Pope's seat could be inferno hot even before the start of conference play

[bigblue1971]

VS - Kansas- Champions Classic
Home - Louisville
@ - Indiana
VS - North Carolina- CBS Classic
ACC-SEC Challenge @ ACC school

Possibility of 4 or 5 losses at least before conference play. Could get even uglier quickly.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Imagine if we lose to a mid major or two at home

 

[TFCat11]

Some of us knew this would be the reality, and said another season with Pope would be a monumental mistake, however, we were shot down by the participation trophy gang.

Here’s another dose of reality… UK will be out of the NCAAT by the beginning of February 2027.

 

[UKCowboys]

Some of us knew this would be the reality, and said another season with Pope would be a monumental mistake, however, we were shot down by the participation trophy gang.

Here’s another dose of reality… UK will be out of the NCAAT by the beginning of February 2027.

Crazy as Hell

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Some of us knew this would be the reality, and said another season with Pope would be a monumental mistake, however, we were shot down by the participation trophy gang.

Here’s another dose of reality… UK will be out of the NCAAT by the beginning of February 2027.

Hard not to agree.

 

[legalbeagle123]

It is already inferno.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

The true fans have to take back the program. No more excuses that Sweet Sixteens make a season, conference titles don't matter, conference tournament titles dont matter, the Coach deserves time to get his guys to build the program... enough.

I'm not negative for the negativity. I'm negative because the truth about the program rn is negative. I don't hate Pope, or Barnhart either.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Possibility of 4 or 5 losses at least before conference play. Could get even uglier quickly.
[/QUOTE]
Could be. But, right now, today, May 4, 2026, Kentucky's roster isn't worse than Kansas, UNC or Indiana.

Kansas: Even if Stokes turns out to be the next Darryn Peterson, last year's #1 recruit (hint: He won't be. Not even close) he probably won't be dominating in early November. After all, the dunce Mark Pope beat Duke with Flagg and Kneuppel, this year's 1 and 2 best NBA rookies. And Kansas has little else right now. As of today, Kentucky is better.

UNC: Very shaky portal so far for their virgin (for colllege) head coach. As of today, Kentucky has a better roster.

Indiana: Lost literally everybody. Went out like a sprinter in a marathon and signed a bunch of guys who Kentucky fans would be throwing overboard as the desperate efforts of Coach Whiffer. No worse than a toss up right now, even in Bloomington.

I'll admit Louisville has had a much better portal than Kentucky. We'll see how they do in Rupp. Last time they won there was nearly 20 years ago, during the brief, unlamented tenure of Billy Clyde Gillispie.

So, maybe Kentucky loses all or almost all those games. But some of you shouldn't be counting your rotten eggs as Ls before they hatch.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Possibility of 4 or 5 losses at least before conference play. Could get even uglier quickly.

Could be. But, right now, today, May 4, 2026, Kentucky's roster isn't worse than Kansas, UNC or Indiana.

Kansas: Even if Stokes turns out to be the next Cooper Flagg (hint: He won't be. Not even close) he probably won't be dominating in early November. After all, the class dunce Mark Pope beat Duke with Flagg and Kneuppel, this year's 1 and 2 best NBA rookies. And Kansas has little else right now. As of today, Kentucky is better.

UNC: Very shaky portal so far for their virgin (for colllege) head coach. As of today, Kentucky has a better roster.

Indiana: Lost literally everybody. Went out like a sprinter in a marathon and signed a bunch of guys who Kentucky fans would be throwing overboard as the desperate efforts of Coach Whiffer. No worse than a toss up right now, even in Bloomington.

I'll admit Louisville has had a much better portal than Kentucky. We'll see how they do in Rupp. Last time they won there was nearly 20 years ago, during the brief, unlamented tenure of Billy Clyde Gillispie.

So, maybe Kentucky loses all or almost all those games. But some of you shouldn't be counting your rotten eggs as Ls before they hatch.
[/QUOTE]

Exactly! Furthermore, our roster isn’t even completed yet. However, you have the “true fans” calling their shots in the first week of May regarding how many non conference games we are likely to lose. Lmao Good Lord.

EDIT: accidentally hit quote instead of reply. Gonna just leave it as is. Worked last night. Don’t feel like re-writing my post.

 

[MachineHead]

VS - Kansas- Champions Classic
Home - Louisville
@ - Indiana
VS - North Carolina- CBS Classic
ACC-SEC Challenge @ ACC school

Possibility of 4 or 5 losses at least before conference play. Could get even uglier quickly.

All of these are losses.

 

[DWDwildcat47]

VS - Kansas- Champions Classic
Home - Louisville
@ - Indiana
VS - North Carolina- CBS Classic
ACC-SEC Challenge @ ACC school

Possibility of 4 or 5 losses at least before conference play. Could get even uglier quickly.

I'm not sure if it's pre conference game or not but we also have to go to Gonzaga

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

it will be worse than the covid season when its all over with. 14-16 losses.

4 or 5 out of conference losses

fl x2
tenn x2
vandy
tex
ark
bama

then 2 losses to everyone else.

loss in the SECT

 

[BigBlue1992]

In my lifetime I can never remember a more preseason dreaded basketball season than the one coming up.

Even in Tubby’s later years and the two Gillespie years. There was more hope then than what we have now. At least Billy had Meeks and Patterson, two guys worthy of national player of the year if they didn’t play on such a sucky team.

It’s possible we won’t even have a 3rd team all SEC player this year. This is bad.

 

[bigblue1971]

Could be. But, right now, today, May 4, 2026, Kentucky's roster isn't worse than Kansas, UNC or Indiana.

Kansas: Even if Stokes turns out to be the next Cooper Flagg (hint: He won't be. Not even close) he probably won't be dominating in early November. After all, the class dunce Mark Pope beat Duke with Flagg and Kneuppel, this year's 1 and 2 best NBA rookies. And Kansas has little else right now. As of today, Kentucky is better.

UNC: Very shaky portal so far for their virgin (for colllege) head coach. As of today, Kentucky has a better roster.

Indiana: Lost literally everybody. Went out like a sprinter in a marathon and signed a bunch of guys who Kentucky fans would be throwing overboard as the desperate efforts of Coach Whiffer. No worse than a toss up right now, even in Bloomington.

I'll admit Louisville has had a much better portal than Kentucky. We'll see how they do in Rupp. Last time they won there was nearly 20 years ago, during the brief, unlamented tenure of Billy Clyde Gillispie.

So, maybe Kentucky loses all or almost all those games. But some of you shouldn't be counting your rotten eggs as Ls before they hatch.

Exactly! Furthermore, our roster isn’t even completed yet. However, you have the “true fans” calling their shots in the first week of May regarding how many non conference games we are likely to lose. Lmao Good Lord.

EDIT: accidentally hit quote instead of reply. Gonna just leave it as is. Worked last night. Don’t feel like re-writing my post.
[/QUOTE]
"True fans" ... don't sugercoat things just to agree or see everything through blue tinted glasses. "True LOGICAL fans" can see this train wreck for what it is. Pope really killed it in the non conference last year against Gonzaga Michigan St. Louisville and UNC last year didn't he. Beat St. Johns and an Indiana team at home that couldn't even make the tournament.

 

[ftp000]

 

[NociHTTP]

The true fans have to take back the program. No more excuses that Sweet Sixteens make a season, conference titles don't matter, conference tournament titles dont matter, the Coach deserves time to get his guys to build the program... enough.

I'm not negative for the negativity. I'm negative because the truth about the program rn is negative. I don't hate Pope, or Barnhart either.

Exactly. Buy up those tickets! Show your spirit! And watch the administration count the dollars knowing it doesn't really matter (to them).

 

[ftp000]

The true fans have to take back the program. No more excuses that Sweet Sixteens make a season, conference titles don't matter, conference tournament titles dont matter, the Coach deserves time to get his guys to build the program... enough.

I'm not negative for the negativity. I'm negative because the truth about the program rn is negative. I don't hate Pope, or Barnhart either.

When did any fans have the program? How do you take back what you never had? And if you ever did have it, how do you take it back?

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Exactly! Furthermore, our roster isn’t even completed yet. However, you have the “true fans” calling their shots in the first week of May regarding how many non conference games we are likely to lose. Lmao Good Lord.

EDIT: accidentally hit quote instead of reply. Gonna just leave it as is. Worked last night. Don’t feel like re-writing my post.

"True fans" ... don't sugercoat things just to agree or see everything through blue tinted glasses. "True LOGICAL fans" can see this train wreck for what it is. Pope really killed it in the non conference last year against Gonzaga Michigan St. Louisville and UNC last year didn't he. Beat St. Johns and an Indiana team at home that couldn't even make the tournament.
[/QUOTE]
By saying the roster isn’t finished yet? And saying it’s first week of May?! Interesting.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

It already is. Which is why Year 3 is pointless. No one wants this

 

[BlueVoodoux]

 

[BBNinSCar]

The question for me is: If Kentucky’s season goes off the rails before Christmas, do they Fire Pope before the end of the year?

 

[Chadrock]

VS - Kansas- Champions Classic
Home - Louisville
@ - Indiana
VS - North Carolina- CBS Classic
ACC-SEC Challenge @ ACC school

Possibility of 4 or 5 losses at least before conference play. Could get even uglier quickly.

Hopefully by that time Stein will have football cats on a good roll!

 

[UKCowboys]

The true fans have to take back the program. No more excuses that Sweet Sixteens make a season, conference titles don't matter, conference tournament titles dont matter, the Coach deserves time to get his guys to build the program... enough.

I'm not negative for the negativity. I'm negative because the truth about the program rn is negative. I don't hate Pope, or Barnhart either.

You think a real fan would fire a man after making the S16 that season? Thats not a real fan fella. That's someone who cares more about being able to say he was right than caring about the program

 

[GACatsFan7]

With the team as it stands now, he might not make it past the exhibitions.

 

[philstat]

Chasing Tyran Stokes may cost Mark Pope the season, and his job

Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach Mark Pope put all of his eggs in one basket with Tyran Stokes, and it may cost him his job.

www.yahoo.com

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

A name to to keep an eye on during our coaching search. Maybe hard to lure him away but worth the effort IMO

Oliver Simmons named new boys head basketball coach at Haywood High; leaves USJ after 5 years - Talk-N West TN

Oliver Simmons is the new boys head basketball coach at Haywood County High School. Simmons leaves the University School of […]

talknwesttn.com

 

[LarryLegend9]

Possibility of 4 or 5 losses at least before conference play. Could get even

This post is all fantasy right here. Anyone that looks up rankings will see that you’re wrong on all of this except for the fact that we beat Duke. I think you need to actually look at who those teams rankings with high school kids and the portal before you start predicting our roster is better.

LOL Do you still love Cal as much as you used to? I remember the day he left to Arkansas you didn’t believe it at first.

 

[MarvinHagler89]

I just don’t see him making it past next season unless this core of guys meshes together like it was something biblical. We will see but I think this team is very weak. Nobody knows who our best player will be

 

[Goingfor9]

Some of us knew this would be the reality, and said another season with Pope would be a monumental mistake, however, we were shot down by the participation trophy gang.

Here’s another dose of reality… UK will be out of the NCAAT by the beginning of February 2027.

I feel like this time next year if Pope is on a negative trajectory early. He’ll be canned before conference play.. in order for the university and the new A.D. to be able to make a thorough search instead of getting knocked out early or losing nit and having to rush to hire a coach having to rush to fill out a roster. If Pope sucking early fire him hire an interim coach. And conduct thorough search with a hiring committee. No one can turn down.. led by the coaching version of Michael Jordan. Who happens to be UK alum of the bb program. To not rely on the man is malpractice. I mean these top coaches they have no problem telling Barney no. He’s the big joke. Him and Pope together is a comedy of ridiculousness.. you have pat Riley make initial contact and see how many guys turned down the job. Not many guys gonna turn down pat Riley. I would say he’s more influential today than Michael Jordan is none of these players. I’ve seen Michael Jordan play except for old clips. On the other hand, they’ve seen the heat be extremely successful and if Kentucky would just promote it perhaps make a statue of pat Riley and include him on the wall of nba guys that cal had put up. Nevertheless lobby, pat Riley with former teammates and he will do it. I feel like he’s been waiting by the phone for a long time to step in and help Kentucky.

And then any new coach which Mark Pope should’ve already done but that’s how out of touch he is. New coach needs to go to SGA and Woo him back into verbally supporting uK basketball. The Gen Z version of Michael Jordan. Why we don’t rely on these massive assets, especially with Shai is beyond me. We were told that this is another way of success to have all these guys in the NBA and it would help us in our brand.. that we’ve got idiots running the basketball program running athletic department. If I were coaching come July or August, I would bring in as many NBA guys I can to spend a week or even a few days some guys come and go bring the NBA guys who played at Kentucky let them spend some time with our guys. And if we ever recruits on the line at the time you bring them in to see the dynamic with the former players NBA players.

I mean, cal started that La Familia that big game first year popes year supposed to be cal first year of that team. Since then last year, anyway, our team was pretty much the guys have been bounced by the NBA. They’re definitely was not the talent there was the first year. And that’s all on Pope. So yeah fire the guy a week of the season I don’t care.. He won’t be fired though if we bring in the guy from Boise State. Or anyone who is a strong basketball A.D..

 

[LarryLegend9]

"True fans" ... don't sugercoat things just to agree or see everything through blue tinted glasses. "True LOGICAL fans" can see this train wreck for what it is. Pope really killed it in the non conference last year against Gonzaga Michigan St. Louisville and UNC last year didn't he. Beat St. Johns and an Indiana team at home that couldn't even make the tournament.

What’s happened to you cowtown? I’ve seen you laughing at my posts. You’re definitely with the Pope cheerleaders now. Good luck with that lol

 

[UK BasketballFan]

The question for me is: If Kentucky’s season goes off the rails before Christmas, do they Fire Pope before the end of the year?

I can see before the season is over. Need a coach in place way before the portal is open. College basketball is strictly a business now.

 

[20MRoster]

The few people who still cling to the notion that our roster is better than any of those teams -- keep on dreaming, I guess.

That said, we will beat IU. Rest of those games will be ***-kickings. Remember, no more Hubert Davis at UNC.

 

[wildcatdon]

Some of us knew this would be the reality, and said another season with Pope would be a monumental mistake, however, we were shot down by the participation trophy gang.

Here’s another dose of reality… UK will be out of the NCAAT by the beginning of February 2027.

Well they are letting in 176 teams so we will have chance. We will only have to play 6 play in games to make theround of 64.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

A name to to keep an eye on during our coaching search. Maybe hard to lure him away but worth the effort IMO

Oliver Simmons named new boys head basketball coach at Haywood High; leaves USJ after 5 years - Talk-N West TN

Oliver Simmons is the new boys head basketball coach at Haywood County High School. Simmons leaves the University School of […]

talknwesttn.com

Please delete this. I doubt Mitch reads this forum, but I don’t think it’s worth the risk for that bozo to get any ideas.

 

[wildcatdon]

The sad part about all of this is that Barnhart was too lazy to do a real search. He dropped the ball big time. The last few years it looked like he didnt even care about the university the way he was handing out stupid contacts. Look at the salary and buyout he gave Pope. This is all on Mitch and Eli. They both suck.

 

[LarryLegend9]

As of yesterday when that 5 star kid picked Louisville, Pope is now 0-15 with top 20 players that have visited the school. All I can tell you all is you better look at the rankings yourselves before you believe what some of these guys are trying to tell you.

https://247sports.com/season/2026-basketball/compositeteamrankings/

2026 Transfer Basketball Team Rankings

In order to create the most comprehensive Team Recruiting Ranking without any notion of bias, 247Sports Team Recruiting Ranking is solely based on the 247Sports Composite Rating.

247sports.com

 

[jeffky]

I think we should wait until the season starts before we predict Armageddon. Grant it popes stay here appears to be over. What is even more troubling ,alot of fans are hoping for complete failure before the season starts .

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Crazy as Hell

Diallo
Wilkins/Morton
Williams/Hawthorne
N'Diaye/McBride
Moreno

That's the current rotation. Potter has to backup Moreno. Noah, Williams, and Hawthorne can't contribute.

Good news is, there are still three scholly's available. Bad news is, Pope is the one recruiting. If he does sign two really good players, I can envision a world where I'd like this roster. There are some pieces, but man, it's pretty rough right now. That's a roster that will finish about where this years team did...maybe.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Diallo
Wilkins/Morton
Williams/Hawthorne
N'Diaye/McBride
Moreno

That's the current rotation. Potter has to backup Moreno. Noah, Williams, and Hawthorne can't contribute.

Good news is, there are still three scholly's available. Bad news is, Pope is the one recruiting. If he does sign two really good players, I can envision a world where I'd like this roster. There are some pieces, but man, it's pretty rough right now. That's a roster that will finish about where this years team did...maybe.

That frontcourt is...alarming.

 

[Bluegrasskingreboot]

It will take care of itself based on what happens on the court.