So, How long??

[BelfryPride]

So, How Long do you all give Mark Pope to get to a Final Four?

Yes, he has a good staff and has struck gold in the portal, but realistically...this is a "rebuild". We will have a lot of talent and a veteran team for the most part. But, that don't mean instant results.

Just give him some grace...please

 

[Bigtyrone]

As long as it happens by next April, I’m good.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I expect UK to be in the elite 8 with a chance at the final four by year 3.

With the ridiculous amount of NIL and the ability to buy a contender via the portal each off season I feel that's realistic.

Some on here will expect it next year though. No patience with some of fanbase.

 

[MachineHead]

If it takes him one second longer than it takes me to get from Winchester Road -> New Circle, then across North Broadway to Russell Cave in the morning, then faaaaar Pope

 

[Seth_C]

It's going to depend a lot on what those non-Final Four seasons look like. If we are consistently going to Elite 8s and Sweet 16s every year, I think people will be patient expecting the Final Fours (and championships) will come because we are consistently knocking on the door.

If we have a lot of first and second round exits, then Pope shouldn't get too comfortable because he won't get long.

 

[jmw23712]

If he hasn’t made the Final Four by Thanksgiving I will riot.

 

[RMorris33_rivals]

Is this supposed to be another "Kentucky fans are irrational/unrealistic/impatient" thread?

 

[BlueRunner11]

Next year will be mostly rebuild as well. So many 5th year guys on the team and the portal makes every player a potential one and done. The NBA was always a threat, but now the NBA and the portal can take your guys. Retaining guys like Garrison each year will be huge.

 

[trueblujr]

If he can get this team into the second weekend of the Tournament next year I'll be pleased and it will show progress to a lot of people. I can see a Final 4 by year two or three once players and prospects get a taste of his system and realize Kentucky Basketball is fun again.

 

[TrustinCal]

5 years

 

[cat tat2]

If he hasn’t made the Final Four by Thanksgiving I will riot.

I have a one person riot every so often.

 

[trueblujr]

Next year will be mostly rebuild as well. So many 5th year guys on the team and the portal makes every player a potential one and done. The NBA was always a threat, but now the NBA and the portal can take your guys. Retaining guys like Garrison each year will be huge.

I hope we can land 3-4 solid top notch recruits for the system and compliment that with 3-4 big time portal guys next year too. I don't want to have to rely on bringing in 8 portal guys again. we will need to fight to keep Garrison and Oweh, but we should eventually establish ourselves as a final destination for Portal guys and not have to worry about them shopping around each year. Ideally we can get to a point where we are returning at least 2-3 starters every year.

 

[katwest]

If San Diego State and Florida Atlantic can make in the last couple of years, Kentucky surely can. The drive to win championships will be there with a fresh approach and coach who knows what it takes.

 

[BelfryPride]

I just hope the NIL Money keeps flowing so we can buy our talent.

But not all talent, can be bought. Who would have thought a player from Oakland college that worked for Uber Eats could hit 10 3's and win an NCAA Tournament game...

 

[BlueRunner11]

I hope we can land 3-4 solid top notch recruits for the system and compliment that with 3-4 big time portal guys next year too. I don't want to have to rely on bringing in 8 portal guys again. we will need to fight to keep Garrison and Oweh, but we should eventually establish ourselves as a final destination for Portal guys and not have to worry about them shopping around each year. Ideally we can get to a point where we are returning at least 2-3 starters every year.

Yeah this year its similar to trying to establish a first year program. Will take a bit to get the right mix so it gets easier to just roll into the next year.

 

[ukpence]

Year one will set the standard for years moving forward. I know what's expected here, but it's hard for me to make my own judgement call when I haven't seen the product on the court. Realistically, I think year three is when we'll see the potential of what Mark Pope can accomplish however.

 

[know1]

I'm just happy to have a coach who is committed to placing the success of the program first. The rest will take care of itself for me.

 

[steelman100]

Next year will be mostly rebuild as well. So many 5th year guys on the team and the portal makes every player a potential one and done. The NBA was always a threat, but now the NBA and the portal can take your guys. Retaining guys like Garrison each year will be huge.

This is no more of a rebuild than we faced every year with Cal. Probably less. It's a year we don't know what to expect. I'm excited. I don't think it's a rebuild. He's built a team. We havent saw that in a long time. I think we aren't realizing what experience can do. We've never had any. We got men not boys. I for one can't wait. Yes I have hi expections because I like this team. Go like the coach. I wouldn't trade him for any

 

[moses1uk]

were used to losing the first game so if he makes the sweet 16 it will be a huge impovement over the previous losers

 

[BradleyCrawford08_rivals]

Realistically, I would expect that milestone in year 3 or 4. This year will be tough but I think we have a good system in place for long-term success.