Pope's Q/A From X (Twitter) Revealed

[Bluegrass79]

The interesting part is I didn't know we had two players over 30% at the assist rate.

This will definitely be a different team than the first two.


He just needs to knock it out of the park with the last few spots to give those two guys somebody to give the ball to.


You can still add three good guys.. I think we're two starters short right now. You need a shooting three, shooting 5, and a physical five.

Mark Pope had to hit two pressure packed free throws to win a championship at Kentucky so I'm pulling for you to figure this out somehow and have a good season amongst all this ********..

Truly.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I suspected that in the NIL game, Pope is fine being a leverage point for players to make more money. You manage your budget but having an impact on your competition’s budget is probably part of the game. Go to Europe (yes, as I suspected and posted, NOT just to Israel) and have a sit down with a backup center prospect knowing he would be a good fit even though LSU may have him wrapped up and you lose the pitch, but LSU has to up their offer. Other coaches do it to UK. Pope’s smile when he answered that question suggests he is okay with the game.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

We put together a roster that we are going to love watching crush it in Rupp Arena.

This is the place where basketball dreams come true

We’re going to have an unbelievable crew at the center position.

This is going to be awesome.

What a colossal knob. Get this guy the f*ck out of here please.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

I credit him for tackling at least two really difficult questions.

At least he isn't hiding right now, and he owned the Stokes failure.

seriously?? I see no ownership of anything in this.

 

[FilsonCat]

If you bolt a Shelby Cobra body kit onto a Ford Pinto, what do you have?

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I credit him for tackling at least two really difficult questions.

At least he isn't hiding right now, and he owned the Stokes failure.

It's going to be an ugly finish for Pope, and I am sad about that. I had wished he would succeed here, but this is Kentucky, and 64% winning percentages aren't going to cut it here.

I just hate the, “we are going to crush it, and the five spot will be unbelievable!” That kind of stuff sets him up for failure when most people can look at the roster and who we can potentially add and see that’s not the case. Obviously he’s not going to come out and say the roster is weak or that we won’t win, but I’d stop with the hyperbole if I was in his shoes now.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I credit him for tackling at least two really difficult questions.

At least he isn't hiding right now, and he owned the Stokes failure.

It's going to be an ugly finish for Pope, and I am sad about that. I had wished he would succeed here, but this is Kentucky, and 64% winning percentages aren't going to cut it here.

He answered a question from @Feltner that is hilarious. He got Felted!

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Again. I'll say this. I thought we got rid of the snake oil cap with Cal. Yet we got a discount snake oil guy.

At least Calipari could sell snake oil to a snake.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

His answers are phony and boring. He lacks wit and humor.

They sound like he read them off of a teleprompter to be honest. Just pure PR speak. We recruited a “generational” talent. He’s not even as good as the top 5 players of last cycle. That doesn’t excuse not going after kids we may of had a shot at had we dropped him when it was obvious he was Kansas bound. 0-14 shows he doesn’t have what it takes anyway.

 

[JPFisher]

He didn’t answer WHY we missed on 14-20 recruits. That’s what I wanted to know.

I don't think it's possible to address that without throwing some of the outgoing coaches under the bus. Hart and Brooks weren't the only reason we missed on guys, but they didn't help as much as they were supposed to.

I also think he indirectly addressed it with his comment about a generational talent. They went all-in on Stokes for some damn reason and it burned em. Live and learn, I guess.

 

[Farsight Clone]

What a colossal knob. Get this guy the f*ck out of here please.

For anyone confused. Saul Smith is calling Pope a Knob. Not me. Lmao

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Matt Jones called it a "slam dunk". LOL ok.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

I also think he indirectly addressed it with his comment about a generational talent. They went all-in on Stokes for some damn reason and it burned em. Live and learn, I guess.

What is he learning?

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

I credit him for tackling at least two really difficult questions.

At least he isn't hiding right now, and he owned the Stokes failure.

It's going to be an ugly finish for Pope, and I am sad about that. I had wished he would succeed here, but this is Kentucky, and 64% winning percentages aren't going to cut it here.

Agreed. Well said.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Did you really expect him to say - "I give off a weirdo vibe , I just cant connect with todays athletes ....... honestly I got no clue what im doing here - but the pay sure is nice ....... next question" ?

I mean, I'd have nodded my head and chuckled at least.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Was it just me or did it look like AI?

You might be on to something. Anyone think Pat Kelsey could've kidnapped Pope? Has him tied up in the basement and sent some AI bot thingy to replace him with? Would explain the blank stares (reboot time?) and the overly weird personality.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

UK was ranked ahead of Duke in the final poll in 2 of his last 5 years.

Shush it with the facts. Cal completely cratered the program. "Took every single player" when he left...nevermind every team loses just about every single player every single year in this era.

 

[BlueBloodKyFan72]

I don't know if pope will make it or not! But I do know there are a lot of really good basketball players and parents who want no part of BBN.

NOT because of any coach, but because of YOU fans! You guys trash any player for what you think doesn't meet a standard. No parent wants to see there child develop and thrive for the NBA at a place that posts constantly on social media how they suck.

You hope it'll be a ugly finish for pope, whether you are right or not doesn't matter. But the fans that are going viral are being noticed and used against ky. And that will not change with a new coach!

So how about being respectful and be a Fan of these guys, and after the year's over pope is retained/fired on his performance .

But let the guys know, you love them and are cheering for them. Help make it a place where players and parents WANT to Be! You guys don't understand how sickening you make BBN look.
Talking about SAD!! BBN actually looks much worse the Pope!

Have you been on any other message board than this one. Because I can promise you every fan base rips the teams players. If you didn’t see where one fan wrote Cameron should’ve ate Cade in the womb after they lost to UCONN then you might want to get out a little.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

I don't think it's possible to address that without throwing some of the outgoing coaches under the bus. Hart and Brooks weren't the only reason we missed on guys, but they didn't help as much as they were supposed to.

I also think he indirectly addressed it with his comment about a generational talent. They went all-in on Stokes for some damn reason and it burned em. Live and learn, I guess.

I don't know your first part the assistant coaches do make a difference but when you still have a head coach like Pope he's got to close and he just can't close we have seen that numerous of times now over a few recruiting cycles.

Supposedly he was trying to be told about Stokes a while ago and wouldn't listen. That caused him to miss on other recruits. Let's be real honest here (with my statement above) he just can't close on recruits anyway and he definitely hasn't proven to be able to close on any of the top recruits (if they aren't from the state of KY).

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

I don't know your first part the assistant coaches do make a difference but when you still have a head coach like Pope he's got to close and he just can't close we have seen that numerous of times now over a few recruiting cycles.

Supposedly he was trying to be told about Stokes a while ago and wouldn't listen. That caused him to miss on other recruits. Let's be real honest here (with my statement above) he just can't close on recruits anyway and he definitely hasn't proven to be able to close on any of the top recruits (if they aren't from the state of KY).

It's Pope. Not the assistants. We all know this. Some just can't admit it to themselves still, I guess.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

It's Pope. Not the assistants. We all know this. Some just can't admit it to themselves still, I guess.

I agree Hart and Brooks were good before they got here watch what they do at their next stops.

 

[JPFisher]

I don't know your first part the assistant coaches do make a difference but when you still have a head coach like Pope he's got to close and he just can't close we have seen that numerous of times now over a few recruiting cycles.

Supposedly he was trying to be told about Stokes a while ago and wouldn't listen. That caused him to miss on other recruits. Let's be real honest here (with my statement above) he just can't close on recruits anyway and he definitely hasn't proven to be able to close on any of the top recruits (if they aren't from the state of KY).

I agree he can't close, but I hope he's smart enough to bring on assistants who can while also learning from past mistakes. He can buy himself some time at UK (IMO) if he can land a top 10 guy.

His recruiting deficiencies, from what I understand, are from talking about UK history and God. That's not what a future NBA star cares about. They care about playing time and money.

Mo Williams understands the money aspect. I don't think we get Diallo or Wilkins without Mo. So, hopefully, Mo and other assistants can anchor us. If Pope can stop talking about Goose Givens and LDS lore enough to actually tell recruits about what the UK brand and exposure will do for them, I think we'll close on guys.

Not a lot that'll fix the odd job substitution patterns, but hopefully someone will smack him the next time he pulls a rotation going on a 10-0 run.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

This video is just more reason why most of us love Mark Pope the man. Its also why its so frustrating to see him failing here, because we know how much it would mean to him to succeed.

That said, two of the toughest questions elicited concerning responses.

1) the roster. They put their eggs in one basket. How could he not know he was getting played? Kelsey knew it and bailed a long time ago. So it really wasn't missing on Stokes that is so bad, its missing on everyone else not realizing you're getting played.

2) UK getting used as nil leverage. This is literally the same core of the problem. Not being able to read a situation causes us to spend time on guys that have no intention of coming here. Even worse, it puts us in a financial pickle because an agent will know how much we offered someone else. That sets our market rate and that's how we pay 22 mil for mediocrity.

Pope absolutely must get someone that is a shark to help him but im afraid its too late.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Matt Jones called it a "slam dunk". LOL ok.

I'd like to think Jones over exaggerates his opinion on stuff like this to keep a good connection to the university.

But no, it was an air ball.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

I don't know if pope will make it or not! But I do know there are a lot of really good basketball players and parents who want no part of BBN.

NOT because of any coach, but because of YOU fans! You guys trash any player for what you think doesn't meet a standard. No parent wants to see there child develop and thrive for the NBA at a place that posts constantly on social media how they suck.

You hope it'll be a ugly finish for pope, whether you are right or not doesn't matter. But the fans that are going viral are being noticed and used against ky. And that will not change with a new coach!

So how about being respectful and be a Fan of these guys, and after the year's over pope is retained/fired on his performance .

But let the guys know, you love them and are cheering for them. Help make it a place where players and parents WANT to Be! You guys don't understand how sickening you make BBN look.
Talking about SAD!! BBN actually looks much worse the Pope!

What a moronic take. Any player that think THIS message board or Twitter or anywhere else is too much...isn't built to play here.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

His answers are phony and boring. He lacks wit and humor.

Almost like he's pretty odd and awkward, huh?

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

For anyone confused. Saul Smith is calling Pope a Knob. Not me. Lmao

Can both not be true???

I keed, I keed. But I did get a good laugh out of it.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Can both not be true???

I keed, I keed. But I did get a good laugh out of it.

 

[FreedomWallace]

Glad Pope communicated to the fan base.

Would it be too much to ask for a “state of the program” update to the fans. Especially with the present status of our program.

I can’t remember the last overt positive news regarding UK men’s basketball.

Relative to Pope’s video comments, it is tough to listen to at this point.

Pope should have been fired end of the past year. All this time, money wasted this coming year on a coach who is obviously not the right fit for the job.

SMH…

 

[Beatle Bum]

I agree he can't close, but I hope he's smart enough to bring on assistants who can while also learning from past mistakes. He can buy himself some time at UK (IMO) if he can land a top 10 guy.

His recruiting deficiencies, from what I understand, are from talking about UK history and God. That's not what a future NBA star cares about. They care about playing time and money.

Mo Williams understands the money aspect. I don't think we get Diallo or Wilkins without Mo. So, hopefully, Mo and other assistants can anchor us. If Pope can stop talking about Goose Givens and LDS lore enough to actually tell recruits about what the UK brand and exposure will do for them, I think we'll close on guys.

Not a lot that'll fix the odd job substitution patterns, but hopefully someone will smack him the next time he pulls a rotation going on a 10-0 run.

I don’t think Mo was involved in landing Wilkins or Diallo.

 

[Kyfan96]

Did you really expect him to say - "I give off a weirdo vibe , I just cant connect with todays athletes ....... honestly I got no clue what im doing here - but the pay sure is nice ....... next question" ?

Would've respected that more. We basically just got very generic responses so it pretty much made the whole thing pointless.

 

[JPFisher]

I don’t think Mo was involved in landing Wilkins or Diallo.

Their recruitment seemed to stall and then we brought an NBA champion and All-Star point guard on staff who's on record talking about the importance of money in today's game. A week later, we have two great point guards. Idk, man.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Their recruitment seemed to stall and then we brought an NBA champion and All-Star point guard on staff who's on record talking about the importance of money in today's game. A week later, we have two great point guards. Idk, man.

Hold up...the 7th ranked PG from the portal and the 7th ranked combo guard from the portal = "two great point guards". To borrow a phrase you used...idk, man.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Matt Jones called it a "slam dunk". LOL ok.

He replied to his ask, so of course it was a slam dunk. It helped his ego a bit I’m sure.