One year ago…..

[Catsfan3382]

Go back one year - Jan 4th, 2025. We just beat Florida 106-100 at Rupp in what was an historic “offensive efficiency“ game, not just at UK, but in all of college basketball.
We were 12-2 and one of the best, hottest teams in college basketball.
Since then we’ve played 16 ranked teams and our record is 6-10 including a robust 1-5 this year (the one, St John’s, is now well outside the top 25).

What a difference a year makes. Even those who questioned the Pope hire (I’ll definitely include myself in that category) were happily eating platefuls of crow. We thought: “maybe this is what we needed”!
What a pot of fools gold we were witnessing. All of what the critics and doubters said about Pope seems to be coming true and then some. There was absolutely no logical explanation for why Barney gave him this job with his resume. He’s simply overmatched and clueless at “understanding the assignment“. I hate it for Pope the man as I had good memories of him as a player, but, as a coach, he’s massively in over his head.

Im not sure how this experiment ends, but I really can’t see a scenario where it ends well. Convince me how it can?

 

[Anon1759768907]

Go back one year - Jan 4th, 2025. We just beat Florida 106-100 at Rupp in what was an historic “offensive efficiency“ game, not just at UK, but in all of college basketball.
We were 12-2 and one of the best, hottest teams in college basketball.
Since then we’ve played 16 ranked teams and our record is 6-10 including a robust 1-5 this year (the one, St John’s, is now well outside the top 25).

What a difference a year makes. Even those who questioned the Pope hire (I’ll definitely include myself in that category) were happily eating platefuls of crow. We thought: “maybe this is what we needed”!
What a pot of fools gold we were witnessing. All of what the critics and doubters said about Pope seems to be coming true and then some. There was absolutely no logical explanation for why Barney gave him this job with his resume. He’s simply overmatched and clueless at “understanding the assignment“. I hate it for Pope the man as I had good memories of him as a player, but, as a coach, he’s massively in over his head.

Im not sure how this experiment ends, but I really can’t see a scenario where it ends well. Convince me how it can?

i domt know if it gets turned around, but if it goes the way it looks, we may be witnessing kentuckys worst coach ever

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Go back one year - Jan 4th, 2025. We just beat Florida 106-100 at Rupp in what was an historic “offensive efficiency“ game, not just at UK, but in all of college basketball.
We were 12-2 and one of the best, hottest teams in college basketball.
Since then we’ve played 16 ranked teams and our record is 6-10 including a robust 1-5 this year (the one, St John’s, is now well outside the top 25).

What a difference a year makes. Even those who questioned the Pope hire (I’ll definitely include myself in that category) were happily eating platefuls of crow. We thought: “maybe this is what we needed”!
What a pot of fools gold we were witnessing. All of what the critics and doubters said about Pope seems to be coming true and then some. There was absolutely no logical explanation for why Barney gave him this job with his resume. He’s simply overmatched and clueless at “understanding the assignment“. I hate it for Pope the man as I had good memories of him as a player, but, as a coach, he’s massively in over his head.

Im not sure how this experiment ends, but I really can’t see a scenario where it ends well. Convince me how it can?

Here’s how it can:

Pope has a come-to-Jesus meeting with his players and wills this team to a 6-7 seed, far below expectations but not completely embarrassing.

He adds some great shooters that are snug fits for his style in the offseason.
He fires Fox and lands a defensive coordinator. He admits this is not a strength of his and takes hands entirely off the wheel there.

He looks himself in the mirror and decides he’s going to increase the individual expectations for each of his players and hold them immediately and clearly accountable.

He manages to make an Elite Eight in year three.

He works with JMI, the athletic department and a newly hired GM who will coordinate with the partner to ensure all contracts are clear of any obstructive language going forward.

He finds the weakest recruiter on his staff and lets them go. He finds an assistant coach that will excel in recruiting that can handle this as a primary role.

He stops using press conferences for TED talks and speaks in a straightforward fashion.

He stops committing to weird lineups and decides to create more continuity with his best 8-9 players in a high-minutes fashion.

^ That would be a start.

 

[KyKevin]

Go back one year - Jan 4th, 2025. We just beat Florida 106-100 at Rupp in what was an historic “offensive efficiency“ game, not just at UK, but in all of college basketball.
We were 12-2 and one of the best, hottest teams in college basketball.
Since then we’ve played 16 ranked teams and our record is 6-10 including a robust 1-5 this year (the one, St John’s, is now well outside the top 25).

What a difference a year makes. Even those who questioned the Pope hire (I’ll definitely include myself in that category) were happily eating platefuls of crow. We thought: “maybe this is what we needed”!
What a pot of fools gold we were witnessing. All of what the critics and doubters said about Pope seems to be coming true and then some. There was absolutely no logical explanation for why Barney gave him this job with his resume. He’s simply overmatched and clueless at “understanding the assignment“. I hate it for Pope the man as I had good memories of him as a player, but, as a coach, he’s massively in over his head.

Im not sure how this experiment ends, but I really can’t see a scenario where it ends well. Convince me how it can?

Winning is the only answer

 

[wildcat111]

Go back one year - Jan 4th, 2025. We just beat Florida 106-100 at Rupp in what was an historic “offensive efficiency“ game, not just at UK, but in all of college basketball.
We were 12-2 and one of the best, hottest teams in college basketball.
Since then we’ve played 16 ranked teams and our record is 6-10 including a robust 1-5 this year (the one, St John’s, is now well outside the top 25).

What a difference a year makes. Even those who questioned the Pope hire (I’ll definitely include myself in that category) were happily eating platefuls of crow. We thought: “maybe this is what we needed”!
What a pot of fools gold we were witnessing. All of what the critics and doubters said about Pope seems to be coming true and then some. There was absolutely no logical explanation for why Barney gave him this job with his resume. He’s simply overmatched and clueless at “understanding the assignment“. I hate it for Pope the man as I had good memories of him as a player, but, as a coach, he’s massively in over his head.

Im not sure how this experiment ends, but I really can’t see a scenario where it ends well. Convince me how it can?

No argument here. I am just wondering WTF happened the past year.

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

Here’s how it can:

Pope has a come-to-Jesus meeting with his players and wills this team to a 6-7 seed, far below expectations but not completely embarrassing.

He adds some great shooters that are snug fits for his style in the offseason.
He fires Fox and lands a defensive coordinator. He admits this is not a strength of his and takes hands entirely off the wheel there.

He looks himself in the mirror and decides he’s going to increase the individual expectations for each of his players and hold them immediately and clearly accountable.

He manages to make an Elite Eight in year three.

He works with JMI, the athletic department and a newly hired GM who will coordinate with the partner to ensure all contracts are clear of any obstructive language going forward.

He finds the weakest recruiter on his staff and lets them go. He finds an assistant coach that will excel in recruiting that can handle this as a primary role.

He stops using press conferences for TED talks and speaks in a straightforward fashion.

He stops committing to weird lineups and decides to create more continuity with his best 8-9 players in a high-minutes fashion.

^ That would be a start.

I never have been impressed with his staff. I think he needs to revamp it for sure.

 

[Argonaut]

I never have been impressed with his staff. I think he needs to revamp it for sure.

He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to fire anyone. I wouldn’t bet on any staff changes.

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to fire anyone. I wouldn’t bet on any staff changes.

Oh I'm not betting on it either. I agree unfortunately.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Go back one year - Jan 4th, 2025. We just beat Florida 106-100 at Rupp in what was an historic “offensive efficiency“ game, not just at UK, but in all of college basketball.
We were 12-2 and one of the best, hottest teams in college basketball.
Since then we’ve played 16 ranked teams and our record is 6-10 including a robust 1-5 this year (the one, St John’s, is now well outside the top 25).

What a difference a year makes. Even those who questioned the Pope hire (I’ll definitely include myself in that category) were happily eating platefuls of crow. We thought: “maybe this is what we needed”!
What a pot of fools gold we were witnessing. All of what the critics and doubters said about Pope seems to be coming true and then some. There was absolutely no logical explanation for why Barney gave him this job with his resume. He’s simply overmatched and clueless at “understanding the assignment“. I hate it for Pope the man as I had good memories of him as a player, but, as a coach, he’s massively in over his head.

Im not sure how this experiment ends, but I really can’t see a scenario where it ends well. Convince me how it can?

You have to have faith Mr. Vincent!!

 

[TFCat11]

Here’s how it can:

Pope has a come-to-Jesus meeting with his players and wills this team to a 6-7 seed, far below expectations but not completely embarrassing.

He adds some great shooters that are snug fits for his style in the offseason.
He fires Fox and lands a defensive coordinator. He admits this is not a strength of his and takes hands entirely off the wheel there.

He looks himself in the mirror and decides he’s going to increase the individual expectations for each of his players and hold them immediately and clearly accountable.

He manages to make an Elite Eight in year three.

He works with JMI, the athletic department and a newly hired GM who will coordinate with the partner to ensure all contracts are clear of any obstructive language going forward.

He finds the weakest recruiter on his staff and lets them go. He finds an assistant coach that will excel in recruiting that can handle this as a primary role.

He stops using press conferences for TED talks and speaks in a straightforward fashion.

He stops committing to weird lineups and decides to create more continuity with his best 8-9 players in a high-minutes fashion.

^ That would be a start.

You are 100% spot on…except… Pope is never doing any of those things… Not one!

 

[TFCat11]

I never have been impressed with his staff. I think he needs to revamp it for sure.

Except, every single one of them would have a better result up to this point in the season, if they were the HC instead of Pope! I’m thoroughly convinced of that!

Well, maybe not CF, but Hart and Brooks would

 

[AllBall]

Here’s how it can:

Pope has a come-to-Jesus meeting with his players and wills this team to a 6-7 seed, far below expectations but not completely embarrassing.

He adds some great shooters that are snug fits for his style in the offseason.
He fires Fox and lands a defensive coordinator. He admits this is not a strength of his and takes hands entirely off the wheel there.

He looks himself in the mirror and decides he’s going to increase the individual expectations for each of his players and hold them immediately and clearly accountable.

He manages to make an Elite Eight in year three.

He works with JMI, the athletic department and a newly hired GM who will coordinate with the partner to ensure all contracts are clear of any obstructive language going forward.

He finds the weakest recruiter on his staff and lets them go. He finds an assistant coach that will excel in recruiting that can handle this as a primary role.

He stops using press conferences for TED talks and speaks in a straightforward fashion.

He stops committing to weird lineups and decides to create more continuity with his best 8-9 players in a high-minutes fashion.

^ That would be a start.

Standing

 

[Goingfor9]

Here’s how it can:

Pope has a come-to-Jesus meeting with his players and wills this team to a 6-7 seed, far below expectations but not completely embarrassing.

He adds some great shooters that are snug fits for his style in the offseason.
He fires Fox and lands a defensive coordinator. He admits this is not a strength of his and takes hands entirely off the wheel there.

He looks himself in the mirror and decides he’s going to increase the individual expectations for each of his players and hold them immediately and clearly accountable.

He manages to make an Elite Eight in year three.

He works with JMI, the athletic department and a newly hired GM who will coordinate with the partner to ensure all contracts are clear of any obstructive language going forward.

He finds the weakest recruiter on his staff and lets them go. He finds an assistant coach that will excel in recruiting that can handle this as a primary role.

He stops using press conferences for TED talks and speaks in a straightforward fashion.

He stops committing to weird lineups and decides to create more continuity with his best 8-9 players in a high-minutes fashion.

^ That would be a start.

Some folks have a big imagination. He’s the wrong fit. He doesn’t relate to regular souther kids. He’s a laid back WC guy. That’s where he belongs. Bcg was abusive and this guy is the exact opposite. He has to go. When you know you don’t have a fit move on. Don’t waste our time some of us don’t have a lot

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

Pope is the one that needs the come-to-Jesus talk, not the players

 

[Anon470511]

Go back one year - Jan 4th, 2025. We just beat Florida 106-100 at Rupp in what was an historic “offensive efficiency“ game, not just at UK, but in all of college basketball.
We were 12-2 and one of the best, hottest teams in college basketball.
Since then we’ve played 16 ranked teams and our record is 6-10 including a robust 1-5 this year (the one, St John’s, is now well outside the top 25).

What a difference a year makes. Even those who questioned the Pope hire (I’ll definitely include myself in that category) were happily eating platefuls of crow. We thought: “maybe this is what we needed”!
What a pot of fools gold we were witnessing. All of what the critics and doubters said about Pope seems to be coming true and then some. There was absolutely no logical explanation for why Barney gave him this job with his resume. He’s simply overmatched and clueless at “understanding the assignment“. I hate it for Pope the man as I had good memories of him as a player, but, as a coach, he’s massively in over his head.

Im not sure how this experiment ends, but I really can’t see a scenario where it ends well. Convince me how it can?

"There was absolutely no logical explanation for why Barney gave him this job"...Ummm it's exactly what the loudest in the fanbase were screaming for. We want four year players that develop, and kids that care about the name, and someone that understands the assignment, and yada, yada, yada...Meanwhile I'm getting threatened for having a brain and screaming how absolutely idiotic this whole thing is...Running off Cal was the downfall of UK Basketball....I really would not be shocked if we become a football school

 

[Anon470511]

I never have been impressed with his staff. I think he needs to revamp it for sure.

His staff are the only ones screaming at players in the huddle...They are the only ones showing any kind of anything during the game...but sure its their fault lmao!!!

 

[Kyhoward1]

Here’s how it can:

Pope has a come-to-Jesus meeting with his players and wills this team to a 6-7 seed, far below expectations but not completely embarrassing.

He adds some great shooters that are snug fits for his style in the offseason.
He fires Fox and lands a defensive coordinator. He admits this is not a strength of his and takes hands entirely off the wheel there.

He looks himself in the mirror and decides he’s going to increase the individual expectations for each of his players and hold them immediately and clearly accountable.

He manages to make an Elite Eight in year three.

He works with JMI, the athletic department and a newly hired GM who will coordinate with the partner to ensure all contracts are clear of any obstructive language going forward.

He finds the weakest recruiter on his staff and lets them go. He finds an assistant coach that will excel in recruiting that can handle this as a primary role.

He stops using press conferences for TED talks and speaks in a straightforward fashion.

He stops committing to weird lineups and decides to create more continuity with his best 8-9 players in a high-minutes fashion.

^ That would be a start.

Like your TED comment, funny & true!

 

[NociHTTP]

 

[Anony Moose]

Here’s how it can:

Pope has a come-to-Jesus meeting with his players and wills this team to a 6-7 seed, far below expectations but not completely embarrassing.

He adds some great shooters that are snug fits for his style in the offseason.
He fires Fox and lands a defensive coordinator. He admits this is not a strength of his and takes hands entirely off the wheel there.

He looks himself in the mirror and decides he’s going to increase the individual expectations for each of his players and hold them immediately and clearly accountable.

He manages to make an Elite Eight in year three.

He works with JMI, the athletic department and a newly hired GM who will coordinate with the partner to ensure all contracts are clear of any obstructive language going forward.

He finds the weakest recruiter on his staff and lets them go. He finds an assistant coach that will excel in recruiting that can handle this as a primary role.

He stops using press conferences for TED talks and speaks in a straightforward fashion.

He stops committing to weird lineups and decides to create more continuity with his best 8-9 players in a high-minutes fashion.

^ That would be a start.

I'm sorry, but a 6-7 or even 3 - 4 seed is completely embarrassing after both spending 22 million dollars on the roster and comparing them to the 1996 team as Pope did.

How do you determine which asst is the worst recruiter when we have literally signed no recruits for next year and this roster was a complete and utter miss. They clearly all suck!