BB: VIDEO: Kentucky and Mark Pope’s Injury Nightmare is a Statistical Impossibility
- Thread starter I’m The Village Idiot
- Start date
You know what’s also a nightmare? Being down by 17 or more in 7 of our 8 road/neutral games. It’s 19 losses in less than two full seasons. It’s watching your star player not give a crap. And so much more.
Most fans would give Pope the benefit of the doubt if he had guys playing hard and we were competing. Losing close games where a top player or two would have made a difference. Thats not the case at all.
Most fans would give Pope the benefit of the doubt if he had guys playing hard and we were competing. Losing close games where a top player or two would have made a difference. Thats not the case at all.
This is why Pope will get a 3rd year.
I am getting to old to wait for our turnaround but it is what it is, he will either turn it all around or phase out slowly and we move on year 4.
But ya, these injuries suck. I would love to have saw last year, and this year play out with a full healthy roster.
I am getting to old to wait for our turnaround but it is what it is, he will either turn it all around or phase out slowly and we move on year 4.
But ya, these injuries suck. I would love to have saw last year, and this year play out with a full healthy roster.
I can’t see any scenario where he doesn’t get a 3rd year.
But he damn sure hasn’t earned it or deserves it.
Next season will be far worse than this.
Injuries don't mean you don't give effort and show up prepared. Even when healthier UK was never prepared to play.
If it's a statistical impossibility but yet it happens would that make it a statistical possibility?
It's not all about the losing, it's also about how we are losing.
I watched Michigan and Michigan State last night and MSU got down almost 20 yet played hard every second. Their offense looked pretty terrible a good amount of the game but they still played hard and tough. I could live with this season as it is if our guys played that hard.
Kentucky played (2) SEC games at full strength. Predictably, lost both of them.
Point being: the injuries are symptomatic of a much bigger issue.
Point being: the injuries are symptomatic of a much bigger issue.
Due to the law of large numbers, statistically impossible things still happen. You’re likely confusing logical or physical impossibility with statistical impossibility. That said, I have no idea whether or not the injuries would rise to the level of actually being statistically impossible — it’s likely just hyperbolic language.
I particularly love the posters who say, “Yeah, unfortunately Pope will get another season to make things right, but he hasn’t earned one, and it’s going to be even worse than this season, but he has to get a 3rd season, because, uh um, yeah well, the injuries and, yeah he’s getting a 3rd season because, uh um, I wouldn’t if I were Mitch but, yeah it sucks, but it is what it is…”
Wonder if Pitino would lay down the head coaching role and come to uk to assist Pope with the program? Perhaps get one of the unforgettables to come too.
You mean… people who live in the real world? I guess you prefer this type of post:I particularly love the posters who say, “Yeah, unfortunately Pope will get another season to make things right, but he hasn’t earned one, and it’s going to be even worse than this season, but he has to get a 3rd season, because, uh um, yeah well, the injuries and, yeah he’s getting a 3rd season because, uh um, I wouldn’t if I were Mitch but, yeah it sucks, but it is what it is…”
“This year has been awful and last year has been awful. Pope shouldn’t get a third year and he wont. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”
The problem with that post I just typed is.. yeah it’s true about the performance THIS year but it isn’t true that he won’t get a third year. And the funny thing is you and I can put a $100 bet on it right here, right now if you think I’m wrong. Acknowledging the difference between what you want to happen versus what will happen is not a weakness —- it’s a strength.
One bad year should not get a man fired. Anyone should get the opportunity to right the ship the following year. Pope has had a bad half season that will end in a bad season.
Anyone that wants to say he had anything but a good first season is either basketball illiterate or just trolling. Anyone who says he "embarrassed" the program is a nitwit. When you start a job and start recruiting in mid April, with no roster, in the toughest conference in America last year, sustain key injuries and make the S16...that is a Hell of a job. Yet I have seen folks on here knocking him for both seasons. Our place as smartest fanbase in the country is taking a major hit
Anyone that wants to say he had anything but a good first season is either basketball illiterate or just trolling. Anyone who says he "embarrassed" the program is a nitwit. When you start a job and start recruiting in mid April, with no roster, in the toughest conference in America last year, sustain key injuries and make the S16...that is a Hell of a job. Yet I have seen folks on here knocking him for both seasons. Our place as smartest fanbase in the country is taking a major hit
Without a doubt the injuries have taken away much of the team's ceiling and brought us a lower floor. I firmly believe that a two armed Jaland Lowe would have been our best player by far and Kam was one of our top four players but I still have a few questions.
Without the injuries would Kentucky be able to throw the ball in bounds without those risky lobs?
Without the injuries would Kentucky know how to pass into the post and would the post player be a scoring threat if they caught the pass?
Without the injuries would Kentucky's players communicate on defense and know where their man was?
Without the injuries would Kentucky hustle for loose balls and rebounds?
Without the injuries would Kentucky's players stop leaving shooters to go for steals or help guys that didn't really need the help?
Without the injuries would Kentucky's recruiting for next year be better?
I guess I still see a lot of coaching issues not related to injuries...
Without the injuries would Kentucky be able to throw the ball in bounds without those risky lobs?
Without the injuries would Kentucky know how to pass into the post and would the post player be a scoring threat if they caught the pass?
Without the injuries would Kentucky's players communicate on defense and know where their man was?
Without the injuries would Kentucky hustle for loose balls and rebounds?
Without the injuries would Kentucky's players stop leaving shooters to go for steals or help guys that didn't really need the help?
Without the injuries would Kentucky's recruiting for next year be better?
I guess I still see a lot of coaching issues not related to injuries...
The university needs to publicly apologize to Rupp family for how he was treated when forced into retirement and the crap spilled over his legacy during Covid years with outrage’s allegation, then bring priest(s) to bless our practice facilities, the program and Rupp arena.
also , in few years, we need to thank John Calipari and hang his jersey up in rafters where it belongs next to Rupp, Hall, Pitino and Smith. Perhaps , Coach Mark Pope can take these initiatives since he was the captain of championship team, knows are history ….
Lets honor our past and history in order to break out the curse.
also , in few years, we need to thank John Calipari and hang his jersey up in rafters where it belongs next to Rupp, Hall, Pitino and Smith. Perhaps , Coach Mark Pope can take these initiatives since he was the captain of championship team, knows are history ….
Lets honor our past and history in order to break out the curse.
Very true. Mark Pope hasn’t pitched a perfect game or even remotely close this year. He’s going to need to prove year 1 was the beginning of things to come rather than a one-off to keep this job. Year two has fallen severely below expectations. Even if you account for injuries, Pope has not coached to the same level this year. It isn’t over yet, though and I’ll be EXPECTING Pope to turn this job around because I still think he has a lot in the tank. I don’t blame anyone for being sour on him or even entirely giving up — I’m not there myself yet.
You're wrong. Pope is going to be fired any minute now. Pitino is going to quit St. John's and come be our GM. Pearl will crawl over glass and out of retirement to be our head coach. Oats will leave Alabama to become his assistant, because all we have to do is ask and back up the brinks truck and we get what we want. We will then get the #1 recruiting class next year and all the super star freshmen this year will transfer here giving us the #1 portal class as well because we have 22 million to spend and we just need good recruiters to get whoever we want. Because, WE KENTUCKY. And if you don't believe all of that, well you are just a BAD FAN!
I believe injuries stunted our season last year. This year, I don't think injuries alone created this mess. The lack of preparation, adjustments, and grit I have seen this year have nothing to do with injuries; it's about leadership.
I find it absolutely hilarious how certain posters talk about Pope’s career winning percentage all the time in one post and are all over Oats in every other post. If Oats became the coach here — cool! I’d support it!
A.) It’s never happening (Source: the man himself )
B.)I want to point out the Quaker Oats guy has a career record of 255-112…that’s a career winning percentage of 69.5%, folks. So much for the folks who decry such as this as far below “Kentucky standards.”
(brace for goalposts to move)
He will get another year and continue to get down big in almost every legit game. You aren't winning anything that matters ever if you don't know how to prepare a team for tip off. Healthy or not.
I disagree with the turn around. Teams don’t suddenly change this late in the season, particularly when facing this quality of opposition. We are what we have seen. Average at best.
My thing is, let's say a fair amount of injuries...losing JQ for the season, but fine...and let's say Lowe and Kam were healthy start to finish....would we have won two more games so far? I certainly think so. Could anyone with a straight face be after Popes head if he were 16-5 instead of 14-7, while still losing a top player for the season? I don't think so. So why are we trying to fire a guy for having injuries? Would Duke fire Scheyer if he were 14-7 after losing Cam Boozer, Isaiah Evans and Dame Sarr? I don't think so
Oh boy. Get ready for the "Show me where Oats turned us down" posts because they will be coming.
“Turn this job around”. Not “turn this season around.” I specified that.
People underestimate how great a job Pope did year one. He had 2 months to put together a roster. Started from scratch. Set the record for top 15 wins and led us to the sweet 16 for the first time in years. All this despite losing three point guard to injuries! Year 2 has absolutely sucked. Poor roster construction multiplied by 3 of the top 6 players not being available has made it tough to watch. This 2 year resume doesn't scream "fire him". Year 3 will be the deciding year. With the transfer portal, a great team can be put together even without a great recruiting class. Ask IU football
hey bud the iu football comparison is stupid
their coach is CURT CIGNETTI ours is MARK POPE
Exactly this. If our teams played the ways Rick did in his early tenure, fighting, showing effort, being competitive 90% of the games, I think more would be more apt to give Pope a 3rd year. The way we lost consistently last year and this year (more prominent) is one of the many big reason why he has to go.
Cignetti was proven Coach. Just look the results he had at JMU. He also brought 13 players from JMU with him and year 2 kill it on the transfer portal. The key is he knew what he was doing , building successful programs….
Pope is leaning on the job….he could get there , perhaps, but it will take time and lot of patience from BBN.
Pope is leaning on the job….he could get there , perhaps, but it will take time and lot of patience from BBN.
It's not one bad year. if you look only at records it's not even that bad of a year. Pope's teams underachieve and quit. This team does not even compete. That's why he should be fired. I don't believe for a second that he will be. That's because we have a clown for an AD.
Pope should have had to find a way home from Nashville and his stuff be sitting on the curb when he did make it to Lexington.
You will see the written on the wall before the season starts it will be Popes last year. Nobody quality players will want to play for him after how terrible they look this season. It obvious it’s not fun to play at UK under Pope. That why he won’t get any 5 star recruits.
