Cignetti is a unicorn basically doing something unprecedented. As for guys in 2nd year in top 20 who are they exactly and did they inherit the abysmal situation Cal left Pope with. I keep hearing this " in the NIL Era" crap. Who's actually thriving in this era. The usual suspects that were winning before it. Did Pope spend his money wisely this year, no.Does that mean he can't coach , I don't know time will tell. What I do know is UK has not really been relevant in a decade most of that Cals doing. Pope had a pretty good year last year considering what he inherited, this year has been a disappointment. The calls for his head after every loss are tiresome and frankly make us look like the idiots we are. If we are still struggling next year I would consider a change but the crap going on with some of our fans right now is rediculous.
Should a UK coach
- Thread starter HappyBlue
- Start date
After cooling off over yesterday’s debacle. I’m still mad that after an almost 2 week break, this team looked just as lost as they did in the early games. I had hope after the IU and St John’s games that Pope had figured out what we all saw with his roster. That the guys he recruited could be really good defensively. If he could get that type of defensive effort from them they could win with that while continuing to gel offensively. I saw none of that yesterday. None of the 3/4 court pressure I thought was so effective and key to their comebacks in those games. None of the aggressive half court defense. He also ran Chandler, Moreno and Aberdeen back out there as starters. He implausibly ran them back out there to start the second half. He can get this team right. But I’m not sure the players are willing to do what is required and I’m not sure Pope has enough of their respect to get it out of them. These things are what I hated so much about Cal. Whether it’s hubris as it was with Cal or lack of a set of balls as I’m afraid it is with Pope, if he doesn’t grow a pair this team is done.
Last edited:
Pope isn’t getting fired after this year and he shouldn't. He earned enough street cred with what he did last year.
It’s just so bizarre to me though. He’s an intelligent guy and he showed just how in tune he can be just last year. He just needed to improve the roster and game plan better, so we didn't get down and have to make crazy comebacks.
But this year, so far, makes me believe someone kidnapped Pope. The guy coaching this team seems to be incredibly clueless. I can't believe how he tried to defend Alabama yesterday and I can't wrap my head around what he's trying to do on offense.
I get it, we don't have great shooters, but where is the cutting offense we saw last year? Why aren't we even trying to run the offense with a big from the top? Aberdeen and Chandler are not point guards, they are awful at it and we have known it for 10 games now. Do something different, stop doing the same crap, it's not working and neither is this stupid 1 on 5 iso crap.
Our defense yesterday, looked like it was being coached by a guy that had no clue that Alabama shoots 3's. Our guys did the exact opposite of what you should do and they did it all game.
I get that we don't have shooters, but this team has very good players at all 5 positions, Pope seems to have no idea how to use them. We're still doing the same crap we did against Michigan State and we're no better at it. There is no offensive identity.
We look like a team that is just starting summer workouts, that's the worst part of all this. It’s going to take months to fix this, because we are so far behind.
It’s just so bizarre to me though. He’s an intelligent guy and he showed just how in tune he can be just last year. He just needed to improve the roster and game plan better, so we didn't get down and have to make crazy comebacks.
But this year, so far, makes me believe someone kidnapped Pope. The guy coaching this team seems to be incredibly clueless. I can't believe how he tried to defend Alabama yesterday and I can't wrap my head around what he's trying to do on offense.
I get it, we don't have great shooters, but where is the cutting offense we saw last year? Why aren't we even trying to run the offense with a big from the top? Aberdeen and Chandler are not point guards, they are awful at it and we have known it for 10 games now. Do something different, stop doing the same crap, it's not working and neither is this stupid 1 on 5 iso crap.
Our defense yesterday, looked like it was being coached by a guy that had no clue that Alabama shoots 3's. Our guys did the exact opposite of what you should do and they did it all game.
I get that we don't have shooters, but this team has very good players at all 5 positions, Pope seems to have no idea how to use them. We're still doing the same crap we did against Michigan State and we're no better at it. There is no offensive identity.
We look like a team that is just starting summer workouts, that's the worst part of all this. It’s going to take months to fix this, because we are so far behind.
Pope's biggest problem is his complete lack of success as a coach. If he had a great resume at his previous jobs, I think people would be more likely to dismiss this as one bad year. Kentucky fans got on board with Pope despite him not really being qualified(not a shot, but no way he gets this job without being a former player) . That's why BBN is the best fanbase on Earth, and Pope's introduction proved that. But Pope needs immediate success here or this experiment won't last long.
Last edited:
He was qualified last year. I want to know what the **** changed with his and his teams approach that has completely made the wheels come off the bus. This **** is night and day different from last season. Something drastic changed.
It doesn’t make sense. We’re bringing him back just so he will be miserable, his family will be miserable, fans are already miserable and certainly boosters will be miserable as well. Next year will make this year look like a day at Disney Land.
This offseason will be the most miserable days of his whole life. It certainly will be some of the worst in recent memory for us fans if Pope fails to make the tournament and is allowed to return.
None of it makes sense. Pope returning is entirely an emotional response from the UK admin, not a sensible nor logical one to make.
But it doesn’t have to be miserable. Pope is doing this to himself, he's trying to handle everything and he’s spreading himself too thin.
He could relieve a ton of pressure by hiring a GM, if he doesn't do that, well, he gets what he deserves, because he screwed this whole thing up this year.
We always said Cal was hard headed, he refused to change to win, but Pope is doing the same crap. If he starts that Missouri game with Lowe and JQ on the bench again, it proves to me that he just doesn't get it. He’s obviously going to continue to overthink everything.
Last edited:
I, too, want Mark Pope to succeed, but my concerns go beyond just player evaluation and talent acquisition.
If he had inherited a mismatched roster, implemented the wrong system initially, and then made meaningful adjustments that positioned the team to compete despite those limitations, the current struggles would at least demonstrate coaching acumen and provide hope for future success with better personnel. Unfortunately, we haven't seen that. His substitution patterns lack clear logic, the offensive and defensive schemes (if they truly exist) appear rudimentary or nonexistent, ball movement is stagnant, player effort and grit are inconsistent, and post-game explanations rarely offer convincing evidence of progress or a coherent plan. Overall, he looks overwhelmed at this level.
These on-court issues are now compounding off-court risks: continued embarrassing losses to any team with a pulse threaten to erode booster confidence and dry up NIL funding, which will make building a competitive roster for next season even harder.
That said, regardless of fan frustration (including my own), I believe Mitch and the administration will give Pope a third year to prove himself. To quiet criticism in the short term, I expect a near-complete roster overhaul—bringing in a new wave of transfer-portal mercenaries to replace much of the current group—will be presented as a reset. In my opinion, only a major scandal or Pope voluntarily resigning would prevent him from getting a third season.
If he had inherited a mismatched roster, implemented the wrong system initially, and then made meaningful adjustments that positioned the team to compete despite those limitations, the current struggles would at least demonstrate coaching acumen and provide hope for future success with better personnel. Unfortunately, we haven't seen that. His substitution patterns lack clear logic, the offensive and defensive schemes (if they truly exist) appear rudimentary or nonexistent, ball movement is stagnant, player effort and grit are inconsistent, and post-game explanations rarely offer convincing evidence of progress or a coherent plan. Overall, he looks overwhelmed at this level.
These on-court issues are now compounding off-court risks: continued embarrassing losses to any team with a pulse threaten to erode booster confidence and dry up NIL funding, which will make building a competitive roster for next season even harder.
That said, regardless of fan frustration (including my own), I believe Mitch and the administration will give Pope a third year to prove himself. To quiet criticism in the short term, I expect a near-complete roster overhaul—bringing in a new wave of transfer-portal mercenaries to replace much of the current group—will be presented as a reset. In my opinion, only a major scandal or Pope voluntarily resigning would prevent him from getting a third season.
We owed Mark Pope what his contract calls for. That’s more than most people would earn in 5 lifetimes.
So I am not going to feel sorry for him. He can retire and not have worry about making a living.
I would say this about the situation. If I work for a corporation and I cause it to lose 20 million
dollars, how long would they keep me?
I would say the moment they realized the loss I would be fired.
Last edited:
He did good in year 1, but the 24-12 Kentucky Wildcats could not have won it all. They were like an early 2000s Tubby team. Could have got bounced in the round of 32, but had a very good win against Illinois. Sweet 16 was about their ceiling.
Who is saying final four or fired lol?
You’re being dramatic to try to make fans that aren’t happy with Pope look irrational. I think most people would settle with not being 1-6 vs power conference opponents and not watching their team get down 20 already 8 times in his tenure. Probably also expect a little better than 17-17 record vs power conference opponents or his 11-10 record as a coach in the SEC.
Pope will get 3 seasons, but the point you’re missing is he’s getting destroyed after spending 22 million dollars on a roster. He also compared this team to the 96 championship team and used an analogy of having a Ferrari in his garage when talking about this team in October. When a blue blood program is getting destroyed in games, yeah the fans are going to be mad. Why that’s surprising to some of you all, it amazes me.
Good post.
I admit I'm not sure if the donors ever get a return on their investment, so I'm thinking that's what you mean when you say "lose 20 million dollars". Yeah, they basically got nothing for their money, but Mitch is still profiting. The BBN will still fill Rupp Arena, so he just has to answer some tough questions, he's used to that.
Tell me when those coaches spent 22 million of the boosters money to build a roster that failed. “Ooh, let’s play that game”. You blame the fans guys have one thing going for you on this board, the mentally ill guys that can’t rationally say a coach makes mistakes are loving these dumb posts. Yeah we got some weird dudes that can’t admit when pope does things right but theirs not many of them.
Unless the wheels completely come off (missing the tourney by a huge margin) I'll think he'll get another year but I don't think he should as I don't think he has temperament to handle this job. I've heard a lot about the post game interview with Tom yesterday and I think many are missing what Pope sounded like the most. He wasn't sounding like a jerk. He wasn't sounding like someone that is trying everyrhing and it just isn't working. He sounded like a brat. Plain and simple. Think 12 year old that didn't get his way or something went wrong. This season isn't going like he hoped and he is pouting. And I think it is bleeding over into this team.
JB
JB
There are so many things wrong with Pope‘s reign right now that a 100% turnaround seems extremely improbable.
off topic but this doesn’t get mentioned much, I thought one of the big stories of the NCAA Tournament last year was Clemson losing in round one. If you look at that Clemson team and how they were built, they had big guys, shooters, a damn good bench. That Wiggins guy at FSU who lit Duke up yesterday (albeit in a losing effort) transferred from Clemson. The Tigers had all that experience coming off that tough elite 8 loss in 2024, they were the only ACC team to beat Duke last season and for them to go 0-1 in both the ACC and NCAA Tournaments was rather shocking imo.
This is clearly not a roster problem. Its worse. This is a fully healthy roster that most of us thought would make a deep run this season, but with last years Pope. We aren't getting last years Pope yet. Fundamentally unsound play is what's unacceptable.
Last edited:
Show me proof that UK spent 22 million. I just don't believe it.
We as fans don’t have to give a guy that was unqualified more time. One month you can turn a program around if you’re that guy. He’s not qualified and it’s not our place to hire somebody qualified. That’s where Mitch screwed us.
He won some of the biggest games last year and the season was still exhausting. No other coach in America would have The University of Kentucky without a pg two years in a roll. This isn’t Kentucky basketball this isn’t the standard Pope isn’t the guy.
He won some of the biggest games last year and the season was still exhausting. No other coach in America would have The University of Kentucky without a pg two years in a roll. This isn’t Kentucky basketball this isn’t the standard Pope isn’t the guy.
I know we need Oweh because he’s one of our most important players, but here’s some food for thought.
Pretty sure it was 3 consecutive plays yesterday he (1) missed a pass from JQ and it sailed out of bounds, turnover. (2) he slipped and fell in the lane and his guy shot in a 2 footer and (3) drove the lane with nowhere to go and ball got knocked loose. Thats (3) empty possessions. That could be 6-9 possible points.
Stuff like that can’t be solely put on Pope. Yes, he’s the coach, but damn sometimes our players do stupid stuff. Just saying.
That little sequence alone could’ve changed the game. That how fine a line we are talking.
People need to eat a good meal, maybe have a beer or a water and just have some patience. I know it’s aggravating, but let’s see where we are by about February before we go calling for somebody’s head.
Pretty sure it was 3 consecutive plays yesterday he (1) missed a pass from JQ and it sailed out of bounds, turnover. (2) he slipped and fell in the lane and his guy shot in a 2 footer and (3) drove the lane with nowhere to go and ball got knocked loose. Thats (3) empty possessions. That could be 6-9 possible points.
Stuff like that can’t be solely put on Pope. Yes, he’s the coach, but damn sometimes our players do stupid stuff. Just saying.
That little sequence alone could’ve changed the game. That how fine a line we are talking.
People need to eat a good meal, maybe have a beer or a water and just have some patience. I know it’s aggravating, but let’s see where we are by about February before we go calling for somebody’s head.
Pope got us to sweet 16 last year with several injuries and we had some pretty good wins but also pretty bad losses. Our only good win this year is St. John’s. Indiana was not a good win at all.
There is no future for Pope.
1. He can’t recruit and you see that already for next year.
2. He can’t develop players. This is why our bigs don’t play the post and are not taught moves to get to the rim. JQ would have the moves now and thrive under many coaches.
3. UK will have to pay more if a NIL player is being pursued by another blue blood.
4. 14 games into the season and a full roster and the teams problems are so obvious the the national media and us fans see the same issues that have been there all year. Obviously he doesn’t realize it or doesn’t know how to fix it.
5. Did he miss on his 22 mil roster or does he not how to teach or motivate them to play? Whatever the reason how do you have confidence this won’t happen next year?
I wanted Pope to succeed as much as anyone. I just don’t have any hope. Please tell me what I missing to have any hope moving forward.
1. He can’t recruit and you see that already for next year.
2. He can’t develop players. This is why our bigs don’t play the post and are not taught moves to get to the rim. JQ would have the moves now and thrive under many coaches.
3. UK will have to pay more if a NIL player is being pursued by another blue blood.
4. 14 games into the season and a full roster and the teams problems are so obvious the the national media and us fans see the same issues that have been there all year. Obviously he doesn’t realize it or doesn’t know how to fix it.
5. Did he miss on his 22 mil roster or does he not how to teach or motivate them to play? Whatever the reason how do you have confidence this won’t happen next year?
I wanted Pope to succeed as much as anyone. I just don’t have any hope. Please tell me what I missing to have any hope moving forward.
I see some repeat this, yet recruits have hinted that isn't the case. Provide some examples.
I really want Mark Pope to succeed here. But, there have been 5-6 games in the first 1/3 of the season that Kentucky has looked lost. There is a significant pattern of this team looking completely unprepared, undisciplined, and uninterested.
I believe Pope can coach, he’s still the innovative offensive genius that everyone thought he was 2 years ago. Can he motivate young, wealthy players at the highest level of expectation and scrutiny? Few people can do that.
I believe Pope can coach, he’s still the innovative offensive genius that everyone thought he was 2 years ago. Can he motivate young, wealthy players at the highest level of expectation and scrutiny? Few people can do that.
Indiana football went from 3-9 to the number 1 team in the nation in two years. With the most NIL money of any team it shouldn't take you time to build a program. You buy a program now and the only one to blame has to be the guy who bought the players and is coaching the players. This is not like the past where you have to build a program. Recruiting is a huge issue right now even with unlimited resources.
Or what? What's with these ridiculous attitudes from the fans? Do you think Pope is just going to kick his legs back and not dwell on things he could have done better when the season is over?
I think he's trying to get them to see things from a larger perspective. He's a man with a lot of patience. Mistakingly, I think he's trying to will them to care about the game and UK like he does, but most players today do not care. They want their money and to get drafted. It takes a certain kind of personality to break through that.
College hoops panic meter: Kentucky still not living up to its $22 million price tag
A little over a month into the new college basketball season, the national title picture has already begun to shift, and not in a good way for the likes of Kentucky and Florida
sports.yahoo.com
Kentucky Bordering on Bust After Gonzaga Humiliates Mark Pope’s $22 Million Roster
The Wildcats’ high-priced experiment is unraveling fast as former players pile on and fans mercilessly boo, and Mark Pope is running out of excuses.
www.si.com
Want me to post more? I guess Yahoo sports, sports illustrated, and several other sports sites are all liars now lmao
The problem is Pope hasn’t won at any school or any year. What makes everyone think he can do it here under this pressure. Second year coaches at bluebloods shouldn’t be going in reverse already. His recruiting clearly shows we are moving in the wrong direction. I’d say for Pope to get another year, he needs to make the tourney and have a couple studs signed before the season ends. If not, cut your losses and actually get a competent committee to find a coach, not Jeff Sheppard and crew.
I really don't know. It’s so bad that it could be a conglomerate of things, but I do think the players care. I can see it with guys like Oweh, Lowe, Mo D and DA. All of them keep taking turns trying to fix it all themselves and they look frustrated.
I'm sure by now they have had several players-only meetings, one-on-one meetings with Pope and probably 100 team and coach meetings. They should all be on the same page and if they are, the blame points directly at Pope. It’s his responsibility.
What do you mean or what? If he doesn't pick it up after year 3, new AD will move on. Only way he gets fired after year 2 is if a scandal happens or we finish with 20 losses.
You can get mad at me, but that's what will happen. Bookmark it.
I'm not mad at you, don't even know you. Just struck me as funny the "he better" finger wagging. Let the man figure things out, try and be positive for a change.
Completely agree. Had Pope taken BYU to a Final Four or something impressive, then I think we could afford to have more patience with him. I like Pope, but it's up to him to prove that he deserves this job. The first year was about what I expected going into the season, so that didn't really move the needle either way. This year has been a disaster so far. If this season isn't salvageable, then he needs to at least show us that he can recruit better!
Heard same BS about, how Calipari deserves one more year! And how Mark Stoops has won the most games ever here. He deserves one more year. Get out of here. Stop prolonging the bleeding. Rip the bandaid off.
Nah, I'm a realist. I'm not one that says "fire him now" or "let's be positive". I live in the real world. Getting emotional and offended on here is for...certain people.
I hate losing just as much as anyone. But can we be honest that Mark Pope has had some really bad fing luck with injuries. I agree he has failed with some roster construction this year but last year was pretty dang impressive to assemble a team in limited time that could compete for a final four before injuries. This year we’re just now getting Lowe and JQ into the rotation. Yes our offense has been horrible and our defense against 3 pt shooting teams is ****. But I’m gonna give it time before I lose all hope in the season. Mind you I was the very first one on here calling for Pope to gtfoh after losing to Gonzaga.
We played at Bama they hit the majority of their 3s in the first half. They miss half of those in the first half, it would’ve been a different game and I know excuses are not part of this game. But I wasn’t so mad about the loss as I was about getting out rebounded and our perimeter defense.
We played at Bama they hit the majority of their 3s in the first half. They miss half of those in the first half, it would’ve been a different game and I know excuses are not part of this game. But I wasn’t so mad about the loss as I was about getting out rebounded and our perimeter defense.