We Dodged an Egomaniac, IMO!

[philstat]

The only reason many of us clung onto the hopes of getting TS was due to Pope’s abysmal performance of getting anyone else of quality which led to a desperate situation. As a father, I would never want my son to comport himself in what I’ve witnessed with this kid’s recruitment and demeanor, there are a lot more important things in life than money and fame, unfortunately many in this current generation, it’s all they seek. The amount of trolling he did was surreal and disingenuous, even his announcement, visiting the campus after already signing NIL paperwork with KU a month ago, this is representative of many in this generation, they’re an army of one, the most important thing in the universe is themselves.

I hope this is a huge wakeup call to Pope and motivates his *** like no other, if this doesn’t force change in his approach, I don’t know what will. I would work non-stop to scour the earth to find the necessary talent to crush KU and others next season, it’s time to go for broke!

 

[Praetorian Cat]

Some of you all and the incorrect information you just run with. Lol

Hint: he wasn't committed to KU for a month. He had signed non-binding non-rev sharing NIL paperwork. That was it.

 

[UKCowboys]

"Taking my talents to the University of Kansas"

Egomaniac and brain surgeon

 

[philstat]

Some of you all and the incorrect information you just run with. Lol

Not the case here, this kid knew all along what he was going to do, everything in his recruitment was centered around attention, the primary reason he was the last HS player to commit, he wanted the constant focus to be on him, very high probability he cost Pope his career at UK. Pope overly focused on him causing him to lose out on several players he likely could have gotten. That’s on Pope more so than anything, though Stokes is a pariah, IMO.

 

[KentuckyFan1965]

We passed on C Holt for this chump. Bad mistake. I tend to agree. Last year that kid at Kansas pretty much played when he wanted. That punk was never coming here. All these mistakes are adding up and taking their toll on the program. Whole thing reeks of coaching malpractice. Is there any one thing this clown has done right since he got here?

 

[Ukwazoo3]

He was honestly the only talent left to save our season. But he is really cringe/hard to watch.

 

[philstat]

Some of you all and the incorrect information you just run with. Lol

Hint: he wasn't committed to KU for a month. He had signed non-binding non-rev sharing NIL paperwork. That was it.

I get that aspect of the paperwork, absolutely, though I don’t believe for a second he ever had interest to attend UK, he used it as a platform to garner more attention.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Not the case here, this kid knew all along what he was going to do, everything in his recruitment was centered around attention, the primary reason he was the last HS player to commit, he wanted the constant focus to be on him, very high probability he cost Pope his career at UK. Pope overly focused on him causing him to lose out on several players he likely could have gotten. That’s on Pope more so than anything, though Stokes is a pariah, IMO.

Pope was the only one who didn’t get the memo. Every recruiting person said it was Kansas for the past six months. Only Nike continually upping their offer even made him think twice about it.

 

[ScWildcat3]

We passed on C Holt for this chump. Bad mistake. I tend to agree. Last year that kid at Kansas pretty much played when he wanted. That punk was never coming here. All these mistakes are adding up and taking their toll on the program. Whole thing reeks of coaching malpractice. Is there any one thing this clown has done right since he got here?

Caleb holt was never coming to Kentucky. Did we miss some others absolutely but holt was never coming.

 

[Praetorian Cat]

Not the case here, this kid knew all along what he was going to do, everything in his recruitment was centered around attention, the primary reason he was the last HS player to commit, he wanted the constant focus to be on him, very high probability he cost Pope his career at UK. Pope overly focused on him causing him to lose out on several players he likely could have gotten. That’s on Pope more so than anything, though Stokes is a pariah, IMO.

Lol, Pope wasn't going to get those players. He literally never has. Just stop!

 

[Praetorian Cat]

I get that aspect of the paperwork, absolutely, though I don’t believe for a second he ever had interest to attend UK, he used it as a platform to garner more attention.

I don't know if he did or didn't and honestly don't care. However, saying he was committed to KU for a month isn't accurate. I think they probably have been his preferred choice for a while, but he didn't actually commit until yesterday.

 

[philstat]

Lol, Pope wasn't going to get those players. He literally never has. Just stop!

I believe by money alone he could have gotten a couple of top 25 portal players, though some said he was only in contact with four, if true, that’s a failure of monumental proportions.

 

[Vek96]

The only reason many of us clung onto the hopes of getting TS was due to Pope’s abysmal performance of getting anyone else of quality which led to a desperate situation. As a father, I would never want my son to comport himself in what I’ve witnessed with this kid’s recruitment and demeanor, there are a lot more important things in life than money and fame, unfortunately many in this current generation, it’s all they seek. The amount of trolling he did was surreal and disingenuous, even his announcement, visiting the campus after already signing NIL paperwork with KU a month ago, this is representative of many in this generation, they’re an army of one, the most important thing in the universe is themselves.

I hope this is a huge wakeup call to Pope and motivates his *** like no other, if this doesn’t force change in his approach, I don’t know what will. I would work non-stop to scour the earth to find the necessary talent to crush KU and others next season, it’s time to go for broke!

Very strong possibility this is the case. I won’t be surprised in the slightest if Stokes becaomes a major pain in the *** to Self. See Petersen.

Sad State of affairs for CBB.

 

[philstat]

Very strong possibility this is the case. I won’t be surprised in the slightest if Stokes becaomes a major pain in the *** to Self. See Petersen.

Sad State of affairs for CBB.

I’m sure his handlers will do everything possible to keep him inline, though I highly doubt KU will be a FF team, I expect them to have some internal issues.

 

[Praetorian Cat]

I believe by money alone he could have gotten a couple of top 25 portal players, though some said he was only in contact with four, if true, that’s a failure of monumental proportions.

He wouldn't have. We had money last year and landed none. We've had money in the transfer portal and landed none. Good players simply do not want to play for Mark Pope. Some of them have insinuated as much.

 

[Cliffhanger82]

Football is now the shiny new bobble. I’ll be watching more this year than the last several. Thinking I’ll pass on my mostly yearly trip to Lexington to watch a basketball game. By the time March rolls around I’m hoping for some post SEC action but not holding my breath. By that time there will be lots of coaching speculation. Feels like the BCG days. This deflated feeling too will pass. It’s freaking summer with lots to do. Hoping for post season baseball. GBB!

 

[Resignmarkpope]

The only reason many of us clung onto the hopes of getting TS was due to Pope’s abysmal performance of getting anyone else of quality which led to a desperate situation. As a father, I would never want my son to comport himself in what I’ve witnessed with this kid’s recruitment and demeanor, there are a lot more important things in life than money and fame, unfortunately many in this current generation, it’s all they seek. The amount of trolling he did was surreal and disingenuous, even his announcement, visiting the campus after already signing NIL paperwork with KU a month ago, this is representative of many in this generation, they’re an army of one, the most important thing in the universe is themselves.

I hope this is a huge wakeup call to Pope and motivates his *** like no other, if this doesn’t force change in his approach, I don’t know what will. I would work non-stop to scour the earth to find the necessary talent to crush KU and others next season, it’s time to go for broke!

First game is Kansas. I can see pope getting booed again after a 30 pt loss

 

[philstat]

Football is now the shiny new bobble. I’ll be watching more this year than the last several. Thinking I’ll pass on my mostly yearly trip to Lexington to watch a basketball game. By the time March rolls around I’m hoping for some post SEC action but not holding my breath. By that time there will be lots of coaching speculation. Feels like the BCG days. This deflated feeling too will pass. It’s freaking summer with lots to do. Hoping for post season baseball. GBB!

Agree, by year three, I expect Stein to to have UK as a consistently ranked team, he’s a star in the making.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

The only reason many of us clung onto the hopes of getting TS was due to Pope’s abysmal performance of getting anyone else of quality which led to a desperate situation. As a father, I would never want my son to comport himself in what I’ve witnessed with this kid’s recruitment and demeanor, there are a lot more important things in life than money and fame, unfortunately many in this current generation, it’s all they seek. The amount of trolling he did was surreal and disingenuous, even his announcement, visiting the campus after already signing NIL paperwork with KU a month ago, this is representative of many in this generation, they’re an army of one, the most important thing in the universe is themselves.

I hope this is a huge wakeup call to Pope and motivates his *** like no other, if this doesn’t force change in his approach, I don’t know what will. I would work non-stop to scour the earth to find the necessary talent to crush KU and others next season, it’s time to go for broke!

Are we sure he signed the KU paperwork before the UK visit? If so, why didn't anyone in the media put that out there earlier? It's not like it would have hurt UK's chances at landing the kid.

 

[philstat]

Are we sure he signed the KU paperwork before the UK visit? If so, why didn't anyone in the media put that out there earlier? It's not like it would have hurt UK's chances at landing the kid.

That was reported yesterday, supposedly it was essential and non-binding, he may have done the same with UK

 

[darkshadesofblue]

That’s okay, we’re just “coping hard” according to every other fanbase

 

[Smeegs]

I think nowadays it’s hard to find top prospects who aren’t egomaniacs.

That’s what our society’s become designed to turn them into. They grow up being showered with offers from a young age and in a social media world that conditions kids to think that getting attention and bling is all that matters.

That “play for the front of jersey” mentality that coaches used to preach is now laughed at as silly old timer thinking.

 

[MonsterMash79]

Not the case here, this kid knew all along what he was going to do, everything in his recruitment was centered around attention, the primary reason he was the last HS player to commit, he wanted the constant focus to be on him, very high probability he cost Pope his career at UK. Pope overly focused on him causing him to lose out on several players he likely could have gotten. That’s on Pope more so than anything, though Stokes is a pariah, IMO.

Kinda reminds you of the BALL family

 

[dckala2_]

Get two 6’10” goons and body this dude in the first half of the champions classic.

 

[KentuckyFan1965]

He was honestly the only talent left to save our season. But he is really cringe/hard to watch.

After listening to him, he sat there and sounded like he was stoned.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Guy is a POS for sure but I still wanted the talent and really not much left to go after now.

 

[USARMYWILDCAT]

I’m probably gonna get bashed for this but I really don’t care. In my opinion, the only thing we dodged was Stokes increasing our chance of making a sweet 16. At this point, I don’t wanna give the administration any excuse to giving Pope a fourth year.

 

[MachineHead]

Maybe, but he’s gonna score 30 against UK next season when Kansas boat races Pope by 15-20.

 

[BookofMormon]

After listening to him, he sat there and sounded like he was stoned.

Kid is incredibly immature, it's widely recognized. He has as much of a chance of being a distracting locker room menace as he does helping a team go deep in a tourney. This was not the kid to hinge your season on, at all. It was the number of very good portal misses

 

[catfanlou]

Not the case here, this kid knew all along what he was going to do, everything in his recruitment was centered around attention, the primary reason he was the last HS player to commit, he wanted the constant focus to be on him, very high probability he cost Pope his career at UK. Pope overly focused on him causing him to lose out on several players he likely could have gotten. That’s on Pope more so than anything, though Stokes is a pariah, IMO.

Don’t let the agent and agency off the hook . They are unethical .

 

[bleedsblue5]

I still say that annoucement was major cringy, handing out cards of himself then putting on sunglasses right before the announcement.
Maybe Self can handle him but he would have eaten Pope alive imo.
I could see him play hardly any D and score 15 and grab 4 or 5 boards and being a brat the whole time about it for us.

7 million was 2 much, and just imagine if Kansas loses in the sweet 16 or before. Or Stokes starts playing bad and sits on them to protect draft stock, 7 million - GONE. Best case scenario is he is AD lvl good, but I think he is more than likely a Patrick Patterson lite.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

Stokes choosing Kansas is by far the least damaging part of this debacle. I even posted last week I thought he was only rated so highly because this is a weak class.

The real problem is Pope being so out of touch with reality he couldn't tell a kid was stringing him along AND put every egg in this one misguided basket.

Look at Kelsey and UL. If there was anywhere in this state he was likely to go, it was there. Kelsey sniffed this out early and went on to a great portal haul.

 

[DKersey]

some kids did not want to be on the same team as Stokes. May have been one of the drawbacks for some, since UK was for months considered the leader. Rippey comes to mind but there were others.

 

[rivercatinfl]

Not the case here, this kid knew all along what he was going to do, everything in his recruitment was centered around attention, the primary reason he was the last HS player to commit, he wanted the constant focus to be on him, very high probability he cost Pope his career at UK. Pope overly focused on him causing him to lose out on several players he likely could have gotten. That’s on Pope more so than anything, though Stokes is a pariah, IMO.

Accurate in my opinion.

 

[philstat]

some kids did not want to be on the same team as Stokes. May have been one of the drawbacks for some, since UK was for months considered the leader. Rippey comes to mind but there were others.

Yeah, beyond belief how much that kid’s BS impacted recruitment for the past 12 months

 

[philstat]

I think nowadays it’s hard to find top prospects who aren’t egomaniacs.

That’s what our society’s become designed to turn them into. They grow up being showered with offers from a young age and in a social media world that conditions kids to think that getting attention and bling is all that matters.

That “play for the front of jersey” mentality that coaches used to preach is now laughed at as silly old timer thinking.

Oh definitely, I’ve cut my interest in sports by 95%, spend more time on here than actually watching the games, due tonthat reasoning.

 

[LarryLegend9]

The only reason many of us clung onto the hopes of getting TS was due to Pope’s abysmal performance of getting anyone else of quality which led to a desperate situation. As a father, I would never want my son to comport himself in what I’ve witnessed with this kid’s recruitment and demeanor, there are a lot more important things in life than money and fame, unfortunately many in this current generation, it’s all they seek. The amount of trolling he did was surreal and disingenuous, even his announcement, visiting the campus after already signing NIL paperwork with KU a month ago, this is representative of many in this generation, they’re an army of one, the most important thing in the universe is themselves.

I hope this is a huge wakeup call to Pope and motivates his *** like no other, if this doesn’t force change in his approach, I don’t know what will. I would work non-stop to scour the earth to find the necessary talent to crush KU and others next season, it’s time to go for broke!

Popes a good guy, loves the school and has tried his absolute best here…but he’s not UK material as a coach. Poor guy can’t recruit good enough and he struggles dealing with the media. He’s better suited to be coaching somewhere like morehead state than a big time program like this.

 

[BookofMormon]

some kids did not want to be on the same team as Stokes. May have been one of the drawbacks for some, since UK was for months considered the leader. Rippey comes to mind but there were others.

Could have honestly been part of why Pope crashed in the portal.

 

[Jimmie Johnson]

Some of you all and the incorrect information you just run with. Lol

Hint: he wasn't committed to KU for a month. He had signed non-binding non-rev sharing NIL paperwork. That was it.just say e same.......

Some of you all and the incorrect information you just run with. Lol

Hint: he wasn't committed to KU for a month. He had signed non-binding non-rev sharing NIL paperwork. That was it.

Just admit it was basically the same because he already knew he was committing there. Will be be good, probably. But is he a attention seeker all while saying he didn't want the attention.......

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

I think those that are happy Kentucky didn't get the number one recruit in college basketball are delusional and on a heavy dose of copium. He might have had a huge detrimental effect on Kentucky's recruitment this year and you might reasonably wish we hadn't gone after him so hard but if you are genuinely pleased with him choosing Kansas over Kentucky yesterday you are delusional. Kentucky next year is a worse team because Stokes is not playing for us.