Stop Blaming the Players

[Coach777]

This is all on Pope. Yes they play and act like they don’t care but that’s Pope’s fault. Why should they care if they’re getting playing time? Bob Knight “ the biggest motivator is you a$$ on the bench”. Pretty simple concept - you don’t play if you are not giving 100% every minute on the court. Regardless if they’re getting paid nobody wants to set the bench.
I was one of Pope’s biggest supporters after season 1 it’s now obvious he is terrible. Returning players have regressed by fundaments not being taught and is a huge reason they get and will continue to get out rebounded. But what’s a huge red flag is no change in his offense during the season or in game. Continuing to chuck 3 pointers from a team that can’t make 3s is ridiculous. Since there is no effort to have a low post game UK is an easy team to defend. Historically bad season approaching if Pope doesn’t change.

 

[Kywildcat_nation28]

I'll blame them also they getting paid and can't make a 2 ft layup

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

They get paid to play

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

This is all on Pope. Yes they play and act like they don’t care but that’s Pope’s fault. Why should they care if they’re getting playing time? Bob Knight “ the biggest motivator is you a$$ on the bench”. Pretty simple concept - you don’t play if you are not giving 100% every minute on the court. Regardless if they’re getting paid nobody wants to set the bench.
I was one of Pope’s biggest supporters after season 1 it’s now obvious he is terrible. Returning players have regressed by fundaments not being taught and is a huge reason they get and will continue to get out rebounded. But what’s a huge red flag is no change in his offense during the season or in game. Continuing to chuck 3 pointers from a team that can’t make 3s is ridiculous. Since there is no effort to have a low post game UK is an easy team to defend. Historically bad season approaching if Pope doesn’t change.

Agree with you. Rotation patterns and benching philosophy is far too rigid. Have no idea why he rotates the way he does a la communism. As far as fundamentals, I’ve heard analysts who do film review say they had trouble telling what we are *trying* to do defensively on some of these plays and it’s hard to disagree. It’s an all systems failure that’s hard to comprehend beyond the obvious.

 

[JohnnyGreen]

Oweh does seem to be a bit of a problem right now mentally.

 

[xmayor]

"It all pays the same" win or lose, bench or floor. I don't think a Bob Knight philosophy works in the professional player era. I think it stopped working when it was still the Coach Bob Knight era. Probably, it can work with some teams and players, but I doubt it motivates this group of mercenaries.

 

[DrGlock]

It's not even Pope.... IT'S MITCH. He put someone completely unqualified for the job into a position he couldn't possibly handle. The AD is supposed make the best hire, not the easiest hire.

Mitch hiring Pope is like entering a 1997 Toyota Corolla into the Indy 500 and then not understanding how or why it got it's *** kicked

 

[Coach777]

"It all pays the same" win or lose, bench or floor. I don't think a Bob Knight philosophy works in the professional player era. I think it stopped working when it was still the Coach Bob Knight era. Probably, it can work with some teams and players, but I doubt it motivates this group of mercenaries.

"It all pays the same" win or lose, bench or floor. I don't think a Bob Knight philosophy works in the professional player era. I think it stopped working when it was still the Coach Bob Knight era. Probably, it can work with some teams and players, but I doubt it motivates this group of mercenaries.

With many of the players wanting to play at the next level benching would not be a good look. I can’t imagine that would not be a motivating factor. Wouldn’t you rather watch subpar players giving a 100% and wore out at the end of the game than what’s on the court now?

 

[JHBr]

Blame Pope all you want, but players should have within themselves to play with maximum effort especially considering the jersey they are wearing. I don't see this with some of them.

 

[JonathanW2]

This is all on Pope. Yes they play and act like they don’t care but that’s Pope’s fault. Why should they care if they’re getting playing time? Bob Knight “ the biggest motivator is you a$$ on the bench”. Pretty simple concept - you don’t play if you are not giving 100% every minute on the court. Regardless if they’re getting paid nobody wants to set the bench.
I was one of Pope’s biggest supporters after season 1 it’s now obvious he is terrible. Returning players have regressed by fundaments not being taught and is a huge reason they get and will continue to get out rebounded. But what’s a huge red flag is no change in his offense during the season or in game. Continuing to chuck 3 pointers from a team that can’t make 3s is ridiculous. Since there is no effort to have a low post game UK is an easy team to defend. Historically bad season approaching if Pope doesn’t change.

I don't think you can say it is ALL on Pope. Just like winning is not ALL on the coach, neither is losing. Sure the coach can motivate, he can call plays, and put the best combinations on the floor. But IMO the problem with this team is EFFORT. That shows most on REBOUNDING, which is primarily effort. Oscar wasn't a generational-level rebounder because of his size or athletic ability, he was because he wanted that ball more than the other guy (EFFORT). But it's not just rebounding where we aren't showing effort, it's on defense, on crisp passes, on talking to each other, setting & fighting through screens, making hard cuts to the basket, and yes crashing the boards, not just standing around hoping the ball comes to you. Yes, the coach can do things, pull strings, play the right cards, say the right things to help motivate players, but lack of effort is primarily ON THE PLAYERS.

 

[GoAndRunIsGoneAndDone]

Motivation is one thing and outright refusing to play hard is another. No speech fixes that. Help em pack their bags. That fixes it.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I blame everyone. Pope and the players.

I blame Pope for baffling substitution patterns and not putting these guys in position to succeed.

I blame the players for lack of effort and being bad teammates. College coaches shouldn’t have to teach effort.

 

[Smeegs]

I see no reason not to blame players who are paid seven figures, yet put forth this kind of effort:

 

[TheResistance]

Its all different now. The players are getting PAID. They can take the criticism or leave.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

Nothing is gonna bring the old UK back. These kids today are soft and dont care like we did. Its the product and it features poor policy and performance which in returns a ****** product. I have zero expectations from this sport anymore and only a few schools are lucky enough to maintain through this type stuff. Duke will be the king of the sport for a while now and we are a middle school program.

 

[Old Blue Fart]

I don't think you can say it is ALL on Pope. Just like winning is not ALL on the coach, neither is losing. Sure the coach can motivate, he can call plays, and put the best combinations on the floor. But IMO the problem with this team is EFFORT. That shows most on REBOUNDING, which is primarily effort. Oscar wasn't a generational-level rebounder because of his size or athletic ability, he was because he wanted that ball more than the other guy (EFFORT). But it's not just rebounding where we aren't showing effort, it's on defense, on crisp passes, on talking to each other, setting & fighting through screens, making hard cuts to the basket, and yes crashing the boards, not just standing around hoping the ball comes to you. Yes, the coach can do things, pull strings, play the right cards, say the right things to help motivate players, but lack of effort is primarily ON THE PLAYERS.

At the end of the day, someone has to be accountable and that is whomever is in charge.
If I send a team of my employees to a job and they screw it up, it is me who gets the call and have to deal with the aftermath. Then I have to deal with it all over again when I engage my employees.
It is all on the coach at this point. If a player is not giving effort, then you sit them until they decide to give the effort you require.
If a player is giving you all the effort you want and is making mistakes, then the first thing you do as a coach is look at yourself and ask what am I not doing to reach this player.
If this player continues to make the same mistakes, then you as the coach must look at your method of teaching. It is after all this effort my you as the coach do you blame the player.
At the end of the day, it was the coach who brought the player into his program. If such player stops giving the effort you want and you have exhausted all your avenues to reach this player, then you either sit them or release them.

It is the coach who creates the environment for the players to grow in. If a player does not succeed in your environment, then one of you needs to move on.

 

[BlueSince92]

Plus, ya know, the switch flipping.

 

[rick64]

Plenty of blame to go around here.

 

[Jaime Chitwood]

When the entire team has given up and just goes through the motion, that is 100% on the head coach. After the drama is exposed, you will realize how grossly under qualified Mark Pope is for this role.

 

[Guyute]

OP, most things in life are not simply “Either/Or” scenarios. Could it be that BOTH Mark Pope is a mediocre coach AND that these players give little effort?

 

[Kyhoward1]

I don't think you can say it is ALL on Pope. Just like winning is not ALL on the coach, neither is losing. Sure the coach can motivate, he can call plays, and put the best combinations on the floor. But IMO the problem with this team is EFFORT. That shows most on REBOUNDING, which is primarily effort. Oscar wasn't a generational-level rebounder because of his size or athletic ability, he was because he wanted that ball more than the other guy (EFFORT). But it's not just rebounding where we aren't showing effort, it's on defense, on crisp passes, on talking to each other, setting & fighting through screens, making hard cuts to the basket, and yes crashing the boards, not just standing around hoping the ball comes to you. Yes, the coach can do things, pull strings, play the right cards, say the right things to help motivate players, but lack of effort is primarily ON THE PLAYERS.

Agree, I believe the problems are attitude, effort, heart, and pride more than the basketball skills. Effort is non-negotiable. All players miss shots and make mistakes. No player should ever be lackadaisical on the court. Regardless of their paycheck, playing time must be earned.

Yes our shooting and rebounding is abysmal but the things you mentioned are mostly from lack of effort. Do you care? Pope has stressed on getting players who understand what wearing the jersey means, but there is no evidence this group does or even cares.

There has to be internal issues and conflict causing the pitiful team performance. I do believe that most of the guys do care but there are 1 or more bad apples.

Pope has to deal with these players immediately. One of the following (Benching, suspension, or dismissal) needs to occur. I

This team is talented. Most prognosticators had UK in the Top 5 and some had us at #1. But the mental aspect is as important as the physical and talent aspects. The effort of this year’s team, in no way, resembles the effort of last year’s team. Pope cannot panic but must take the bull by the horns and take action today. I am hoping that we will see, at the least, the benching of the instigators at our next game with NC Central with further disciplinary action if needed. BBN deserves better!

 

[Goingfor9]

I don't think you can say it is ALL on Pope. Just like winning is not ALL on the coach, neither is losing. Sure the coach can motivate, he can call plays, and put the best combinations on the floor. But IMO the problem with this team is EFFORT. That shows most on REBOUNDING, which is primarily effort. Oscar wasn't a generational-level rebounder because of his size or athletic ability, he was because he wanted that ball more than the other guy (EFFORT). But it's not just rebounding where we aren't showing effort, it's on defense, on crisp passes, on talking to each other, setting & fighting through screens, making hard cuts to the basket, and yes crashing the boards, not just standing around hoping the ball comes to you. Yes, the coach can do things, pull strings, play the right cards, say the right things to help motivate players, but lack of effort is primarily ON THE PLAYERS.

Pope put together the team. They have no idea how to play with other guys on the team. That is all on the coach. And always effort is on the coach to motivate to get the team playing their hardest. There are 100s of drills these guys could be doing to enhance effort. The coach could institute punishment for lack of effort. Pope isn’t doing any of this stuff. How do I know? Because we have guys who still have baby fat at 21. Our guys even last years guys it’s painfully obvious pope recruits guys who are physically inferior to other schools and compared to Cals guys they are weak as heck.

 

[Goingfor9]

Nothing is gonna bring the old UK back. These kids today are soft and dont care like we did. Its the product and it features poor policy and performance which in returns a ****** product. I have zero expectations from this sport anymore and only a few schools are lucky enough to maintain through this type stuff. Duke will be the king of the sport for a while now and we are a middle school program.

Several programs don’t have the problems pope does so yes the success we have found we will find again. Just have to boot barney and pope at this point he doesn’t coach UK style basketball. We ll find someone that does

 

[Farsight Clone]

Yes, this is on Pope. But there is clearly a cancer on the team and I think it's fair to say that it seems like the most likely candidate for that from start of the season is Oweh. Players definitely don't like each other. And I think they don't like Oweh.

I keep on saying this but it's clear some of you don't understand basketball. No matter what Pope's schemes or offense issues, those do not matter if there is a cancer on the team/mental issues.

Until the mental issues are resolved, we won't have a good year.

The responsibility is 1000% on Pope to fix this mental issue.

We can clearly play, we do have decent players. Go watch the games before the UofL game. Everything changed in the locker room before the UofL game.

So yes, it is on the players to a degree, but it's Pope has to fix it. Or we are done for the year.

 

[wccat]

I blame the players, Pope, assistant coaches, Mitch, the ball boy...I blame them all. You can't give your best effort. Where is your pride? I am not a fan of Chris Weber but he was right. You also play for the name on the back of your jersey. You play for your own pride.

 

[buc puppet]

This is all on Pope. Yes they play and act like they don’t care but that’s Pope’s fault. Why should they care if they’re getting playing time? Bob Knight “ the biggest motivator is you a$$ on the bench”. Pretty simple concept - you don’t play if you are not giving 100% every minute on the court. Regardless if they’re getting paid nobody wants to set the bench.
I was one of Pope’s biggest supporters after season 1 it’s now obvious he is terrible. Returning players have regressed by fundaments not being taught and is a huge reason they get and will continue to get out rebounded. But what’s a huge red flag is no change in his offense during the season or in game. Continuing to chuck 3 pointers from a team that can’t make 3s is ridiculous. Since there is no effort to have a low post game UK is an easy team to defend. Historically bad season approaching if Pope doesn’t change.

You are 90% correct. Most of this is on pope. He brought in a billy G level class and he isn't motivating them. But this is partially on the players. Playing hard and playing with effort is the BARE MINIMUM. You don't even have to be good at basketball to have enough sack to play hard. Chandler plays hard. If one guy can bust his *** then they can all bust their ***. So the players have to bear some of the blame, hell probably more than I am even saying.

 

[FreedomWallace]

First move should be firing Mitch today. His gross negligence in Gillispie, last 5 with Cal and now Pope (over his skies), demonstrates gross incompetence. Hope Mitch has fiduciary insurance because he should be sued for breaching fiduciary standards. Mitch firing will send message to all stakeholders. Second, Pope should be given till end of the season to right ship. Although he is bound not to materially change his style, in game lack of adjustment skill set, give the dude end of year to prove me wrong. Last, any distructive player on team, should be released this week. Pick one/two of biggest trouble makers and send them home. If NIL contract still pays them, so be it. But those players are out and maybe helpful to drive collective team effort at minimum. Those three things will help our beloved CATS.

 

[BCD]

It’s NIL, not SSI.
They should earn their money.
Future employers taking note that guys don’t try to earn their money.

 

[JonathanW2]

At the end of the day, someone has to be accountable and that is whomever is in charge.
If I send a team of my employees to a job and they screw it up, it is me who gets the call and have to deal with the aftermath. Then I have to deal with it all over again when I engage my employees.
It is all on the coach at this point. If a player is not giving effort, then you sit them until they decide to give the effort you require.
If a player is giving you all the effort you want and is making mistakes, then the first thing you do as a coach is look at yourself and ask what am I not doing to reach this player.
If this player continues to make the same mistakes, then you as the coach must look at your method of teaching. It is after all this effort my you as the coach do you blame the player.
At the end of the day, it was the coach who brought the player into his program. If such player stops giving the effort you want and you have exhausted all your avenues to reach this player, then you either sit them or release them.

It is the coach who creates the environment for the players to grow in. If a player does not succeed in your environment, then one of you needs to move on.

I'm not saying the coaching staff (of course led by the Head coach) shouldn't take their share of the responsibility. Absolutely they should! They are in charge, they even built this roster. I'm just saying you can't let the players off the hook and hang this solely or mostly on the coaches. Everyone from the AD to HC to ACs to all 12 players need to be accoutable.

 

[JonathanW2]

Pope put together the team. They have no idea how to play with other guys on the team. That is all on the coach. And always effort is on the coach to motivate to get the team playing their hardest. There are 100s of drills these guys could be doing to enhance effort. The coach could institute punishment for lack of effort. Pope isn’t doing any of this stuff. How do I know? Because we have guys who still have baby fat at 21. Our guys even last years guys it’s painfully obvious pope recruits guys who are physically inferior to other schools and compared to Cals guys they are weak as heck.

If you need the coach to motivate you to give effort, to play hard, then you shouldn't be playing sports. And you have no chance at succeeding at the next level.

 

[Goingfor9]

If you need the coach to motivate you to give effort, to play hard, then you shouldn't be playing sports. And you have no chance at succeeding at the next level.

Teams need to learn how to play hard together. If you have 10 guys playing their butts off it doesn’t matter if they aren’t teathered together. And the fact of the matter is a lot of these guys (college players ) are a graduation away from no longer playing sports. We don’t have next level athletes. There is no respected leader. This leads to a motivated entity instead of 10 individuals playing hard.

 

[theKybluedude]

I'm not saying the coaching staff (of course led by the Head coach) shouldn't take their share of the responsibility. Absolutely they should! They are in charge, they even built this roster. I'm just saying you can't let the players off the hook and hang this solely or mostly on the coaches. Everyone from the AD to HC to ACs to all 12 players need to be accoutable.

They are and have been missing arguably their top 2=players if you include JQ 3 players and you should in total.
Give me another team that can lose their top 2 or 3 and not miss a beat? Good news is they will be back.

 

[FilsonCat]

Pope isn't out there building a pyramid out of bricked shots on his own. There's plenty of blame to go around in a program where accountability is in short supply.

 

[akaukswoosh]

This all on Pope. Yes they play and act like they don’t care but that’s Pope’s fault.
Can't disagree.

 

[Cats192]

I think Pope has to share in the blame. He gets zero pass from me for what we've seen.

But to act like these 20 somethings that got paid 1 million, 2 million, 4 million to be here and represent the university don't have some responsibility in it--c'mon man.

 

[true-blue1]

If a player doesn't want to compete it's up to the Coach to handle the situation. It's an easy fix bench them!

 

[blackcat714]

The team should be made to live together at he lodge during basketball season that way they would not be wore out from partying all the time. I remember when i was thst age party till 6 and be at work at 7

 

[Woodrow24]

According to some on here, It’s the fans fault.

 

[BigBlue_83]

Too quote a former coach....we need a tweak. Pope needs to mix it up because this is not working.

 

[megablue]

The biggest question I have is very simple.
For the money spent, why don't we have better players ??