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Pope’s response to Quaintance questions

Wunky

Wunky

Heisman
Jan 16, 2021
4,239
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Don’t inspire a lot of confidence. Basically said they are going to be super cautious so as not to risk his NBA future. Which I 100% agree on… but it’s starting to feel familiar.

Btw not trying to be negative with the post. He also said his rehab is progressing extremely well/fast. I just wonder how much time is enough time? At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what coaches or doctors say. It’s up to JQ himself.
 
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Anon1755209580

Senior
Aug 14, 2025
407
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Honestly wouldn't expect to see him play here much. He didn't even have surgery until late March. I get ACL/MCL surgeries and recovery have really improved, but we're talking about a 6'10, 250# basketball player with plans for a long term NBA career. They will be extremely cautious to protect his long term career and draft position. As they should.
 
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chroix

chroix

Heisman
Jul 22, 2013
10,389
26,224
113
Anon1755209580 said:
Honestly wouldn't expect to see him play here much. He didn't even have surgery until late March. I get ACL/MCL surgeries and recovery have really improved, but we're talking about a 6'10, 250# basketball player with plans for a long term NBA career. They will be extremely cautious to protect his long term career and draft position. As they should.
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I hate it, but you're probably right.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,845
76,129
113
Wunky said:
Don’t inspire a lot of confidence. Basically said they are going to be super cautious so as not to risk his NBA future. Which I 100% agree on… but it’s starting to feel familiar.

Btw not trying to be negative with the post. He also said his rehab is progressing extremely well/fast. I just wonder how much time is enough time? At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what coaches or doctors say. It’s up to JQ himself.
Click to expand...
I think and hope they just mean not letting him see game action until the end of the year. I’d take some early lumps to guarantee his health by December and him playing all conferences and tourney.
 
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BlueBlood96Cat

BlueBlood96Cat

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2022
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Said from the start he wouldn’t play much this year. Hopefully he will. Does he get drafted without playing?
 
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rivercatinfl

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2012
1,690
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Wunky said:
Don’t inspire a lot of confidence. Basically said they are going to be super cautious so as not to risk his NBA future. Which I 100% agree on… but it’s starting to feel familiar.

Btw not trying to be negative with the post. He also said his rehab is progressing extremely well/fast. I just wonder how much time is enough time? At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what coaches or doctors say. It’s up to JQ himself.
Click to expand...

BlueBlood96Cat said:
Said from the start he wouldn’t play much this year. Hopefully he will. Does he get drafted without playing?
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It feels like Sharpe 2.0 to me. I don't think JQ is the culprit on this situation like Sharpe was. IMO Sharpe never intended to play for UK. I believe JQ would like to play but he will have everyone and their brother telling him not to take the risk.
IMO we will be fine without JQ but it definitely drops our chances of a championship this year.
 
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E

Eagles_Ball_69

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2003
2,873
3,684
82
Wait…I thought he’d be back playing in 6 months? It’ll be a blessing if he’s ready to see game action by Jan 1. It’ll be a bigger blessing if 45 days later he’s fully healthy and playing more than 20 mins/game. I root for the kid in part because I want him healthy for his career, but also in large part because I have zero confidence in Brandon Garrison. Lowe is probably the biggest key, but if they’re going to be GREAT(and not just good), it’s 100% because JQ is healthy in crunch time.
 
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LineSkiCat14

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,302
59,922
113
I know the coach/program cant take this stance.. but i dont care about any player's future NBA plans. You committed to play for us, and once that player is ready, they need to be out there. Hes getting paid now, let's remember this.

When these guys weren't getting NIL.. ok, I sort of get it. But hes making millions. Have to play.
 
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JwUKFan11

JwUKFan11

Heisman
Nov 11, 2011
6,628
12,815
113
Don't think he plays until January at the earliest. I think mid-January to early Feb is the realistic assumption.
 
JwUKFan11

JwUKFan11

Heisman
Nov 11, 2011
6,628
12,815
113
I'll add one more thing..

JQ's dad was a huge part of his recruitment, and what seemed like a late bidding war between ASU, UL, Arkansas, etc. His dad seems likeable, but so did Acaden's dad, and they always said the right things while doing the opposite. It wouldn't be that big of a stretch for his dad to want him here for recovery and get even more attention on him before "recovering" the full year and going to the NBA. Don't think that's likely, but who knows. Sharpe and his family said the right things at every step of the process as well.
 
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true-blue1

true-blue1

All-American
May 15, 2007
11,583
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Hopefully he will be ready for conference play. The kid is a difference maker!
 
Wunky

Wunky

Heisman
Jan 16, 2021
4,239
17,556
78
LineSkiCat14 said:
I know the coach/program cant take this stance.. but i dont care about any player's future NBA plans. You committed to play for us, and once that player is ready, they need to be out there. Hes getting paid now, let's remember this.

When these guys weren't getting NIL.. ok, I sort of get it. But hes making millions. Have to play.
Click to expand...

Agree. Not to mention I’m sure these guys have insurance policies. At least the projected lotto picks like JQ.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,845
76,129
113
WallMash said:
my gut tells me we get him off the bench for 10 minutes in January. But my gut also tells me to like pineapple on my pizza.
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I think he starts playing around December. He will come along around 15-18 mpg and then ramp up over the next two months for the stretch run. They always said 6 months for his return. It’s been almost 7. Most reports for minor ACL/MCL repair are anywhere from 6-12 months. He’s in the intensive sports specific rehab right now. December puts him at 9 months. Everyone says he’s recovering faster and better than expected so it makes perfect sense to me. 9 months is right between the time table and allows him to regain strength and ramp up slowly back until the end of the year which would be fully healed.
 
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J

JonathanW2

Junior
Aug 6, 2025
160
238
43
I get that we as fans want to know, and want to know now. But we don't need to know. Pope & staff may not even know, they probably have an idea, but don't know.
I also get the cynicism.
But Pope brought him in, with a good NIL, knowing he had surgery in March. He did not bring him in, greatly hurting our chances at adding another "big", expecting him to not play at all or not much.

So, I think those saying "he won't play much" are being a bit too much "the sky is falling".
What I think all of this means is that JQ is progressing faster than they had expected/planned, BUT....that does not mean they are going to move up his timeline significantly, that they are going to play it safe and stick to (or close to) the original timeline.
Thus, I don't expect to see him in Nov, but I think December is very possible (>50%), and by January is almost certain.
 
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kywildcat1021979

kywildcat1021979

Heisman
Jan 10, 2015
18,344
30,364
62
You all Cal isn't here anymore and JQ isn't Sharpe dude will play when the DR's give him the OK to play. I honestly know it's hard especially for a lot of people on here because Cal is all you knew before Pope last year, but these players aren't' just going to sit out to protect their stock they're going to play! We won't ever again have a Sharpe situation on our hands!
 
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PastorofMuppets82

Senior
Mar 4, 2025
220
471
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Just last year you had Lamont Butler begging to be on the floor with his shoulder barely hanging on when most coaches would have just let them sit. Andrew Carr's back was never the same once SEC play started and he still forced his way onto the floor despite being a shell of himself when it would have been understandable to sit. Robinson had no business playing again after his initial wrist injury but gave it a go until he hurt it worse. Outside of Kerr, who didn't heal, all the other guys fought to be on the floor and often Pope and staff had to sit them for their protection. Judging by JQ's competitiveness and desire to SHOW the NBA scouts his knee is fully healed and ensure confidence in drafting high, he's going to be hungry to play. He very likely will be on an extremely short leash once he does get cleared and Pope might have to fight to keep him off the floor due to JQ's desire to play. I'm sure if the Dr's rolled out a ball and said you're cleared for 5 on 5 full contact JQ would come out all gas no brakes today. My conservative view is we start seeing him in practices mid December, spot minutes in January, and full fledged unleashed by Feb. Optimistic view would be move everything up by 3-4 weeks.
 
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R

rivercatinfl

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2012
1,690
1,591
97
I don't know the "risk" of him playing once his healing metrics are all accomplished but it does sound like his leg is improving dramatically.
I guess the risk is he re-injures it. Duh.
There has to be some point where his knee is rehabilitated. I don't know the chances of re-injury after the completed rehab.
That risk % has to be on his mind.
I remember when Sharpe was gonna play in January or Feb and never did.
Hopefully JQ can be in game shape in time to help us in the SEC stretch and beyond.
I won't be surprised if he doesn't play at all because of the risk.
 
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PDX_Blue

Sophomore
Jun 29, 2025
45
171
33
Wunky said:
Don’t inspire a lot of confidence. Basically said they are going to be super cautious so as not to risk his NBA future. Which I 100% agree on… but it’s starting to feel familiar.

Btw not trying to be negative with the post. He also said his rehab is progressing extremely well/fast. I just wonder how much time is enough time? At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what coaches or doctors say. It’s up to JQ himself.
Click to expand...
Not sure how anyone can take any of what he said lately and say “he will go pro without playing here.”

what? He didn’t lose a leg. Just chill. He wants to play and he’s making progress. Don’t think this means he will play mop up minutes in April.

Golly. Cal PTSD is all.
 
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Catlogic1552

Senior
Jul 3, 2025
218
595
93
Pope says he doing great, January is still three months away. I’m confident he plays early-mid January. That will put us in great shape for a March run.
 
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K

kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
16,368
113
JonathanW2 said:
I get that we as fans want to know, and want to know now. But we don't need to know. Pope & staff may not even know, they probably have an idea, but don't know.
I also get the cynicism.
But Pope brought him in, with a good NIL, knowing he had surgery in March. He did not bring him in, greatly hurting our chances at adding another "big", expecting him to not play at all or not much.

So, I think those saying "he won't play much" are being a bit too much "the sky is falling".
What I think all of this means is that JQ is progressing faster than they had expected/planned, BUT....that does not mean they are going to move up his timeline significantly, that they are going to play it safe and stick to (or close to) the original timeline.
Thus, I don't expect to see him in Nov, but I think December is very possible (>50%), and by January is almost certain.
Click to expand...
This is correct. It’s doubtful anyone inside the program has a timeline. No priority will exceed that young man’s health and future. When he can play , he will. This is a tactical scenario and not a long range strategy. Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb? He plays when he plays.

Regarding those looking at ACL recovery stats, a word of caution. This one big guy and strong as a moose. This can complicate a time line projection especially in basketball. While the injury may be rather common it is a serious injury and is by no measure routine.
 
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bigblueinsanity (the real)

All-American
Jul 6, 2025
2,000
6,284
113
C*A*T*S said:
Don't know the NIL deal but I'd say it was hefty. Seems odd to pay for no play or little play.
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No doubt it was hefty. He went to asu because they were the highest bidder. Im sure he came here for that same reason.

That was my concern back when we got him. At best, we're getting half a season. At worst he plays it safe and we never or barely see him.

Massive nil risk. I hope it pays off.
 
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chasingwildcat

All-American
Dec 23, 2024
3,285
6,715
113
bigblueinsanity (the real) said:
No doubt it was hefty. He went to asu because they were the highest bidder. Im sure he came here for that same reason.

That was my concern back when we got him. At best, we're getting half a season. At worst he plays it safe and we never or barely see him.

Massive nil risk. I hope it pays off.
Click to expand...
No, I remember some one said Auburn were higher bidder than us

Also, I tend to think if he can choose again, he would stay at Kentucky for two years
 
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Possum

All-American
Apr 28, 2024
1,622
5,061
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Wunky said:
Don’t inspire a lot of confidence. Basically said they are going to be super cautious so as not to risk his NBA future. Which I 100% agree on… but it’s starting to feel familiar.

Btw not trying to be negative with the post. He also said his rehab is progressing extremely well/fast. I just wonder how much time is enough time? At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what coaches or doctors say. It’s up to JQ himself.
Click to expand...
“Btw not trying to be negative”…….Then proceeds to wax negative. :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
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