Why do outsiders question the backlash?

[Louis_Skunt]

I keep seeing “Cat fans already want him fired”.

Thats a stretch, but we are livid at the product put on the floor.
This is a high IQ basketball fan base. We know title chasing teams and we know hot garbage.
Right now, at this moment, we’re hot garbage.

Anyone who questions that point of view hasn’t watched these games. This is Kentucky, not Mississippi. You can’t get annihilated over and over and say we’re crazy. Especially on a coaches 2nd year with unlimited resources.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Because there is some truth to it. We are both one of the biggest strengths and weaknesses of our program. It isn’t an all or none proposition as much as people want it to be. We make it harder on ourselves.

 

[anonymousunranked]

Exactly, given the fact that programs like UCLA or Indiana exist, historic once-was programs that haven't been relevant in decades, it's only natural UK fans see that as a real possibility. I mean, it's basically been a decade since we've been a serious title contender. If things continue this way, we become Indiana.

 

[Forkman]

It's because outsiders have perspective fans within the fan base do not. They understand what the expectations should be and that they are way too high relative to the resources available. Sad truth. It's a new day.

 

[Anon1759768907]

I keep seeing “Cat fans already want him fired”.

Thats a stretch, but we are livid at the product put on the floor.
This is a high IQ basketball fan base. We know title chasing teams and we know hot garbage.
Right now, at this moment, we’re hot garbage.

Anyone who questions that point of view hasn’t watched these games. This is Kentucky, not Mississippi. You can’t get annihilated over and over and say we’re crazy. Especially on a coaches 2nd year with unlimited resources.

they want us to he mediocre and they want US to he okay with it

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Outsiders had a fit over Tubby leaving and were perfectly fine keeping him forever. They don't care if we become Indiana.

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

It's just an opportunity to kick us while we're down. Premier programs get no sympathy.

 

[OleTiredBum]

because they are on the outside

 

[RunninRichie]

It's the same BS every year. "UK FANS RUNNING OFF GOOD COACHES". They don't get it. Similar when we wonder why UF fans balk at hiring Sumrall. Different expectations. We have fans that have been watching games for 60+ years.

 

[Aike]

OSU in MSG. Arkansas at home. Tennessee in the Sweet 16. Louisville. Michigan St. North Carolina.

For a coach who knows the assignment, that’s a whole lot of abject failure in a short period of time.

I don’t mean losses. I mean totally outclassed, out hustled, out coached.

it’s too much, no matter that you had wins over Duke, and Florida, Gonzaga. It’s too much.

Pope is not doing the job. Pitino teams, maybe one game a year they wouldn’t run through a brick wall. Pope can’t get through to his team, for whatever reason. What he’s preaching isn’t happening enough for him to keep his job.

 

[WildcatDJ]

It's because outsiders have perspective fans within the fan base do not. They understand what the expectations should be and that they are way too high relative to the resources available. Sad truth. It's a new day.

Way too high relative to the resources available...huh? We spent the most of any team in the nation on our roster and are not even a top 25 team. The results for what we spent are way less than what they should be, and we are calling it out.

What are we misunderstanding about what our expectations should be?

 

[ZaytovenCat]

I dont want him fired now. I’d atleast let him finish the year first… I kid, kinda.

They only question it because they want UK to keep pope.

If anything I think bbn gives too much leeway to coaches. By 2017 I was doubting Cal. That only got worse each year. He absolutely should have been fired after the Covid year and 9 wins but the majority really didn’t start calling for his head until 2023. Stoops also got 2-3 years more than he should have as well and fans didn’t really start calling for his head hard until this year. Noise just started happening last year.

The point is our fans know ball. When’s the last coach we started wanting fired and then that coach turns it around and proves us wrong?

Just my opinion but if I’m the AD and he misses the tournament this year then I’m contacting Oates and Hurley (again) through back channels. If either say they’d come then I fire Pope now no question. If they say no then I’d check on Pearl. If he wanted it I’d seriously consider making the move. If he didn’t then I’d give Pope one more year but I’d tell him he’s basically coaching for his job next year because if year 3 is another bad year then he’d be gone regardless. But… that’s only if I were AD. I have balls and Mitch doesn’t so I won’t hold my breath.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I keep seeing “Cat fans already want him fired”.

Thats a stretch, but we are livid at the product put on the floor.
This is a high IQ basketball fan base. We know title chasing teams and we know hot garbage.
Right now, at this moment, we’re hot garbage.

Anyone who questions that point of view hasn’t watched these games. This is Kentucky, not Mississippi. You can’t get annihilated over and over and say we’re crazy. Especially on a coaches 2nd year with unlimited resources.

It's the equivalent to if the LA Dodgers missed the playoffs with their payroll. If they were down two starting pitchers, they'd be expected to at least look competitive.

Factor in the terrible start and Pope failing at recruiting, and the fans have very little hope for the future or the present.

 

[OleTiredBum]

Who ya got? the antifa nerd or the used car salesman?

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

It's because outsiders have perspective fans within the fan base do not. They understand what the expectations should be and that they are way too high relative to the resources available. Sad truth. It's a new day.

We outspent all the teams that beat us this year. Even without Lowe or JQ, our roster is still more expensive than Louisville's, MSU's, and UNC's.

 

[KyKevin]

Because there is some truth to it. We are both one of the biggest strengths and weaknesses of our program. It isn’t an all or none proposition as much as people want it to be. We make it harder on ourselves.

100%

Who ya got? the antifa nerd or the used car salesman?

I'll go with the car salesman on his home court. One of those games, you really don't care who wins, good to see the other get beat. It should be a good game.

 

[LadyCaytIL]

Those outsiders dont know our recruiting struggles

those outsiders dont pay attention to Kentucky to know the pattern of problems so far

Every single one of those outsiders would want us to keep a bad coach though. just like I told IU fans Tom Crean wasnt that bad, they should give him a few more years good well knowing I wanted them to keep sucking that bad.

Every outsider also was shocked we hired Mark Pope because UK could have done a ton better than someone who never won an NCAAT game and had a career 63% win %

 

[Forkman]

We outspent all the teams that beat us this year. Even without Lowe or JQ, our roster is still more expensive than Louisville's, MSU's, and UNC's.

Jonathan, if that were true then the guys who paid 22 million for this bum roster are not going to spend as much next year. Why would we pay 22 million dollars for this roster? What other school is paying that much for a roster of this quality.

If what you're suggesting is true, it might be even worse than what I'm suggesting.

 

[Forkman]

Way too high relative to the resources available...huh? We spent the most of any team in the nation on our roster and are not even a top 25 team. The results for what we spent are way less than what they should be, and we are calling it out.

What are we misunderstanding about what our expectations should be?

You can be convinced of that. You have every right to feel however you want to feel about it. But I don't have to be. Because I know better. So, I can't rightly pretend I'm not smart enough to see exactly what is going on. We're being flat-out lied to. And by everyone.

 

[Wunky]

It's the same BS every year. "UK FANS RUNNING OFF GOOD COACHES". They don't get it. Similar when we wonder why UF fans balk at hiring Sumrall. Different expectations. We have fans that have been watching games for 60+ years.

Oh, they get it alright. They know exactly what they’re doing.