This team is playing SCARED.

[theBlues]

Sure, they're not playing hard but it's impossible to play hard when you're frozen with fear. Our two best shooters won't take a shot if there is a defender within 10 feet of them and the result is guys like AJ taking a half dozen threes because the other team wants it that way(that's why AJ was always wide open). This is, of course, a direct reflection of the coach; it's the coach's responsibility to get the players in the right frame of mind to play their best.

It's just an observation. I don't have an answer unless it's changing coaches but the fear flows down from the top. The players are getting it from Pope and Pope is getting it from Barnhart, who is terrified of change(if that were not the case Joker and Stoops would have stopped coaching here at least a year earlier).

 

[JohnnyGreen]

Nope. Turnaround begins on Tuesday night.

 

[theBlues]

Nope. Turnaround begins on Tuesday night.

Troll!

 

[JohnnyGreen]

Troll!

Want to bet? We will begin a turnaround. We are at the bottom. All up from here.

 

[philstat]

Nah…they’re playing as they could give two flying f‘s of the outcome, warriors go out on their shields, these guys lay down before the battle commences.

 

[3 Putts]

Want to bet? We will begin a turnaround. We are at the bottom. All up from here.

Man, have to say you’re consistent and really good at this.

 

[theBlues]

Man, have to say you’re consistent and really good at this.

I respectfully disagree with this. If he was good at it at least one person would think he's really a UK fan. I just put him on ignore.

 

[3 Putts]

I respectfully disagree with this. If he was good at it at least one person would think he's really a UK fan. I just put him on ignore.

I’ve noticed a lot of people buying into it the last couple of days, some can’t detect it apparently and get stirred up like on the game thread last night.

 

[Ukwazoo3]

I respectfully disagree with this. If he was good at it at least one person would think he's really a UK fan. I just put him on ignore.

I put him on ignore after one post

 

[Lime-Kat]

Sure, they're not playing hard but it's impossible to play hard when you're frozen with fear. Our two best shooters won't take a shot if there is a defender within 10 feet of them and the result is guys like AJ taking a half dozen threes because the other team wants it that way(that's why AJ was always wide open). This is, of course, a direct reflection of the coach; it's the coach's responsibility to get the players in the right frame of mind to play their best.

It's just an observation. I don't have an answer unless it's changing coaches but the fear flows down from the top. The players are getting it from Pope and Pope is getting it from Barnhart, who is terrified of change(if that were not the case Joker and Stoops would have stopped coaching here at least a year earlier).

I don’t agree with OP. Maybe Noah. But the rest aren’t afraid. They have their own agenda. And for some that agenda is I don’t care. I do no think for a second they are afraid. Look at the one on one play by Aberdeen and Johnson. Watch Oweh. Chandler and Noah maybe. But no one else.

 

[Zuma75]

Chandler definitely looks hesitant to shoot … passes up quite a few looks that aren’t wide open, but open enough. He’s probably just trying to follow what Pope is preaching, play for your teammates etc. But the thing is, I don’t think Pope’s comments on that front are aimed at Chandler. If there are specific guys he has in mind, then he needs to deal with them directly. Don’t make the whole damn team hesitant because 2 or 3 guys aren’t following the script.

On this team, I want Chandler taking his share of shots. They don’t need to be wide open looks. I sure as hell don’t want him hesitating and overthinking.

 

[megablue]

To my view, our team plays like they know before the games against the better teams that they are outclassed. They sense what we fans sense.
It is no difference between how thoroughbreds cannot look each other in the eye when there is a huge class difference, like between claimers and stakes horses. Our guys know their capabilities and realize they are not talented enough. I think Pope knows it, too, despite what he tells the media.
Our best chances against the better teams are on nights when, whatever the reason, our three-point shots are falling at a far higher % than normal.
We simply do not have enough talent to begin to compensate for subpar shooting nights.
That's how I see things ... just being real and honest.

 

[Kentucky15]

Honestly, this is the worst I’ve ever seen a blue blood come out. I’ve been doing this since the early 90’s. Far worse than cals 9-16 team to me. Worse than Billy G’s NIT year.

This team cares nothing about the team fans or tradition. To me, looks like some are enjoying bringing those losses. No one has been dismissed, all are still playing, it’s like a church league team who’s trying to get to the spaghetti supper and just playing for no reason. It’s as bad as I’ve seen 100%. And doesn’t appear to be a coach who’s doing anything with it. Same thing every game.

This isn’t going to be fixed. It’s going to get worse. Wondering if some guys want more money and are packing it in until they get it, I think there’s several issues in this team.

 

[AFKY_Blue_RedsBengals]

Nah…they’re playing as they could give two flying f‘s of the outcome, warriors go out on their shields, these guys lay down before the battle commences.

That is what I'm seeing. A team playing with no heart. I don't see fear in them who have been around the block and jacking up careless 3's when this squad is full of horrible shooters. I see a team that doesn't give a damn out there on the court and laughing to the bank with their millions. Pathetic!

 

[JohnnyGreen]

Chandler is not afraid at all. He needs to have the ball in his hands more.

 

[theBlues]

To my view, our team plays like they know before the games against the better teams that they are outclassed.
It is no difference between how thoroughbreds cannot look each other in the eye when there is a huge class difference, like between claimers and stakes horses.

Yeah, it's kind of wild how a claimer can run times that would beat a stakes horse but can't do it when he's against a stakes horse. We seem like that claimer.

 

[mash_24]

Some guys look paralyzed offensively. Think it’s partly from certain guys making cuts like they are in pregame walkthrough. And part of it is guys overthinking things. Sit the guys not going full speed, it’s crisis time and they have proven they’re unwilling. Get Lowe healthier, Diabate back, and JQ ready and see if they want to play hard.

 

[Blue_2_the_bone_rivals]

I don’t agree with OP. Maybe Noah. But the rest aren’t afraid. They have their own agenda. And for some that agenda is I don’t care. I do no think for a second they are afraid. Look at the one on one play by Aberdeen and Johnson. Watch Oweh. Chandler and Noah maybe. But no one else.

I don’t think Noah’s afraid, at least from the 3 point line. He wouldn’t be jumping up and down calling for the ball when guys drive and he’s open. They don’t look for him. I just don’t think he’s going to forced NBA 3 or contested shot, even if it’s a better shot than some other guys are taking. He knows his minutes are short and firing off contested shots will get him taken out quicker, even though it doesn’t other guys. He does need to be more aggressive inside the arc and fire with any daylight there. He passed up one he should have shot there last night.

 

[Blue_2_the_bone_rivals]

Chandler definitely looks hesitant to shoot … passes up quite a few looks that aren’t wide open, but open enough. He’s probably just trying to follow what Pope is preaching, play for your teammates etc. But the thing is, I don’t think Pope’s comments on that front are aimed at Chandler. If there are specific guys he has in mind, then he needs to deal with them directly. Don’t make the whole damn team hesitant because 2 or 3 guys aren’t following the script.

On this team, I want Chandler taking his share of shots. They don’t need to be wide open looks. I sure as hell don’t want him hesitating and overthinking.

That’s the thing, these guys are preached to make the extra pass for a better shot. Colin is in the same state of mind Trent is and is gonna take that to heart even though the other players don’t.

 

[megablue]

Yeah, it's kind of wild how a claimer can run times that would beat a stakes horse but can't do it when he's against a stakes horse. We seem like that claimer.

You're dead on it ... it is really wild, but it sure is a thing. Transylvania is 20-5 and plays UK at 5-20. Kentucky wins easily ... class wins 95% of the time.

 

[TFCat11]

Chandler is not afraid at all. He needs to have the ball in his hands more.

Chandler would be a 2nd Team AA, if he played for Duke next season!

It’s all on Pope, no one else.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

I respectfully disagree with this. If he was good at it at least one person would think he's really a UK fan. I just put him on ignore.

I did the same and recommend for all.

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

Nope. Turnaround begins on Tuesday night.

Honestly Tuesday is totally irrelevant. Show me something on Saturday and then maybe I’ll have reason for optimism

 

[UKbrassowTipIn93]

I dont see any fear, I see "i dont care"

 

[AllBall]

Direct reflection of the Head coach. He's passive, tenative, and a people pleaser. Not great attributes as UK bball coach.