Remember this about Pope

[MY_POPE]

Mark Pope is flawed. What people seem to forget is that he’s very smart (went to medical school, Rhodes scholar candidate, etc.) and self aware. Additionally he’s not stubborn like Cal. He recognizes his flaws and he’s trying to find the right assistants to compensate for that. So far it looks like Mo Williams is that guy. Hopefully he can also be the man to cuss a little when needed while Pope can remain the optimistic genius. If a flawed person recognizes their flaws and is not too stubborn to change they can be successful. Of course, we can’t wait forever. The time is now. The beautiful thing is he knows the standard cause he’s played for it.

 

[Major_Tom]

Beautiful? Pope96 has entered the chat.

I agree with you. One characteristic about Mark in games is that he seems to make pretty solid adjustments. This isn’t all the time, but his teams have beaten teams when you thought they had little chance. On the other hand, they can really put up some poor performances. Through all that, Pope seems to favor the long game and seems willing to do what’s necessary. My hope is that he’s learning in this role and while it may not be as fast to the top as we’re accustomed to (Cal), he will get us there in the long run.

 

[megablue]

I am not sure KY can win at the 76% clip it has averaged over the past 37 years, since Pitino arrived. I do think Pope needs to win at a 70% rate, at least, to meet expectations. That means winning at least 26-30 games a year, pretty regularly. Hopefully, his getting seemingly better talent and coaching in here will allow him to do that and make solid appearances in the NCAAT.

 

[gbl97]

His adjustments against Duke and Gonzaga his first season made him seem like a basketball genius. But his substitution decisions have been baffling. I don't understand why he won't adjust in that area.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

His adjustments against Duke and Gonzaga his first season made him seem like a basketball genius. But his substitution decisions have been baffling. I don't understand why he won't adjust in that area.

I know the subbing patterns has been beaten to death, but it's been said one of the assistants (Fox) was in charge of subs. They were monitoring them with those sports bands everyone wears now and subbing based off the suggested data... That doesn't absolve Pope by any means.

Very rarely did you see Pope walk down the bench and point at guys and send them to the scorers table or wave guys off the floor.

Pope also was there with the team day in and day out and knew who liked each other, who didn't, who was able to be paired up and who wasn't. It's just basketball at the end of the day, but I'm 100 percent convinced that several of those dudes wanted absolutely nothing to do with each other and were willing to watch the program burn and collect their check rather than see the other guy succeed. That makes subbing patterns really difficult.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Mark Pope is flawed. What people seem to forget is that he’s very smart (went to medical school, Rhodes scholar candidate, etc.) and self aware. Additionally he’s not stubborn like Cal. He recognizes his flaws and he’s trying to find the right assistants to compensate for that. So far it looks like Mo Williams is that guy. Hopefully he can also be the man to cuss a little when needed while Pope can remain the optimistic genius. If a flawed person recognizes their flaws and is not too stubborn to change they can be successful. Of course, we can’t wait forever. The time is now. The beautiful thing is he knows the standard cause he’s played for it.

Here's what I know about Pope, he is not a good basketball coach. And his teams quit. BYU was glad to get rid of him just as UK fans will be when he's gone. He might be booksmart? But he is basketball stupid. He has absolutely no feel for the game.

No one can watch a Pope team play and see a well coached team.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

Here's what I know about Pope, he is not a good basketball coach. And his teams quit. BYU was glad to get rid of him just as UK fans will be when he's gone. He might be booksmart? But he is basketball stupid. He has absolutely no feel for the game.

No one can watch a Pope team play and see a well coached team.

I’m sorry we got some unexpected good news yesterday. Hang in there.

 

[GhostofVerderber]

Here's what I know about Pope, he is not a good basketball coach. And his teams quit. BYU was glad to get rid of him just as UK fans will be when he's gone. He might be booksmart? But he is basketball stupid. He has absolutely no feel for the game.

No one can watch a Pope team play and see a well coached team.

You obviously do not know anything about basketball, junior. Stick to hot pockets and video games in your parent’s basement.

 

[howitis_rivals115807]

Is this chatgpt posting? Pope was Historically bad last year. recruiting, coaching, player evaluation, handling the media, it was depressing. One of the worst showings of a UK coach in history. this year with Milan that probably moves us from around 30 to a top 20 team and competing for a sweet 16. by itself this isn't good enough, but signing the #6 player in the nation it feels like he might have it in him to turn things around. So if he can keep us ranked and make the sweet 16 he should have some good vibes going into 2027-28 with a team that might finally have the talent to compete for a final four.

 

[theBlues]

Based on what I've seen, I suspect Pope's intelligence might be overrated. But don't take my word for it because he's smarter than me.

 

[Goingfor9]

You obviously do not know anything about basketball, junior. Stick to hot pockets and video games in your parent’s basement.

You want to argue him that pope knows what he’s doing after all the losing his first two years? A couple of recruiting wins doesn’t change the entire calculus with pope. Someone in this thread said they didn’t think Kentucky could win at their historical clip. That’s a grand example of the damage pope has done to expectations. Folks act like pope has brought in no talent. Last year he had 4 mcd all American on the team. The problem is he still looses.

For pope nothing has changed. He has to win. And win big. A season like year one and we re in trouble. UK basketball is past due for a final four. Pope needs a big season. 8 losses max total. A top 2 seed. A strong elite 8 run. And the majority of our roster coming back next season. If pope can’t accomplish that he needs to go. He is a step down from tubby. Another sub tubby season we will have to make a move with the new ad.

 

[BlueSince92]

I can teach Pope to cuss.

I'm pretty good at it.

 

[BlueBomb]

I'm sorry, but I have no trust in Pope. He's not done anything yet to warrant it.

I would be ecstatic if he earned my trust this season. But realistically, I'm doubtful. But hopeful.

 

[Starrcade]

Here's what I know about Pope, he is not a good basketball coach. And his teams quit. BYU was glad to get rid of him just as UK fans will be when he's gone. He might be booksmart? But he is basketball stupid. He has absolutely no feel for the game.

No one can watch a Pope team play and see a well coached team.

You forgot to mention that you are a jaded jilted Calipari lover.

 

[IMightJustFartOnEm]

Remember this about OP: he prays for my butt cheeks to be lowered onto his face and unleash a nastiness that few if any ever will see.

 

[Snarks]

I disagree, he’s extremely stubborn. See his GM hiring. He’s only changed assistants because he knows his seat is really hot!

 

[warrior-cat]

Mark Pope is flawed. What people seem to forget is that he’s very smart (went to medical school, Rhodes scholar candidate, etc.) and self aware. Additionally he’s not stubborn like Cal. He recognizes his flaws and he’s trying to find the right assistants to compensate for that. So far it looks like Mo Williams is that guy. Hopefully he can also be the man to cuss a little when needed while Pope can remain the optimistic genius. If a flawed person recognizes their flaws and is not too stubborn to change they can be successful. Of course, we can’t wait forever. The time is now. The beautiful thing is he knows the standard cause he’s played for it.

Why do they need to cuss? Vocabulary so limited that they can't find the right word?

 

[UKFootball78]

You want to argue him that pope knows what he’s doing after all the losing his first two years? A couple of recruiting wins doesn’t change the entire calculus with pope. Someone in this thread said they didn’t think Kentucky could win at their historical clip. That’s a grand example of the damage pope has done to expectations. Folks act like pope has brought in no talent. Last year he had 4 mcd all American on the team. The problem is he still looses.

For pope nothing has changed. He has to win. And win big. A season like year one and we re in trouble. UK basketball is past due for a final four. Pope needs a big season. 8 losses max total. A top 2 seed. A strong elite 8 run. And the majority of our roster coming back next season. If pope can’t accomplish that he needs to go. He is a step down from tubby. Another sub tubby season we will have to make a move with the new ad.

Don't let your hate blind you. Yes, last year was a disaster, but you can't honestly deny the fact that the team would have been completely different without the injuries , causing UK to have no true point guard and shifting players out of position. I will agree that that is no excuse for the games were the team clearly quit and looked clueless, not does it excuse the bizarre substitution patterns. Last year did not meet expectations, but you also have to give him props for exceeding expectation year 1. He came in very late with 0 players and 0 staff and put together a great team, a team that set records despite getting hit hard by injuries. His first team was final 4 quality when healthy. If he gets the same results this year with a fully healthy roster as last year, then I will be right there with you in calling for a change. But let's see how this season plays out first.

 

[Grevey1975]

At least with the Milan signing and Moreno coming back, there is some optimism now. With that being said he has to produce this year and produce big such as 1-third place finish in the SEC and no worse than a Final 8 in the Tourney IMO..

 

[UK4Life#9]

Here's what I know about Pope, he is not a good basketball coach. And his teams quit. BYU was glad to get rid of him just as UK fans will be when he's gone. He might be booksmart? But he is basketball stupid. He has absolutely no feel for the game.

No one can watch a Pope team play and see a well coached team.

Ignored…

 

[UK4Life#9]

You want to argue him that pope knows what he’s doing after all the losing his first two years? A couple of recruiting wins doesn’t change the entire calculus with pope. Someone in this thread said they didn’t think Kentucky could win at their historical clip. That’s a grand example of the damage pope has done to expectations. Folks act like pope has brought in no talent. Last year he had 4 mcd all American on the team. The problem is he still looses.

For pope nothing has changed. He has to win. And win big. A season like year one and we re in trouble. UK basketball is past due for a final four. Pope needs a big season. 8 losses max total. A top 2 seed. A strong elite 8 run. And the majority of our roster coming back next season. If pope can’t accomplish that he needs to go. He is a step down from tubby. Another sub tubby season we will have to make a move with the new ad.

Ignored… Rent free..

 

[RedwoodHigh]

You want to argue him that pope knows what he’s doing after all the losing his first two years? A couple of recruiting wins doesn’t change the entire calculus with pope. Someone in this thread said they didn’t think Kentucky could win at their historical clip. That’s a grand example of the damage pope has done to expectations. Folks act like pope has brought in no talent. Last year he had 4 mcd all American on the team. The problem is he still looses.

For pope nothing has changed. He has to win. And win big. A season like year one and we re in trouble. UK basketball is past due for a final four. Pope needs a big season. 8 losses max total. A top 2 seed. A strong elite 8 run. And the majority of our roster coming back next season. If pope can’t accomplish that he needs to go. He is a step down from tubby. Another sub tubby season we will have to make a move with the new ad.

Name the 4 McD All Americans on last year’s team?

 

[jrm693]

I'm sorry, but I have no trust in Pope. He's not done anything yet to warrant it.

I would be ecstatic if he earned my trust this season. But realistically, I'm doubtful. But hopeful.

I believe maybe Mo Williams might be the key he knows how to speak theee young guys language...when he arrived is when our luck changed

 

[wkycatfan7]

I'm gonna give MP the benefit of the doubt last year and say he had a difficult group to work with. I still liked his first season quite a bit.

 

[mhs1964]

You want to argue him that pope knows what he’s doing after all the losing his first two years? A couple of recruiting wins doesn’t change the entire calculus with pope. Someone in this thread said they didn’t think Kentucky could win at their historical clip. That’s a grand example of the damage pope has done to expectations. Folks act like pope has brought in no talent. Last year he had 4 mcd all American on the team. The problem is he still looses.

For pope nothing has changed. He has to win. And win big. A season like year one and we re in trouble. UK basketball is past due for a final four. Pope needs a big season. 8 losses max total. A top 2 seed. A strong elite 8 run. And the majority of our roster coming back next season. If pope can’t accomplish that he needs to go. He is a step down from tubby. Another sub tubby season we will have to make a move with the new ad.

I really am not optimistic that we can routinely limit our losses to eight year in and year out with any coach under the current circumstances. These would include portal, NIL, and schedule. Unless you win the SEC tournament or the NCAA you limit the team to six or seven losses during the regular season. The SEC is a much more difficult league than when Cal arrived. Many on this board complained about the league andthat it didn’t prepare us for the post season. However, we did pretty well during those years as young teams could keep winning and develop confidence. Add this to a tough out of conference and to lose only six games would certainly place you in the conversation for title but to do this every year is an expectation that likely will disappoint you.

 

[KyKevin]

His adjustments against Duke and Gonzaga his first season made him seem like a basketball genius. But his substitution decisions have been baffling. I don't understand why he won't adjust in that area.

His subbing players that are hot and playing well, because of analytics, just sucks. If he cleans that part up, it would make a difference.

 

[CameronCat22]

Don't let your hate blind you. Yes, last year was a disaster, but you can't honestly deny the fact that the team would have been completely different without the injuries , causing UK to have no true point guard and shifting players out of position. I will agree that that is no excuse for the games were the team clearly quit and looked clueless, not does it excuse the bizarre substitution patterns. Last year did not meet expectations, but you also have to give him props for exceeding expectation year 1. He came in very late with 0 players and 0 staff and put together a great team, a team that set records despite getting hit hard by injuries. His first team was final 4 quality when healthy. If he gets the same results this year with a fully healthy roster as last year, then I will be right there with you in calling for a change. But let's see how this season plays out first.

The nerve of this clueless fraud.

 

[UKFootball78]

The nerve of this clueless fraud.

Lol...keep up with your name calling. You are easily triggered whenever anyone calls out your precious JMI...you'll be banned soon...like a broken record.

 

[Kats meow]

A couple of recruiting wins doesn’t change the entire calculus…

The problem is he still looses.

You can’t talk about calculus and loosing in the same post.

 

[KyKevin]

I can teach Pope to cuss.

I'm pretty good at it.

I could lip read him saying F.uck in a game this past season, so your to late

 

[KyKevin]

Don't let your hate blind you. Yes, last year was a disaster, but you can't honestly deny the fact that the team would have been completely different without the injuries , causing UK to have no true point guard and shifting players out of position. I will agree that that is no excuse for the games were the team clearly quit and looked clueless, not does it excuse the bizarre substitution patterns. Last year did not meet expectations, but you also have to give him props for exceeding expectation year 1. He came in very late with 0 players and 0 staff and put together a great team, a team that set records despite getting hit hard by injuries. His first team was final 4 quality when healthy. If he gets the same results this year with a fully healthy roster as last year, then I will be right there with you in calling for a change. But let's see how this season plays out first.

Great post

 

[KyKevin]

I believe maybe Mo Williams might be the key he knows how to speak theee young guys language...when he arrived is when our luck changed

Sure hope Crawford is next, it would be some great news

 

[Hunting9]

OP just started an account to cause trouble. He didn’t even bother to follow up his original comments throughout the whole thread. Yet we have posters going back and forth like this guy has substance. I’m not trying to be a jerk but this site is only good if the people on it are somewhat legit and the past several months have really messed this place up.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

OP just started an account to cause trouble. He didn’t even bother to follow up his original comments throughout the whole thread. Yet we have posters going back and forth like this guy has substance. I’m not trying to be a jerk but this site is only good if the people on it are somewhat legit and the past several months have really messed this place up.

You’d have to be reading something extra into the original post. He’s saying Pope is flawed but smart and humble. That’s why he thinks Pope will get things right.

What’s wrong with that opinion? He didn’t cast shame on anyone who disagrees in that post, didn’t call anyone a name or anything else. I thought it was a perfectly fine post.

If OP is here to cause trouble that will show itself over time and then it will be appropriate to say that. For now, I’m puzzled where you got the impression that you did.

 

[kyhankypanky]

You obviously do not know anything about basketball, junior. Stick to hot pockets and video games in your parent’s basement.

I disagree with you. Unfortunately, the record is on our side - not yours.

 

[kyhankypanky]

Based on what I've seen, I suspect Pope's intelligence might be overrated. But don't take my word for it because he's smarter than me.

This. I would do a charity fundraiser take an IQ test challenge against Pope. I am confident I would kick his ***. Someone make it happen.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

Pope isn’t stubborn? Uhh on what planet? Dude has refused to hire a GM just because absolutely everybody has pleaded for him to hire one. He also refused to keep Antigua just because he was on Cal’s staff.

He absolutely had stubborness in him. It may not be as bad as Cal but it’s there and it has cost him dearly in his time here so far.

 

[26MichaelUK]

You want to argue him that pope knows what he’s doing after all the losing his first two years? A couple of recruiting wins doesn’t change the entire calculus with pope. Someone in this thread said they didn’t think Kentucky could win at their historical clip. That’s a grand example of the damage pope has done to expectations. Folks act like pope has brought in no talent. Last year he had 4 mcd all American on the team. The problem is he still looses.

For pope nothing has changed. He has to win. And win big. A season like year one and we re in trouble. UK basketball is past due for a final four. Pope needs a big season. 8 losses max total. A top 2 seed. A strong elite 8 run. And the majority of our roster coming back next season. If pope can’t accomplish that he needs to go. He is a step down from tubby. Another sub tubby season we will have to make a move with the new ad.

I'm sorry but NO Kentucky fan should accept lowering the standards in ANY WAY or be ok with it. We did not become "Kentucky" by settling or lowering standards. I wasn't on this board Tubby had his dedicated defenders, even Billie G did from questions I've asked on here. So I 100% agree there.

Last year was an unmitigated disaster in almost every way possible. Just like his first year showed lots of promise. I'm judging him on what happens this season and above average mediocrity is something I'll NEVER accept. I'm giving him a 100% fair chance and laying off the criticism till it's warranted. It's hard not to beat the dead horse of last year but trust me I see why people are worried.

 

[Tim0808]

I can teach Pope to cuss.

I'm pretty good at it.

Me too. I do it every time I watch a Pope coached team.

 

[Tim0808]

Don't let your hate blind you. Yes, last year was a disaster, but you can't honestly deny the fact that the team would have been completely different without the injuries , causing UK to have no true point guard and shifting players out of position. I will agree that that is no excuse for the games were the team clearly quit and looked clueless, not does it excuse the bizarre substitution patterns. Last year did not meet expectations, but you also have to give him props for exceeding expectation year 1. He came in very late with 0 players and 0 staff and put together a great team, a team that set records despite getting hit hard by injuries. His first team was final 4 quality when healthy. If he gets the same results this year with a fully healthy roster as last year, then I will be right there with you in calling for a change. But let's see how this season plays out first.

Stop with the injuries. It is part of the game. Every team has them. We look lost most of the time. No defense, No offense, No fight,
Pitino lost one of his top players on a short handed team and still made it to the finals.

In all reality with the NIL, the way he uses the transfer portal to build his rosters, both years have been a disappointment. You can say he had a late start, but the truth his he does not recruit high school talent very well and he does not coach them very well either. His roster building did not start very early this year either. Our only hope is that Mo Williams can coach and Pope listens.