If Cats beat UT Saturday...

[Johnnie Africa]

He has to cut out the Gonzaga, Vanderbilt, Bama type losses where the team gives up, gets blown out by 30, and looks like they don’t care. Those are inexcusable. He needs to bench players or get in there face or something. Those type losses have happened too much and are ridiculous. Otherwise he seems to have found something with this team and I hope they keep it up, but we’re 2 games removed from one of the worst losses in program history.

 

[kyjeff1]

I was ready to see Pope's tenure come to an abrupt end after the Missouri loss. I'd had enough, but I didn't see this turnaround coming.

After seeing this team turn the corner and get wins at Tennessee and Arkansas, I'm very encouraged. This team is starting to really look good offensively and at times, defensively (Arkansas).

I'm not sure there are too many coaches out there that could turn this around through all the injuries and have us in the race for the SEC title.

Now, there are still some red flags, recruiting is the biggest of them, but Pope is driven and he's going to do whatever it takes, unlike our last coach.

I'm sure I'll have moments where I'm upset at Pope, but at this point, I'm interested in seeing where this goes and how Pope does in year 3. He SHOULD have a lot of really good players returning and that's huge.

 

[Woodrow24]

I agree with this, but on recruiting, I dont know it its Pope not landing the big recruiting or of he is doing all he can to get them to the table and they are balking at our terms. Maybe its Pope, but I don't know for sure and neither does anyone elee really

That’s a real good possibility. He had a 5 star ready to commit and the kid backed out because of that

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

He has to cut out the Gonzaga, Vanderbilt, Bama type losses where the team gives up, gets blown out by 30, and looks like they don’t care. Those are inexcusable. He needs to bench players or get in there face or something. Those type losses have happened too much and are ridiculous. Otherwise he seems to have found something with this team and I hope they keep it up, but we’re 2 games removed from one of the worst losses in program history.

I think losses like this are going to be more of the norm in the future. More optimized college basketball offenses lead to sharper momentum swings. I do understand it’s frustrating as fans but some of the blowouts are just a function of the way the game is played now. I know this is probably going to upset people who will say I’m just “defending Pope” but I’ve actually been saying this for a long time. Not trying to say fans shouldn’t be angry — and I was too. I just don’t think we have seen the last blowout loss.

 

[Woodrow24]

Spot on. He’s got to kill it in the portal this time. Injuries have not helped. I’ll be surprised if we don’t have a very good roster next season.

I keep seeing some posters talking about wishing Calipari was still here. Uh, considering all of the injuries last season and now this season, Pope still has a better record the last two years than Calipari has, despite the injuries. And Calipari has had two loaded rosters at Arkansas, and hasn’t had nearly the injuries to deal with that Pope has had to.

I’ve seen enough out of Pope that I feel confident in saying he’s a better bench coach. I don’t think it’s fair for anyone to expect him to recruit like Cal. Imo, Cal is one of the best all time as far as recruiting goes.

 

[kyjeff1]

Are we sure we would be in sole possession of 2nd place? Right now, there are what, 5 teams with 3 losses? Vandy is one of them.
Florida and aTm both have 2 losses, the loser will have 3.
If we beat Tennessee, we will have 3 losses, but several other teams will also have 3 losees and Vandy has the head to head

 

[UKSanders]

Are we sure we would be in sole possession of 2nd place? Right now, there are what, 5 teams with 3 losses? Vandy is one of them.
Florida and aTm both have 2 losses, the loser will have 3.
If we beat Tennessee, we will have 3 losses, but several other teams will also have 3 losees and Vandy has the head to head

That's true... sole position of 2nd place requires a Vandy loss. Vandy plays OK in Nashville, so I don't see that happening. So, with a win Saturday, the Cats will likely be in 3rd place.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

I think losses like this are going to be more of the norm in the future. More optimized college basketball offenses lead to sharper momentum swings. I do understand it’s frustrating as fans but some of the blowouts are just a function of the way the game is played now. I know this is probably going to upset people who will say I’m just “defending Pope” but I’ve actually been saying this for a long time. Not trying to say fans shouldn’t be angry — and I was too. I just don’t think we have seen the last blowout loss.

Thats all good and well, but just think back to the out of bounds play between Oweh and Moreno at Vandy or Gonzaga where Oweh was pretending to shoot after a TO. Those things are inexcusable, we don’t need the players acting like kindergarteners.

 

[UKGrad24]

No matter how you try and spin it, no school in America would have Pope on the hot seat in his third year given the circumstances. You lot continuously double down on your dislike of Pope. Like a kid who asked for a Star Wars Lego kit, and instead gets a super large generic Lego kit, but it wasn't the kit HE wanted. You can't even force yourselves to see that Pope is playing 4D chess, has tremendous character and integrity including being a wonderful human being......but muh all-time basketball wins. Do you realize that practically no one in the grand scheme of things gives a **** about the total wins? Very, very few fans today were even alive when all that started. How are we doing TODAY? Where were we YESTERDAY? I can tell you that we had a coach who ONLY care about one thing: getting his guy's into the NBA. That's it. He is a narcissist, a hater of the UK media and its fan base. Someone who never cared for Kentucky tradition or taking it to opponent's throats. He loves playing games close for his own fetishistic reasons. Pope wants to run other teams into the ground. Think he got mad when Brandon stuffed the ball with few seconds put away and the game out of reach? No, Pope loved that and he wants to see the fire of UK teams in the 90s breathe new life. Have faith. Enjoy the journey.

“You just Hate Cal”.

it’s all been heard before. Not sure why you went on a Calipari rant. Sounds like you’re just moving with whatever coach you like, didn’t like Calipari like Mark. So you’ll excuse Mark but not Calipari.

Weak is your attempt here to demolish kentuckys records to prop up a coach that’s not cutting it at UK because you like him. I don’t give an SHT if you don’t like our leads or wins or any of it. That’s our history and Mark isn’t going to sink it. And I can tell you first hand there are many more in that camp.

Other people did the same thing with Calipari. Matter of fact, almost everyone that liked your post, backed Calipari until his last day lol. They’re just coach followers.

Be objective, look at the scoreboard. I wanted Calipari out since 2018 because he wasn’t consistent enough to coach here. Same reasons we stopped with Tubby, inconsistent. You have to be consistent to win at UK.

Mark has been slaughtering recruiting he cannot stay and he won’t if he doesn’t turn a lot around. And it doesn’t matter how much you like him, if you can’t recruit you can’t stay. I personally love Mark, I think Mark is in over his head but I like him. But it doesn’t matter, he’s not going to stay here if he can’t win to the level he was hired to do. And you diminishing our records to try and get out front of the fact that he’s likely going to lose our position is hilarious. Are you joking? Btw the all time wins has spanned all the way to today so uh yea, kids have seen it lol. What are you going to do next? Say our titles don’t matter because a kid didn’t see one and since Mark can’t win one?

Stop getting the doors blown off you and keep winning basketball games and start figuring out why recruits turn away from you. If he can do that, he’ll make it. If not he won’t.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Thats all good and well, but just think back to the out of bounds play between Oweh and Moreno at Vandy or Gonzaga where Oweh was pretending to shoot after a TO. Those things are inexcusable, we don’t need the players acting like kindergarteners.

I agree with that.

 

[kyjeff1]

That's true... sole position of 2nd place requires a Vandy loss. Vandy plays OK in Nashville, so I don't see that happening. So, with a win Saturday, the Cats will likely be in 3rd place.

By tiebreaker, but record wise, we will be tied for 2nd and we control our own destiny.
It would be crazy if Pope won the SEC after the start this team had.

 

[Farsight Clone]

This is a must win for the cats. We need to win the rest of the home games if we can.

 

[wildcat111]

I dont think a 4/5 finish against this closing schedule will mean a "hot seat". The man has done a good job

Duh, you do know this is KY right??? That would put him at a 12 loss regular season with a $22 million payroll. Time for heads to roll.

 

[Monday Nitro]

Thats all good and well, but just think back to the out of bounds play between Oweh and Moreno at Vandy or Gonzaga where Oweh was pretending to shoot after a TO. Those things are inexcusable, we don’t need the players acting like kindergarteners.

I was irate with Oweh over that, but now I'm throwing the Vandy game out. We were frustrated from the start with that dump of an arena and the miscommunation it fosters from the opening tip with opposing teams. If they ever build a new arena, those clowns will situate the benches the same way.

 

[UKGrad24]

Mark is improving as a coach. Players are learning and getting comfortable with their roles now that Lowe is officially done. Pope switched defenses a few times last night, and on offense, we set a lot of good screens to get our shooters looks.

It’s a shame Kam got injured. He would be another outside threat. Jelavic is improving. Garrison played like I’ve never seen him last night. We need more from Moreno.

Mark has always been a good coach, he’s just never had a team built this way and didn’t know how to coach them. I agree his adjustments of late are drifting to a better spot. I still don’t think he’s a great defensive coach. But one thing I do like is that he’ll at least throw some different looks in there, Calipari wouldn’t do it.

I think Mark could really improve with some timeout utilizations too. I think this team is a little immature and has some trouble at times that it could be beneficial.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

 

[UKGrad24]

Pope does a good job with coaching the X’s and O’s of the game. Only thing he’s gotta do is improve recruiting and he will have us where we want to be, I believe.

Yep. That and stop the blowout losses. You can’t lose like that in embarrassing fashion. Next year recruiting and why happens is going to tell the story. Also the next 2 / 3 weeks. Can’t have a collapse.

 

[kyjeff1]

The way our guys are shooting right now, I believe we win.
Pope does really well in games where the other team has only 2 real game changer type guys. UT has Ament and Gillespie, the other guys are really good, but not elite.
If our guys play like they did @ Arkansas last Saturday, it's a wrap.
UT is playing better and can definitely win this game, but I think Pope is very good in these kind of games.

 

[UKGrad24]

Spot on. He’s got to kill it in the portal this time. Injuries have not helped. I’ll be surprised if we don’t have a very good roster next season.

I keep seeing some posters talking about wishing Calipari was still here. Uh, considering all of the injuries last season and now this season, Pope still has a better record the last two years than Calipari has, despite the injuries. And Calipari has had two loaded rosters at Arkansas, and hasn’t had nearly the injuries to deal with that Pope has had to.

I’ll never understand anyone wanting Calipari here. He was disrespectful and alienated the basketball base. You’ve got a ton of the same ones flopping right over to Mark. Just had a poster literally say all time wins don’t matter which tell me they are about to do the same thing many did with Calipari only depending on the coach they like.

Man I don’t know what’s so hard about, wins / losses. Make elite 8’s and final fours. Be top 10, win the SEC. It’s a blue blood. If you do it you stay if you don’t you don’t. Mark has improved, but he’s got a lot more work to do.

 

[UKGrad24]

I like our chances, but they will be out for revenge. Why does it seem the visitor has won a lot of thr matchups between Tennessee and Kentucky?

Not sure. Kentucky has owned UT at UT, but we’ve also won 6 of 7 in Knoxville. I don’t think they’ve won many in Rupp either.

 

[storm1507]

If we win we will be in 2nd alone by 1/2 game (one more win). But, we only play on Saturday next week so the others can catch back up or fall behind with their midweek game.

 

[UKFootball78]

“You just Hate Cal”.

it’s all been heard before. Not sure why you went on a Calipari rant. Sounds like you’re just moving with whatever coach you like, didn’t like Calipari like Mark. So you’ll excuse Mark but not Calipari.

Weak is your attempt here to demolish kentuckys records to prop up a coach that’s not cutting it at UK because you like him. I don’t give an SHT if you don’t like our leads or wins or any of it. That’s our history and Mark isn’t going to sink it. And I can tell you first hand there are many more in that camp.

Other people did the same thing with Calipari. Matter of fact, almost everyone that liked your post, backed Calipari until his last day lol. They’re just coach followers.

Be objective, look at the scoreboard. I wanted Calipari out since 2018 because he wasn’t consistent enough to coach here. Same reasons we stopped with Tubby, inconsistent. You have to be consistent to win at UK.

Mark has been slaughtering recruiting he cannot stay and he won’t if he doesn’t turn a lot around. And it doesn’t matter how much you like him, if you can’t recruit you can’t stay. I personally love Mark, I think Mark is in over his head but I like him. But it doesn’t matter, he’s not going to stay here if he can’t win to the level he was hired to do. And you diminishing our records to try and get out front of the fact that he’s likely going to lose our position is hilarious. Are you joking? Btw the all time wins has spanned all the way to today so uh yea, kids have seen it lol. What are you going to do next? Say our titles don’t matter because a kid didn’t see one and since Mark can’t win one?

Stop getting the doors blown off you and keep winning basketball games and start figuring out why recruits turn away from you. If he can do that, he’ll make it. If not he won’t.

Wrong...I wanted cal gone after 2015. That was when it became clear that pleasing his players and keeping the NBA pipeline going were way more import to him than actually doing what he was hired to do...win games

 

[Smeegs]

You are ridiculous. Lol

FWIW, I’m pretty sure that @UKGrad24 poster is the same guy that used to go by Morgousky. The same guy that was most insistent that Cal was awful, that Mitch is awful, that Stoops was awful, and now Pope too. Every person ever mentioned is doing piss poor by his measure (I’ll bet he’ll soon be bashing on Stein as well).

I’m guessing he’s someone bitter because of his own career failures, so now he wants everyone else to also be seen as failing.

 

[TTTblue24]

Chandler becoming that 3rd scorer for us has really helped this team improve, we know OO and Denzel are going to get theirs and be around that 15 or higher clip. If Colin can continue attacking the rim and getting 12 or so a game then add the bigs production, we may not win them all but we will be in them all to the end atleast and hopefully no more blow outs like vandy.

 

[BlueSince92]

Pope seriously needs to fix recruiting. But anyone who thinks he can’t coach or who can’t tell by now that the early problems this year were player IQ as opposed to his coaching just hasn’t been paying attention.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

“You just Hate Cal”.

it’s all been heard before. Not sure why you went on a Calipari rant. Sounds like you’re just moving with whatever coach you like, didn’t like Calipari like Mark. So you’ll excuse Mark but not Calipari.

Weak is your attempt here to demolish kentuckys records to prop up a coach that’s not cutting it at UK because you like him. I don’t give an SHT if you don’t like our leads or wins or any of it. That’s our history and Mark isn’t going to sink it. And I can tell you first hand there are many more in that camp.

Other people did the same thing with Calipari. Matter of fact, almost everyone that liked your post, backed Calipari until his last day lol. They’re just coach followers.

Be objective, look at the scoreboard. I wanted Calipari out since 2018 because he wasn’t consistent enough to coach here. Same reasons we stopped with Tubby, inconsistent. You have to be consistent to win at UK.

Mark has been slaughtering recruiting he cannot stay and he won’t if he doesn’t turn a lot around. And it doesn’t matter how much you like him, if you can’t recruit you can’t stay. I personally love Mark, I think Mark is in over his head but I like him. But it doesn’t matter, he’s not going to stay here if he can’t win to the level he was hired to do. And you diminishing our records to try and get out front of the fact that he’s likely going to lose our position is hilarious. Are you joking? Btw the all time wins has spanned all the way to today so uh yea, kids have seen it lol. What are you going to do next? Say our titles don’t matter because a kid didn’t see one and since Mark can’t win one?

Stop getting the doors blown off you and keep winning basketball games and start figuring out why recruits turn away from you. If he can do that, he’ll make it. If not he won’t.

Amen brother this 100%!!!!!!!

 

[wildcatknh]

I am going to show you just how stupid all this "Kentucky Standards" Bull**** is. Total RR Nonsense.
This is the number of losses per year in order, that Rick Pitino had at Kentucky:
14,6,7,4,7,5,2,5
So, the guy who is universally considered the best coach at UK since Rupp averaged nearly 8 losses a season over his first 5 seasons. He had 0-2 losses exactly once, and that was in his 7th season at UK. So since he wouldn't have had a "Kentucky Standards Good Job" in the first six seasons here, you would have of course fired him before early on. Oh, and that "Kentucky Standards Good Job" Pitino had was only the Greatest team in the history of the program. Not the "Standard" LMAO.
How about Cal? How many times did he have 0-2 losses? Twice. What about 3 losses? ONCE. Now, about 7 or more losses? TEN! More than 10 losses? 6. Kentucky Standard? NONSENSE.
Who are you gonna hire for the job? Hurley has turned down all the money in Fort Knox, but while he has 1 loss this season, he has averaged over 10 losses per season over the previous fifteen season. Here are his losses per season at UCONN in order:
17,12,8,10,8,3,11...you sure as Hell don't want that Chump. Want me to do Oats? Pearl? Who do you want to look up big guy?

NONSENSE!

To take this even a step further ... the number of losses for the last 20 national champions ...

4, 3, 8, 6, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 4, 8, 5, 2, 9, 5, 4, 3, 5, 6, 4

 

[UKCowboys]

This is gonna be a very tough game. I expect it to be back and forth, decided im the last minute. We are at home so I am hoping we pull it out. If Doug Shows is there, all bets are off

 

[UKCowboys]

Duh, you do know this is KY right??? That would put him at a 12 loss regular season with a $22 million payroll. Time for heads to roll.

So you would have fired Pitino after his 14 loss season at UK....or when Cal lost 23 games the two years prior to going 38-1...or Joe B. Hall after losing 21 games his first two season....How about Dan Hurley? NOPE. He only lost 29 games his first two seasons at UCONN...Nate Oats is gone, he lost 22 games his first two seasons at Alabama.. Bruce Pearl? How about 54 losses his first 3 years at Auburn...gone....Its too bad we cant bring back Coach K....nevermind, 30 losses his first two seasons at Duke...Well, hey, BBN has always wanted Billy Donovan...wait, no, that loser lost 32 games his first two seasons at Florida....I got about a hundred more HOF coaches I can use for how stupid you sound Bro

 

[Possum]

The way our guys are shooting right now, I believe we win.
Pope does really well in games where the other team has only 2 real game changer type guys. UT has Ament and Gillespie, the other guys are really good, but not elite.
If our guys play like they did @ Arkansas last Saturday, it's a wrap.
UT is playing better and can definitely win this game, but I think Pope is very good in these kind of games.

Good assessment. Spot on.

 

[Possum]

This is gonna be a very tough game. I expect it to be back and forth, decided im the last minute. We are at home so I am hoping we pull it out. If Doug Shows is there, all bets are off

Oweh will draw the assignment on Gillespie just like has has on Acuff and Pack the last 2 games. His defense on those pg’s took them out of their rhythm.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Spot on. He’s got to kill it in the portal this time. Injuries have not helped. I’ll be surprised if we don’t have a very good roster next season.

I keep seeing some posters talking about wishing Calipari was still here. Uh, considering all of the injuries last season and now this season, Pope still has a better record the last two years than Calipari has, despite the injuries. And Calipari has had two loaded rosters at Arkansas, and hasn’t had nearly the injuries to deal with that Pope has had to.

Exactly! Most of our fans claim we should’ve went after and signed more “star” players and less role players. However, had we done that we might be in a world of hurt right now. Good thing we’re deep, with all these damn injuries. If not, we’d be really cooked!

 

[Cats_2010]

Wrong...I wanted cal gone after 2015. That was when it became clear that pleasing his players and keeping the NBA pipeline going were way more import to him than actually doing what he was hired to do...win games

I can’t say I was ready for him to leave after 2015 (I was more in line after 2018) but I do recall on these boards after blowing 2015 that no matter how long he stayed he would never win another. And not even another final four since.

 

[Cats_2010]

So you would have fired Pitino after his 14 loss season at UK....or when Cal lost 23 games the two years prior to going 38-1...or Joe B. Hall after losing 21 games his first two season....How about Dan Hurley? NOPE. He only lost 29 games his first two seasons at UCONN...Nate Oats is gone, he lost 22 games his first two seasons at Alabama.. Bruce Pearl? How about 54 losses his first 3 years at Auburn...gone....Its too bad we cant bring back Coach K....nevermind, 30 losses his first two seasons at Duke...Well, hey, BBN has always wanted Billy Donovan...wait, no, that loser lost 32 games his first two seasons at Florida....I got about a hundred more HOF coaches I can use for how stupid you sound Bro

What is with you and your absurd analogies? Your 14 loss season angle is nonsense and you know it just like your average 8 loss season for pitino is so out of context it didn’t even warrant being responded too, much less mathematically incorrect.

Several things can be true at the same time. Pope was absolutely awful for the first 6 weeks of the season. He is doing much better now and has the team playing well (Vandy game aside). Until we land a recruit or recruits to get excited about recruiting remains a concern.

 

[Woodrow24]

Yep. That and stop the blowout losses. You can’t lose like that in embarrassing fashion. Next year recruiting and why happens is going to tell the story. Also the next 2 / 3 weeks. Can’t have a collapse.

I understand the frustration with those blow out losses. At UK fans won’t accept that and I completely understand it. Im trying to be fair and I think injuries have been a big factor with our season. Hopefully next year the team will stay healthier and we get to see how he does. Pope definitely has to improve as a recruiter. If I have a complaint with him that is it for right now.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Oweh's D has been strong so far. Glad he's coming together. We need him at his full form.

 

[wkycatfan7]

I certainly hope, but UT will bring it. We will have to match their intensity.

 

[bleedsblue5]

I think Barns and these guys will be SUPER motivated because of the ending of the last game. They are gonna maul and double Oweh and make us drive to win.
I feel like they run us
BUT Pope plays Barns teams really well so maybe it is just me hoping to not get blown out like the VANDY game.

If we get a fair whistle we stay in it, if they let them play our guys will get beat up and we drop it.
WE have to come out ready, and this last game was a powderpuff style game so if they think it will be like that we will get blown out.

Only upside is TN is on a winning streak and due for a loss.

 

[UKCowboys]

What is with you and your absurd analogies? Your 14 loss season angle is nonsense and you know it just like your average 8 loss season for pitino is so out of context it didn’t even warrant being responded too, much less mathematically incorrect.

Several things can be true at the same time. Pope was absolutely awful for the first 6 weeks of the season. He is doing much better now and has the team playing well (Vandy game aside). Until we land a recruit or recruits to get excited about recruiting remains a concern.

No one is telling you to "get excited" if you are not happy with recruiting. I am saying that if you are calling for the man's job, you are being ridiculous. And as for the analogies...yeah, those pesky facts get in the way of your narrative don't they? Facts not conjecture My Guy

 

[bleedsblue5]

TN is gonna maul us, the ending of the last game did not set well with them and they will be coming after us.
Probably doubling Oweh and make others beat us, Pope plays Barns teams well so I hope we come out ready.

We will get 150 percent out of them from the last game motivation. I just hope we bring that same intensity.