A question to the UK fans that are remaining calm

[kyjeff1]

Those of us that are remaining calm and not freaking out, how will you react if Pope continues to:

1) Show no fire during games
2) Continue to substitute like he did in 25/26
3) Continue to get down by double digits early in games
4) Struggle defensively
5) Lose 3 or more games before conference play

To me, these 5 things are non negotiable. If I still see these issues, I will agree with the pitchfork gang and agree he needs to be replaced.

Is there anyone out there that will look past these 5 things and support Pope past December if any of these things happen?

If so, what is your stopping point?

 

[CatFanMan66]

I jump off the Pope bandwagon today if you would just stop posting ad nauseam. Give it break son

 

[ftp000]

End result.

 

[Praetorian Cat]

You morons all do the same ****. You'll say **** now about what you would do in every freaking scenario imaginable, and then when those scenarios come to fruition, you'll make excuses and shift the goalposts. You're casuals, not diehards. That's why you're soft.

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

I jump off the Pope bandwagon today if you would just stop posting ad nauseam. Give it break son

You know you can put him on ignore and you won't see his threads right? It's pretty easy to do and doesn't make you look like an ***.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

In my mind, hes gone this time next year. The roster he has so far will be worse than last year. Ive resided to the fact that i probably wont be watching much Kentucky basketball next season. I'm at a busy time in my life with kids, so im not too upset about it.

Even this season, I kind of new quickly that this team wasnt it. Come SEC play, there were several nights I completely missed the game because I was half checked out.

So essentially, im kind of taking a year off.

 

[mdluk1]

1. Losing home games.
2. Getting blown out anywhere
3. Losing to u6
4. Missing on our top recruiting targets
5. Needs to start talking to the fans and explain the plan

 

[kyjeff1]

I jump off the Pope bandwagon today if you would just stop posting ad nauseam. Give it break son

Uh, what? I posted responses in 1 thread, didn't post anything yesterday.

Do you understand what a message board is?

 

[USARMYWILDCAT]

My question is what gives you confidence that those five points won’t happen? I’ve been given zero evidence that it will get better. I’ve tried to remain patient. At this point I have more confidence that those five points will happen. I don’t like feeling this way or saying this. At some point, you have to rip the Band-Aid off and just let it bleed out till it stops.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

OP says:

 

[kyjeff1]

In my mind, hes gone this time next year. The roster he has so far will be worse than last year. Ive resided to the fact that i probably wont be watching much Kentucky basketball next season. I'm at a busy time in my life with kids, so im not too upset about it.

Even this season, I kind of new quickly that this team wasnt it. Come SEC play, there were several nights I completely missed the game because I was half checked out.

So essentially, im kind of taking a year off.

Yeah, but you are already 100% out on Pope. I'm wondering about the others that are taking the same wait-and-see approach that I'm taking.

 

[20MRoster]

LOL you guys hating on Jeff -- he's one of the most rational here. I don't see eye to eye with Pope on him yet, but I suspect come this time next year there won't be any need for further discussion on it.

 

[kyjeff1]

OP says:

View attachment 1274125

 

[TTTblue24]

Another 10 loss season regardless if he lands stokes or not then I think he’s gone, then if he starts that idiotic subbing like last year…….it will get really ugly in Lex I believe.

 

[kyjeff1]

My question is what gives you confidence that those five points won’t happen? I’ve been given zero evidence that it will get better. I’ve tried to remain patient. At this point I have more confidence that those five points will happen. I don’t like feeling this way or saying this. At some point, you have to rip the Band-Aid off and just let it bleed out till it stops.

I have no confidence. In fact, I suspect all 5 of those issues will continue to happen.

Does this confuse you? It shouldn't. I've been saying he needs to fix these things since the Michigan State game and he never did.

I'm hopeful that a guy like Mo Williams will set him straight, but I have my doubts.

If Pope doesn't fix those 5 things, he gets what he deserves, because he will have been given plenty of chances to fix everything.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I will demand a farrrin’.

Last year was a mulligan. You only get 1.

If recruiting continues to suck, sub patterns continue to negatively impact the games, game prep is lacking, etc., it’s time to move on from Mark Pope.

Two seasons isn’t a fair shake. Three seasons is.

The main reasons I am not freaking out are:

1. I have no control over any of it, so getting worked into a tizzy over ish I can’t control isn’t something I do.

2. If it goes as poorly as the negative nellies are projecting, Pope is done here and we move on. So, rather than bitching incessantly every day, I’m just letting it play out and if we’re good next season, sweet! And if we’re bad next season, new coach! Rooting for the former, realistically expecting the latter.

 

[Monday Nitro]

I think it could have easily been the mix of players as it didn't happen in year 1. But if the same thing starts happening with a whole new group then nobody will need a pitchfork as he'll be gone. I bet it doesn't happen as we had a terrible mix of personalites.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

I will demand a farrrin’.

Last year was a mulligan. You only get 1.

If recruiting continues to suck, sub patterns continue to negatively impact the games, game prep is lacking, etc., it’s time to move on from Mark Pope.

Two seasons isn’t a fair shake. Three seasons is.

The main reasons I am not freaking out are:

1. I have no control over any of it, so getting worked into a tizzy over ish I can’t control isn’t something I do.

2. If it goes as poorly as the negative nellies are projecting, Pope is done here and we move on. So, rather than bitching incessantly every day, I’m just letting it play out and if we’re good next season, sweet! And if we’re bad next season, new coach! Rooting for the former, realistically expecting the latter.

 

[peterpiper09]

I think pretty much every category you have is relative to the situation. Being fiery on the bench depends on what the situation is on the floor. Substitution patterns depend on the players that you have, how games are being called (Shows?), and the pace which games are being played. Getting down by a bunch of points early in the game is unacceptable anytime, but you have to base that on what’s happening in the game. Are our shots just not falling for a period of time, are the opponent shots all falling? I think the biggest thing with this category is proper use of timeouts and how you come out of those timeouts. There’s no excuse for not giving 100% on defense from the onset of a game. Defense wins and that is a fact. I think a big key here is good depth that can keep you in a game with defense and not let a 5 point deficit turn into 10 to 12. As far as losing three games before conference starts, this is something I think will become more rare. People want to play good teams. Everybody doesn’t want to play Illinois State for 12 or 13 games before we start the conference. The bad part of that is if you play a lot of good teams, you’re gonna lose a few games. I think with the kind of schedule Kentucky probably will play in the near future, you can probably expect 2 to 4 losses before conference. I do think that you should not lose more than 50% of your marquee games. I would even be inclined to say you should win 75% of those in order to feel like you’re moving in the direction to contend for a championship.

 

[The Ganner]

I mean, we're either going to add more better pieces and have a competitive roster.... or we're going to go into the year hoping the roster is as good as last year's.

We're either going to gel better and not come out flat, not get our butts kicked and lay down, not collapse late game... or we're going to lose >10 games like we did last year.

Me freaking out doesn't affect either of those. I'm not that optimistic. I've just said that Pope has this year to prove himself and if he doesn't he should go. Equal to or worse than last season, he definitely should be fired. Results similar to season 1 I fear we have a fanbase that's pulling out the pitchforks but the school not wanting to pull the trigger. Might come down to boosters (pulling NIL donations, agreeing to fund buyout) - not sure our pitchforks would sway their decision.

If we do have a season similar to season 1, most likely I'm on team "fire Pope." But what if our struggles look like they were mostly due to the roster not being good enough, and recruiting has turned around and he has top talent in the freshman class signed along with key players committed to return? Not saying it's likely, but I'm not closing the door on it. What if we do sign Stokes this year, but come out and lose 10+ games and only make the sweet 16? He's lost his last what-if (what if he gets elite talent?) and I'm on team "fire Pope."

 

[St.Patterson_54_]

If Pope doesn't improve on those 5 items in a big damn hurry (especially getting down 10-15 points in the first half of games), I'm ready to take a flame thrower to this place if we don't make a change.

 

[Praetorian Cat]

Everyone acting like last year was an anomaly clearly didn't pay attention during Pope's 1st season at UK or his other 9 as a HC prior to UK.

11 years of coaching and not finished with double digits losses twice. One year was covid when they played a reduced schedule.

 

[UKCowboys]

I remain rational because it does zero good to act like an idiot. The majority of this board destroyed Cal on a personal level for years, called him names, talked about his weight, brought his family into it... for nothing. No one at the management level for UK gave two *****. When Cal left, it was of HIS OWN CHOOSING. And he bufu'd the program when he left taking everything with him but the kitchen sink. And now...half the board is crying and begging for him to come back...along with a 90 year old Rick Pitino who shot 23,000 people the bird live and all of BBN watching live. You can't make it up. Then they had their lists...Instead of legit, good candidates, it was go get Hurley, go ask Donovan to turn us down for the 4th time....and Scott Freaking Drew turned us down lol. Then we end up with Pope, who should not have been hired, no one wanted him. And now, Pope has had one bad, injury filled season, and the board screamed for him to be fired, and once again....no one in charge gave a crap. People dog out his manhood, his family, his religion...He is here, he us not "quiting today" or "worrying about his legacy"...thats third grade crap, the guy makes a ton of money doing his dream job and is a competitor, he would never quit in a million years. So why whine and cry and *****? There are tons of threads about his recruiting, when this class could end up being what it is or could be far better when its over. He isn't going anywhere this year. So why not pull for the team to win and do well? If he repeats next season, there will be plenty of time for whining and crying and calling for heads. Why spend the next year doing it for nothing?

 

[wildcatdon]

Those of us that are remaining calm and not freaking out, how will you react if Pope continues to:

1) Show no fire during games
2) Continue to substitute like he did in 25/26
3) Continue to get down by double digits early in games
4) Struggle defensively
5) Lose 3 or more games before conference play

To me, these 5 things are non negotiable. If I still see these issues, I will agree with the pitchfork gang and agree he needs to be replaced.

Is there anyone out there that will look past these 5 things and support Pope past December if any of these things happen?

If so, what is your stopping point?

I was a Pope fan until end of December. I have been calm through all of this because there is nothing I can do about it. But if he resigned tomorrow I would be ok with that. At that point I would hope the job would be offered to Bruce Pearl so we can get this program back on track. This job is way bigger than Mark thought it was and he is not the man for it. As a former player though, I love him and wish no ill will toward him. But he will be here next season and all of the points you mentioned above are huge minuses for a UK coach. I hope next season is his last unless he goes to the final 4.

 

[TFCat11]

It’s no secret where I’m at one this subject, so I’ll just add my own thoughts…

1. Pope’s natural disposition in the exact opposite for this to occur.
2. (As of now, subject to change) He won’t have the depth, or talent to be able to substitute the way he did last season, and that’s actually a blessing in disguise.
3. Given the current talent level at each position, and 2 years of observational data available, it’s almost impossible for this team not to go down (and lose) by double digits for many non-cupcake games. Even a few cupcake games might get interesting.
4. Pope doesn’t coach defense, and certainly isn’t starting with this group.
5. Lose 3 games before SEC play? Uh, try more like 7-9, and that’s barring any losses at home to “bye” teams!

Folks, if you thought last season was painful, who have seen nothing like what you are going to see next season, sans Calipari’s “Covid” season, that all things considered, I don’t really count because of all the weird circumstances.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Yeah, but you are already 100% out on Pope. I'm wondering about the others that are taking the same wait-and-see approach that I'm taking.

I just dont see any way this works and cant imagine people thinking next year is gonna be better. The only thing im holding on to is maybe last year's team had such bad chemistry that the coaching just didn't matter. I think thats possible.. but id be floored if that was the only thing wrong last year.

In my eyes, we dont just need one more piece.. we need like 2 or 3 at least.. and we need them to be highly talented.. and then, we need Pope and the staff to be able to do something with them.

As it stands now, I dont think we make the tournament.

I applaud the optimists and I really hope they're right, and im wrong. But I think we are looking down the barrel of a complete disaster.

 

[TouchdownKy]

We are stuck with him next year. I will root for him to be successful knowing it's not likely.
Then UK and AD Will make the best decision.
They know how much money is involved if they don't.

 

[anon1777473514]

Those of us that are remaining calm and not freaking out, how will you react if Pope continues to:

1) Show no fire during games
2) Continue to substitute like he did in 25/26
3) Continue to get down by double digits early in games
4) Struggle defensively
5) Lose 3 or more games before conference play

To me, these 5 things are non negotiable. If I still see these issues, I will agree with the pitchfork gang and agree he needs to be replaced.

Is there anyone out there that will look past these 5 things and support Pope past December if any of these things happen?

If so, what is your stopping point?

1.) Don’t care literally at all. If we are up 20 and the camera shows Mark Pope on the sidelines roasting marshmallows, I wouldn’t give a damn.

2.) Depends. Are the substitutions working in 2027? I can’t imagine they would but idc if he wants to play Yahtzee and roll dice to decide lineups IF WE ARE WINNING

3.) Don’t care if we get down by 42 in every single game IF WE WIN THE GAMES

4.) This one is a concern. Directly matters. Need a top 25 defense.

5.) Depends. Who did we lose to and why? How did we recover from there? I’m a big body of work guy.

There will be NO PANIC from under any circumstances from me. If Pope ain’t good enough, no sleep lost. I just grab my pitchfork at the end of the year and yell obscenities with the rest of the villagers until we get a new head man.

 

[UKSanders]

The 2024-2025 season, I think the results were not horrible given the injury situation... I know some say that injuries are part of the game, but no coach can plan for losing your top 3 PGs or a significant portion of the season (2 never returned, 1 returned playing injured), injured starting PF. That was just nuts. In light of that, I thought his in-game coaching at times was really good -i.e. winning in Knoxville with a much depleted roster.

The 2025-2026 season was a failure due to:

Roster construction: due to the 2024-25 team being outmatched physically, I think Pope overcompensated grabbing more physical athletes with less basketball skills and thought his offense would overcome their inability. The problem was it didn't, so the offense was ineffective, AND this team as a whole seemed to have a massively low basketball IQ, so both the defense and the offense was prone to long, inexcusable periods of failure.​

​

The only glimmer of hope I have moving forward for Coach Pope is that he learned his lesson this past season and adjusts the roster accordingly by recruiting athletic basketball players NOT athletes who play basketball. This shows up not just with guys who can all handle the ball but also court awareness/IQ.

 

[Littlecreek10]

I hope Pope succeeds. I have not been going crazy about this because it was 1 year but since it’s Kentucky another year like this last one and it’s over for him. Since he played here and has an understanding of the expectations, I believe he will resign if it’s a repeat of last year.

 

[kyjeff1]

I was a Pope fan until end of December. I have been calm through all of this because there is nothing I can do about it. But if he resigned tomorrow I would be ok with that. At that point I would hope the job would be offered to Bruce Pearl so we can get this program back on track. This job is way bigger than Mark thought it was and he is not the man for it. As a former player though, I love him and wish no ill will toward him. But he will be here next season and all of the points you mentioned above are huge minuses for a UK coach. I hope next season is his last unless he goes to the final 4.

I agree with all of that. If Pope got fired tomorrow, I would think it was wrong to do that, but I would be okay with it.
I believe this job is too big for Mark, but I'm good with giving him a fair chance to see if he can.

 

[KFuqua]

I'm mostly with you on those 5 things. The one I can't agree with absolutely is #5. Losing 3 games being the limit is tough to be sure about. To who? By what margin? etc.

 

[BigBlueGuru]

I will demand a farrrin’.

Last year was a mulligan. You only get 1.

If recruiting continues to suck, sub patterns continue to negatively impact the games, game prep is lacking, etc., it’s time to move on from Mark Pope.

Two seasons isn’t a fair shake. Three seasons is.

The main reasons I am not freaking out are:

1. I have no control over any of it, so getting worked into a tizzy over ish I can’t control isn’t something I do.

2. If it goes as poorly as the negative nellies are projecting, Pope is done here and we move on. So, rather than bitching incessantly every day, I’m just letting it play out and if we’re good next season, sweet! And if we’re bad next season, new coach! Rooting for the former, realistically expecting the latter.

This

 

[kyjeff1]

1.) Don’t care literally at all. If we are up 20 and the camera shows Mark Pope on the sidelines roasting marshmallows, I wouldn’t give a damn.

I'm referring to the times we were getting our butts kicked and he just stood there squinting and saying nothing. I was as mad as I've been in a long time during the Michigan State game. Pope just stood there and did nothing.

2.) Depends. Are the substitutions working in 2027? I can’t imagine they would but idc if he wants to play Yahtzee and roll dice to decide lineups IF WE ARE WINNING

IDK, his sub patterns are bad. He doesn't let players cook. It may not cost you that November game against NC State, but if he keeps doing it, we will sustain a lot of losses in SEC play. It's a momentum stopping action.

3.) Don’t care if we get down by 42 in every single game IF WE WIN THE GAMES

This is assuming we lose at least some of these games

4.) This one is a concern. Directly matters. Need a top 25 defense.

He actually had the 28th ranked defense before the Iowa State debacle

5.) Depends. Who did we lose to and why? How did we recover from there? I’m a big body of work guy.

No losses are good.

There will be NO PANIC from under any circumstances from me. If Pope ain’t good enough, no sleep lost. I just grab my pitchfork at the end of the year and yell obscenities with the rest of the villagers until we get a new head man.

Same here

 

[kyjeff1]

I'm mostly with you on those 5 things. The one I can't agree with absolutely is #5. Losing 3 games being the limit is tough to be sure about. To who? By what margin? etc.

To me, it doesn't matter who you lose to before conference play. If you go into SEC play with 4 or more losses, we are in a much deeper hole than Pope can dig out of.

 

[Monday Nitro]

Everyone acting like last year was an anomaly clearly didn't pay attention during Pope's 1st season at UK or his other 9 as a HC prior to UK.

11 years of coaching and not finished with double digits losses twice. One year was covid when they played a reduced schedule.

Now do Hurley's first bunch of years. You goobs also would have fired him at UCONN after year two. You have 2 sets of rules like a 8 year old kid with chocolate all over this face.

Good luck trying to pound negativity into others, often using half or less thruths, to drag them down to your level. Won't work.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Now do Hurley's first bunch of years. You goobs also would have fired him at UCONN after year two. You have 2 sets of rules like a 8 year old kid with chocolate all over this face.

Good luck trying to pound negativity into others, often using half or less thruths, to drag them down to your level. Won't work.

at what point should Pope be fired?

 

[Anon1774274437]

Those of us that are remaining calm and not freaking out, how will you react if Pope continues to:

1) Show no fire during games
2) Continue to substitute like he did in 25/26
3) Continue to get down by double digits early in games
4) Struggle defensively
5) Lose 3 or more games before conference play

To me, these 5 things are non negotiable. If I still see these issues, I will agree with the pitchfork gang and agree he needs to be replaced.

Is there anyone out there that will look past these 5 things and support Pope past December if any of these things happen?

If so, what is your stopping point?

Beware apathy, more and more of it is setting in for those of us who expect Kentucky to always be a contender.

 

[MachineHead]

My stopping point was 94-59 Gonzaga. If you get absolutely embarrassed like that and do not take drastic action to correct it, you’re not the guy. Pope is a good person. He’s just not UK BB head coach material. That’s fine, not many are. But dragging this out will only cause more discomfort and finger pointing.

 

[KyKevin]

LOL you guys hating on Jeff -- he's one of the most rational here. I don't see eye to eye with Pope on him yet, but I suspect come this time next year there won't be any need for further discussion on it.

I'm afraid it won't stop when Pope is gone, it will be the same s.hit with the next coach, and the next one after that, if they don't win from 1st year.