I hate the whole out 3 starters stuff

[Cowtown Cat]

JQ was never a starter. Williams was rarely a starter. Neither of their talents are significantly better than the players that now get their minutes.

Lowe is the only one we truly miss, but like the OP mentioned, our team actually plays better without him.

Lmfao JQ isn’t better than Garrison?! That’s just BS. Also, Kam isn’t better than Noah?! Lowe isn’t currently better than JJ?! All BS. Every single example.

 

[Monday Nitro]

Lmfao JQ isn’t better than Garrison?! That’s just BS. Also, Kam isn’t better than Noah?! Lowe isn’t currently better than JJ?! All BS. Every single example.

Dude was nowhere to be found before or after both UT wins. Same with his little posse. They pose as the biggest baddest UK fans around but at the end of the day are nothing but ultra-soft bandwagon clowns.

 

[bbnkat02]

Lmfao JQ isn’t better than Garrison?! That’s just BS. Also, Kam isn’t better than Noah?! Lowe isn’t currently better than JJ?! All BS. Every single example.

Yeah- that's just insanity. I've seen about as much of BG as I want to see. Dude just has no consistent motor. His close out one of the Florida dudes Saturday was mind blowingly infuriating. Just kinda jogged over to him and barely got his hand up. Granted it was a bad shot for them, but that hustle has been a problem for him all year- and I'm just tired of his attitude. He's one guy I don't want back. Give me Moreno all day; every day.

Kam getting hurt is what really put a nail in our ability to go deep. He wasn't always great, but he was a threat from outside.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Yeah- that's just insanity. I've seen about as much of BG as I want to see. Dude just has no consistent motor. His close out one of the Florida dudes Saturday was mind blowingly infuriating. Just kinda jogged over to him and barely got his hand up. Granted it was a bad shot for them, but that hustle has been a problem for him all year- and I'm just tired of his attitude. He's one guy I don't want back. Give me Moreno all day; every day.

Kam getting hurt is what really put a nail in our ability to go deep. He wasn't always great, but he was a threat from outside.

Agreed. I’m done with BG. He damn near gives you nothing.

 

[Cats_2010]

We are 8-4 in SEC play after starting 0-2 when both Lowe and JQ were available and played both games including the Missouri game (the only game both started). 0-2 with them playing and 8-2 without.

 

[bbnkat02]

Agreed. I’m done with BG. He damn near gives you nothing.

Outside of 3 rebounds, he did give us nothing Sat. Literally ZERO points.

 

[kyjeff1]

We are 8-4 in SEC play after starting 0-2 when both Lowe and JQ were available and played both games including the Missouri game (the only game both started). 0-2 with them playing and 8-2 without.

And you think we lost those games because those 2 played? You can't be serious.

JQ hadn't played in almost a year and only played spot minutes in those games and Lowe's freaking shoulder was hanging out of its socket. Dude gave us everything he had.

The entire program from Pope down to the water boys, was broken, but you think we started 0-2 because Lowe and JQ played?

Actually, if you go back to the last 4 minutes of the uNC and Missouri losses, you'll find it was Aberdeen's streetball failures that lost those games. I'm stunned this isn’t talked about more.

The Alabama loss was a full system failure, nobody played well.

Funny thing is, Saint Johns is now being talked about as a Final Four threat, we beat them, but we get smoked if it wasn't for the 2 players you are saying caused the teams issues. Aberdeen was getting punked by SJ's pressure, Lowe came out after getting his shoulder popped back in and took over the game. But none of you guys ever talk about this.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

And you think we lost those games because those 2 played? You can't be serious.

JQ hadn't played in almost a year and only played spot minutes in those games and Lowe's freaking shoulder was hanging out of its socket. Dude gave us everything he had.

The entire program from Pope down to the water boys, was broken, but you think we started 0-2 because Lowe and JQ played?

Actually, if you go back to the last 4 minutes of the uNC and Missouri losses, you'll find it was Aberdeen's streetball failures that lost those games. I'm stunned this isn’t talked about more.

The Alabama loss was a full system failure, nobody played well.

Funny thing is, Saint Johns is now being talked about as a Final Four threat, we beat them, but we get smoked if it wasn't for the 2 players you are saying caused the teams issues. Aberdeen was getting punked by SJ's pressure, Lowe came out after getting his shoulder popped back in and took over the game. But none of you guys ever talk about this.

Bingo!

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Lmfao JQ isn’t better than Garrison?! That’s just BS. Also, Kam isn’t better than Noah?! Lowe isn’t currently better than JJ?! All BS. Every single example.

That's not what I intended in my statement. What I meant to say is that the offense flows better without Lowe (it does); Moreno is playing better than JQ did in his cameo (he does), and Williams is not playing better than Chandler when healthy.

I hope it makes more sense now.

I'm not saying the injuries don't matter. They do. But we're still losing to Vandy, Gonzaga, Michigan State, Louisville, and Florida with all those guys healthy. That's a 20-5 team if healthy.

This team, even if heealthy, was not going to be amongst the better teams in the nation. Probably top 10-15 if healthy.

 

[Cats_2010]

And you think we lost those games because those 2 played? You can't be serious.

JQ hadn't played in almost a year and only played spot minutes in those games and Lowe's freaking shoulder was hanging out of its socket. Dude gave us everything he had.

The entire program from Pope down to the water boys, was broken, but you think we started 0-2 because Lowe and JQ played?

Actually, if you go back to the last 4 minutes of the uNC and Missouri losses, you'll find it was Aberdeen's streetball failures that lost those games. I'm stunned this isn’t talked about more.

The Alabama loss was a full system failure, nobody played well.

Funny thing is, Saint Johns is now being talked about as a Final Four threat, we beat them, but we get smoked if it wasn't for the 2 players you are saying caused the teams issues. Aberdeen was getting punked by SJ's pressure, Lowe came out after getting his shoulder popped back in and took over the game. But none of you guys ever talk about this.

Never said we lost because of those two but here’s the rub. All we hear from people like yourself is we aren’t winning more because we don’t have them, like somehow the 8-2 record we have amassed without them in the lineup would be better. You’re the one spouting this but we are 8-2 without them in the lineup and 0-2 with them. What evidence do you have to support we would be 9-1 or 10-0 in the 10 SEC games they haven’t played in had they played? Don’t tell me the single game (half for Lowe) against St. John’s. If you’re not going to credit BG for his single good game against OU you don’t get to do the same for these two.

 

[UKCowboys]

Lmfao JQ isn’t better than Garrison?! That’s just BS. Also, Kam isn’t better than Noah?! Lowe isn’t currently better than JJ?! All BS. Every single example.

When you are arguing with guys, who woth a straight face, repeatedly argue Jasper, Noah and Garrison are as good as Lowe, Kam and JQ, its like trying to argue water is wet or tte sky is blue, with a person who thinks the world was flat

 

[kyjeff1]

Never said we lost because of those two but here’s the rub. All we hear from people like yourself is we aren’t winning more because we don’t have them, like somehow the 8-2 record we have amassed without them in the lineup would be better. You’re the one spouting this but we are 8-2 without them in the lineup and 0-2 with them. What evidence do you have to support we would be 9-1 or 10-0 in the 10 SEC games they haven’t played in had they played? Don’t tell me the single game (half for Lowe) against St. John’s. If you’re not going to credit BG for his single good game against OU you don’t get to do the same for these two.

Uh, what? We're not saying that at all. In fact, we're the ones saying what Pope has done with a depleted roster, is incredible, but against a fully loaded roster, like Florida, we are at a hell of a disadvantage without those 3 players.

You got this way wrong. You need to be yapping at the guys, like the OP, that are saying missing those 3 players is an excuse and shouldn't matter.

Bullsh*t. Take 3 of the top 8 players off any team, including their only pg and odds are, that team doesn't make the tournament.

Take Lee, Chinyelu and Condon off Florida's roster, are they at the top of the SEC snd ranked? No way.

 

[Cats_2010]

Uh, what? We're not saying that at all. In fact, we're the ones saying what Pope has done with a depleted roster, is incredible, but against a fully loaded roster, like Florida, we are at a hell of a disadvantage without those 3 players.

You got this way wrong. You need to be yapping at the guys, like the OP, that are saying missing those 3 players is an excuse and shouldn't matter.

Bullsh*t. Take 3 of the top 8 players off any team, including their only pg and odds are, that team doesn't make the tournament.

Take Lee, Chinyelu and Condon off Florida's roster, are they at the top of the SEC snd ranked? No way.

But the argument between you and I has not been about the job pope has done. It has been are we a better team without JQ and Lowe than we would have been with them? We don’t have enough evidence to support that we would indeed be better unless you can make a strong argument of us being better than 8-2 the last 10 games.

 

[JonathanW2]

The fact is is that our team has played better without Lowe in the lineup and honestly Moreno is better than Jq atleast in my mind a smarter basketball player at this point in time so as far as I am concerned the only one who I think was bringing value to winning basketball was Kam Williams.

I just think people throw that phrase out there without understanding the full context of it. Lowes style of play is the antithesis of winning basketball and Jq was never going to be this ready to play winning basketball player coming off an acl surgery. Moreno may not be better in time but we will see. The gap isn't that wide.

What some (you & my exwife) fail to understand, is the difference between excuse & reason (or contributing factor).

Yes the team is playing better now. Not because those 3 players didn't or wouldn't contribute, but because becoming a 9 man team has fixed players into certain roles. There is no more wondering "how much longer will I play this position" or "when that guy starts playing am I going to lose most of my minutes". I have zero doubt this team would be better now, if Lowe had not started the recuring shoulder injury and Williams had not injured his foot and JQ had not "had a setback" and was playing fully now. Also, I think a factor early on was Oweh having not practiced much in the fall, was not "dialed in".

That said, yeah I was not sold on Lowe's style of play either. But I can't say I love Aberdeen's either.
JQ, wasn't going to be the "savior" many thought/hoped, because his offensive game is very limited (dunk it inside 3'). But in a game like Florida or a game where Garrison is sucking or a game where BG or MM is in foul trouble, having that extra body would certainly help. And there is little doubt JQ could out perform BG most games.
As for Williams, I think we started playing well with him starting.

 

[kyjeff1]

But the argument between you and I has not been about the job pope has done. It has been are we a better team without JQ and Lowe than we would have been with them? We don’t have enough evidence to support that we would indeed be better unless you can make a strong argument of us being better than 8-2 the last 10 games.

So you honestly think we are better with BG at the 5 over JQ (a lottery pick) and DA at the 1, over Lowe, a true pg?
You think AJ is a better option at the 4 over Kam?
DA isn’t a pg. He’s doing a great job under the circumstances, but Pope deserves credit for developing him, because he was not a good pg at all until mid January.
There is just no way we are better with Kam, HQ and Lowe out.
Just use common sense here. How can a team he worse without 3 of its best 8 players?
If the issue was too nany guys and players not understanding their roles, well that's not the players fault, that's on the coach. Having too many options seens like a weird problem to have. In fact, it's only a problem if you aren't a good coach.

 

[Cats_2010]

So you honestly think we are better with BG at the 5 over JQ (a lottery pick) and DA at the 1, over Lowe, a true pg?
You think AJ is a better option at the 4 over Kam?
DA isn’t a pg. He’s doing a great job under the circumstances, but Pope deserves credit for developing him, because he was not a good pg at all until mid January.
There is just no way we are better with Kam, HQ and Lowe out.
Just use common sense here. How can a team he worse without 3 of its best 8 players?
If the issue was too nany guys and players not understanding their roles, well that's not the players fault, that's on the coach. Having too many options seens like a weird problem to have. In fact, it's only a problem if you aren't a good coach.

Again we are 8-2 without them, 0-2 with them. Do you refute that? Do you honestly believe we are going 9-1 or 10-0 the last 10 games with JQ and Lowe in the lineup? And stop with Kam, he’s not in the discussion and I have given him to you multiple times already. Honestly think you have forgotten what you are even arguing.

 

[Snarks]

Except it is. Which basketball players have done this?

View attachment 1188322

My point exactly. Pope messed up with JQ, you pay him way below market rate and offer him the chance to rehab and maybe play. What you don’t do is pay him $2mil+ hoping he can play. Pope severely screwed that one up. With that money we could have had Caleb Wilson or Wilkerson.

 

[kyjeff1]

Again we are 8-2 without them, 0-2 with them. Do you refute that? Do you honestly believe we are going 9-1 or 10-0 the last 10 games with JQ and Lowe in the lineup? And stop with Kam, he’s not in the discussion and I have given him to you multiple times already. Honestly think you have forgotten what you are even arguing.

LMAO, okay, believe what you want. Wow.

 

[Loucatfan30]

Lmfao JQ isn’t better than Garrison?! That’s just BS. Also, Kam isn’t better than Noah?! Lowe isn’t currently better than JJ?! All BS. Every single example.

I agree with you on your analysis but here is my problem. JQ is better but we knew he was injured. Kam is way better than Noah but how many better wings and point guards were available better than he and Lowe. And more importantly are we going to bring both these guys back next year instead go looking to improve our players.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I agree with you on your analysis but here is my problem. JQ is better but we knew he was injured. Kam is way better than Noah but how many better wings and point guards were available better than he and Lowe. And more importantly are we going to bring both these guys back next year instead go looking to improve our players.

Yeah, we missed on a lot of guys, both from portal and HS. We need to upgrade at PG definitely.

 

[Loucatfan30]

Yeah, we missed on a lot of guys, both from portal and HS. We need to upgrade at PG definitely.

We have to have more talented players. Every time we have been great we have had great players including the last years of Pitino. Our players just are not good enough individually or as a group.

 

[CRZ4UK]

It’s something that is used to prop up Pope. An excuse. Just like Pope could recruit better if not for JMI. Pope is going to finish the year the same as he finishes every year- 10-12 losses. He is going to overpay for some non starters and we will see the same thing happen next year. He is not a coach that can recruit and compete at an elite level. BYU is glad he is gone.

BYU beat Kansas under Pope. They went all in this year on NIL and got Dysbanta. Pope never had the money to go get a guy like that. With maybe the top pick in the draft , they haven’t beaten a top 25 team this year.
Who says they are glad he’s gone? UK fans?