially blames himself for not having them ready to play....and half of RR begins playing him for the loss, questioning his recruiting success, and talking about not renewing him early on. As I said, reactionary idiotic bullcrap

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

If they are upset by mean comments now Lord help them in the NBA because it will get much worse.

We can play the game of “they shouldn’t care” but we are fans. We should be prioritizing what helps them the most imo. I can’t imagine caring what a 52 year old thinks of my jump shot while I’ve got a ten in my dorm room but I’m also not a 19 year old college basketball player

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Lets see....coach is answering questions for the media, doesn't want to make excuses and say its a road game against a ranked team with his best player out or Oweh couldn't hit the broad side of a barn and his best two players turned the ball over more than the entire other team, or he had kids miss two front ends of one and ones and two kids miss wide open 3 looks...so he says some ridiculous crap in an attempt to not throw kids under the bus and essentially blames himself for not having them ready to play....and half of RR begins playing him for the loss, questioning his recruiting success, and talking about not renewing him early on. As I said, reactionary idiotic bullcrap

You can’t excuse the coach for the team’s performance. Pope is held responsible if Oweh takes six or more three point shots. Based on his postgame comments last night, I think we are about to see Oweh play more to his strengths

 

[UKCowboys]

You can’t excuse the coach for the team’s performance. Pope is held responsible if Oweh takes six or more three point shots. Based on his postgame comments last night, I think we are about to see Oweh play more to his strengths

Pope cant shoot it for them

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Pope cant shoot it for them

Bro. He can tell Oweh his strength isn’t as a jump shooter and have him do other things. One of the core things I expect from a coach is to put each player in a position to play according to their individual strengths.

The way you look at the game almost renders coaching obsolete. Might as well hire Tom Crean if the coach gets no responsibility for which of our players takes what types of shots. Irony is that Pope literally disagrees with what you’re saying himself. Go watch the postgame last night lol

 

[bbnkat02]

Pope cant shoot it for them

[Coach] can't do it for them is the lamest retort in all of sports.

These guys make millions to find people who can.

This isn't a shot at any particular coach- but it literally is their job.

 

[Kentucky15]

Again. He's the one that brought it up And then again tonight.

Like, what are you doing man? It's just freaking weird.

obviously, that’s not what the issue was. Come on y’all. Something else went down and he’s not going to comment. Typical coach cover here.

 

[jackson75]

obviously, that’s not what the issue was. Come on y’all. Something else went down and he’s not going to comment. Typical coach cover here.

So what do you think went down?

 

[bbnkat02]

obviously, that’s not what the issue was. Come on y’all. Something else went down and he’s not going to comment. Typical coach cover here.

Hence my point. He shouldn't have said anything. Just a weird misstep for him.

 

[Kentucky15]

Is pressure already bothering him?

Again, love the guy, but what? He sounds so different from last year.

seems to me to clearly be talking to Oweh. He’s worried too much about the next level and jacking them up when that’s not his game. Coaches speak to the players through the media. I’ve noticed a theme here lately there’s so many that to me sound like they didn’t plays sports and haven’t deal with coaches. You can love UK basketball that doesn’t mean you understand everything going on. And that’s fine it’s no biggie. But if you can’t read between the lines of what he’s saying then you don’t understand how coaches operate. He’s not doing anything other than talking to his players here.

 

[Trinity45]

Agreed. That's why its so odd to me that a guy that is so analytical and stat guru blames it on being "over hyped"

It's just so out of character for him.

I'm not bashing him or worried per se. Its just off for him.

Knowing Pope we will never know because he will keep it in the locker room where it belongs, but if you listen to Pope's pressers you sometimes need a translator.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

seems to me to clearly be talking to Oweh. He’s worried too much about the next level and jacking them up when that’s not his game. Coaches speak to the players through the media. I’ve noticed a theme here lately there’s so many that to me sound like they didn’t plays sports and haven’t deal with coaches. You can love UK basketball that doesn’t mean you understand everything going on. And that’s fine it’s no biggie. But if you can’t read between the lines of what he’s saying then you don’t understand how coaches operate. He’s not doing anything other than talking to his players here.

Exactly. Said the same thing. He wasn’t even speaking much in code, pretty straightforward

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

It's just a weird response. I mean he put it out there like it was some big secret and "Wasn't ready to talk about it."

Like what the hell?

You lose a game and then say "Whoops......too hyped?!"

Yeah that’s weak AF.