Why are there so many self-loathing UK fans?

[ChocoChicken]

Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and on fan forums like here, I see so many UK fans who genuinely appear to hate their fellow fans. There’s this weird attempt to police any negativity or slights to anyone who has even the most minimal connection to the UK team or the program.

Fans who blame other fans more than the administration and coaches themselves.

It’s weird because I don’t think that UK fans are any more negative or unique than Alabama or Tennessee or Duke and UNC fans. I certainly do not see these fans constantly prattle on about their fellow fans like we do. So why the hate for your fellow UK fans? Some of these guys hate their fellow fan more than their rivals. And there’s enough of them for me to believe it’s not just trolls. Something is seriously wrong with a part of our fanbase.

 

[Catphright23]

If you continuously be negative it's different than criticism. If you constantly ***** it just looks questionable. If you are a fan of something shouldn't you find any joy in it. Internet has made things worse and we have the most fans.

 

[ftp000]

Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and on fan forums like here, I see so many UK fans who genuinely appear to hate their fellow fans. There’s this weird attempt to police any negativity or slights to anyone who has even the most minimal connection to the UK team or the program.

Fans who blame other fans more than the administration and coaches themselves.

It’s weird because I don’t think that UK fans are any more negative or unique than Alabama or Tennessee or Duke and UNC fans. I certainly do not see these fans constantly prattle on about their fellow fans like we do. So why the hate for your fellow UK fans? Some of these guys hate their fellow fan more than their rivals. And there’s enough of them for me to believe it’s not just trolls. Something is seriously wrong with a part of our fanbase.

Some of these jackals put for sale signs in Tubby's yard and accosted his wife at the grocery store. This place is different.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

We have no one to blame other than Mitch. We haven’t had a competent basketball team in 7 years. Maybe the longest stretch in UK history and the administration has allowed this. They expect basketball fans to behave like UK football and just be happy with a competitive product. Hiring of Pope further separated and fragmented the fan base. One side of the argument expects a winning product regardless of who the coach is, where he played, etc. The other side wants to be right so badly that they can’t see the red flags waving in front of their face. I’m not gonna blindly follow a guy just because Mitch said so or because Pitino told us to get in line.

 

[ftp000]

If you continuously be negative it's different than criticism. If you constantly ***** it just looks questionable. If you are a fan of something shouldn't you find any joy in it. Internet has made things worse and we have the most fans.

Internet anonymity to be exact

 

[anon1777473514]

Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and on fan forums like here, I see so many UK fans who genuinely appear to hate their fellow fans. There’s this weird attempt to police any negativity or slights to anyone who has even the most minimal connection to the UK team or the program.

Fans who blame other fans more than the administration and coaches themselves.

It’s weird because I don’t think that UK fans are any more negative or unique than Alabama or Tennessee or Duke and UNC fans. I certainly do not see these fans constantly prattle on about their fellow fans like we do. So why the hate for your fellow UK fans? Some of these guys hate their fellow fan more than their rivals. And there’s enough of them for me to believe it’s not just trolls. Something is seriously wrong with a part of our fanbase.

That goes both ways. And when the Cats are losing, it goes more strongly in the direction of “if you have anything positive to say, you are the problem.” I consider myself pretty firmly outside the optimistic or pessimistic camps. However, you know how many times in the last few months I’ve told someone they are the reason Kentucky basketball is struggling because they are too pessimistic? Zero. Do you know how many times I’ve been told that I am directly part of the destruction of the program for being too “optimistic”? Probably well over a hundred times. I still contend most of the “positive” posters are very kind and respectful. There’s about 2-3 that are more outspoken. On the other hand, the other group it’s about 20-30 people that are very loud and outspoken and they will at you, call you nasty names, be disrespectful, tell you you’re not a fan etc. — and not for trying to convince anyone of your view but simply holding it. Mods here, who I respect, tend to say it swings both ways — I see a minority opinion getting crushed by a loud and passionate massive majority in a pretty unfair imbalance if I’m honest.

 

[Buckwheat Otay Is Dead]

Twitter Turds is what I call them. Twitter Turds

 

[Ukwazoo3]

Everywhere has their crazies. I don't know why some think it's only UK.

 

[BellyBall]

Social media are at an all-time high. UK is nearing an all-time final 4 drought. The combination has not been pretty. We all just want UK to win, do that and a lot of the back and forth between fans goes away.

 

[Bleedin Blue in Ohio]

We have no one to blame other than Mitch. We haven’t had a competent basketball team in 7 years. Maybe the longest stretch in UK history and the administration has allowed this. They expect basketball fans to behave like UK football and just be happy with a competitive product. Hiring of Pope further separated and fragmented the fan base. One side of the argument expects a winning product regardless of who the coach is, where he played, etc. The other side wants to be right so badly that they can’t see the red flags waving in front of their face. I’m not gonna blindly follow a guy just because Mitch said so or because Pitino told us to get in line.

That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever seen. No one blindly says Coach Pope no matter what. I was not thrilled with the hire. I wanted Billy Donovan. He was hired. Now give him his chance. He had a good team his first year. I think if not for Jaxson Robinson's injury that team would have been a final 4 team. He had talented players here last year but again injuries derailed the season. I think his pivot mid-season to play to the strengths of the team he had left on the court allowed the team to win 20+ games and make it to the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney. That season could have very easily been another lost season like 2020/2021 season. I give him credit for that, but last season was unacceptable result in the end and must be improved on. I want to see what kind of team he can put together this year. I don't care about player rankings. I care about wins and losses. Player rankings get you DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, and Justin Edwards. If rankings mattered that team should have been a final 4 team. If player rankings mattered Cal should have been as successful of a Basketball Coach as Nick Saban was a Football Coach. He wasn't. It was criminal the talent he had and only won 1 Natty. But we have a whole host of clown fans that want player rankings so they can come on here and post #9 is in the books just to lose to Oakland and St. Peters. I don't care if Coach Pope gets 1 ranked player or a whole team of ranked players if he can win, he deserves the job but if he has another repeat of last year, it will be time to look elsewhere. But to cry around like a bunch of snowflakes just because you did not like the hire of Coach Pope or the rankings of the players is idiotic without him having fair chance to prove it on the court.

 

[Cats4321]

There are a lot of people who think pretending to be positive all the time makes them a better fan. It gives them a feeling of superiority. They are almost obnoxious with their positivity. I believe we should have high standards when it comes to UK basketball. Be happy when things are going well, but it's perfectly fine to be negative when we haven't had any success in several years. Most successful sports teams have very demanding fans.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Agree with Village that it goes both ways.

I am a “Pope Pumper” and a “Popette” because I said “he’s not getting fired midseason and will be here for a third year” all last season. Never once endorsed it or said it was deserved. Just said it was reality.

But reality didn’t fit the screaming, and if we’re being honest, whining. If you don’t join the mob and grab a torch, you get labeled as “accepting mediocrity” (as if I, MegaBlue05, can march into the basketball offices and demand dominance and it will happen.)

As evidence for it going both ways, remember the threads this past season with “Where’s the LOD?” after wins and “Pope Pumpers where you at?” after losses? That was the two warring factions literally tagging other posters to “na na na boo boo” each other. It was very immature all the way around, and also kind of sad how some posters seemed to root for us to lose so they can be “right” on the internet.

Some fans police negativity. Others get mad if you aren’t negative with them. Truly a two-way street between sunshine and roses and doom and gloom.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever seen. No one blindly says Coach Pope no matter what. I was not thrilled with the hire. I wanted Billy Donovan. He was hired. Now give him his chance. He had a good team his first year. I think if not for Jaxson Robinson's injury that team would have been a final 4 team. He had talented players here last year but again injuries derailed the season. I think his pivot mid-season to play to the strengths of the team he had left on the court allowed the team to win 20+ games and make it to the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney. That season could have very easily been another lost season like 2020/2021 season. I give him credit for that, but last season was unacceptable result in the end and must be improved on. I want to see what kind of team he can put together this year. I don't care about player rankings. I care about wins and losses. Player rankings get you DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, and Justin Edwards. If rankings mattered that team should have been a final 4 team. If player rankings mattered Cal should have been as successful of a Basketball Coach as Nick Saban was a Football Coach. He wasn't. It was criminal the talent he had and only won 1 Natty. But we have a whole host of clown fans that want player rankings so they can come on here and post #9 is in the books just to lose to Oakland and St. Peters. I don't care if Coach Pope gets 1 ranked player or a whole team of ranked players if he can win, he deserves the job but if he has another repeat of last year, it will be time to look elsewhere. But to cry around like a bunch of snowflakes just because you did not like the hire of Coach Pope or the rankings of the players is idiotic without him having fair chance to prove it on the court.

Injuries happen and people get fired over them, it’s just the way it is. UNC lost its top 5 draft pick before the NCAA and it cost Hubert Davis his job and he has a final four. Pope has broken more negative records than any coach in UK history. I agree he started hot but the last 25 games against ranked teams would get most basketball school coaches fired. I wanted Pope to work, but you can’t offer 11 top freshman kids and miss on them all, that’s a horrible look and spells doom for the future. If they weren’t good enough and if Pope didn’t want them, he wouldn’t have offered. Why did he miss them all? UK has a major problem. You can’t say you don’t care who Pope gets as long as they are good regardless of ranking. Well Pope is getting his second and third choices, you think we will ever win a SEC and Final Four doing that?

 

[Major_Tom]

I can only speak for myself, but my experience on a forum like this is improved by being constructive, kind, and assuming the best intentions of people. There are humans behind the screen. It’s easy to ignore that.

 

[KentuckyMildCats]

Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and on fan forums like here, I see so many UK fans who genuinely appear to hate their fellow fans. There’s this weird attempt to police any negativity or slights to anyone who has even the most minimal connection to the UK team or the program.

Fans who blame other fans more than the administration and coaches themselves.

It’s weird because I don’t think that UK fans are any more negative or unique than Alabama or Tennessee or Duke and UNC fans. I certainly do not see these fans constantly prattle on about their fellow fans like we do. So why the hate for your fellow UK fans? Some of these guys hate their fellow fan more than their rivals. And there’s enough of them for me to believe it’s not just trolls. Something is seriously wrong with a part of our fanbase.

I hate any "fans" who were hoping we'd lose against Santa Clara. Also I just really don't care for the ones who consistently jump at any chance to be negative 24/7 it seems. Like Pope hasn't been great but you crying, moaning, and hating doesn't help the program, like if he fails this season he's gonna get canned so like let it play out. It's like a hive mind of chucklefcks repeating the same joke over and over again. I think there's a lot of trolls on this board particularly and a lot of idiots who seek attention on twitter.

 

[KentuckyMildCats]

We have no one to blame other than Mitch. We haven’t had a competent basketball team in 7 years. Maybe the longest stretch in UK history and the administration has allowed this. They expect basketball fans to behave like UK football and just be happy with a competitive product. Hiring of Pope further separated and fragmented the fan base. One side of the argument expects a winning product regardless of who the coach is, where he played, etc. The other side wants to be right so badly that they can’t see the red flags waving in front of their face. I’m not gonna blindly follow a guy just because Mitch said so or because Pitino told us to get in line.

This is at least fair.

 

[Catphright23]

If you are bitching about recruits then talk **** about getting zoom is the crap I hate. Don't hate on every piece of news

 

[DelkBowl]

I’m not sure he know what the word self-loathing means

 

[Anon1774274437]

Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and on fan forums like here, I see so many UK fans who genuinely appear to hate their fellow fans. There’s this weird attempt to police any negativity or slights to anyone who has even the most minimal connection to the UK team or the program.

Fans who blame other fans more than the administration and coaches themselves.

It’s weird because I don’t think that UK fans are any more negative or unique than Alabama or Tennessee or Duke and UNC fans. I certainly do not see these fans constantly prattle on about their fellow fans like we do. So why the hate for your fellow UK fans? Some of these guys hate their fellow fan more than their rivals. And there’s enough of them for me to believe it’s not just trolls. Something is seriously wrong with a part of our fanbase.

Some of us remember when a 10 loss season was unacceptable other than a one off here or there.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

UK hasn't been elite in several seasons. The AD made a lazy hire and we're stuck with it for at least another season. While a great guy, Mark has been a mediocre coach. I think there's a portion of the fanbase that isn't able to separate the coach from the person (and former player).

Also, with the way the UNC coaching search went, it has caused concern for the future if next season goes how the recent seasons have gone.

All in all, it's hard to see a light at the end of this tunnel we have been in for several seasons.

 

[vhcat1970]

We have no one to blame other than Mitch. We haven’t had a competent basketball team in 7 years. Maybe the longest stretch in UK history and the administration has allowed this. They expect basketball fans to behave like UK football and just be happy with a competitive product. Hiring of Pope further separated and fragmented the fan base. One side of the argument expects a winning product regardless of who the coach is, where he played, etc. The other side wants to be right so badly that they can’t see the red flags waving in front of their face. I’m not gonna blindly follow a guy just because Mitch said so or because Pitino told us to get in line.

Baloney. You own your own emotional reactions to events. No one else does.

 

[Kyfan96]

There are a lot of people who think pretending to be positive all the time makes them a better fan. It gives them a feeling of superiority. They are almost obnoxious with their positivity. I believe we should have high standards when it comes to UK basketball. Be happy when things are going well, but it's perfectly fine to be negative when we haven't had any success in several years. Most successful sports teams have very demanding fans.

This 100%. You can be a fan of something and be critical at the same time. I consider myself realistic, not negative. Unfortunately, realistic is frowned upon nowadays because it doesn't sound nice. If we make a bad hire, decision, have a bad team or whatever, I'm going to say it. Others view that as negative, I view it as just saying what I see.
I also understand that I'm a fan of a program that has historically been on top and still has the resources to be, so I know that having high expectations isn't crazy. If I were a Murray State fan I wouldn't have the same expectations that I do for UK.
Another thing to understand is that having fans that are demanding is what keeps programs/organization on top. Sports are also business and if you're overly positive and never critical, then you're doing exactly what they want you to do. They would love for every fan to be overly positive with low expectations, and find joy in everything they do no matter what. You know why? It's Not because it creates a warm a positive environment around the program, it's because they know they don't have to shell out money for high profile players or coaches and everyone will still pay to come to games, buy merchandise, watch on tv, etc whether they win or lose.
That's why I also consider Fandom a relationship. If you're expected to take time out of your day to watch a game or spend your hard earned money on merchandise, tickets, or even a tv package so you can watch games, then the program/organization should be doing everything in their power to make sure it's worth the time and money to do so.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

UK hasn't been elite in several seasons. The AD made a lazy hire and we're stuck with it for at least another season. While a great guy, Mark has been a mediocre coach. I think there's a portion of the fanbase that isn't able to separate the coach from the person (and former player).

Also, with the way the UNC coaching search went, it has caused concern for the future if next season goes how the recent seasons have gone.

All in all, it's hard to see a light at the end of this tunnel we have been in for several seasons.

Agree with all of this but I’m not so sure UNC is upset about a NBA champion as a coach. I’d trade personally.

 

[Trinity45]

Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and on fan forums like here, I see so many UK fans who genuinely appear to hate their fellow fans. There’s this weird attempt to police any negativity or slights to anyone who has even the most minimal connection to the UK team or the program.

Fans who blame other fans more than the administration and coaches themselves.

It’s weird because I don’t think that UK fans are any more negative or unique than Alabama or Tennessee or Duke and UNC fans. I certainly do not see these fans constantly prattle on about their fellow fans like we do. So why the hate for your fellow UK fans? Some of these guys hate their fellow fan more than their rivals. And there’s enough of them for me to believe it’s not just trolls. Something is seriously wrong with a part of our fanbase.

Please note, not all are true UK fans, you would be surprised at how many trolls have UK accounts. I know of a couple who spend more time on UK's site than their own team's site.

 

[cawoodsct]

Go over the top to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers but online you only hurt the program. Try to keep it somewhat in check online.

 

[preacherfan]

Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and on fan forums like here, I see so many UK fans who genuinely appear to hate their fellow fans. There’s this weird attempt to police any negativity or slights to anyone who has even the most minimal connection to the UK team or the program.

Fans who blame other fans more than the administration and coaches themselves.

It’s weird because I don’t think that UK fans are any more negative or unique than Alabama or Tennessee or Duke and UNC fans. I certainly do not see these fans constantly prattle on about their fellow fans like we do. So why the hate for your fellow UK fans? Some of these guys hate their fellow fan more than their rivals. And there’s enough of them for me to believe it’s not just trolls. Something is seriously wrong with a part of our fanbase.

Truth be told, it is commonly believed on this board that what you post had a direct impact on the program. For example, if you don't bash Pope for anything and everything under the sun and dare to defend him for even something minor, some posters go postal accusing you of destroying the program.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

Agree with all of this but I’m not so sure UNC is upset about a NBA champion as a coach. I’d trade personally.

Most definitely, but I was more speaking to the fact of how many coaches didn't want that job.

 

[PoopooPeePee]

If you continuously be negative it's different than criticism. If you constantly ***** it just looks questionable. If you are a fan of something shouldn't you find any joy in it. Internet has made things worse and we have the most fans.

How do you find joy when the product sucks?

 

[Vek96]

How do you find joy when the product sucks?

The product has been below par for 6 years. Pope deserves another year. Remember, his first, all things considered, was considered successful. Year 2, most everyone thought he had killed it in the portal. Injuries, and over valuing a couple of portal guys led to a disappointing season.

So, if you are really honest, he deserves the benefit of the doubt, but most of our fans just want to trash him.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

They expect basketball fans to behave like UK football and just be happy with a competitive product.

Football is in a completely different boat historically than basketball. The SEC in fb has always been a meat grinder so seeing us rise and play hard against a tough schedule i(and occasionally knock off a top team) is awesome to us. Compare this to basketball where up until the recent past the rest of the conference hardly invested in basketball.

as far as expectations go, dont think they won't rise as we make gains in fb.

As a "football first guy", I respectfully disagree with that sentiment.

 

[YankeeCpt_rivals378522]

cause Pope keeps flicking our testicles.

 

[jameslee32]

​

There might be riots regardless. The frustration among the UK fanbase is so bad you can feel like we’re just waiting to explode in anger over the slightest pin drop.

 

[tinfoil]

Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and on fan forums like here, I see so many UK fans who genuinely appear to hate their fellow fans. There’s this weird attempt to police any negativity or slights to anyone who has even the most minimal connection to the UK team or the program.

Fans who blame other fans more than the administration and coaches themselves.

It’s weird because I don’t think that UK fans are any more negative or unique than Alabama or Tennessee or Duke and UNC fans. I certainly do not see these fans constantly prattle on about their fellow fans like we do. So why the hate for your fellow UK fans? Some of these guys hate their fellow fan more than their rivals. And there’s enough of them for me to believe it’s not just trolls. Something is seriously wrong with a part of our fanbase.

Because trolls hate and need attentuon, unfortunately, the mods don't care.

 

[BigBluefoot]

Really, we are back to "y'all are just bad fans" talking points again? "Toxic fans." " Microwave fans." I could go on.
There is something "seriously wrong" with the UKAA, not the fans.

BTW if you bother to read carefully, it will become abundantly clear that the sunshine pumpers are the ones attacking posters personally and calling names. But hey let's pretend everything is aces and 90% of the fanbase's cheese has suddenly slid off the cracker for no apparent reason.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever seen. No one blindly says Coach Pope no matter what. I was not thrilled with the hire. I wanted Billy Donovan. He was hired. Now give him his chance. He had a good team his first year. I think if not for Jaxson Robinson's injury that team would have been a final 4 team. He had talented players here last year but again injuries derailed the season. I think his pivot mid-season to play to the strengths of the team he had left on the court allowed the team to win 20+ games and make it to the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney. That season could have very easily been another lost season like 2020/2021 season. I give him credit for that, but last season was unacceptable result in the end and must be improved on. I want to see what kind of team he can put together this year. I don't care about player rankings. I care about wins and losses. Player rankings get you DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, and Justin Edwards. If rankings mattered that team should have been a final 4 team. If player rankings mattered Cal should have been as successful of a Basketball Coach as Nick Saban was a Football Coach. He wasn't. It was criminal the talent he had and only won 1 Natty. But we have a whole host of clown fans that want player rankings so they can come on here and post #9 is in the books just to lose to Oakland and St. Peters. I don't care if Coach Pope gets 1 ranked player or a whole team of ranked players if he can win, he deserves the job but if he has another repeat of last year, it will be time to look elsewhere. But to cry around like a bunch of snowflakes just because you did not like the hire of Coach Pope or the rankings of the players is idiotic without him having fair chance to prove it on the court.

The losses are not the problem. The total lack of coaching, conditioning and player development are the problems. Then throw dozens of game of not playing hard and some just quitting and you get to where we are now.

Pope does nothing well as a head coach. No redeeming qualities as a coach. Sure he's a nice guy. But there's millions of nice guys that can't coach basketball.

I was pretty done with Pope after the Mich St game. Then completely done after Gonzaga. This is not going to get better. UK basketball will begin to heal the day that Pope is no longer the coach. And not a day before.

 

[BigBluefoot]

I’m not sure he know what the word self-loathing means

I'm into self loaving.

 

[ChocoChicken]

I’m not sure he know what the word self-loathing means

Self-hatred - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Buckwheat Otay Is Dead]

Social media are at an all-time high. UK is nearing an all-time final 4 drought. The combination has not been pretty. We all just want UK to win, do that and a lot of the back and forth between fans goes away.

The Internet

 

[JakeKx]

I feel it’s the opposite. All I see are self righteous ******** who think any negativity at all is a problem. Negativity is very warranted. This program is a complete joke right now and has been for years. I’m convinced it’s just staffer burners trying to change the narrative. Hell, you all even turned on Matt Jones and started bitching at him when he’s always positive. Almost made me feel sorry for the guy, almost.
For some reason you all think you deserve a higher voice and have worked your *** off to make sure you’re front and center when in reality you’re the problem. Demand change. Stop approving of mediocrity.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and on fan forums like here, I see so many UK fans who genuinely appear to hate their fellow fans. There’s this weird attempt to police any negativity or slights to anyone who has even the most minimal connection to the UK team or the program.

Fans who blame other fans more than the administration and coaches themselves.

It’s weird because I don’t think that UK fans are any more negative or unique than Alabama or Tennessee or Duke and UNC fans. I certainly do not see these fans constantly prattle on about their fellow fans like we do. So why the hate for your fellow UK fans? Some of these guys hate their fellow fan more than their rivals. And there’s enough of them for me to believe it’s not just trolls. Something is seriously wrong with a part of our fanbase.

Getting annoyed by negative whiners is not the definition of self-loathing.