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Would a Stokes Commit Help Pope's 3rd Year Woes?

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Farsight Clone

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Do you think if we some how land Stokes, it would help dampen Pope's obvious third year woes? Or do you think Stokes or not, we will be bad next year?

This thread is really for those who want Pope gone after year 3.

As one of those posters, I feel like if we do land Stokes, it would be interesting to see how he performs and how Pope would use him. Would he limit him to fit his "system" or let him go at it? I would say it would increase my optimism by 25% from 5%. Would it justify me changing my mind that Pope should leave after year 3? Nope. But it would be a better tool in the shed to use so we are not embarrassed next year.

What do you guys think?
 
A

Anon1730326584

Redshirt
Oct 30, 2024
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Farsight Clone said:
Do you think if we some how land Stokes, it would help dampen Pope's obvious third year woes? Or do you think Stokes or not, we will be bad next year?

This thread is really for those who want Pope gone after year 3.

As one of those posters, I feel like if we do land Stokes, it would be interesting to see how he performs and how Pope would use him. Would he limit him to fit his "system" or let him go at it? I would say it would increase my optimism by 25% from 5%. Would it justify me changing my mind that Pope should leave after year 3? Nope. But it would be a better tool in the shed to use so we are not embarrassed next year.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
He's postponed his decision,he's waiting to see if Bill Self rerires
 
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Grevey1975

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Mar 23, 2026
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About a week ago, Some experts on here were already saying that we had got a silent commitment from Stokes, now it looks like the only way he comes here is if Self retires..Looks like we're putting all our hope in some G-League Dude(PATE)...😂🤣
 
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jedwar

jedwar

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For optics it's very important to land Stokes. Someone from KY, been on for a while and have reportedly the largest offer on.

I think landing Stokes will definitely help with next years potential woes. Get him and get two or three more really really good portal players.

Regardless of getting Stokes or not, the heat will be on Pope to produce. I really do think Stokes will help that. How much, who knows.
 
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BigBlue1992

BigBlue1992

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Apr 17, 2011
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No. Would landing Stokes be a good thing? Yes. But Pope has yet to prove that he can not only develop a freshman but can coach one to be dominant from day one.
 
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M

megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
15,435
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KyWideWes said:
Despite the perception, our fans want to be hopeful. What hurt our faith in Pope worse than the results was his bizarre behavior/commerntary and zero recruits. He needs to get high end guys and sound like a guy that has a plan.
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Despite his huge salary, most know that Pope is learning on the job here at Kentucky. People are hopeful, yet doubtful.
It is not unreasonable to feel that way.
 
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Cbbcrazy2

Cbbcrazy2

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Pitino got his big boost when Jamal Mashburn chose to come to Kentucky. Pitino is another animal when it comes to coaches, however it could push Pope to get better recruits if Stokes chooses Kentucky. Stokes is the Mashburn that may be our savior.
 
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F

Farsight Clone

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Cbbcrazy2 said:
Pitino got his big boost when Jamal Mashburn chose to come to Kentucky. Pitino is another animal when it comes to coaches, however it could push Pope to get better recruits if Stokes chooses Kentucky. Stokes is the Mashburn that may be our savior.
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I could see that logic. However, Pope to Pitino's coaching ability is miles apart lol
 
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GoAndRunIsGoneAndDone

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Bleedin Blue in Ohio said:
I think if Stokes commits the current noise will quite down this off season and the fan base will become more optimistic. The results then have to be there either way next season or the noise would return and be much louder.
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Nah, fans will say he over paid to get Stokes and will go from claiming he can't recruit, to he can't win a title..yada yada, bs. We have assistant coaching vacancies right now. I wish some of these keyboard experts would send in their resumes and tell Pope how to coach.
 
BlueBloodKyFan73

BlueBloodKyFan73

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No and no top recruit wants to come here. Allegedly we’ve offered more money, all playing time he would want, the offense will run through him and he will have free rein to do what he wants. Now delaying again probably will announce at Nike Hoop Summit or whatever Billy Boy does in Lawrence
 
MarvinHagler89

MarvinHagler89

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May 19, 2017
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Not getting Stokes will be a nail in the coffin for Pope. It’s sad to say but he won’t have the talent. I’m hoping we get him, Pate, and good quality transfers plus some key returnees. Pope has to realize he has to produce next year or his time is done.
 
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Zuma75

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Mar 19, 2017
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Not sure … but getting him should at least help answer a lot of the annoying “gray area” questions one way or the other. Can Pope handle a guy like Stokes? Can a guy like Stokes excel under Pope? Can Pope win big if he has talent?
 
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H

HipTer

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Apr 11, 2012
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Farsight Clone said:
Do you think if we some how land Stokes, it would help dampen Pope's obvious third year woes? Or do you think Stokes or not, we will be bad next year?

This thread is really for those who want Pope gone after year 3.

As one of those posters, I feel like if we do land Stokes, it would be interesting to see how he performs and how Pope would use him. Would he limit him to fit his "system" or let him go at it? I would say it would increase my optimism by 25% from 5%. Would it justify me changing my mind that Pope should leave after year 3? Nope. But it would be a better tool in the shed to use so we are not embarrassed next year.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
If Stokes committed to UK that would probably appease the high school one-and-done recruiting fans temporarily. But then it would be “Well, Stokes was from Kentucky, so that really doesn’t count” – even though it looks pretty clear that the “Kentucky connection” has been irrelevant to him – and it would be the same narrative next season: “Pope has to land some of these ‘studs’ that are not from Kentucky.” It was kind of the same with Calipari. He could bring in 3 of the top 10 recruiting service ranked players and when the team didn't perform to their expectations the most high school recruiting focused fans would never question the roster building model and would instead say (and did essentially say): "The problem is we're not getting the top ranked guy."

Also, if you don’t have at least one player out there with him that is a better college player than Stokes, then I don’t think UK would be too successful and the narrative will be: “Pope can’t win with the ‘best’ player in the Country.”

For the fans that don’t think Pope can get it done at UK – or are at least skeptical that he can (that’s me) – the Stokes recruitment won’t matter much. So, by the middle of next season my guess is Pope’s basically in the same place with folks on here regardless of whether he lands Stokes or not.
 
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B

Buckwheat Otay Is Dead

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May 30, 2008
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Farsight Clone said:
Do you think if we some how land Stokes, it would help dampen Pope's obvious third year woes? Or do you think Stokes or not, we will be bad next year?

This thread is really for those who want Pope gone after year 3.

As one of those posters, I feel like if we do land Stokes, it would be interesting to see how he performs and how Pope would use him. Would he limit him to fit his "system" or let him go at it? I would say it would increase my optimism by 25% from 5%. Would it justify me changing my mind that Pope should leave after year 3? Nope. But it would be a better tool in the shed to use so we are not embarrassed next year.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Is this a serious question? If he comes the SEC will allow him to be mugged but he starts and plays 35 min a game
 
F

Farsight Clone

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Buckwheat Otay Is Dead said:
Is this a serious question? If he comes the SEC will allow him to be mugged but he starts and plays 35 min a game
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Yes indeed it is. We don't know what Pope will be like with elite freshman. It's a 100% unknown. Even if he is the next Jordan. Why? Because Pope may not be able to handle his personality and may want to change the way he plays. There are so many variables. Stop being so narrow minded and think.
 
J

JohnRambo82

Junior
Mar 25, 2026
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It’s not end of the world situation if he doesn’t come here. We gotta win more if we want guys like that. Pope is gonna show them he can win this conference this year hopefully. If not he will get the boot and we will be looking for a coach
 
TFCat11

TFCat11

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Mar 25, 2019
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Davis just had Caleb Wilson, and we saw how that turned out, and yes, I’m aware he got injured, but anything short of an E8, and UNC was going to make the same move.

Stokes alone is not guaranteeing another year for Pope.
 
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