Perspective…

[Vek96]

UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Hurley didn't have NIL. This board and dumb apples to oranges comparisons.

 

[blackcat714]

UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.

Pope on track to beat that

 

[Anon1759768907]

UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.

u right, pope is the next hurley book it

 

[Snarks]

You can’t pick the one exception and expect that to happen every time. Also, NIL changes the entire equation. If Cig can win a NC at IU in football in 2 years, Pope can make it to the weekend of the SEC tournament in 2 years.

 

[The Nightman2]

You can’t pick the one exception and expect that to happen every time. Also, NIL changes the entire equation. If Cig can win a NC at IU in football in 2 years, Pope can make it to the weekend of the SEC tournament in 2 years.

Yep, if it can happen in football that quick... There's no real excuse not to do it in basketball. Next year has to be significantly better

 

[kywildcat1021979]

Pope doesn't have what it takes he's been doing this for a while already.... This is just another one of those Mitch Specials...

 

[UKBB4Ever]

UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.

Can you point to a player that didn't get better playing for Hurley? Can you point to any game where hurley's team just quit?

Here's some perspective for you, Pope does nothing well as a coach. Not one thing.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Yep, if it can happen in football that quick... There's no real excuse not to do it in basketball. Next year has to be significantly better

And IU is a dog crap football program pre last 2 seasons. Now they are national champs.

This is UK basketball. How hard can it be to recruit to UK or Duke or UNC n bball?

 

[JwUKFan11]

God you people are so stupid. I have to start spending less time reading this **** you boomers post.

 

[true-blue1]

UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.

I have been very critical of Pope thus far because of his in game substitutions patterns, recruiting and lack of game preparations but I think you really make valid points. I hope Pope learns from his mistakes but if he doesn’t it will be on him. He has the resources to help him do so.

 

[Chadrock]

UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.

Oh sheeite Vek - I’ll pray for you to help shield the vitriol your way cometh…

 

[KentuckyStout]

Danny Hurley already won a conference tournament and a regular season championship in consecutive years at Rhode Island. He had Rhode Island at 26-8 and 16th ranked team in the nation when UConn hired him. He pulled Rhode Island out of the gutter and improved them every season he was there.

He did the same at UConn - Hurley improved them every year until finally winning back to back National Championships.

Compare that to Pope, who consistently declined very season at Brigham Young, one of his last being a 19-15 clunker. Pope is doing the exact same trend at Kentucky...his win % is again in decline and he is on the way to dropping his 26th loss in two seasons (!)

There is no real comparison to be had between Dan Hurley and Mark Pope.

 

[Eastkybball]

I remember when Hurley started out coaching at UConn. He would hardly yell at the ref, never cussed, one time he said bull ****, said oh my gosh, hands on the knees engaged like he was on the court, when UConn would turn it over he’d yell let’s go guys, and he would call refs m effers without cussing.
One day after losing a game he just went ape **** and started cussing, cussing his players out, cussing the refs out, and cussing at his wife.
He’s never been the same since. He also threw his Mormon underwear away.

 

[theGspot_rivals175609]

UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.

You're missing a lot of context.

Hurley had previously taken Wagner from being a 9 win team to a 25-6 team in 2 years.

He went to RI team that won 7 games the year before he got there. He improved them each year and was 23-10 in year 3. His last 2 they went 25-10 and 26-8, winning the A-10 conference and tournament. He also took those last 2 teams the the 2nd rd of the tournament.

He took over Uconn program under investigation from a fired Kevin Ollie that resulted in probation and lost scholarships. The year before he arrived, they were 14-18. He improved each year and had them back in the tournament in year 3, which was also the same year they went back into the big east.

He did all of that without the transfer portal or NIL.

Now, why don't you do Pope?

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Sick and tired of this excuse. No Mark Pope is not Hurley. He is not Coach K or Pitino either.

 

[Legionofdoom96]

The end of the world isn't that far off and sports isn't that important there's your perspective lmao

 

[PhattyJ]

Jesus tap dancing Christ Kev.
You’ve gone full retard. Full.

 

[FatCatMan]

We saw Cal come here year one and win 30+ games. It’s been 2 years and all Pope has to show for it is a 6th and 9th place in the SEC. Coaches either work out immediately or they don’t, especially coaches over 50. Pope’s not some young 30-something year old guy who was an assistant coach and this his first head coaching gig. He’s been doing this for a decade and has nothing to show for it.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

I get sick of seeing the Hurley comparison. It’s lazy. No one mentions UCONN was on NCAA probation his first two years and still showed improvement. Pope took over a nice Cadillac and turned it into a Subaru.

 

[Jimmy James]

I get sick of seeing the Hurley comparison. It’s lazy. No one mentions UCONN was on NCAA probation his first two years and still showed improvement. Pope took over a nice Cadillac and turned it into a Subaru.

He tried to convince everyone that the Subaru was actually a Ferrari.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

OP you can’t actually believe this.

 

[bbnkat02]

Pope doesn't have what it takes he's been doing this for a while already.... This is just another one of those Mitch Specials...

I’m sadly beginning to think that. The bad thing with Pope is he will win you a huge game when you’re down on him. And then you think “Well maybe I was wrong….ah never mind we’re down by 15 again”.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Pitino took Providence to a Final Four, Hurley took Rhode Island to conference and conference tournament championships. Pope had ndone neither at his previous jobs.

 

[UKGrad24]

You're missing a lot of context.

Hurley had previously taken Wagner from being a 9 win team to a 25-6 team in 2 years.

He went to RI team that won 7 games the year before he got there. He improved them each year and was 23-10 in year 3. His last 2 they went 25-10 and 26-8, winning the A-10 conference and tournament. He also took those last 2 teams the the 2nd rd of the tournament.

He took over Uconn program under investigation from a fired Kevin Ollie that resulted in probation and lost scholarships. The year before he arrived, they were 14-18. He improved each year and had them back in the tournament in year 3, which was also the same year they went back into the big east.

He did all of that without the transfer portal or NIL.

Now, why don't you do Pope?

I have asked these guys repeatedly and they never answer the question it’s always ignored.

Tell me another guy who’s been coaching nearly 15 years that had no tournament success, really no tournament appearance minus 1 bought roster (by UK but another topic), low 60’s winning %, no conference championships that SUDDENLY in 1 season almost 15 years later turned that into an elite level blue blood worthy coach.

Just 1 time I wish someone would answer this that is all in on Pope.

 

[UKGrad24]

Jesus tap dancing Christ Kev.
You’ve gone full retard. Full.

Kev’s a nice dude I’ve always liked him. We like the sopranos too I’m down with sopranos guys. But this is Vito level craziness. Might need to check the blood pressure Kev, hope it’s not doing to you what it did to him.

I think what we’ve got is the fanboy coach who tell’s us to pull out the ole 96’r and talks about the front of the jersey. They love it. Well I do too, but not more than this program. These guys need to think of the institution not a guy tearing it down with a nice smile.

 

[UKGrad24]

I get sick of seeing the Hurley comparison. It’s lazy. No one mentions UCONN was on NCAA probation his first two years and still showed improvement. Pope took over a nice Cadillac and turned it into a Subaru.

I know it’s insane. There is no comparison to Hurley at all, it’s void of not just context but all reality. And I’m not explaining it again, they have the evidence if they want to willfully ignore it then they’re wrong and they don’t care.

 

[theGspot_rivals175609]

I have asked these guys repeatedly and they never answer the question it’s always ignored.

Tell me another guy who’s been coaching nearly 15 years that had no tournament success, really no tournament appearance minus 1 bought roster (by UK but another topic), low 60’s winning %, no conference championships that SUDDENLY in 1 season almost 15 years later turned that into an elite level blue blood worthy coach.

Just 1 time I wish someone would answer this that is all in on Pope.

I'm with you on that.

I'm trying to get @kyjeff1 to tell us how exactly Kam Williams was exploding prior to his injury. Just getting crickets so far.

 

[kyjeff1]

I'm with you on that.

I'm trying to get @kyjeff1 to tell us how exactly Kam Williams was exploding prior to his injury. Just getting crickets so far.

First of all, KYJeff never said Kam was exploding. I said he was catching fire. Meaning, he was becoming a complete player and getting comfortable in his role. He was scoring from all three levels, he was good on defense and he was rebounding. I realize that doesn't fit your pathetic agenda, which is why you needes to fabricate what I said to make it sound bad, but it's true.

I feel like that foughnut reminding me of your mom is rwally hurting your feelings here. You’re lashing outn

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

I want Pope to succeed here as much as anybody. Here's what is really starting to concern me.

Maybe Pope just doesn't have the right temperament to succeed at the elite level. The one comparison to him I can think of is Phil Jackson. He was also philosophical and intellectual whose style was more about guiding players, not leading them, like Pope. But Phil had MJ and Kobe, two of the best ever. Pope's future here may be completely dependent on landing some elite talent but he's not proven he can do that yet. I do think Pope could excel with a few elite players. These questions will be answered one way or the other by this time next year.

 

[theGspot_rivals175609]

First of all, KYJeff never said Kam was exploding. I said he was catching fire. Meaning, he was becoming a complete player and getting comfortable in his role. He was scoring from all three levels, he was good on defense and he was rebounding. I realize that doesn't fit your pathetic agenda, which is why you needes to fabricate what I said to make it sound bad, but it's true.

I feel like that foughnut reminding me of your mom is rwally hurting your feelings here. You’re lashing outn

Oh, my bad. Huge difference obviously and changes everything. Lol.

Complete player...how so? He scored double digits 4 times all season. In his last 6 games which were all sec games, he did it once. In 3 of those games, he didn't break 5 pts. In those 6 SEC games, he had 7 turnovers, 1 block, 4 steals, 6 assists and 8 rebounds.

So 1 assist and roughly 1.33 rebounds per game with 1.3 turnovers, and .7 steals makes a complete player?

Also, the last 2 games before injury, he was catching fire so hard we played him 15 and 16 minutes respectively.

What am I fabricating?

Why would you thinking of my mom hurt my feelings? If you're into older, wrinkly women relying on Depends, that's your business. It doesn't bother me one bit. She might like the attention.

But if we're being honest, you know it reminds you of something else.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

next year will be the start of something amazing. or it will be more of the same. feels like the strategy by the staff and fans is in hope. but hope isnt much of a strategy.

 

[bbnkat02]

next year will be the start of something amazing. or it will be more of the same. feels like the strategy by the staff and fans is in hope. but hope isnt much of a strategy.

Not much of a choice at this point. We are just in wait and see mode. Either Pope will produce or pout. And by next March we will decide the future.

 

[JSquad0070]

The 2 issues with Pope:

1.) He can’t recruit with possibly the highest budget in college basketball

2.) He relies solely on analytics and his substitution patterns kill any momentum we ever get. It’s why he loses big leads.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

The 2 issues with Pope:

1.) He can’t recruit with possibly the highest budget in college basketball

2.) He relies solely on analytics and his substitution patterns kill any momentum we ever get. It’s why he loses big leads.

The first is the biggest thing.

The second thing 1) we have absolutely no idea he relies "solely" on analytics and 2) our issue isn't that we lose big leads.......just the opposite......the issue is we get down 10-15 consistently to anyone with a pulse.

This analytics thing is crazy to me. What numbers is telling Mark Pope to field sub optimal lineups? lol. That's all on Pope.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

I get sick of seeing the Hurley comparison. It’s lazy. No one mentions UCONN was on NCAA probation his first two years and still showed improvement. Pope took over a nice Cadillac and turned it into a Subaru.

That's an insult to Subaru. I'd say more like a Jeep brand vehicle with it's lack of reliability.

 

[Jazzycat]

I really like Pope as a person. Unfortunately, he is not UK coaching material. I see nothing in his recruiting or coaching acumen that gives me hope that he can take a team to a final four, which is or should be a prerequisite for getting the UK men’s basketball job. I wish it were different but, it is what it is.

 

[kyjeff1]

Oh, my bad. Huge difference obviously and changes everything. Lol.

Complete player...how so? He scored double digits 4 times all season. In his last 6 games which were all sec games, he did it once. In 3 of those games, he didn't break 5 pts. In those 6 SEC games, he had 7 turnovers, 1 block, 4 steals, 6 assists and 8 rebounds.

So 1 assist and roughly 1.33 rebounds per game with 1.3 turnovers, and .7 steals makes a complete player?

Also, the last 2 games before injury, he was catching fire so hard we played him 15 and 16 minutes respectively.

What am I fabricating?

Why would you thinking of my mom hurt my feelings? If you're into older, wrinkly women relying on Depends, that's your business. It doesn't bother me one bit. She might like the attention.

But if we're being honest, you know it reminds you of something else.

LOL, Kam Williams could have the same stats as MJ and you would still crap on him.

You guys are so pathetic, you wouldn't know a good player if he sat on your face and wiggled.

 

[kyjeff1]

Not much of a choice at this point. We are just in wait and see mode. Either Pope will produce or pout. And by next March we will decide the future.

Exactly. But we have fans in here literally hoping we lose. That is crazy to me.

 

[theGspot_rivals175609]

LOL, Kam Williams could have the same stats as MJ and you would still crap on him.

You guys are so pathetic, you wouldn't know a good player if he sat on your face and wiggled.

Lol, doubtful.

The irony is that you're acting like a player with **** stats was really catching fire. We have given you multiple opportunities to provide stats to back up your claims, like when you said he was rebounding and playing defense.

Yet, now you're resorting to fallacies and claiming we just don't know basketball.

You're trying too hard, bud. Take a break and come back better for it!