A question to the UK fans that are remaining calm

[Bluegrasskingreboot]

Not once have I looked back on a situation and regretted not panicking or failing to freak out about something.

I cannot say the opposite, consequences have been real when acting rashly or thoughtlessly.

 

[Praetorian Cat]

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.

No problem.

Hurley took over a horrible Wagner program and in his 2nd year they went from 13 -17 to 25 - 6. That was pre NIL or transfer portal.

He then went to a bad RI program and by year three, they were 23-10. His last 2 seasons they went to the NCAA tournament ( first time since 1999) and advanced past the 1st rd each year. They also won the A10 conference tournament for the first time since 1981 and regular season championship first time since 1999 during his tenure. Again, pre NIL or transfer portal.

He then took over a UConn program that was an probation from Kevin Ollie. Improved them each year with no NIL or transfer portal.

So Why would they want to fire Hurley?

 

[anon1777473514]

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.

If we were 40-0, we’d all be squinting and doing the “Mark Pope.” Stuff like this only matters when you’re losing IMO

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.

If we were beating every team by 30 with the same subs no one would be angry. The reason people are angry is they believe they cause the losses. the losses are what matters.

This is assuming we lose at least some of these games

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

Still gotta be better on defense to be true contender IMO

No losses are good.

AGREED

Same here

 

[RedwoodHigh]

Pope gets at least 2 more years after UK hires new AD.
Cats will win 24+ games in 26-27 & get to round of 32. You can’t fire a coach with 70 wins in first 3 seasons plus 4 March Madness wins & a $14 million buyout.

 

[KyKevin]

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.

I would much rather play the Gonzaga's and good teams, then to play the Po dunk highs, and win by 30. To me, it's all about how we play the game. Kentucky or any other team, are not going 40 -0.

 

[kyjeff1]

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

Being a contender is a different conversation. Right now, our roster isn't even a contender for a tournament birth, but that could change quickly.

If those 5 things I listed are rectified and Pope gets Stokes and 2 or 3 other big pieces, then we can start talking about being a contender.

If any of those 5 things are still an issue, we will not be a contender, regardless of the roster. I believe that.

 

[kyjeff1]

If we were 40-0, we’d all be squinting and doing the “Mark Pope.” Stuff like this only matters when you’re losing IMO

But we're not and we won't if he continues to be a soft, girls soccer coach.

If we were beating every team by 30 with the same subs no one would be angry. The reason people are angry is they believe they cause the losses. the losses are what matters.

But we aren't and we won't if #2 continues

Still gotta be better on defense to be true contender IMO

AGREED

 

[Catlogic1552]

Pope gets at least 2 more years after UK hires new AD.
Cats will win 24+ games in 26-27 & get to round of 32. You can’t fire a coach with 70 wins in first 3 seasons plus 4 March Madness wins & a $14 million buyout.

Very possible.

 

[anon1777473514]

But we're not and we won't if he continues to be a soft, girls soccer coach.

But we aren't and we won't if #2 continues

Calling your coach a “soft, girls soccer coach” is goofy. It’s one thing for the anti-Pope people to do but another for the people who don’t hate the guy. Just absolutely ridiculous, I like you Jeff but this is low.

You don’t have to insult the coach to appease the bloodthirsty hounds. Also, 99.9% of these reasons why people are angry are wet paper. People are angry because we are losing and rightfully so. None of that other stuff matters when we are winning. I don’t need you to agree and we can agree to disagree but I feel like I’m being honest with these things.

Losing = Mad at all the other stuff
Winning = None of the other stuff really matters

^ It’s a goofy trap and that’s all it is. If Pope didn’t squint and had “perfect substitution patterns” but lost 14 games, people will be angry over other things because that’s human nature.

 

[MonsterMash79]

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.

This

 

[CatsDomain]

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'm a wait and see. If those 5 traits repeat themselves, then there's no hope for him improving. To me the 25/26 team had bad chemistry. Some of the players flat out disliked each other and it showed on the court. The talent level was down as well. The most concerning part was that Pope didn't get the little disputes cleared up. Hopefully he learned from his mistakes and can improve year 3. If not, there probably won't be a year 4. It could be that's just who he is and he's not cut out for such a high-level program.

 

[ala_kat2]

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’ll wait and see and then decide how I feel. Pope definitely has to improve, get better players and find a way to get the guys ready to play from the first tip. So far, all indications are that he’s not cut out for this level of coaching. Hope he improves!

 

[K_TIME]

End results are all that matters...
1. We need to get back to being a 1 or 2 seed in NCAA tourney
2. To do #1....we need a 3 loss or less SEC slate
3. To do #1, we need to win all or lose 1-2 non conference big games (UL, IU, CBS Sports, State Farm classic, etc)
4. Need to get back to final four

Pope's recruting, poor defensive schemes and generally cna't get his teams to ready to play 95% or more of the time is his main downfalls. Regardless of his warts....either get it done or move on from him

 

[20MRoster]

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.

You're correct that there will be immediate pressure on the new coach, but May and Golden have proven they can win quick with high turnover teams. No excuse for a coach with full UK resource backing to not be able to win quickly.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

The sun will come up. It's just sports (football , basketball or whatever)

 

[USARMYWILDCAT]

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.

Agreed

 

[CUJO_1970]

If so, what is your stopping point?

My stopping point came and went after last season's Alabama game. My stance was only solidified as the miserable season rolled onward, culminating in absolute humiliation against Iowa State. Iowa freaking State.

If you couldn't see where this whole thing was going after all that then you probably never will.

 

[Ash Williams]

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?

"remaining calm and not freaking out"

Could you be any more condescending, KYJelly1? In other words, everyone except you and your hand-picked crew are a bunch of spastic freakouts just because they don't think Pope is going to make it happen next year and they are concerned.

In your mind, are a negative expectation and a calm demeanor mutually exclusive? Because that is pure myopia.

 

[anon1777473514]

See Jeff? ^ Look at this ridiculous post above me. This kind of stuff right here is what you’re still going to get for even being reasonable about Pope. No need to insult the coach, these bloodthirsty hounds still are going to call you a Pope Pumper AND you’ll be insulting the coach very personally who is trying (and failing) to do everything he can to return the Wildcats to glory.

 

[LarryLegend9]

Calling your coach a “soft, girls soccer coach” is goofy. It’s one thing for the anti-Pope people to do but another for the people who don’t hate the guy. Just absolutely ridiculous, I like you Jeff but this is low.

You don’t have to insult the coach to appease the bloodthirsty hounds. Also, 99.9% of these reasons why people are angry are wet paper. People are angry because we are losing and rightfully so. None of that other stuff matters when we are winning. I don’t need you to agree and we can agree to disagree but I feel like I’m being honest with these things.

Losing = Mad at all the other stuff
Winning = None of the other stuff really matters

^ It’s a goofy trap and that’s all it is. If Pope didn’t squint and had “perfect substitution patterns” but lost 14 games, people will be angry over other things because that’s human nature.

Blood thirsty hounds? I think you’re being the opposite of calm in this thread lol

 

[kyjeff1]

Calling your coach a “soft, girls soccer coach” is goofy. It’s one thing for the anti-Pope people to do but another for the people who don’t hate the guy. Just absolutely ridiculous, I like you Jeff but this is low.

Uh, well, I was a girls soccer coach years ago, it's not an insult.
I also have 2 daughters and 2 grand daughters, I know the mentality it takes and Mark Pope has it. You can't constantly call your players "Beautiful" and not hold your players accountable and expect me to think you're a tough, hard nosed coach. This is the main reason why we all helieve this job might be too much for Mark. You can't be soft and I'm sorry, Pope is soft and he needs to fix that.
Go back to the pre game locker room speech he gave before the Michigan State game. It was cringy at best and oozed softness. Am I supposed to just ignore that and the other red flags?
I'm all in on hoping he kills it this year, but I see no avenue for that if he doesn't toughen up.

You don’t have to insult the coach to appease the bloodthirsty hounds. Also, 99.9% of these reasons why people are angry are wet paper. People are angry because we are losing and rightfully so. None of that other stuff matters when we are winning. I don’t need you to agree and we can agree to disagree but I feel like I’m being honest with these things.

I've given Pope his flowers for many things, but I'm not going to view him with only one lense. You can look at what I said as an insult, I'm looking at it as I'm calling a spade, a spade.

Losing = Mad at all the other stuff
Winning = None of the other stuff really matters

He's not doing enough of option 2 and I listed the 5 things I believe are causing it.
Problem is, he wins a big game, then loses to an NIT the next. His style creates that roller coaster.

^ It’s a goofy trap and that’s all it is. If Pope didn’t squint and had “perfect substitution patterns” but lost 14 games, people will be angry over other things because that’s human nature.

 

[kyjeff1]

My stopping point came and went after last season's Alabama game. My stance was only solidified as the miserable season rolled onward, culminating in absolute humiliation against Iowa State. Iowa freaking State.

If you couldn't see where this whole thing was going after all that then you probably never will.

I think the 25/26 team was broken. The Louisville, MSU and Gonzaga games made that very obvious. I'm not sure any coach wins those games with a broken locker room.

Hopefully that doesn't hapoen in year 3. I think the 24/25 team was very close.

 

[kyjeff1]

"remaining calm and not freaking out"

Could you be any more condescending, KYJelly1? In other words, everyone except you and your hand-picked crew are a bunch of spastic freakouts just because they don't think Pope is going to make it happen next year and they are concerned.

In your mind, are a negative expectation and a calm demeanor mutually exclusive? Because that is pure myopia.

Thanks for your grade school contribution, Ashtray.

 

[anon1777473514]

Uh, well, I was a girls soccer coach years ago, it's not an insult.
I also have 2 daughters and 2 grand daughters, I know the mentality it takes and Mark Pope has it. You can't constantly call your players "Beautiful" and not hold your players accountable and expect me to think you're a tough, hard nosed coach. This is the main reason why we all helieve this job might be too much for Mark. You can't be soft and I'm sorry, Pope is soft and he needs to fix that.
Go back to the pre game locker room speech he gave before the Michigan State game. It was cringy at best and oozed softness. Am I supposed to just ignore that and the other red flags?
I'm all in on hoping he kills it this year, but I see no avenue for that if he doesn't toughen up.

I've given Pope his flowers for many things, but I'm not going to view him with only one lense. You can look at what I said as an insult, I'm looking at it as I'm calling a spade, a spade.

He's not doing enough of option 2 and I listed the 5 things I believe are causing it.
Problem is, he wins a big game, then loses to an NIT the next. His style creates that roller coaster.

Like you. But even when I reread your post, it certainly doesn’t sound like a fair-minded critique. I’ll just agree to disagree with you on this one, my friend

 

[anon1777473514]

Blood thirsty hounds? I think you’re being the opposite of calm in this thread lol

I was very calm when I said it and I’ll calmly reiterate that there are many blood thirsty hounds who feast on negativity regarding the coach.

 

[Ash Williams]

See Jeff? ^ Look at this ridiculous post above me. This kind of stuff right here is what you’re still going to get for even being reasonable about Pope. No need to insult the coach, these bloodthirsty hounds still are going to call you a Pope Pumper AND you’ll be insulting the coach very personally who is trying (and failing) to do everything he can to return the Wildcats to glory.

Did I call him a Pope Pumper?

Straw man much?

 

[Ash Williams]

Thanks for your grade school contribution, Ashtray.

Your stupidity is surpassed only by your arrogance, KYJelly1.

 

[anon1777473514]

Did I call him a Pope Pumper?

Straw man much?

No but you call people PPs all the time. Not hating you either. Completely understand why people are frustrated.

 

[Ash Williams]

No but you call people PPs all the time. Not hating you either. Completely understand why people are frustrated.

"All the time" - name the last time I did that. Go ahead, quote it. And what was ridiculous about my post? He was being condescending, I called him out for it.

Maybe you should read posts before commenting on them.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I'm calm due to apathy. I am in the show me Missouri state of mind. I have 0 expectations he will do it but maybe he will prove me wrong .

Other posters are right we have 0 control over UK basketball or sports teams n general. It's a passionate hobby though

 

[ChocoChicken]

I’m just frustrated we wasted 3 years on this nonsense when everyone knew it wasn’t going to work. I hoped CMP would have proved everyone wrong and I still do. But at the end of the day, Mitch and Mark basically wasted everyone’s time.

 

[Adolph B. Calipari]

I completely get the frustrations as well. I’m not out just yet, but I might be done with Pope after this season if we don’t see some progress. Still, I’ll give him credit where it’s due.

That huddle at the end of the dUKe game where he told the team exactly what CF was going to do and he was right. He beat St John's, Tennessee numerous times and UofL once, not bad at all in my book.

But the blowout losses are definitely a concern and I'm hoping he has the personnel next season to right some of the wrongs. Missing on Wilson and not having a backup PG are what really hurt us this past season.

Did last season fall short of expectations? Definitely, but it’s also possible the whole thing could have completely derailed with someone else in charge under those same circumstances.

 

[Shidler8684]

I wish things were better, but I’m not unhappy about the way they are. I suffered through probation, man. Beyond embarrassing and pathetic. We usually win a national championship, on average, once a decade. Far better than most and I hope that continues. I’ll root for the Cats intensely unless they cheat. If we do, I hope we lose every game. I will say the portal and NIL have made things less fun, but that’s not the Cats fault.

 

[kyjeff1]

Your stupidity is surpassed only by your arrogance, KYJelly1.

 

[Bkocats]

I'm calm due to apathy. I am in the show me Missouri state of mind. I have 0 expectations he will do it but maybe he will prove me wrong .

Other posters are right we have 0 control over UK basketball or sports teams n general. It's a passionate hobby though

Exactly where I am
I’ll enjoy if anything good happens
I’ll go on with my day when it doesnt
I’m a little sad that I don’t have the joy I used to have. But not much can be done

i still like Mark Pope. It’s hard not to.
I don’t care much for Coach Pope ..he does need to step down and I hope his love for UK will tell him to do so sooner rather than later

 

[anon1777473514]

"All the time" - name the last time I did that. Go ahead, quote it. And what was ridiculous about my post? He was being condescending, I called him out for it.

Maybe you should read posts before commenting on them.

73.5% of respondents say yes.

I thought it was only a couple of people, sunshine pumpers!?

The sunshine pumpers will mysteriously vanish when Cal leaves. Hmmm...

Sunshine pumper timeline:

1. We got a $22 million payroll babeeee! 40-0!
2. So what if we lost 4 games, let's see how the season plays out, shut up and stop whining fake fans!
3. We beat IU and St.J, suck it haters! 36-4!
4. Hey, look over there! It's next year's recruits! <<<<<<<<------------YOU ARE HERE

No, he's responding to all the pumpers who want to tout last season as some sort of proof that Pope is an overachiever and that is evidence that he will turn this around if he can just get 15 years to get his system in place.

Some of you sunshine pumpers almost seem to think that we give a hot sh what you think

Just the first page of them, brutha. Love me or hate me, I don’t just make up

 

[Noledynasty2490]

Considering he had a week to build a team and the injury situation he encountered, his first year was great. To win double digit quad 1 games and make the S16 was a damn good year. Who knows, if we get someone other than Tennessee for a third time maybe we go farther.

Year 2 was bad. People obviously got in his ear and told him he needed a much more physical team to compete in the SEC and we way overcompensated and had a bunch of guys out there with really bad basketball IQ and couldn't shoot or pass to save their lives.

So one good year, one bad. There's your one mulligan.

He was always getting year 3 so there's no reason to freak out. Why?

 

Noledynasty2490

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[W1LDCAT22]

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.

Well this escalated quickly!

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

I don't know.

I mean I think some people just decide to focus on things they can control.

Wether I hate Pope or love Pope, he's the current coach. At the end of the day, I just turn the games on and root for my team lol.

 

[anon1777473514]

I don't know.

I mean I think some people just decide to focus on things they can control.

Whether I hate Pope or love Pope, he's the current coach. At the end of the day, I just turn the games on and root for my team lol.

WeLl, YoU’rE tHe PrObLeM WiTh KeNtUcKy BaSkEtBaLl