A really good coach could make a good team n year 1. Donovan or pearl or beard would have made it happen.
We can thank barney for this.
What did it cost us? And realistic Year 1 expectations?
- Thread starter DEI_Rick_Anderson
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A really good coach could make a good team n year 1. Donovan or pearl or beard would have made it happen.
We can thank barney for this.
Expect this to mostly be ignored and maybe a few smartass retorts but it's the truth. We will have
a roster and until we know it any predictions, positive or negative, are nothing but dumbassery.
This is wild.
Per Norlander, Kentucky will pay Pope an average of $5.5 million on what is a five-year contract. At that average, Pope would have been the sixth-highest-paid coach in college basketball this season, making more than Dan Hurley, Scott Drew, and Nate Oats, according to Front Office Sports.
Per Norlander, Kentucky will pay Pope an average of $5.5 million on what is a five-year contract. At that average, Pope would have been the sixth-highest-paid coach in college basketball this season, making more than Dan Hurley, Scott Drew, and Nate Oats, according to Front Office Sports.
It's going to be a disaster. Less than 10 wins.
I can see it now:
Kentucky Wildcats
2025 NIT PARTICIPANTS
What an addition to the rafters that will be.
Well, in fairness I don't expect us to hang that banner unless we were to win it since we do have some NIT banners in the rafters (but that was when the NIT was more prestigious than the NCAA. No idea if we'd even hang an NIT banner if we won one now).
At least if it’s that bad we can buy Pope out after the season for only $22 million. So there’s that.
Kinda feels like NIT 4 Seed is the Ceiling. If that happens it’s time to clean house. Get MB the F out and get someone in who can land someone who will get us competitive for Championships. Pope seems like a great guy, but he has to get this team to a competitive level right freakin now.
I agree with this. I do think one of those coaches could have gotten Kentucky to the Elite 8 in the first season like Calipari in this portal era. Especially someone like Pearl or Beard with a team of players and a staff that might have followed. This is why I am frustrated that one of these guys did not get the job. Hope like hell for the sake of Kentucky that Pope will be the answer long-term.
No they are not. Dont kid yourself. Mitch went rogue and it’s going to backfire big time.
Mitch won't decline the bid. Don't want to be perceived as 'arrogant'.
I feel like he'll get at least 2 seasons but if we are going nowhere fast then we'll pull the trigger and do this search again. And that will probably also mean Mitch is gone because that'd be 2 head coach disasters in our biggest sport at his feet.
Like, how can we get such a slam dunk hire for the women's program and then we turn around and do THIS?!?!?! It's unbelievable.
I know, but I'm just saying I need to see our roster before I can make any prognostication of where we end up.
Also, the problem with the "Shoot tons of 3's" strategy like Pope employed this year is that it's very hit and miss. We're going to win 6 games in the tournament doing that? BYU went cold in round 1 and their *** got sent home.
I’ll get behind Pope and he’s easy to root for. Complete opposite of Cal which is what we’ve all been demanding. I’ll support Pope for sure, he’s a former Cat and Champion I’d love for him to kill it at UK. I’m just not sold on that happening and I think it’s a super underwhelming hire.
I doubt we could’ve made a run like that with any of the alternatives. Because they also would’ve had a makeshift team.
Next season was inevitable. Let’s just make the most of it.
There needs to be at least a 250 post limit before new accounts can start a thread.
I need to be made Mod already...
I need to be made Mod already...
Bet you feel dumb knowing now how much money they’ve already donated for NIL, huh?
Maybe the fact that he just had a giant Meet Reed event that was a swan song at Rupp that we went to.
Fun event but it’s pretty clear he’s gone.
You will never know for sure but as I said, "COULD". The transfer portal, current recruits and players on their previous team plus the NIL UK can offer makes roster building different than it was even 5 years ago. "COULD" was the keyword and in no way did I say it was a guarantee with any coach. Just stated an established coach would have been the only shot at having a magical season for a year 1 rebuild like that acknowledging the fact it isn't going to happen overnight. Don't misconstrue this for what my realistic expectations are. I don't need you to give my perspective like my opinion is wrong and yours is right. Said above why Cal was able to have that kind of season with the once in a generation recruits like Wall, Cousins plus Bledsoe due to his track record of recruiting top talent which obviously alluded to the fact it is going to take Pope longer to get UK to that level. Not sure how I can get accused of making 'excuses' for next season from one poster being a rebuild and being too irrational by another in the same thread for setting too unrealistic expectations. Myself, like many others were perplexed initially by the hire but overnight came around on the idea and I am optimistic Pope will be the guy long-term to bring UK back.
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OP is either Stupid, or Ignorant!
Ignorant if he’s not heard of this thing called the Transfer Portal, and unaware that we won’t lose all our guys.
Ignorant if he’s not heard of this thing called the Transfer Portal, and unaware that we won’t lose all our guys.
My man, that was 3 of the last 4 seasons already. If you’re asking me if I could have the exact same results, but just without Cal? Of course I’ll take it.
His dad doesn't seem as sure as you do. I'll trust him for now. Keeping hope alive
Crowd was changing “one more year” “three more years “
I’d love it but I’ve never seen a Kentucky player turn down being a top five projected pick. If he returns it’s the heist of the century. But I just don’t see that happening.Why else would he put together that event last night in less than a week? Felt like a swan song with bow he was talking.
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I could see him doing what Patterson did. Could have left after one season but didn't. Not saying he will be here 3 years as Patrick was but I will hold out some hope until an official announcement is made that Reed might return for a sophomore season.Crowd was changing “one more year” “three more years “
Why else would he put together that event last night in less than a week? Felt like a swan song with bow he was talking.
Cal high-tailed it, that's all on him, please go with him. And Arkansas will always be Arkansas, whatever, I'm excited about Kentucky again. We'll get players..
Fake. Hiring Pope closed down the NIL network with max donations. You are not a Kentucky fan or you would know that Pope will be successful. Pope already has 4,000,000 in NIL money.
Lmfao! WOW! How old are you?! You joined Monday?! Lulz
Cal kept a stud Jr and brought along three of the best freshmen this program has ever seen. Apples and hand grenades.
I wish and hope Pope could do that but I think only Cal and maybe K could do that. We have plenty to say about Cal but the man can recruit. The pieces may not fit but if you want 5 stars you want Cal. If you want to win that’s another story.
As a coach to use the transfer portal you need a good rep of getting guys to the league or a lot of Nil $$$
Ten bucks says he already has another account here, and is enjoying his 15 minutes. Maybe it's UKBB4EVER,?Lmfao! WOW! How old are you?! You joined Monday?! Lulz