Is Pope doing it or prepping his exit season?

UKfan2151

All-American
Oct 1, 2003
14,449
9,486
113
It is still TBD. I don't have a lot of faith in Pope's ability as a coach (his overall career record is what it is and what it is isn't anything to write home about). But there's still a chance he could assemble a good squad for next year if we actually land most of the guys we are still associated with in the portal and the recruiting trail. Can he do anything with them? That remains to be seen. But yes, there is still a chance we could have a good team next season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FitchandMurray29

FitchandMurray29

All-American
Dec 11, 2021
2,699
5,645
61
Still TBD. We have 3 of our top 8 guys. Ask me again in a few days if that number has changed.

Also keep an eye on Kansas. Not that we expect Stokes nor do I think he hasn’t already made up his mind, but if he’s being truthful about wanting to see the rosters, you could present a compelling case around Zoom, Wilkins/Cruz, Freeman, and Malachi with him as a starting 5 by the end of the week.
 

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,505
15,699
78
Still TBD. We have 3 of our top 8 guys. Ask me again in a few days if that number has changed.

Also keep an eye on Kansas. Not that we expect Stokes nor do I think he hasn’t already made up his mind, but if he’s being truthful about wanting to see the rosters, you could present a compelling case around Zoom, Wilkins/Cruz, Freeman, and Malachi with him as a starting 5 by the end of the week.
I haven’t seen Kansas signing anyone in the portal so far so hopefully that ends up working in our favor.
 

FitchandMurray29

All-American
Dec 11, 2021
2,699
5,645
61
I haven’t seen Kansas signing anyone in the portal so far so hopefully that ends up working in our favor.
Their board looks a lot like ours. A little less whiff/doubting of coach but transfers out of stars, no one signed, waiting around on Stokes, having visitors to campus not commit, etc.

The UK online fanbase is just much more prominent so we’re the ones getting talked about nationally.
 

20MRoster

All-Conference
Nov 16, 2018
1,292
2,565
108
Their board looks a lot like ours. A little less whiff/doubting of coach but transfers out of stars, no one signed, waiting around on Stokes, having visitors to campus not commit, etc.

The UK online fanbase is just much more prominent so we’re the ones getting talked about nationally.
That's what a bluebood fan board should look like after lackluster recruiting. If it doesn't look like that, then the program doesn't stay a blueblood long.

Thank heavens for the part of BBN that still has standards.
 

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,505
15,699
78
Their board looks a lot like ours. A little less whiff/doubting of coach but transfers out of stars, no one signed, waiting around on Stokes, having visitors to campus not commit, etc.

The UK online fanbase is just much more prominent so we’re the ones getting talked about nationally.
When things get bad here, we get absolutely covered up in troll threads. I’ve taken the bait and had a bad attitude at times because of it. It’s obvious theirs a lot of jealousy out there when trolls take time out of their lives to stir up drama on our board lol We may be down right now, but Kentucky always builds back up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FitchandMurray29

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,505
15,699
78
That's what a bluebood fan board should look like after lackluster recruiting. If it doesn't look like that, then the program doesn't stay a blueblood long.

Thank heavens for the part of BBN that still has standards.
UK basketball may be down right now, but it’s not going to stay that way for long. We’ll be back.
 

20MRoster

All-Conference
Nov 16, 2018
1,292
2,565
108
UK basketball may be down right now, but it’s not going to stay that way for long. We’ll be back.
Yes, and the reason it won't stay this way for long is that one more season anything like this last one, and there will be enough people willing to chase Pope out of town and keep going, pitchforks in hand, until he crosses the Tennessee border.
 

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,505
15,699
78
Yes, and the reason it won't stay this way for long is that one more season anything like this last one, and there will be enough people willing to chase Pope out of town and keep going, pitchforks in hand, until he crosses the Tennessee border.
I’d say Pope knows that. He knows his backs against the wall. We will see what he can do this coming season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 20MRoster

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
12,636
19,842
113
Maybe pay attention, instead of feigning ignorance in another flyby Pope diss.
 

SacramentoKat

Senior
Jan 25, 2006
1,418
776
76
Had a bit of time to loom at stuff and this looks like a complete disaster. Diallo looks more like a half *** playmaker that can't shoot. I count like 7th on the list of PGs??? We are getting excited about mid tier ******* transfers?

If we have top 10 money or (maybe top 3?), why the **** aren't we looking at top 10 players? It's like our money isn't as good. Players want more to play at UK or to sign on to the terms and that is a problem.
 

SacramentoKat

Senior
Jan 25, 2006
1,418
776
76
Had a bit of time to loom at stuff and this looks like a complete disaster. Diallo looks more like a half *** playmaker that can't shoot. I count like 7th on the list of PGs??? We are getting excited about mid tier ******* transfers?

If we have top 10 money or (maybe top 3?), why the **** aren't we looking at top 10 players? It's like our money isn't as good. Players want more to play at UK or to sign on to the terms and that is a problem
 

Tri-Countycat

All-Conference
Jul 1, 2025
1,712
4,212
113
Had a bit of time to loom at stuff and this looks like a complete disaster. Diallo looks more like a half *** playmaker that can't shoot. I count like 7th on the list of PGs??? We are getting excited about mid tier ******* transfers?

If we have top 10 money or (maybe top 3?), why the **** aren't we looking at top 10 players? It's like our money isn't as good. Players want more to play at UK or to sign on to the terms and that is a problem
I know people are gonna think you are being negative but I agree. I’d much rather have transfers from power 5 programs than most mid majors. Karter Knox for example, under a different coach and situation he could be a star. UK has looked at a higher percentage of mid major portal players and it could be that BLUEprint software and money ball.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TFCat11

Catphright23

All-Conference
Dec 6, 2023
635
1,184
93
I know people are gonna think you are being negative but I agree. I’d much rather have transfers from power 5 programs than most mid majors. Karter Knox for example, under a different coach and situation he could be a star. UK has looked at a higher percentage of mid major portal players and it could be that BLUEprint software and money ball.
You are stupid last year we had transfers from Florida, Alabama, Arizona State, and Pittsburg. What good did that do us? Look at Floridas last year team and Connecticut's first championship Danny hurley squad how many big time players they have?
 

Tri-Countycat

All-Conference
Jul 1, 2025
1,712
4,212
113
You are stupid last year we had transfers from Florida, Alabama, Arizona State, and Pittsburg. What good did that do us? Look at Floridas last year team and Connecticut's first championship Danny hurley squad how many big time players they have?
Your reading comprehension isn’t the best, I’m not surprised. I said power 5 players, not a single word about big time players. Most championship teams don’t have a staring 5 from schools like Hofstra, Furman and VCU. Our best transfers were also from Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, and the year before Wake Forest, a final four San Diego State, Big 12 BYU. Look at Michigan’s team this year, Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois), Nimari Burnett (Alabama), Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), then the two special ones, Aday Mara(ucla) and Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB) - mostly all power 5 or played power five competion. Go Pope pump somewhere else and block me if you don’t agree with me.
 

Catphright23

All-Conference
Dec 6, 2023
635
1,184
93
Your reading comprehension isn’t the best, I’m not surprised. I said power 5 players, not a single word about big time players. Most championship teams don’t have a staring 5 from schools like Hofstra, Furman and VCU. Our best transfers were also from Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, and the year before Wake Forest, a final four San Diego State, Big 12 BYU. Look at Michigan’s team this year, Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois), Nimari Burnett (Alabama), Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), then the two special ones, Aday Mara(ucla) and Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB) - mostly all power 5 or played power five competion. Go Pope pump somewhere else and block me if you don’t agree with me.
Look at floridas team last year. You just post negative stuff and whiff pictures. Proud of you.
 

BigBluefoot

All-American
Jul 4, 2025
1,812
6,825
113
You are stupid last year we had transfers from Florida, Alabama, Arizona State, and Pittsburg. What good did that do us? Look at Floridas last year team and Connecticut's first championship Danny hurley squad how many big time players they have?
Wait, are you unwittingly realizing there's a coaching problem as well?
 
Last edited:

Tri-Countycat

All-Conference
Jul 1, 2025
1,712
4,212
113
Look at floridas team last year. You just post negative stuff and whiff pictures. Proud of you.
Florida has Todd Golden, UK has a robotic Tony Robbins. And if you read my post, when good things happen I bring attention to the good things. Just under your man, it isn’t very often. Also FYI, three of Florida players had been at Florida for awhile and were recruited as freshman. How many Freshman did Pope get this year, he has offered 12.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,110
61,422
113
He seems to be putting in the effort. Have to say that much, we seem be contacting a lot of the top guys. So I dont think hes prepping the exit just yet
 
  • Like
Reactions: TFCat11

Tri-Countycat

All-Conference
Jul 1, 2025
1,712
4,212
113
Wait, are unwittingly realizing there's a coaching problem as well?
The dude says having transfers from Arizona state and Pittsburgh didn’t help us, we need mid major players and in any other post or instance gives Pope all the benefit of being a great coach and blamed injuries, these injuries were from the players from Arizona State, and Pittsburgh. You can’t make this stuff up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigBluefoot

BlueBloodKyFan73

All-Conference
Oct 29, 2010
3,960
4,994
113
I haven’t seen Kansas signing anyone in the portal so far so hopefully that ends up working in our favor.
Keanu Dawes
Their board looks a lot like ours. A little less whiff/doubting of coach but transfers out of stars, no one signed, waiting around on Stokes, having visitors to campus not commit, etc.

The UK online fanbase is just much more prominent so we’re the ones getting talked about nationally.
 

ChocoChicken

All-Conference
Apr 6, 2026
388
1,119
93
CMP is trying as hard as he can. But that might be the problem. Players can see the desperation first hand. They know he’s probably fighting for his job and most players simply aren’t interested in being in that kind of environment.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TFCat11