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Let’s end this once and for all

Did Mark Pope do a good job this year?

  • Total voters
    335
Johnnie Africa

Johnnie Africa

All-Conference
Feb 27, 2003
1,114
3,426
113
Ok folks: this is it, the definitive once and for all poll. The season is over. I’ve seen people post on here that Kentucky fans are in a civil war, that we’re at each others throats, that some think Pope is doing great and others see the truth! So, finally, let’s see how BBN actually feels. Now keep in mind, this is an internet poll. That means, if I asked if water is wet, 20% would say no, because the internet is dumb. If 80% or close to it say no to this poll, then it will actually show what I think is the truth. That the vast majority of BBN is not happy with how the year went, and that most of us are actually on the same side.
 
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MdWIldcat55

MdWIldcat55

Heisman
Dec 9, 2007
21,630
87,206
113
The answer is no. I imagine if Mark Pope could vote secretly, he'd even vote no.

But, contrary to the thread title, it's not going to "end" anything.

1. No, and he should be run out of town immediately.
2. No, but he's an honored part of Kentucky basketball history and should be treated with respect. I hope that leads him to resign with dignity.
3. No, but changing coaches every two years is a much more dangerous path for the program than giving him another year to turn it around.
4. No, but there is truth to the notion that injuries torpedoed the season, and he proved last year he could coach. Be patient.
5.-100. No, but...(Fill in the blanks with your own version of what should happen next, that will keep the debate going for months.)
 
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Johnnie Africa

Johnnie Africa

All-Conference
Feb 27, 2003
1,114
3,426
113
MdWIldcat55 said:
The answer is no.

But it's not going to "end" anything.

1. No, and he should be run out of town immediately.
2. No, but he's an honored part of Kentucky basketball history and should be treated with respect. I hope that leads him to resign with dignity.
3. No, but changing coaches every two years is a much more dangerous path for the program than giving him another year to turn it around.
4. No, but there is truth to the notion that injuries torpedoed the season, and he proved last year he could coach. Be patient.
5.-100. No, but...(Fill in the blanks with your own version of what should happen next, that will keep the debate going for months.)
Click to expand...

No, absolutely not. It’s a simple question, not an opportunity to create unnecessary arguments.
 
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Artlaibesghost

Artlaibesghost

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2022
1,306
2,676
113
I think he does understand it, he just can't execute it. He lost more than a dozen games which he has to know isn't going to cut it here. I just don't believe he is capable of doing any better. I assume the new AD will deal with this after next year. Dont see any indication he won't be here next year for better or worse.
 
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Yardeth

Yardeth

Heisman
Jan 2, 2007
13,539
17,849
67
For what players we have that actually play, I would say yes he did a good/average job. Now recruiting high schoolers and getting portal players that fit his style of play, he sucked.
 
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D

Doc4UK!

All-Conference
Aug 14, 2003
2,855
1,909
113
He has to be held responsible for the roster construction . A major issue is paying so much for JQ which was a risky move at best. Then not having a backup point guard for the second year in a row. Then not having enough three point shooters. Even red shirting a player who will not be here five years anyway and might have given us some minutes off the bench. Meanwhile Duke replaces 5 starters and is still a one seed. And Cal now winning the SEC tournament with only one player who was on our roster at the time he took over at Arkansas and Pitino winning the Big East and beating UConn by 20 . And yes he would have crawled to Lexington to take the UK job when Cal left (which I believe was the safest move Barnhart could have taken)
 
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F

Farsight Clone

All-American
Aug 30, 2025
2,941
5,877
103
No. He regressed.

Last year he did good and better than expected. Yet how we lost some games last year was foreshadowing of this year. That never changed.

To me consistency is major factor for this job and Pope hasn't been consistent.

I think most Pope Deniers on this forum would agree that if we played our tails off and competed, didn't get blown out, played hard like old Pitino teams, I think more would still want him gone, but be more willing to allow him to prove himself in year 3. The problem is how we lost and we didn't get better. We still have the same problems from the beginning of the year.
 
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1

#1 cat fan

Senior
May 7, 2009
486
529
93
I honestly think we were Lowe playing all year away from being a very dangerous team. The first 2 months with all the blowouts was 100% due to not having him. Standing around, no offensive flow. Not one person who could penetrate through the defense n get to the rim. Eventually Aberdeen started playing great, but we still needed another guard.
I think we would be at least a 3 seed going into this tournament had Lowe been healthy this season. Then you have a whole different topic of discussion
 
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rick64

rick64

Heisman
Jan 25, 2007
25,160
35,183
113
Not expecting a miracle run in the NCAAT by any stretch. But if by some chance they made a F4 run or win the natty, the results of this poll would be quite different.
 
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F

FitchandMurray29

All-American
Dec 11, 2021
2,818
5,985
61
He did a much worse job in the offseason with his resources than he did as a coach in season.

Take away any pro or con Pope bias. Team was ranked 9th in the preseason with a healthy Lowe and baked into that was a JQ upside. The committee viewed them as the 25th best resume/team in the country by true seed list. My guess is if they redid the preseason rankings factoring in no Lowe or JQ, we probably get put right about where we ended up at 25.

In the aggregate I give him like a C- so the answer is no he did not do a good job.
 
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Z

Zuma75

All-Conference
Mar 19, 2017
1,106
1,473
113
Artlaibesghost said:
I think he does understand it, he just can't execute it. He lost more than a dozen games which he has to know isn't going to cut it here. I just don't believe he is capable of doing any better. I assume the new AD will deal with this after next year. Dont see any indication he won't be here next year for better or worse.
Click to expand...
Honestly how can Barnhart even WANT to stick around Lexington after screwing up this hire.
 
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P

PapawSwish

All-Conference
Jan 3, 2003
1,163
1,424
113
I voted "no" which is obviously the correct response at this point in time. Could change in the next couple of weeks but very doubtful.

In past years if I couldn't watch the games live, I wouldn't listen to the radio or talk to anyone about the game until I watched it. Hate to admit this, but this is the first year that I have recorded a couple of games and only watched if we won.. and I've been a diehard fan since Goose, Macy, Robey, Lee and Phillips. I find myself getting less and less emotionally involved. I hope this changes soon!
 
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Z

Zuma75

All-Conference
Mar 19, 2017
1,106
1,473
113
Farsight Clone said:
No. He regressed.

Last year he did good and better than expected. Yet how we lost some games last year was foreshadowing of this year. That never changed.

To me consistency is major factor for this job and Pope hasn't been consistent.

I think most Pope Deniers on this forum would agree that if we played our tails off and competed, didn't get blown out, played hard like old Pitino teams, I think more would still want him gone, but be more willing to allow him to prove himself in year 3. The problem is how we lost and we didn't get better. We still have the same problems from the beginning of the year.
Click to expand...
Consistently erratic as h***
 
O

Old Blue Fart

All-Conference
Mar 23, 2014
1,701
4,399
76
It is a matter of "is the glass half full or half empty" really.
People see the exact same thing but see it differently. There will be some who think UK basketball is in a good position while others will say it is not.
For all those like me who have watched UK basketball for the last 70 plus years, I feel we are slow to the party that is going on in todays college basketball world.

While I do not like all the NIL and transfer portal crap, it is what we have today. Players are not into tradition these days and that goes for more than just basketball or football.

I read where the player from Michigan said UK offered him between 7-9 million. How is this even possible in college? Who is to say the kid wanted 7-9 million and when UK said no, he choose Michigan.
My point is the players have taken over college sports. Without fans, these NIL deals are for naught. If there were not a fan base going to the games, everything changes so why do people get upset when old fans like myself see today's environment and question what is going on.

BYU changed coaches and they never missed a beat. We take BYU's coach and regress from what we are accustomed to. Does this say anything?

I truly feel UK basketball is closer to becoming Nebraska football, IU basketball, Cal St Fullerton baseball, and to some North Carolina, teams that are once regarded as great in their tradition and sport but have fallen from the top and never got back there.

I think Mark Pope is truly a great person who is honest, faith based and hard working but does not want to fight the fight that it takes to win in todays college game.

Rick Pitino and Cal were both great coaches but maybe not so much in the personality department. Both won at UK I feel because of the way they coached and didn't give 2 cents what others thought, they had the gonads to do what it took. Like many if life that has great success, they get entitled a bit and comfortable.

Nice guys always finish last.

UK basketball might be a blue blood now but in a few years I feel the path we are on will land us with all those other once great programs.
 
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Z

ZMCats

All-Conference
Dec 23, 2017
530
1,166
61
ComebackCats98 said:
This

I think Pope gets year three, but I wish we were just moving on
Click to expand...
I know he will get another year but there sure have been many off the court head scratchers throughout the season an add in a fine to boot. I’m just hoping someone knows this isn’t the right fit and cuts sling load after the year.
 
C

ComebackCats98

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
847
2,573
93
ZMCats said:
I know he will get another year but there sure have been many off the court head scratchers throughout the season an add in a fine to boot. I’m just hoping someone knows this isn’t the right fit and cuts sling load after the year.
Click to expand...
I’m kind of hoping he sees the writing on the wall and makes that decision himself
 
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Pygmy Sasquatch

Pygmy Sasquatch

Heisman
Mar 27, 2009
9,788
10,907
113
 
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