Well, somehow, that 4 game stretch went…

[Vek96]

….3-1…. Not exactly how I thought it would go. I had us 2-2. Wins against Mizzou and Miss St.

3-2 in the conference, with 13 games left. Always changing thoughts with each and every game. Will going 7-6 the rest of the way be good enough to get us in the tournament?

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Oh I definitely think 7-6 rest of the way and you’re in. That’s 12 regular season losses, but 10-8 conference record.

 

[Vek96]

Oh I definitely think 7-6 rest of the way and you’re in. That’s 12 regular season losses, but 10-8 conference record.

I agree

 

[theBlues]

I think we can go 12-6.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I think we can go 12-6.

Here’s me, if we go 12-6:

 

[UKCowboys]

Oh I definitely think 7-6 rest of the way and you’re in. That’s 12 regular season losses, but 10-8 conference record.

10-8 SEC teams are in no question

 

[UKGrad24]

Just not sure.I guess I could see them flatline but probably not, I could see them actually end well. We’ve been very fortunate the last few games to play LSU, one of the worst in the league, and a Tennessee team that’s not very good. They’re now unranked which I’m glad I can’t stand those POS. But they are road wins, just think LSU was sheer luck.

Don’t think we beat the cream of the crop in the league at all. We’ll hold serve to most of the bottom, few or none at the top, probably middle of the road. 9-9 or 10-8.

Probably gonna be safe from the NIT. Aberdeen and Oweh have become too good to flat miss.

All of which to say, Pope next season better be final four or elite 8 and no worse. I’m tired of this average joe stuff. It’s just not good enough T a blue blood and it’s Popes average as a coach which makes me think this is his ceiling. And I just can’t get excited for that.

 

[Vek96]

I think we can go 12-6.

Love the optimism.

 

[Vek96]

i10-8 SEC

Just not sure.I guess I could see them flatline but probably not, I could see them actually end well. We’ve been very fortunate the last few games to play LSU, one of the worst in the league, and a Tennessee team that’s not very good. They’re now unranked which I’m glad I can’t stand those POS. But they are road wins, just think LSU was sheer luck.

Don’t think we beat the cream of the crop in the league at all. We’ll hold serve to most of the bottom, few or none at the top, probably middle of the road. 9-9 or 10-8.

Probably gonna be safe from the NIT. Aberdeen and Oweh have become too good to flat miss.

All of which to say, Pope next season better be final four or elite 8 and no worse. I’m tired of this average joe stuff. It’s just not good enough T a blue blood and it’s Popes average as a coach which makes me think this is his ceiling. And I just can’t get excited for that.

Great post.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Just not sure.I guess I could see them flatline but probably not, I could see them actually end well. We’ve been very fortunate the last few games to play LSU, one of the worst in the league, and a Tennessee team that’s not very good. They’re now unranked which I’m glad I can’t stand those POS. But they are road wins, just think LSU was sheer luck.

Don’t think we beat the cream of the crop in the league at all. We’ll hold serve to most of the bottom, few or none at the top, probably middle of the road. 9-9 or 10-8.

Probably gonna be safe from the NIT. Aberdeen and Oweh have become too good to flat miss.

All of which to say, Pope next season better be final four or elite 8 and no worse. I’m tired of this average joe stuff. It’s just not good enough T a blue blood and it’s Popes average as a coach which makes me think this is his ceiling. And I just can’t get excited for that.

I don’t disagree that he’s going to need an Elite Eight to answer the question for me of “Is he definitely the guy?” I believe in Mark Pope because of some of his traits — it has nothing to do with resume (his resume wasn’t good enough for the job) and it has nothing to do specifically with the results themselves. I believe someone with the right traits can produce those results. I do not believe that anyone doubting Mark Pope is dumb, or a troll or any of that — it is very rational. I also believe there is good reason to believe he’s going to get it done. If he doesn’t, most fans will be content to move on and find someone who can. For now, as a fellow fan, I’d feel a tiny bit of sadness for any fans who let the frustration of this year get in the way of the pure joy of beating Tennessee in Knoxville. I hope everyone makes the most of this win.

 

[KyKevin]

I don’t disagree that he’s going to need an Elite Eight to answer the question for me of “Is he definitely the guy?” I believe in Mark Pope because of some of his traits — it has nothing to do with resume (his resume wasn’t good enough for the job) and it has nothing to do specifically with the results themselves. I believe someone with the right traits can produce those results. I do not believe that anyone doubting Mark Pope is dumb, or a troll or any of that — it is very rational. I also believe there is good reason to believe he’s going to get it done. If he doesn’t, most fans will be content to move on and find someone who can. For now, as a fellow fan, I’d feel a tiny bit of sadness for any fans who let the frustration of this year get in the way of the pure joy of beating Tennessee in Knoxville. I hope everyone makes the most of this win.

I'm enjoying the hell right out of it
Anyone who's not, is not a true fan.

 

[UKGrad24]

I don’t disagree that he’s going to need an Elite Eight to answer the question for me of “Is he definitely the guy?” I believe in Mark Pope because of some of his traits — it has nothing to do with resume (his resume wasn’t good enough for the job) and it has nothing to do specifically with the results themselves. I believe someone with the right traits can produce those results. I do not believe that anyone doubting Mark Pope is dumb, or a troll or any of that — it is very rational. I also believe there is good reason to believe he’s going to get it done. If he doesn’t, most fans will be content to move on and find someone who can. For now, as a fellow fan, I’d feel a tiny bit of sadness for any fans who let the frustration of this year get in the way of the pure joy of beating Tennessee in Knoxville. I hope everyone makes the most of this win.

curious as to what you’re seeing that gives you good reason to think he’s the right guy.

When I look at the his historical record, current position, and current recruiting trajectory, I have a lot of trouble seeing the ways.

 

[Rainmaker]

….3-1…. Not exactly how I thought it would go. I had us 2-2. Wins against Mizzou and Miss St.

3-2 in the conference, with 13 games left. Always changing thoughts with each and every game. Will going 7-6 the rest of the way be good enough to get us in the tournament?

We went 10-8 in SEC with 11 losses last year and got a 3 seed. We go 7-6 and we are a 4-7 seed easily, nowhere near the bubble.

 

[Vek96]

We went 10-8 in SEC with 11 losses last year and got a 3 seed. We go 7-6 and we are a 4-7 seed easily, nowhere near the bubble.

I hope you’re right. Remember though, that the SEC was a lot tougher last season.

 

[Runt#1969]

Kentucky at Tennessee
- Wednesday, February 24 1993 -

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Games/19930224Tennessee.html
remember this one ?

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

curious as to what you’re seeing that gives you good reason to think he’s the right guy.

When I look at the his historical record, current position, and current recruiting trajectory, I have a lot of trouble seeing the ways.

I see a lot of things that give me hope.. and let me acknowledge it is fluid and my opinion could change. I’m always open to admitting I’m wrong about something.

For me, his program vision, as a whole, his big picture/conceptual approach excites me. Think of it like starting a company. Everything begins with that big picture vision and works from there. I believe Pope has the right idea, even if it hasn’t been executed to perfection.

He’s also shown adaptability and innovation that are hallmarks of coaches that have staying power. He took a great shooting team that had other deficiencies and decided to bet on himself and go in another direction. He had a lot of success in the first year, but rather than try to repeat the same formula, he made observations of his competitors and decided he wanted more athleticism, slashing, depth and defensive versatility. This led to him having to try different ways to play. When he recognized his personnel wasn’t performing as well as he hoped from the perimeter, he shrunk the floor and started building an identity with a more traditional two-big offense with a focus on offensive rebounding. Then, as his players began to make more shots and earn gravity, he used it to generate more opportunities by spreading the court back out. Now, he’s given his team the confidence to win multiple ways and today, he was able to substitute Jelavic for MoD and play a different way to win. Notice today, Pope had us running Floppy Action to get shooters looks, which is becoming less common today in the NBA than it was a decade ago. But Pope is adjusting to his personnel rather than fighting to force something to fit that doesn’t.

While we are all frustrated at his blemishes, his ability to get enough buy-in to recover from a season that has gone horribly bad shows me he’s an incredible motivator. His ability to lead these comebacks show that he can instill confidence in his team even during bleak periods and he has the humility and knowledge to know which buttons to press to make those things happen.

He’s still learning — yes, he’s older than most coaches with his level of experience but he has shown that he is a sponge — he does learn from what he experiences and he’s willing to see it. He has NBA-level coaching potential but has loyalty that can keep him here. If he works out the way he CAN (not saying he will), we can be benefactors in it without the concern that there’s somewhere else he’d rather be. I genuinely believe he wants all the smoke and he loves this.

(I have a whole lot to say on this topic and, sadly, this was as brief as I could be on the shorthand version of it. If you have questions, with joy I’ll explain further here in coming from on Pope.)

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Oh I definitely think 7-6 rest of the way and you’re in. That’s 12 regular season losses, but 10-8 conference record.

I’m hoping we can go 11-3 or 10-4 honestly. If we finish 12-6 or better I think Pope deserves one more year.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I’m hoping we can go 11-3 or 10-4 honestly.

Id love it — but a team this inconsistent would have trouble pulling that off. I’m very aware this is the type of team that wins in Knoxville and then can lose to freaking Texas at home lol. I just want to see positive momentum and growth so that we can get a 6 seed or better in the NCAAT. Then you got a chance if things break a certain way to dance for a minute. This team is still very limited.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Id love it — but a team this inconsistent would have trouble pulling that off. I’m very aware this is the type of team that wins in Knoxville and then can lose to freaking Texas at home lol. I just want to see positive momentum and growth so that we can get a 6 seed or better in the NCAAT. Then you got a chance if things break a certain way to dance for a minute. This team is still very limited.

I agree, doubt we have the guard play to do it however if Jasper gets more run and continues to improve…

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I agree, doubt we have the guard play to do it however if Jasper gets more run and continues to improve…

Played his tail off. That transition three when it was 20-8 was massive for helping us barely hang on when it was getting out of hand. Also, the broken play where he made a jumper from the short corner off a turnaround. Hats off

 

[Anon1764477851]

I’m hoping we can go 11-3 or 10-4 honestly. If we finish 12-6 or better I think Pope deserves one more year.

I agree. That would mark a significant turnaround to pull that off in the SEC. Today was a very encouraging sign with a win at UT. They have to figure out these first half issues and put together a full 40 minutes like they have played in the 2nd half of their big wins.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Here’s me, if we go 12-6:

View attachment 1149384

Whooaaaa where did he learn those moves? I never could dance like that

 

[Dward13]

….3-1…. Not exactly how I thought it would go. I had us 2-2. Wins against Mizzou and Miss St.

3-2 in the conference, with 13 games left. Always changing thoughts with each and every game. Will going 7-6 the rest of the way be good enough to get us in the tournament?

Absolutely it would be because every win would be quad 1 or 2. We’d be in comfortably at 19-12 with 6 or 7 quad 1 wins. Probably a 7 seed. But i can’t get excited about merely making the tournament.

 

[Allcats08]

I see a lot of things that give me hope.. and let me acknowledge it is fluid and my opinion could change. I’m always open to admitting I’m wrong about something.

For me, his program vision, as a whole, his big picture/conceptual approach excites me. Think of it like starting a company. Everything begins with that big picture vision and works from there. I believe Pope has the right idea, even if it hasn’t been executed to perfection.

He’s also shown adaptability and innovation that are hallmarks of coaches that have staying power. He took a great shooting team that had other deficiencies and decided to bet on himself and go in another direction. He had a lot of success in the first year, but rather than try to repeat the same formula, he made observations of his competitors and decided he wanted more athleticism, slashing, depth and defensive versatility. This led to him having to try different ways to play. When he recognized his personnel wasn’t performing as well as he hoped from the perimeter, he shrunk the floor and started building an identity with a more traditional two-big offense with a focus on offensive rebounding. Then, as his players began to make more shots and earn gravity, he used it to generate more opportunities by spreading the court back out. Now, he’s given his team the confidence to win multiple ways and today, he was able to substitute Jelavic for MoD and play a different way to win. Notice today, Pope had us running Floppy Action to get shooters looks, which is becoming less common today in the NBA than it was a decade ago. But Pope is adjusting to his personnel rather than fighting to force something to fit that doesn’t.

While we are all frustrated at his blemishes, his ability to get enough buy-in to recover from a season that has gone horribly bad shows me he’s an incredible motivator. His ability to lead these comebacks show that he can instill confidence in his team even during bleak periods and he has the humility and knowledge to know which buttons to press to make those things happen.

He’s still learning — yes, he’s older than most coaches with his level of experience but he has shown that he is a sponge — he does learn from what he experiences and he’s willing to see it. He has NBA-level coaching potential but has loyalty that can keep him here. If he works out the way he CAN (not saying he will), we can be benefactors in it without the concern that there’s somewhere else he’d rather be. I genuinely believe he wants all the smoke and he loves this.

(I have a whole lot to say on this topic and, sadly, this was as brief as I could be on the shorthand version of it. If you have questions, with joy I’ll explain further here in coming from on Pope.)

Even if what you say comes true, he still lacks that most important part of college coaching. He can’t recruit high level talent

 

[UKCowboys]

Two SEC teams are 4-1. Seven are 3-2. Four are 2-3. Three are 1-4.
Almost every game in conference will be a dogfight. With the team we have thus season, minus injured players, anything above.500 will constitute a good on court coaching job by Pope. Is 19-12 or 18-13 UK Standards? No, but in a "bad year" it wouldn't be the end of the world

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Even if what you say comes true, he still lacks that most important part of college coaching. He can’t recruit high level talent

I disagree that in 2026 recruiting high school talent is the most important, or even close. I understand for many it’s this massive thing. I’ve informed my opinion with a lot of precision on this. One of the least important attributes of a coach to succeed on the highest level imo. Furthermore, based on Pope’s portal recruiting, I’m not sure that he’s necessarily a BAD recruiter to begin with.

 

[Monday Nitro]

Even if what you say comes true, he still lacks that most important part of college coaching. He can’t recruit high level talent

He will do fine once adjustments are made....... and then the boo crew will vanish, change their name or move the goalposts.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

curious as to what you’re seeing that gives you good reason to think he’s the right guy.

When I look at the his historical record, current position, and current recruiting trajectory, I have a lot of trouble seeing the ways.

He's been down double digits to 9 of 11 legit teams this year. He did that a lot last year too.

You may get lucky and win some in regular season but in March in 2nd round or sweet 16 your gonna run into a team that doesn't let you back in it.

I agree with you I see nothing to give me confidence long term. I loved the last 3 games but Pope needs to improve as a coach and recruiter asap IMO.

And this isn't a job you hire a coach with training wheels still on but Barney did.

 

[UKGrad24]

I see a lot of things that give me hope.. and let me acknowledge it is fluid and my opinion could change. I’m always open to admitting I’m wrong about something.

For me, his program vision, as a whole, his big picture/conceptual approach excites me. Think of it like starting a company. Everything begins with that big picture vision and works from there. I believe Pope has the right idea, even if it hasn’t been executed to perfection.

He’s also shown adaptability and innovation that are hallmarks of coaches that have staying power. He took a great shooting team that had other deficiencies and decided to bet on himself and go in another direction. He had a lot of success in the first year, but rather than try to repeat the same formula, he made observations of his competitors and decided he wanted more athleticism, slashing, depth and defensive versatility. This led to him having to try different ways to play. When he recognized his personnel wasn’t performing as well as he hoped from the perimeter, he shrunk the floor and started building an identity with a more traditional two-big offense with a focus on offensive rebounding. Then, as his players began to make more shots and earn gravity, he used it to generate more opportunities by spreading the court back out. Now, he’s given his team the confidence to win multiple ways and today, he was able to substitute Jelavic for MoD and play a different way to win. Notice today, Pope had us running Floppy Action to get shooters looks, which is becoming less common today in the NBA than it was a decade ago. But Pope is adjusting to his personnel rather than fighting to force something to fit that doesn’t.

While we are all frustrated at his blemishes, his ability to get enough buy-in to recover from a season that has gone horribly bad shows me he’s an incredible motivator. His ability to lead these comebacks show that he can instill confidence in his team even during bleak periods and he has the humility and knowledge to know which buttons to press to make those things happen.

He’s still learning — yes, he’s older than most coaches with his level of experience but he has shown that he is a sponge — he does learn from what he experiences and he’s willing to see it. He has NBA-level coaching potential but has loyalty that can keep him here. If he works out the way he CAN (not saying he will), we can be benefactors in it without the concern that there’s somewhere else he’d rather be. I genuinely believe he wants all the smoke and he loves this.

(I have a whole lot to say on this topic and, sadly, this was as brief as I could be on the shorthand version of it. If you have questions, with joy I’ll explain further here in coming from on Pope.)

I don’t really believe all of this is necessarily wrong, I just believe for the job he’s in it’s probably not possible to withstand the road. He’s not going to be able to go 10 years here before he slides into 5-7 losses per year instead of 10-15. I don’t see the time on his side. If Mark cannot get to an elite 8 by next season you just about have to make the change. We just aren’t in a position to be waiting after Calipari’s last 5-7 years. He wasn’t brought in to grow on the job at Kentucky you’re brought in to make final fours now. Especially with the NIL.

So Mark may very well turn out to be a decent coach who can instill comebacks and do much of the things youre saying but Kentucky won’t be the right fit for it.

I do think this escapes some because they’re too focused on coaches in general and not the program itself. Kentucky is a blue blood, we are supposed to act like one. We don’t hire coaches with training wheels. We don’t hire coaches who lose 10-15 per season. I think you’d be a lot more valid if he was at a place like Western, Ole Miss, or even Tennessee (maybe not they might not accept it after Barnes), but definitely not here.

At Kentucky you are removed because of too many elite 8’s. That doesn’t need to change, so I can’t see Mark being that type. His history pretty much shows that’s just not who he is.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I don’t really believe all of this is necessarily wrong, I just believe for the job he’s in it’s probably not possible to withstand the road. He’s not going to be able to go 10 years here before he slides into 5-7 losses per year instead of 10-15. I don’t see the time on his side. If Mark cannot get to an elite 8 by next season you just about have to make the change. We just aren’t in a position to be waiting after Calipari’s last 5-7 years. He wasn’t brought in to grow on the job at Kentucky you’re brought in to make final fours now. Especially with the NIL.

So Mark may very well turn out to be a decent coach who can instill comebacks and do much of the things youre saying but Kentucky won’t be the right fit for it.

I do think this escapes some because they’re too focused on coaches in general and not the program itself. Kentucky is a blue blood, we are supposed to act like one. We don’t hire coaches with training wheels. We don’t hire coaches who lose 10-15 per season. I think you’d be a lot more valid if he was at a place like Western, Ole Miss, or even Tennessee (maybe not they might not accept it after Barnes), but definitely not here.

I’m a program first guy and I have stated numerous times it’s Elite Eight or bust. He has two years to show that.

 

[Vek96]

I disagree that in 2026 recruiting high school talent is the most important, or even close. I understand for many it’s this massive thing. I’ve informed my opinion with a lot of precision on this. One of the least important attributes of a coach to succeed on the highest level imo. Furthermore, based on Pope’s portal recruiting, I’m not sure that he’s necessarily a BAD recruiter to begin with.

I agree. I think Pope will kill it in the portal this time. I’m not worried about High School dudes. Get Moreno, Johnson, and Chandler back, add 4-5 portal studs, and see what happens.