Pope is too nice...
- Thread starter Blueathletics
- Start date
In-game passion isn't necessary, as I prefer a tactical mindfulness over Calipari-level tantrums; but if he's singing Kumbaya to them during practice after a game like this, that will be a major issue going forward.
Nah. His players respond to it. I’ve been to several games this season. Just because he isn’t screaming and acting like a fool doesn’t mean he lacks passion. His players know him and he coaches with intensity. It’s just a different sort.
Absolutely he is, get mad in a time out or something please. If players too soft to handle a little ripping……go play pick up at the Y then.
LOL. What a garbage post. They play as hard as any team I’ve seen and thats what matters. We had no roster in May, are 10-2 and have beaten Duke, Zags and Louisville. Way ahead of schedule.
Some people just coach a different way.
There's no one way of doing things.
There's no one way of doing things.
I saw a commercial saying Mark Pope is the new face of college basketball, I like the old faces better.
If BBN knew that UK would be 10-2 going into Christmas week 99.9% of us would've signed up for that.
Pope wants to win really bad. Don’t think he’s a big teddy bear. He just does it professionally
This! I told my wife that they’ve exceeded my expectations thus far. I did think they’d be better than many initially thought, though.
He's got to be who he is. You can't force a different personality or the players know it's fake. I don't mind a calm coach at all. Think it's helped them in most of the games and today was about team just laying a dud on the court and yelling at them would've only made it worse. They got their *** kicked and it happens.
Very pleased with what I've seen for most part-specifically the recruiting. But on the court to do what he's done with a team who didn't play together and enter SEC play likely 11-2---I'll take it. SEC will be a different set of issues for this group but it was for Calipari and at least with Pope and Staff they are just starting out.
Going to wait to see how the team improves/program grows for another year/2 before making a general assessment but personality wise, he was needed for the fans and program to sell. It's not stale anymore.
If I had to have one criticism that is a general one that I feel about any coach/program in any sport. Never make 1 game bigger than another. So you rally to beat Gonzaga.....great win, everyone knows it, but to make a mini movie about it like it was to get to the Final Four or the last game of the year....I'd have told the video team to just recap the game like others no matter how great of a regular season win it was. But that's my observation/take and maybe the fans all ate it up and thought it was great. Just think when you make things about "life coach" stuff what often happens is players respond by thinking "doesn't matter if we're down--we'll win" and the object coming out of that game should've been we've got to start faster and why are we getting whipped to start games which led into today as well. This needs to be addressed/assessed by the staff and Pope's got to call that out too. Doesn't need to rant/scream but just factually say that these opening deficits won't get it done in SEC play.
Very pleased with what I've seen for most part-specifically the recruiting. But on the court to do what he's done with a team who didn't play together and enter SEC play likely 11-2---I'll take it. SEC will be a different set of issues for this group but it was for Calipari and at least with Pope and Staff they are just starting out.
Going to wait to see how the team improves/program grows for another year/2 before making a general assessment but personality wise, he was needed for the fans and program to sell. It's not stale anymore.
If I had to have one criticism that is a general one that I feel about any coach/program in any sport. Never make 1 game bigger than another. So you rally to beat Gonzaga.....great win, everyone knows it, but to make a mini movie about it like it was to get to the Final Four or the last game of the year....I'd have told the video team to just recap the game like others no matter how great of a regular season win it was. But that's my observation/take and maybe the fans all ate it up and thought it was great. Just think when you make things about "life coach" stuff what often happens is players respond by thinking "doesn't matter if we're down--we'll win" and the object coming out of that game should've been we've got to start faster and why are we getting whipped to start games which led into today as well. This needs to be addressed/assessed by the staff and Pope's got to call that out too. Doesn't need to rant/scream but just factually say that these opening deficits won't get it done in SEC play.
Funny how some are ready to cut on Coach Pope. Some of these folks are really way too over the top.
It's his first year. He's already won big games. He's still learning and adapting to this team and this position.
I believe him and his staff will make the adjustments. Shorter sub rotation, maybe smaller line ups, maybe press or zone.
The real issue is that the SEC is shark waters this year. Guys are gonna have to start hitting shots.
It's his first year. He's already won big games. He's still learning and adapting to this team and this position.
I believe him and his staff will make the adjustments. Shorter sub rotation, maybe smaller line ups, maybe press or zone.
The real issue is that the SEC is shark waters this year. Guys are gonna have to start hitting shots.
A lot more parity in college basketball now too with NIL and transfer portal. Pope has to navigate a far more difficult era than any prior UK coach has.
He will win a national title here and do well overall but probably gonna lose more games overall winning percentage wise due to the annual tougher than the past sec.
SEC is like bear hunting with a switch this year. Just reality. Teams are adapting some to Coach Pope's style. He will have to figure the next move.
The hard *** thing doesn’t really work anymore with today’s generation. And that’s not who Pope is as a person.
You want him to scream and yell because YOU’RE angry. That’s not his way.
You want him to scream and yell because YOU’RE angry. That’s not his way.
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I don’t think he is too nice. He just believes a different style is needed with the players of today. What creates some frustration for me probably stems from me not stepping back and trusting. The things we see as issues, Pope has to see in much more detail but he just doesn’t air it out in a negative manner. He presents everything in a manner that puts a positive light on everything.
If he has an edge he’ll exhibit it through coaching and maybe running it up.
I like what I’ve seen so far in him and think it’s a jimmys and joes issue getting going.
He’s a young coach too, he’ll learn from these games.
He’s got 3 years total to prove imo.
I like what I’ve seen so far in him and think it’s a jimmys and joes issue getting going.
He’s a young coach too, he’ll learn from these games.
He’s got 3 years total to prove imo.
Today, the day after the loss, I reminded myself that I said on day one that Pope has done a complete rebuild and that it's going to take time to get the program back to an elite level. That's still true and will be until after the season is over. Yet here I am forgetting this on game day.
This team needed a reality check and got one. No more slow/shaky starts and a couple guys got to nut up and handle their business. Staff has ten days to get things back on track. Tick tock.
I agree in part, but his personality is perfect for today’s player’s generation. An issue I’m seeing is most of UK’s key guys are older, come from programs where losing was no big deal, then add in that they are all getting paid, and if I’m being totally honest, none of them are playing for their professional futures in the NBA!
If they don’t find some heart, passion, and pride, for themselves and the name on the front of the jersey, and fast, they will end their careers on the wrong side of history.
If they don’t find some heart, passion, and pride, for themselves and the name on the front of the jersey, and fast, they will end their careers on the wrong side of history.
I strongly prefer Popes demeanor on the sideline to the previous method if acting like a lunatic , screaming GO/RUN the whole game with no coaching ability; while playing stall ball for the last 8 minutes trying to protect a 1 point lead.
Please! He's been just fine on the sideline. He's looked pretty into it to me so far. You want a Frank Martin over there or something? Nothing wrong with Frank Martin but Mark Pope is who he is. And he's proven thus far to be better than we thought. Sometimes the shots just don't fall and a team who hasn't been together very long takes a long time to gel. Yeah I hated the loss but I'm not worried about Pope. I swear, it's like some folks forgot all about the duke and Gonzaga win.
Yesterday was a stinker. I do want Pope to run them or send a message that you can’t take teams lightly. Go hard all the time.
However, I think the Bob Knight stuff doesn’t work with this generation. These kids are different. Most not raised by military type Dads & Grandpa’s, so the drill Sargent act is foreign. Sometimes Brad Stevens calmness works.
However, I think the Bob Knight stuff doesn’t work with this generation. These kids are different. Most not raised by military type Dads & Grandpa’s, so the drill Sargent act is foreign. Sometimes Brad Stevens calmness works.