To the Pope-Pumpers

Jul 30, 2024
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I can agree with a lot of that and I can understand the frustrations. But my thing is that we judge coaches by what they do in March and in the tournament. Pope gor us sweet 16 last year without Robinson. I believe we make an 8 if we have him. That is good as cal did with John wall and cousins. This year has been even worse for injuries. Imagine getting to play kam, Lowe, and JQ instead of the other 3 when the starters are gassed. I do agree with the strength and conditioning coach needing to be looked at. I think there is an extreme problem there. We can agree to disagree but I will still hold our hope we make a second weekend. Considering all the ups and down and injuries that would be a solid year. I want to get a 6 seed so we only have to playa 3 in the second round. Hopefully JQ and kam will be back and can make that upset happen. I just choose to not give up on pope and this team until the season is over
Me too. No choice but hope for the best.
 

UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
3,229
5,436
113
So you're allowed to change your mind, but we are not allowed to change our mind when we disagree with you?
I don't have a problem with wanting to let him go. I do have a problem with people ****ing all over him every single time something goes wrong
 

ZaytovenCat

All-American
Apr 25, 2013
23,837
8,259
97
Nitro is too busy bad mouth Oates. That’s his go to move anytime Pope gets owned. He starts trashing Oates to try and take attention off his boy Pope. He hates Oates simply because he’s better than Pope and because he knows BBN would drop Pope like a bad habit in 2 seconds for Oates.
 

Ridinwithpope

Senior
Feb 16, 2026
231
526
83
Man I’m gonna disagree. He’s a troll. He’s just trolling back and forth. Said he’s from California but decided to be a UK fan, name is trollish, comments were trollish, new comments are trollish.

Don’t let him get ya! He’s a troll.
How does me being from California have any relevance? My dad was a fan since the 70s and my uncle lived in Paducah. When we get shipped out west this year and go to San Diego.. wouldn’t it be nice to meet other Kentucky fans who are from the area? Isn’t BBN the biggest fan base? I guess in your eyes, only Kentucky fans live in Kentucky.
 

The Nightman2

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2019
986
1,120
93
How does me being from California have any relevance? My dad was a fan since the 70s and my uncle lived in Paducah. When we get shipped out west this year and go to San Diego.. wouldn’t it be nice to meet other Kentucky fans who are from the area? Isn’t BBN the biggest fan base? I guess in your eyes, only Kentucky fans live in Kentucky.
You don't have to explain yourself to this board. And there isn't anything wrong with trying to see the good in something, even if there isn't much. This is how this place has always been
 
Jul 30, 2024
5,593
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You don't have to explain yourself to this board. And there isn't anything wrong with trying to see the good in something, even if there isn't much. This is how this place has always been
Well said, Nightman.

Day man, ahhhhh ahh ahh

fighter nightman GIF
 
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Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,310
15,309
78
Nitro is too busy bad mouth Oates. That’s his go to move anytime Pope gets owned. He starts trashing Oates to try and take attention off his boy Pope. He hates Oates simply because he’s better than Pope and because he knows BBN would drop Pope like a bad habit in 2 seconds for Oates.
Idk why he does that. Idc what oats does I’m just worried about UK basketball.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2003
3,689
4,931
82
Can a fan hope that the coach will adapt and realize that his substitution patterns would get better. It actually had gotten better until tonight. But this loss is on him, can’t deny it.
Did you catch the mention of how few mins aTm guards play? The announcer even said something to the effect that “Pope knew he had to use his bench more”. That was toward the tail end of the 13-0 run. It’s unreal how dumb he is for a supposed smart guy.
 

[email protected]

All-Conference
Aug 19, 2012
565
1,322
93
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.
 

Monday Nitro

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
3,959
6,765
112
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.
Any reasonable person would wait until they see the NCAA results of year two of ANY coach that went to a Sweet 16 in year one before commenting. But some just love internet anonymity as it lets them bypass that and act like a King over the land with a wand.
 
Last edited:
Jul 22, 2025
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Any reasonable person would wait until they see the NCAA results of year two of ANY coach that went to a Sweet 16 in year one before commenting. But some just love internet anonymity as it lets them bypass that and act like a King over the land with a wand.
This is kind of how I feel. I am not pleased with this season by no means, but we can't just fire every coach that comes through just because they don't make the final four every year either. I mean we are Ky and we demand a certain level here, but we are also not made of money either. I still want to see how this season ends up and I am all for one more year and then we can see what the improvement looks like. If we have double digit losses next year and no good run in the tourney then its time to start talking about this might not be working out.
 

Monday Nitro

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
3,959
6,765
112
This is kind of how I feel. I am not pleased with this season by no means, but we can't just fire every coach that comes through just because they don't make the final four every year either. I mean we are Ky and we demand a certain level here, but we are also not made of money either. I still want to see how this season ends up and I am all for one more year and then we can see what the improvement looks like. If we have double digit losses next year and no good run in the tourney then its time to start talking about this might not be working out.
Some hated the hire and want it over with. If we hired their guy, they’d be saying “nono give it time!” Fact.
 

BlueBomb

Heisman
Apr 3, 2009
10,705
19,564
103
We finished 24-12 last year. Currently, we are 19-11, with a very real possibility of finishing the season 19-14. Even IF, we find a way to beat Florida at home and getting one win in each of the tournaments, we'll be 22-13. That's 46-25 in two seasons (65%).

And you want me to sign up for a third year? Uh...no, thanks.

However, he WILL get a third year, so I've accepted it.
 
Jul 30, 2024
5,593
10,652
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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.
For me personally, I don't care that he played here. If Pope doesn't get the job done, I'll be very happy for UK to move on. Frankly, if he were to resign tomorrow, I'd not shed a tear or even be unhappy. I believe Pope can turn it around and if he doesn't "bye". Simple as that for me. I don't think fans have any say in this matter whatsoever if I'm honest. Others can speak for themselves --- maybe being a former player matters to some. I know that my views about the program and my expectations are very different from others. My views about recruiting/roster construction/Pope's outlook are different also.
 

JHBr

Junior
Nov 13, 2025
119
252
63
Most of us in our jobs would like to have every chance to succeed before being terminated. Pope deserves the same. That being said I'm ready for the season to be over. This team is a total head scratcher. Plays great one game then is terrible the next. Pope will get a third year but I'm not optimistic. Consistency is a foreign word to this team.
 

Doc4UK!

All-Conference
Aug 14, 2003
2,787
1,754
113
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.
 
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UK4Life#9

Senior
Jul 3, 2025
525
999
93
Nitro holding down the fort. He has no other options, he’s the only one left in the fort.

Nah, I’m there with him. Most of our fans here are very low IQ and your opinions aren’t valid.

You can be passionate and ignorant at the same time and that perfectly describes the biggest part of our fanbase.
 

Cats4321

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2025
753
2,095
93
I personally believe two years is plenty to evaluate a coach. It's not necessarily about the record for any coach in those years, it's more about the direction of the program and does he prove he has what it takes. When you combine Pope's complete lack of success as a coach with this year being a complete failure so far, I think UK would be more than justified with moving on (assuming no miraculous run in the tournament this year).
 

Bluetick2100

All-Conference
Apr 15, 2007
5,715
3,802
113
Let me ask everyone, name a coach that had lost 3 starters, one a potential 1st round pick, playing in the most difficult conference, with playing a top 10 most difficult schedule in CB. What coach in all of CB would have a substantially better record?
 
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Artlaibesghost

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2022
910
1,771
93
This was a horrible loss. Team just isn't very good. The in game coaching tonight was atrocious. About the only positive thing I can say right now is Barnhart retired.
 

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
2,389
4,500
103
Nah, I’m there with him. Most of our fans here are very low IQ and your opinions aren’t valid.

You can be passionate and ignorant at the same time and that perfectly describes the biggest part of our fanbase.
If we are so ignorant and you're not, tell us why Pope should deserve a 3rd year based off his coaching skills. I'll wait.
 
Jul 30, 2024
5,593
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If we are so ignorant and you're not, tell us why Pope should deserve a 3rd year based off his coaching skills. I'll wait.
Why do you care if other fans aren't ready to fire? None of us are the decision-makers. Just fellow fans. The need to attack everyone for wanting to not be negative about a coach we're stuck with for another 400 days minimum is baffling. I can draw out specific reasons I'm not ready to move on from Pope yet, but honestly most of the people don't care about actually understanding the rationale of someone who wants to see it play out --- they want to poke holes and argue about why it's wrong to think that way. I just wish people would agree to disagree on this topic, since we aren't boosters, administrative decision-makers for the university, etc. Just fans of the same team as you, who are just as upset as you --- differ on a single topic that has no effect regardless.
 

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
2,389
4,500
103
Why do you care if other fans aren't ready to fire? None of us are the decision-makers. Just fellow fans. The need to attack everyone for wanting to not be negative about a coach we're stuck with for another 400 days minimum is baffling. I can draw out specific reasons I'm not ready to move on from Pope yet, but honestly most of the people don't care about actually understanding the rationale of someone who wants to see it play out --- they want to poke holes and argue about why it's wrong to think that way. I just wish people would agree to disagree on this topic, since we aren't boosters, administrative decision-makers for the university, etc. Just fans of the same team as you, who are just as upset as you --- differ on a single topic that has no effect regardless.
Why do you care if other fans are ready to fire?
 
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Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
2,389
4,500
103
I genuinely don't. Not even a little. I think it's understandable. I think it's silly, but it doesn't concern me.
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?
 
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