Kentucky Media

Yaxel gave a direct quote to the AP. You use that as a reporter. Kentucky media should 100% ask Pope the question. Pope essentially called the media liars.. the AP, HL, and his closest media member Norlander.

Yaxel Lendeborg, saying in an on-record interview to the Associated Press, that Kentucky offered $7-9 million, is what's driving this narrative. I don't believe that Kentucky offered $7-9 million, and Pope had an opportunity to shoot the comment down.

Rondomondo said:

If Pope says “No, we did not offer anywhere close to that” then every national media run with a headline saying Pope calledYaxel a liar. If he says yes, then everyone uses that as another reason to criticize Pope. Pope deserves criticism for many things this season, but this is insane. The UK media drives these narratives and it is ridiculous, unwarranted criticism.

If Yaxel is lying then call him a liar.

i just really dont think this is as big a story as its being made to be by anyone

Here is the direct quote from Yaxel to the AP “They started the number with $7 (million) to $9 (million),” Lendeborg said in an interview with The Associated Press. “They were pretty much going off on the route like we’ll pay him anything to get here.” If that's what he said then it's not a reporting issue or a media issue it's a Yaxel lying issue or Pope not able to even buy great players. I personally think Yaxel is full of crap and he should be called out directly for not telling the truth. And if it's true (which I doubt) then Pope would have some explaining to do. The easy thing is to blame the media.

All he has to say is, we didn't offer that much. If Yaxel remembers things differently, that's good for him, but from our end, that's not how it went down. If the media runs to Yaxel with that - so be it. Yaxel brought it up, and everyone knew the media would ask Pope about it. At that point, if Yaxel wants to continue to call Pope a liar, etc (assuming he doesn't have receipts), then Pope can say for the rest of the tournament that he has answered and has nothing else to say on the subject.

It's kind of a no-win situation for Pope. If he speaks on it either way there's more buzz and drama around it. A non-answer is probably his best option.

bigblueplane24 said:

If Yaxel is lying then call him a liar.

But we will hurt the young millionaires feelings, we cant be doing that, can we?

Shaunj945 said:

But we will hurt the young millionaires feelings, we cant be doing that, can we?

He aint got no feelings lol time to teach that young fella.

Kuiperbelted said:

It's kind of a no-win situation for Pope. If he speaks on it either way there's more buzz and drama around it. A non-answer is probably his best option.

Yea, I'm sorry but **** that. I understand what you mean but at some point in time, pope needs to reach down and grab whatever he can and stand on business. If that hurts the recruits who are unsure then **** them too, if anything maybe they will have more respect for him for calling out BS.

bigblueplane24 said:

He aint got no feelings lol time to teach that young fella.

I'm all for it, but I'm petty and would bring receipts.

Rondomondo said:

If Pope says “No, we did not offer anywhere close to that” then every national media run with a headline saying Pope calledYaxel a liar. If he says yes, then everyone uses that as another reason to criticize Pope. Pope deserves criticism for many things this season, but this is insane. The UK media drives these narratives and it is ridiculous, unwarranted criticism.

You're 100% correct. Unfortunately, some "media" members like to stir the pot & aren't true UK supporters. They love do dish criticism but can't take it. They tend to get upset when they have to reap what they sow. Hopefully, some day, at least some will correct this. Right now many are being ultra sensitive. Those who truly love a program don't work so hard to harm it. IMHO

Shaunj945 said:

Yea, I'm sorry but **** that. I understand what you mean but at some point in time, pope needs to reach down and grab whatever he can and stand on business. If that hurts the recruits who are unsure then **** them too, if anything maybe they will have more respect for him for calling out BS.

"Stand on business" nuff said.

J-Breezy said:

i just really dont think this is as big a story as its being made to be by anyone

It almost never is.

bigblueplane24 said:

If Yaxel is lying then call him a liar.

What does he gain from that. This is all about relationships and it does nothing to burn bridges. Our fanbase needs to be smarter.

bassworship said:

What does he gain from that. This is all about relationships and it does nothing to burn bridges. Our fanbase needs to be smarter.

Relationship with who? Let people know that if you gonna make ish up they will get called on it. Unless it's true.

What’s wrong with calling Yaxel a liar?

I’m glad Pope hit on one of the more infuriating parts of the UK fanbase. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a twitter account wants make money off their UK fanhood. The over saturation of burner accounts and TikTok “sources” is nauseating. And because it’s a business of reactions, the flood of “experts” makes the fanbase seem overtly volatile. It might be my least favorite thing right now…

Yeah, I kinda agree with Pope not shooting it down and calling the kid a liar. Just nitpicking here. I hate how much we're going to endure that for at least another year. He's not good enough to be here, but people here are just gonna make it like we're going through the Kenny Payne/Chris Mack eras at Louisville.

Rondomondo said:

If Pope says “No, we did not offer anywhere close to that” then every national media run with a headline saying Pope calledYaxel a liar. If he says yes, then everyone uses that as another reason to criticize Pope. Pope deserves criticism for many things this season, but this is insane. The UK media drives these narratives and it is ridiculous, unwarranted criticism.

Mr Matt Jones is just a baby because Kentucky won’t talk to him anymore…

Rondomondo said:

If Pope says “No, we did not offer anywhere close to that” then every national media run with a headline saying Pope calledYaxel a liar. If he says yes, then everyone uses that as another reason to criticize Pope. Pope deserves criticism for many things this season, but this is insane. The UK media drives these narratives and it is ridiculous, unwarranted criticism.

What narrative? They asked for a response to a direct quote about UK. Taking that opportunity to not answer the question but say 95% of the media reports are wrong is a tough look.

I'm with Pope on this one. Quite unfortunate that we're doing this the day before a tournament game. I've been critical of Pope but feels like we're searching for problems now.

All I know is, for a guy who supposedly “understands the job” and was “made for this job”, he’s sure seemed to have a lot of issues with the job this year…He’s STRUGGLING in the fish bowl that is UK basketball.

KYJD said:

I'm with Pope on this one. Quite unfortunate that we're doing this the day before a tournament game. I've been critical of Pope but feels like we're searching for problems now.

No matter what he would’ve said, he would’ve been crushed for it. Call him a liar, and that’s the new headline and story. Confirm it and now a player won’t even play for Pope for $9 mill is the newest knock on him. It’s fucking exhausting.