Hypothetical Jai Lucas Question for Those Opposed

[Im The Village Idiot]

Many have pointed out they wouldn’t want Jai Lucas because they don’t think he has the resume. If things don’t work out with Pope and we are back on the hunt, what would Lucas have needed to accomplish in the 2027 season to convince you he’s ready?

My Premise: UNC situation suggests bluebloods no longer just pick their man, so risk taking could be necessary. Lucas is young, can recruit, is hungry and his specific style could find the brand name attractive. I think a Final Four would be bad for us, as it would make it likely he gets a super contract to stay put. I’m already on the Lucas bandwagon, assuming Pope is relieved before next year.

What do you need from Jai? Would he even come here?

 

[JSquad0070]

I would 100% take Jai in a heartbeat. Absolutely no way he could do worse than Pope and he has NBA connections/players trust and relate to him.

 

[20MRoster]

Jai is one of the highest potential candidates out there. We would be stupid not to give him serious consideration. I know the thread wasn't aimed at people with my view, but still felt the need to say it.

 

[AllBall]

Many have pointed out they wouldn’t want Jai Lucas because they don’t think he has the resume. If things don’t work out with Pope and we are back on the hunt, what would Lucas have needed to accomplish in the 2027 season to convince you he’s ready?

My Premise: UNC situation suggests bluebloods no longer just pick their man, so risk taking could be necessary. Lucas is young, can recruit, is hungry and his specific style could find the brand name attractive. I think a Final Four would be bad for us, as it would make it likely he gets a super contract to stay put. I’m already on the Lucas bandwagon, assuming Pope is relieved before next year.

What do you need from Jai? Would he even come here?

Top 3-5 recruiter, assistant experience @ UK and Duke, well-connected and respected family name. He's been able to replace Larranaga w/o a fall off. Impressive portal haul this off season. They'll likely finish top 4 in the ACC.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

I would like to at least see an elite 8 from him. We just took a chance on an unproven guy and I'm very leery about doing it again. Of course he might be the best we can get.

 

[jmw23712]

My initial resistance to Jai is because he left us high and dry on 2 separate occasions. That being said, Cal was losing it so maybe the 2nd one was the right call.

That said I do think he’s an up and coming guy with a high ceiling. And the bar has been set so low lately that anything will feel like an upgrade. I’d take Air Bud over Pope.

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

I don't know if Lucas would or wouldn't be the answer. But I do feel like we will have to predict the next elite coach rather than being able to poach an already established one. Coaches can win anywhere now, and more and more places are taking basketball seriously. There's just not a ton more we can offer compared to the expectations the job entails. So I doubt whoever the next coach is will have a resume that will please a lot of our fans.

 

[Johnny_Jeepers]

There's just not a ton more we can offer compared to the expectations the job entails.

...well, except for making them one of the highest paid coaches in their profession and giving them more NIL money and resources than the vast majority of D1 basketball programs will offer. Those are pretty f'n huge advantages.

 

[MichaelGray]

Lucas could do good here with his recruiting connections but taking a chance on an up & comer to me screams Josh Schertz also, I love the offense he runs & I'm quite sure recruits would love to play in it.

 

[moses1uk]

Many have pointed out they wouldn’t want Jai Lucas because they don’t think he has the resume. If things don’t work out with Pope and we are back on the hunt, what would Lucas have needed to accomplish in the 2027 season to convince you he’s ready?

My Premise: UNC situation suggests bluebloods no longer just pick their man, so risk taking could be necessary. Lucas is young, can recruit, is hungry and his specific style could find the brand name attractive. I think a Final Four would be bad for us, as it would make it likely he gets a super contract to stay put. I’m already on the Lucas bandwagon, assuming Pope is relieved before next year.

What do you need from Jai? Would he even come here?

2 things you don’t know about why UNC struggled to hire . 1- The ACC sucks and is owned by Duke . 2- The NIL money at UNC isn’t good at all

 

[RedwoodHigh]

Many have pointed out they wouldn’t want Jai Lucas because they don’t think he has the resume. If things don’t work out with Pope and we are back on the hunt, what would Lucas have needed to accomplish in the 2027 season to convince you he’s ready?

My Premise: UNC situation suggests bluebloods no longer just pick their man, so risk taking could be necessary. Lucas is young, can recruit, is hungry and his specific style could find the brand name attractive. I think a Final Four would be bad for us, as it would make it likely he gets a super contract to stay put. I’m already on the Lucas bandwagon, assuming Pope is relieved before next year.

What do you need from Jai? Would he even come here?

Many have pointed out they wouldn’t want Jai Lucas because they don’t think he has the resume. If things don’t work out with Pope and we are back on the hunt, what would Lucas have needed to accomplish in the 2027 season to convince you he’s ready?

My Premise: UNC situation suggests bluebloods no longer just pick their man, so risk taking could be necessary. Lucas is young, can recruit, is hungry and his specific style could find the brand name attractive. I think a Final Four would be bad for us, as it would make it likely he gets a super contract to stay put. I’m already on the Lucas bandwagon, assuming Pope is relieved before next year.

What do you need from Jai? Would he even come here?

Pope not going anywhere for at least 2 more years & if he gets to another Sweet 16 it will be 5 more years. Reality & Perception are 2 entirely different things.
5 in 5 will save Pope from his lack of recruiting successes.

 

[BBNinSCar]

It’s time for Kentucky to find our coach just as Florida found Golden, Michigan found May, or Alabama found Oats.
I don’t think it’s Lucas. The next guy that is going to blow up is Josh Schertz. He’s the one I would put my future with.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

If they finish top 3 in the ACC and make a sweet sixteen I’m all for it. My secret hope is Donovan but I’m a moron at heart so forgive me

 

[20MRoster]

I would like to at least see an elite 8 from him. We just took a chance on an unproven guy and I'm very leery about doing it again. Of course he might be the best we can get.

Difference with Jai is he's already recruited studs at a P5 school and won an NCAAT game at an age that puts him among hall of fame coaches. Yes, guys like Shaka Smart exist, but Jai's got an elite playing background as well as a blue blood pedigree. He knows how things are done at places like Kentucky and Duke.

At lower schools, you can severely out-talent competition, brute force a conf championship, and really just gear up for a few big games a year. You can't do that at P5 programs, so having that much success at a young age in that type of conference, with all his background with the elite programs -- that to me puts him in a young Roy Williams mold moreso than a Smart.

That being said, it can absolutely backfire, as you said. There's no way to know "for sure", for anyone, especially when they are in their 30s.

 

[mhs1964]

...well, except for making them one of the highest paid coaches in their profession and giving them more NIL money and resources than the vast majority of D1 basketball programs will offer. Those are pretty f'n huge advantages.

Yes, more NIL than the vast majority but sean Miller said that 20-25 schools are spending 20-25 million this current cycle, much more than we reportedly plan. Don’t know if these numbers are completely accurate but Louisville has certainly spent a boatload. In a previous post I said it was not a certainty that we had the resources to go with the schools which are loaded. In fact, I don’t believe we can and believe this will be an issue when Pope is replaced or leaves.

 

[AllBall]

Lucas could do good here with his recruiting connections but taking a chance on an up & comer to me screams Josh Schertz also, I love the offense he runs & I'm quite sure recruits would love to play in it.

Schertz has coaching pedigree and a system but hasn't recruited elite talent. Just the same as some fans want a proven winner with final four experience, I'd prefer a coach that's successful fished those waters.

Unfortunately, I don't know if we get a coach with both proven commodities so it may be an either or choice. Hopefully, whoever it is will be elite at something.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

I wouldn't be opposed to Lucas he would have a helluva lot more connections and street cred then what we currently have at head coach. The only thing I would question is college success as a head coach.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

Pope not going anywhere for at least 2 more years & if he gets to another Sweet 16 it will be 5 more years.

What led you to this conclusion?

 

[kywildcat1021979]

If they finish top 3 in the ACC and make a sweet sixteen I’m all for it. My secret hope is Donovan but I’m a moron at heart so forgive me

If I'm being real I want either Billy D or Bruce Pearl.

 

[UKCowboys]

Dude has one season. Just not enough

 

[katwest]

Lucas didn’t want to play here as a player and didn’t want to stay here as a coach. Some may want him, I don’t jmho.

 

[JonathanW2]

Many have pointed out they wouldn’t want Jai Lucas because they don’t think he has the resume. If things don’t work out with Pope and we are back on the hunt, what would Lucas have needed to accomplish in the 2027 season to convince you he’s ready?

My Premise: UNC situation suggests bluebloods no longer just pick their man, so risk taking could be necessary. Lucas is young, can recruit, is hungry and his specific style could find the brand name attractive. I think a Final Four would be bad for us, as it would make it likely he gets a super contract to stay put. I’m already on the Lucas bandwagon, assuming Pope is relieved before next year.

What do you need from Jai? Would he even come here?

Uh…. WIN!!!

 

[Anon1739778738]

Too early to gamble on Lucas needs more time to show consistency yes he has shown great potential. I still think there are some Dusty Mays out there that will pop up soon with the fast changing landscape of college basketball.

 

[RedwoodHigh]

Yes, more NIL than the vast majority but sean Miller said that 20-25 schools are spending 20-25 million this current cycle, much more than we reportedly plan. Don’t know if these numbers are completely accurate but Louisville has certainly spent a boatload. In a previous post I said it was not a certainty that we had the resources to go with the schools which are loaded. In fact, I don’t believe we can and believe this will be an issue when Pope is replaced or leaves.

Miami has almost unlimited finances & way more $$$$$ than every college in Ky put together. Except for Louisville. Dan Issel said it best. It’s a whole new world of college athletics.
.

 

[BBNinSCar]

Schertz has coaching pedigree and a system but hasn't recruited elite talent. Just the same as some fans want a proven winner with final four experience, I'd prefer a coach that's successful fished those waters.

Unfortunately, I don't know if we get a coach with both proven commodities so it may be an either or choice. Hopefully, whoever it is will be elite at something.

Indiana used this model to find Cignetti-find a coach who wins. Schertz is the winningest college basketball coach on any level over the past 10 seasons.

 

[Snarks]

I would like to at least see an elite 8 from him. We just took a chance on an unproven guy and I'm very leery about doing it again. Of course he might be the best we can get.

Yep, that’s my thinking. We took a chance on an unproven guy with Pope. Assuming this doesn’t work out we need a sure thing.

 

[Ukwazoo3]

My initial resistance to Jai is because he left us high and dry on 2 separate occasions. That being said, Cal was losing it so maybe the 2nd one was the right call.

That said I do think he’s an up and coming guy with a high ceiling. And the bar has been set so low lately that anything will feel like an upgrade. I’d take Air Bud over Pope.

Yeah, I could see him coaching us for 2 years and then leaving us for Duke or someone like that.

 

[OGtruebluewildcat]

How much time does he get would be my question?

Mark Pope is on the hot seat with fans. Barely two years in.

Those against Pope and for Lucas or anyone else, how much time does the next guy get?

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

I'd love Lucas or Shertz but...it is hard to argue with the need to get an established guy after this Pope pickle. But we just saw UNC have to make a bit of a risky hire so maybe the Golden/Oats/etc talk is just a pipe dream.
Either way, we have options. My only ask is that we don't hinge our hopes on Billy the Kid (again).

 

[BBNinSCar]

I'd love Lucas or Shertz but...it is hard to argue with the need to get an established guy after this Pope pickle. But we just saw UNC have to make a bit of a risky hire so maybe the Golden/Oats/etc talk is just a pipe dream.
Either way, we have options. My only ask is that we don't hinge our hopes on Billy the Kid (again).

Things have changed and traditional blue bloods can no longer just poach the next best coach from their own conference. Most power conference schools can match any compensation package offered and NIL has leveled the talent pool. Coaches do not need the UK or UNC brand to win at the highest level. There is no need to take a huge job risk by leaving where you are comfortable.
Curt Cignetti would have been off to Michigan in years' past but there is no need for him to leave Indiana now.

 

[fisherscatfan]

How much time does he get would be my question?

Mark Pope is on the hot seat with fans. Barely two years in.

Those against Pope and for Lucas or anyone else, how much time does the next guy get?

If Pope were recruiting anywhere near a reasonable level the heat would not be near as bad. Pope is currently doing poorly with high school recruits, mediocre at retention and poorly in the portal. He’s not demonstrating anything to be positive about.

Whoever the next guy is will most likely not be a complete failure at personnel as Pope has been.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

Top 3-5 recruiter, assistant experience @ UK and Duke, well-connected and respected family name. He's been able to replace Larranaga w/o a fall off. Impressive portal haul this off season. They'll likely finish top 4 in the ACC.

He was also an assistant under Rick Barnes while he was at UT. In addition, he also played for Billy Donovan at Florida.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

My initial resistance to Jai is because he left us high and dry on 2 separate occasions. That being said, Cal was losing it so maybe the 2nd one was the right call.

That said I do think he’s an up and coming guy with a high ceiling. And the bar has been set so low lately that anything will feel like an upgrade. I’d take Air Bud over Pope.

Jai left because of Calipari. He didn’t leave because of Kentucky. He was actually going to commit to play for UK before Tubby left.

 

[BBNinSCar]

Top 3-5 recruiter, assistant experience @ UK and Duke, well-connected and respected family name. He's been able to replace Larranaga w/o a fall off. Impressive portal haul this off season. They'll likely finish top 4 in the ACC.

4th place in the ACC probably doesn’t make the NCAA tournament. That conference is not very good. A closer look at Miami’s schedule last season shows 10 games against non-power 4 conference schools. Lucas may be a good young coach, but the Hurricanes were fool’s gold last year.

 

[Blue Jesus]

Many have pointed out they wouldn’t want Jai Lucas because they don’t think he has the resume. If things don’t work out with Pope and we are back on the hunt, what would Lucas have needed to accomplish in the 2027 season to convince you he’s ready?

My Premise: UNC situation suggests bluebloods no longer just pick their man, so risk taking could be necessary. Lucas is young, can recruit, is hungry and his specific style could find the brand name attractive. I think a Final Four would be bad for us, as it would make it likely he gets a super contract to stay put. I’m already on the Lucas bandwagon, assuming Pope is relieved before next year.

What do you need from Jai? Would he even come here?

My top choice from that tier of candidates would be Ben McCollum at Iowa, followed by Jai Lucas. Schertz is one to watch but he hasn’t coached in a P5 conference like the other two.

 

[Anon1776024529]

Dude has one season. Just not enough

Agree, but he achieved more in that one season than pope did in 9 seasons prior to being hired at Kentucky.

 

[Agent Redbone]

Many have pointed out they wouldn’t want Jai Lucas because they don’t think he has the resume. If things don’t work out with Pope and we are back on the hunt, what would Lucas have needed to accomplish in the 2027 season to convince you he’s ready?

My Premise: UNC situation suggests bluebloods no longer just pick their man, so risk taking could be necessary. Lucas is young, can recruit, is hungry and his specific style could find the brand name attractive. I think a Final Four would be bad for us, as it would make it likely he gets a super contract to stay put. I’m already on the Lucas bandwagon, assuming Pope is relieved before next year.

What do you need from Jai? Would he even come here?

I sure hope he doesn’t make it to a final four, because he would become much more expensive and we would be competing with every school searching for a coach. He is a hot name as a young hire right now, and I really like him as a coach. He has a network of connections and he’s relatable for the kids / recruits (which we see now is very important). Recruiting may just be the single most important aspect of today’s game. Aside from a sure fire home run hire of a top coach, this makes perfect sense.
To answer the questions, I would like to see a sweet 16 finish from him this next season. And yes, I think we would have a really good shot at him coming here.

 

[KyWilson239]

John Scheyer had never been a HC before he took over for Duke. Much like Stein, Lucas would be young and relatable to players, is highly regarded in the coaching community, and he would be able to assemble a monster staff around him.

 

[kfwa]

How does Lucas move the needle for coaching at UK?

no one is looking for "well he'd be better than Pope". That's not an acceptable answer.

Look at his schedule with w/l's last year and see if you'd be satisfied with what his team did.

There are alot of assumptions about what he *can* do, not much about what he has done.

 

[Jwill133]

4th place in the ACC probably doesn’t make the NCAA tournament. That conference is not very good. A closer look at Miami’s schedule last season shows 10 games against non-power 4 conference schools. Lucas may be a good young coach, but the Hurricanes were fool’s gold last year.

8 ACC teams made the NCAA tournament last year. Miami also won their 1st round tournament game and gave Purdue a good scare in the 2nd round.
Lucas has Miami a clear top 20 team this year and it would be fool's gold for a blue blood to not scoop him up in the next couple years.