To the Pope-Pumpers

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Then why call me out and take what I said out of context? I think you're not comprehending the issue here.

The issue for me, isn't if someone wants Pope here or not. I'm allowed to disagree, so are you.

The issue is when other fans attack others by saying, "you're ignorant for wanting Pope fired, or you're not a true fan for wanting Pope fired."

So I call out THOSE people. Because if we are so ignorant, explain to us why? But they can't. Because it's an opinion.

Do you understand?

No one should be calling anyone ignorant for having either opinion. But there is a widespread thing through multiple threads right now calling out everyone who doesn't want Pope fired -- that stuff isn't necessary either. I actually do empathize with the people who have had enough of Pope, even though I disagree, because the anger is justified. It just isn't so simple that everyone has to want him fired. That's all I'm saying...and btw, I didn't intend to call you out specifically --- I'm more pushing back on the wider narrative that everyone has to be in unison on firing Pope. It's a lot more complicated than "he sucks, so fire him", even if that's what many want it to be. Like you alot and respect your opinion regardless, as I think you already know.

 

[Farsight Clone]

No one should be calling anyone ignorant for having either opinion. But there is a widespread thing through multiple threads right now calling out everyone who doesn't want Pope fired -- that stuff isn't necessary either. I actually do empathize with the people who have had enough of Pope, even though I disagree, because the anger is justified. It just isn't so simple that everyone has to want him fired. That's all I'm saying...and btw, I didn't intend to call you out specifically --- I'm more pushing back on the wider narrative that everyone has to be in unison on firing Pope. It's a lot more complicated than "he sucks, so fire him", even if that's what many want it to be. Like you alot and respect your opinion regardless, as I think you already know.

I am not sure you're comprehending what I last said

You're putting words in my mouth. I never said someone has to agree or disagree with me. Its about the person attacks to character of someone. And when you call those people out to prove what they say, they can't back it up.

That's all man. I'm not sure why this is difficult to understand.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I am not sure you're comprehending what I last said

You're putting words in my mouth. I never said someone has to agree or disagree with me. Its about the person attacks to character of someone. And when you call those people out to prove what they say, they can't back it up.

That's all man. I'm not sure why this is difficult to understand.

Sorry, man. I'm working also right now. Its not a shocker if I failed to misunderstand something. My bad.

 

[KFuqua]

Not a troll. Just a legitimate Kentucky fan.

Wow, I unblockedUKGrad24's comments for a second to see what kind of nonsense they were spewing this time and found that they couldn't even spell my user name correctly. The truth is that you won't find a bigger fan that me. But, you will find that I don't throw a tantrum and scream for the coach to be fired without looking at the big picture.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Wow, I unblockedUKGrad24's comments for a second to see what kind of nonsense they were spewing this time and found that they couldn't even spell my user name correctly. The truth is that you won't find a bigger fan that me. But, you will find that I don't throw a tantrum and scream for the coach to be fired without looking at the big picture.

Tell us what the big picture is? As someone who actually comprehends the big picture, I'd like to see your perspective here...

 

[Woodrow24]

Wow, I unblockedUKGrad24's comments for a second to see what kind of nonsense they were spewing this time and found that they couldn't even spell my user name correctly. The truth is that you won't find a bigger fan that me. But, you will find that I don't throw a tantrum and scream for the coach to be fired without looking at the big picture.

Don’t take this wrong, I’m not saying anything against you personally. But I’ve seen enough out of Pope that I completely understand why people think he’s not the right coach here. He’s the most unpredictable coach with the most unpredictable team I’ve ever seen. He’s just not UK material. I really like the guy as a person but he wasn’t ready for this job. I feel bad for him.

 

[Ukwazoo3]

Wow, I unblockedUKGrad24's comments for a second to see what kind of nonsense they were spewing this time and found that they couldn't even spell my user name correctly. The truth is that you won't find a bigger fan that me. But, you will find that I don't throw a tantrum and scream for the coach to be fired without looking at the big picture.

You should block everyone. You are uber sensitive.

 

[Ridinwithpope]

Quick question to the fans who still believe in Mark “My substitution pattern sucks” Pope.

Are you all soft on Pope only because he is a former player that makes you nostalgic or do you actually believe that he can turn this around? I just have a feeling that if Pope had no history with the program, a lot of you would be asking for him to be fired right now.

In my opinion, you are graded by how you fair in March. Pope went to the sweet 16 last year which cal didn’t do in his last 5 years of the program. A healthy Robinson and I think we go to an elite 8. This year has been bad and head scratching for sure. But he ain’t going to be fired this year regardless, so why am I going to yell for him to be fired. All I can do is root for this team and hope they play well. They have been killed with injuries but we should have a good enough team to be playing better than how we played last night. Thats on Pope. Let’s see how he does in the tournament. Maybe we get a lucky draw. People forget that in 2013 we were in the NIT and the next year had the number 1 recruiting class and that team struggled all year and got an 8 seed. They made a magical run. Should people have called for calipari to be fired after a bad regular season in 2014 coming off an NIT in 2013? Let’s see what he does and if he struggles in the tournament this year.. he will definitely be on the hot seat next year. If he struggles again.. let him go.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Gatekeeping fandom is so dumb and this thread is full of it.

It’s OK to want Pope fired.
It’s OK to want to give him more time.

Having a differing opinion doesn’t make anyone a better or worse fan.

Personally, I know he’s getting a third year. 19-11 following the school’s first trip to the second weekend in 5 years isn’t enough to fire someone anywhere. You have to be Payne level bad or Gillispie level drunk. Pope has just been mediocre.

Year 3 will make the picture clearer on whether Pope is our guy. And if he’s not and we move on after next year, the university can’t be accused of not offering Pope a fair shake. That shows potential coaches we will give you a mulligan after a bad year but won’t allow you to have multiple bad years consecutively.

 

[UKCowboys]

Gatekeeping fandom is so dumb and this thread is full of it.

It’s OK to want Pope fired.
It’s OK to want to give him more time.

Having a differing opinion doesn’t make anyone a better or worse fan.

Personally, I know he’s getting a third year. 19-11 following the school’s first trip to the second weekend in 5 years isn’t enough to fire someone anywhere. You have to be Payne level bad or Gillispie level drunk. Pope has just been mediocre.

Year 3 will make the picture clearer on whether Pope is our guy. And if he’s not and we move on after next year, the university can’t be accused of not offering Pope a fair shake. That shows potential coaches we will give you a mulligan after a bad year but won’t allow you to have multiple bad years consecutively.

Good post

 

[Farsight Clone]

Good post

You were apart of the gatekeeping he's talking about. Are you willing to be a man and apologize?

 

[kywildcat1021979]

Over my dead chair. I'll be Andy Dufresne and write an email a day if I have to. I buried my parents in UK gear because they loved this program so much. And that's why we say "It's just basketball" but damn it- it's bigger than sports. It unites people all across the Commonwealth from teachers, coal miners, bankers, bartenders, nurses, doctors, retirees, senior citizens, etc. And I'm tired of lowering standards to appease the masses.
We're still the WINNINGEST PROGRAM IN CBB HISTORY. That's supposed to be special. It's supposed to feel good.

Feh. I'm sick of watching this program die. Something HAS to give.

I feel you my Dad has a UK Wildcat on his head stone..... This just goes beyond sports for me to its a way of life here in Kentucky.....

 

[UKCowboys]

You were apart of the gatekeeping he's talking about. Are you willing to be a man and apologize?

Hell no I will not.
He also said its alright to have a different opinion but I guess you missed that part.
I have always been consistent. When Cal left, I begged to bring in Bruce Pearl. We got Scott Drew and then Pope. I threw all of my support behind Pope and planned to treat him FAIRLY from day one. A lot of the people on this board are totally reactionary in the moment, because thats what social media is. How many times this year have we been getting killed at halftime and half the board screamed and made twenty threads wanting him fired....only we came back and won the game.
I was reactionary when I was younger. Now that I am in my 50s, have been married 30 years and raised 4 boys including one that is now home with Our Lord, I have learned that some things are more important than a basketball game. Pope came here loving the program, he had no players and started late, had injuries and made the S16. I thought it was an excellent first season. This year, he obviously made mistakes in recruiting, roster management, all that, took a big swing and a miss on a top player with an injury, and lost two more kids after that. Even for his mistakes, I said then that I can't fire the man over one bad season, so I knew this season has been a wash. The team is actually sitting better than I thought we would be when we where 9-6, 0-2 and Kam, JQ and Lowe were all done. So now, I know everyone is furious we lost last night, but if you go back, I said before the game repeatedly last night was going to be a tough spot. We played like ****, I get it. But we dont know how the team will finish up. We don't have any recruits, but you can't say we might not land the #1 or #5 player from HS and have a big haul in the portal. You don't know, I dont know, it hasn't happened. What I did know was that if MB was here, there was a 100% chance Pope was going to be here next year, I had already said I wasnt firing him for one bad season...well, its still that one bad season. Now that MB is gone, it changes the equation. There is a chance Pooe is let go. If we bring in Oats or Pearl, we can fire him tonight for all I care. If its Scott Drew, I'll ride year three of Pope.
So no fella, I don't apologize

 

[KFuqua]

You should block everyone. You are uber sensitive.

No... you really missed the mark there. If I was sensitive, I wouldn't have been on this board for 25 years. I don't block people because they try to offend me, I block people when all they do is get on here with the same complaints, day after day and try to take over every thread to make their agenda known.

 

[theKybluedude]

We are likely to lose the rest of our games this year and will end up with 14 losses. Pope will be given another year or two regardless of our record as long as fans keep filling Rupp and the Crafts keep funding the NIL.

However there are examples of other blue blood programs that have tried in vain to gain their former glory after a major coaching change including Syracuse, UCLA, Indiana, and North Carolina. The only consistent programs have been UConn, KU, Duke, and perhaps Arizona. All four are there in the discussion every year. Even Florida may now be on their way to a fourth championship in this century while we have but one. U Conn has three. I do not see a scenario where this will likely change in the near future.

U Conn and Arizona went through tough times.

 

[BlueBloodKyFan73]

This bull **** artist Nitro is Cold Stout Beer, JLoad, Cards Stink. Just here to stir the pot.

 

[theKybluedude]

My opinion is to give him another year with a healthy team. See if he’s settled in and get players that fit his style.
All coaches deserve a bit of time. Pope inherited an empty roster. His heart and work ethic are correct. Give him the same opportunity Hurley got at U Conn and Oats at Bama. Coach K had rough first years. Takes some patience.

 

[howitis_rivals115807]

Its hard to believe Pope supporters are really UK fans. At the game last night myself and other fans were just laughing at the absurdity of how bad we are. No one believes Pope will be here long term. Where do these delusional people even come from. They are just rage baiting.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Hell no I will not.
He also said its alright to have a different opinion but I guess you missed that part.
I have always been consistent. When Cal left, I begged to bring in Bruce Pearl. We got Scott Drew and then Pope. I threw all of my support behind Pope and planned to treat him FAIRLY from day one. A lot of the people on this board are totally reactionary in the moment, because thats what social media is. How many times this year have we been getting killed at halftime and half the board screamed and made twenty threads wanting him fired....only we came back and won the game.
I was reactionary when I was younger. Now that I am in my 50s, have been married 30 years and raised 4 boys including one that is now home with Our Lord, I have learned that some things are more important than a basketball game. Pope came here loving the program, he had no players and started late, had injuries and made the S16. I thought it was an excellent first season. This year, he obviously made mistakes in recruiting, roster management, all that, took a big swing and a miss on a top player with an injury, and lost two more kids after that. Even for his mistakes, I said then that I can't fire the man over one bad season, so I knew this season has been a wash. The team is actually sitting better than I thought we would be when we where 9-6, 0-2 and Kam, JQ and Lowe were all done. So now, I know everyone is furious we lost last night, but if you go back, I said before the game repeatedly last night was going to be a tough spot. We played like ****, I get it. But we dont know how the team will finish up. We don't have any recruits, but you can't say we might not land the #1 or #5 player from HS and have a big haul in the portal. You don't know, I dont know, it hasn't happened. What I did know was that if MB was here, there was a 100% chance Pope was going to be here next year, I had already said I wasnt firing him for one bad season...well, its still that one bad season. Now that MB is gone, it changes the equation. There is a chance Pooe is let go. If we bring in Oats or Pearl, we can fire him tonight for all I care. If its Scott Drew, I'll ride year three of Pope.
So no fella, I don't apologize

I got it. So you cry and whine as a 50 yr old man and beg me to apologize to you when you showed me one random poster calling out Pope's family. I apologized. You even said I wasn't a man if I didn't apologize.

I know what kind of person you are now.

- Attack people who disagree with you.

- Lack of comprehension skills to determine that on court and coaching decisions does not equate to bashing Pope.

- Lack of comprehension of when people want Pope gone, it's not bashing him.

- Do a 180 when you get called out for your terrible behavior here.

Again, by your own stupid admission, you are therefore not a man for apologizing. God it.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Its hard to believe Pope supporters are really UK fans. At the game last night myself and other fans were just laughing at the absurdity of how bad we are. No one believes Pope will be here long term. Where do these delusional people even come from. They are just rage baiting.

This is exactly what I am calling out in the thread. Did you not read?

Everyone has the right to want Pope to be gone or stay. The problem is, attacking anyone who disagrees with you on either side of the coin if they are UK fans or not. That is absurd.

 

[UKCowboys]

I got it. So you cry and whine as a 50 yr old man and beg me to apologize to you when you showed me one random poster calling out Pope's family. I apologized. You even said I wasn't a man if I didn't apologize.

I know what kind of person you are now.

- Attack people who disagree with you.

- Lack of comprehension skills to determine that on court and coaching decisions does not equate to bashing Pope.

- Lack of comprehension of when people want Pope gone, it's not bashing him.

- Do a 180 when you get called out for your terrible behavior here.

Again, by your own stupid admission, you are therefore not a man for apologizing. God it.

I never apologized to you because I didn't do anything wrong. I have never responded negatively to one person on this board who hadn't said something negative or insulting first. You said I LIED about posts on here about Popes wife and kids, I immediately found one(of many) and reposted it. You didn't apologize, you brushed it off as one incident. But the only reason I said apologize is because you called me a liar and I proved you wrong.
All the rest of your post...all your opinion dude, and you are welcome to it. You are one of the 8-10 over the top negatively posters on the board who can't wait to come on here after every loss and rip Pope, rip the players, and insult the "Pope Pumper", "Pope Slurpers" and "Pope Ball Washers"...so as far as I am concerned Brother, you stay off me and Ill stay off you. Otherwise its going to be this back and forth childish fighting, because we simply don't see eye to eye

 

[UKortho]

Hell no I will not.
He also said its alright to have a different opinion but I guess you missed that part.
I have always been consistent. When Cal left, I begged to bring in Bruce Pearl. We got Scott Drew and then Pope. I threw all of my support behind Pope and planned to treat him FAIRLY from day one. A lot of the people on this board are totally reactionary in the moment, because thats what social media is. How many times this year have we been getting killed at halftime and half the board screamed and made twenty threads wanting him fired....only we came back and won the game.
I was reactionary when I was younger. Now that I am in my 50s, have been married 30 years and raised 4 boys including one that is now home with Our Lord, I have learned that some things are more important than a basketball game. Pope came here loving the program, he had no players and started late, had injuries and made the S16. I thought it was an excellent first season. This year, he obviously made mistakes in recruiting, roster management, all that, took a big swing and a miss on a top player with an injury, and lost two more kids after that. Even for his mistakes, I said then that I can't fire the man over one bad season, so I knew this season has been a wash. The team is actually sitting better than I thought we would be when we where 9-6, 0-2 and Kam, JQ and Lowe were all done. So now, I know everyone is furious we lost last night, but if you go back, I said before the game repeatedly last night was going to be a tough spot. We played like ****, I get it. But we dont know how the team will finish up. We don't have any recruits, but you can't say we might not land the #1 or #5 player from HS and have a big haul in the portal. You don't know, I dont know, it hasn't happened. What I did know was that if MB was here, there was a 100% chance Pope was going to be here next year, I had already said I wasnt firing him for one bad season...well, its still that one bad season. Now that MB is gone, it changes the equation. There is a chance Pooe is let go. If we bring in Oats or Pearl, we can fire him tonight for all I care. If its Scott Drew, I'll ride year three of Pope.
So no fella, I don't apologize

You are still (extremely) reactionary.

 

[UKCowboys]

You are still (extremely) reactionary.

I am certainly reactionary to being insulted or called names, I will give you that. But I am as upset about last night's game and how we are doing as anyone else on the board. But if you say you won't fire a guy after one bad year and you go back on it, then you are a liar, and thats not me. A new AD changes the equation, because unlike MB, he has every right to want his own guy

 

[howitis_rivals115807]

,

 

[bbnkat02]

I feel you my Dad has a UK Wildcat on his head stone..... This just goes beyond sports for me to its a way of life here in Kentucky.....

But we’re the “bad fans” for being negative by having high expectations.

 

[bbnkat02]

U Conn and Arizona went through tough times.

Neither of those are traditional blue bloods.

 

[bbnkat02]

My opinion is to give him another year with a healthy team. See if he’s settled in and get players that fit his style.
All coaches deserve a bit of time. Pope inherited an empty roster. His heart and work ethic are correct. Give him the same opportunity Hurley got at U Conn and Oats at Bama. Coach K had rough first years. Takes some patience.

Hard to have patience when his recurring is not great .

 

[Farsight Clone]

Neither of those are traditional blue bloods.

I would say Uconn isn't a traditional one but they are new blue blood for sure.

 

[FatCatMan]

U Conn and Arizona went through tough times.

6 years?

 

[UKortho]

I am certainly reactionary to being insulted or called names, I will give you that. But I am as upset about last night's game and how we are doing as anyone else on the board. But if you say you won't fire a guy after one bad year and you go back on it, then you are a liar, and thats not me. A new AD changes the equation, because unlike MB, he has every right to want his own guy

Sometimes less is more.

 

[vernoncoy]

As a 64 year devoted, die hard UK fan, I cannot believe that I have become a member of the Legion of Doom and a real Debby Downer! Last night was the straw that broke this camel's back. I can no longer watch, listen, or read about this team/coach. I have been with the Cats through mostly great times and some heart-breaking ones. Since I was 13 I have been with all UK coaches: 'the man in the brown suit', Joe B, E Sutton, Ricky P, Tubby, Billy Clyde, CCC, and Pope. I have idolized all the players especially: King Cotton, Little Louie/Rupp's Runts, Sam B & the Big Dipper, Issel (the GOAT), Sky Walker, the Twin Towers, the Goose, King Rex, the Unforgettables, Antoine & the Blonde Bomber, AD (the Brow), the twins/KAT/Ullis, and Oscar! It won't be easy to stop being a "Pumper" but I cannot live this way!!! Some will call me a bad fan - I don't care. This season/coach has killed my spirit

 

[wildcat111]

@UKCowboys
@Monday Nitro

How come you guys are not running your mouth now?

You're allowed to defend Pope, but calling out other fans for being frustrated with legitimate concerns about Pope as a coach, while calling us bad fans makes you look stupid. Most of us don't like you because we don't agree, you call us bad fans.

Yet none of you are no where to be found now?

But make threads when we barely beat bad teams? Classic.

 

[wildcat111]

19-11

19-11

Tell it like it is. We need "10 loss Tubby" back.

 

[MegaBlue05]

U Conn and Arizona went through tough times.

Arizona is a bad example here anyway.

They’re the absolute kings of outstanding regular seasons followed by tournament flame outs.

Arizona has one championship. Arizona’s last Final Four appearance was 25 years ago.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I don’t think many Pumpers are left. 2/3rds of the board leaders of the pump have now converted. I’m sure a few trolls or stragglers may come around after a good win but 95% of the board who regularly post are over this experiment.

 

[Woodrow24]

Some of the guys that are big pope fans, I disagree with you all but I understand your support for him. I like the guy as a person, I just don’t think he’s the guy that needs to be our coach. To many people are arguing unnecessarily. After what we’ve seen, everyone should understand why people like or dislike Pope as a coach.

 

[Loucatfan30]

Wow, I unblockedUKGrad24's comments for a second to see what kind of nonsense they were spewing this time and found that they couldn't even spell my user name correctly. The truth is that you won't find a bigger fan that me. But, you will find that I don't throw a tantrum and scream for the coach to be fired without looking at the big picture.

What's your big picture. For me big picture is success on a game by game basis and in the tournament. We should be at the highest levels of performance and if not we need a change as soon as we come to the conclusion that we can't get to those levels. I have concluded that we are never going to reach Duke level with POPE. Time to change is now.

 

[Loucatfan30]

Gatekeeping fandom is so dumb and this thread is full of it.

It’s OK to want Pope fired.
It’s OK to want to give him more time.

Having a differing opinion doesn’t make anyone a better or worse fan.

Personally, I know he’s getting a third year. 19-11 following the school’s first trip to the second weekend in 5 years isn’t enough to fire someone anywhere. You have to be Payne level bad or Gillispie level drunk. Pope has just been mediocre.

Year 3 will make the picture clearer on whether Pope is our guy. And if he’s not and we move on after next year, the university can’t be accused of not offering Pope a fair shake. That shows potential coaches we will give you a mulligan after a bad year but won’t allow you to have multiple bad years consecutively.

We don't get to decide if he gets fired that is someone else's responsibility. I think what most people realize is that we don't have much hope with Pope. I don't see a possible way he can correct all his flaws because many of them are based upon who he is as a person and relating to kids. It just won't work and I don't want 10 years of Tubby type results and you can bet that is what we will get if he stays.

 

[Loucatfan30]

My opinion is to give him another year with a healthy team. See if he’s settled in and get players that fit his style.
All coaches deserve a bit of time. Pope inherited an empty roster. His heart and work ethic are correct. Give him the same opportunity Hurley got at U Conn and Oats at Bama. Coach K had rough first years. Takes some patience.

dumb

 

[Loucatfan30]

Its hard to believe Pope supporters are really UK fans. At the game last night myself and other fans were just laughing at the absurdity of how bad we are. No one believes Pope will be here long term. Where do these delusional people even come from. They are just rage baiting.

It is very hard to understand. I can't believe he has this many relatives posting here.