For all the whiners and non believers in Pope

[chroix]

Yeah but I’ll always call balls and strikes as I see them. I hate the polarization personally, particularly when it’s untrue.

Strawman thrives online.

 

[chroix]

The opportunity became available and worked hard to take advantage of it. That's all a part of recruiting year-round. I may have been too hard on you but seriously it's a fact that anything he does positive people say it was luck

Sure but this was a once ever opportunity so you have to acknowledge the luck factor.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

The opportunity became available and worked hard to take advantage of it. That's all a part of recruiting year-round. I may have been too hard on you but seriously it's a fact that anything he does positive people say it was luck

Agree with you. The first sentence is the key. When Mitchell became eligible, he could have went to another school. Pope got him here.

Was there luck? Yes
Was there recruiting effort? Yes

There was both. The thing about luck is it’s always a part of recruiting to some degree. If you have a lot of roster spots to fill and it’s a weak portal class, that’s bad luck. If you need a top center and you happen to have one available in your state, that’s good luck. If you happen to have the ability to spend more money than other off-seasons thanks to a unique partnership, that’s good luck. If you happen to add a potential NBA lottery pick center from the portal, but he never gets healthy enough to play, that’s bad luck.

 

[chroix]

Luck is when opportunity and preparation intersect. Nothing derogatory about that.

 

[UKCowboys]

Pope first! Except when he lost in the tourney last year and you said “you were wrong” little fella.

I did want him gone...they didn't fire him.
So when he signs a potential Natty roster, I give him credit.. you squeal "Pope first". Thats not Pope first, that's UK first. You hate Pope more than you love the Cats. Pathetic

 

[UKCowboys]

See right there in this post is the stupid **** some of y'all say. " If he didn't get lucky." he worked very hard to get both of those players just like any other coach, but if he is successful, then it's just luck. It's not just those two players, but the team has a whole is the one he put together. I agree we need to see the results that put us back on top, but some of you guys refuse to give him any credit.

This X 1000

 

[UKCowboys]

Are you mentally challenged?

You're the one that thinks JQ was here in Popes first year..

 

[UKCowboys]

I agree to a point but for the longest time this is exactly what Richie was doing just negative instead of the positive like cowboy does. They both should focus on maybe get behind this team instead of overly bashing or overly praising him.

How am I overpraising Pope? Almost everything i post is about the team. Its just that for every post I make that does compliment Pope, there are 4-5 guys that will post insult that post multiple times each

 

[UKCowboys]

Pope first! Except when he lost in the tourney last year and you said “you were wrong” little fella.

Little fella lol. Your subconscious man, telling you. Subliminal messages

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

He thinks this is year 4 for Pope so that should tell you something.

RunninRichie is my mortal enemy and I'm always up for giving him grief. But you are making yourself look very silly here. You read it wrong. Just admit your mistake, apologize and move on.

 

[Damage_inc]

Take a look at this final roster. I quit reading these boards because of the negativity. Pope has done a masterful job of constructing this roster. Go Cats!!!!

We thought the same thing last year. Let’s just be fair. We will revisit this in February. One thing for certain is that we ALL want the same thing here. We want to win.

 

[L.O.D.]

What has Pope achieved to make one believe he belongs coaching at UK? Where are these achievements that speak to where people who doubt Pope should be shamed? Let us know

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

What has Pope achieved to make one believe he belongs coaching at UK? Where are these achievements that speak to where people who doubt Pope should be shamed? Let us know

In year one, Kentucky went 24–12 and reached the Sweet 16. They beat eight AP Top-15 opponents, tied for the most ever in a single college basketball season, and their five Top-10 wins set a Kentucky record. They also finished in the Top 10 nationally in offensive efficiency and set a UK record with 341 made threes.
Year two was less impressive at 22–14 with a second-round NCAA exit, and that absolutely deserves criticism. But even through significant injuries, Kentucky still recorded five wins over KenPom Top-20 teams and five AP Top-25 wins.
So I wouldn’t “shame” anyone for doubting Pope. Skepticism is perfectly reasonable at Kentucky, where the standard is competing for SEC titles, Final Fours and national championships.
But I also wouldn’t say he has done nothing to prove he belongs. He inherited essentially an entirely new roster, immediately reached a Sweet 16, has beaten a substantial number of highly ranked teams, and has shown he can recruit and build competitive teams in the modern portal/NIL environment.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Take a look at this final roster. I quit reading these boards because of the negativity. Pope has done a masterful job of constructing this roster. Go Cats!!!!

Monday Night Nitro Alert.

 

[TotheMoon88]

Read your post you’ll get it

No you’re really just that dumb

 

[Lameguy]

No you’re really just that dumb

You guys are really dense, there’s nothing in the original post that refers to giving Pope a year 4. If you understand how conversations work, there was no previous talk about giving Pope a 4th year. His comment about a year 4 lacks context. You’re making a comment after reading others explaining what he meant. Matter of fact this thread wasn’t about “If Pope should get a 4th year”

 

[BlueBloodKyFan72]

Great roster, just needs to win now. Like a final four.

He better get those substitution patterns down better than last year I’m sure not relying on Noah and JJ will help with a better options 8-9 deep

 

[Ash Williams]

What he meant is not articulated in the way he wrote it. The fact that you got it leads me to believe that you and him could be the same

Everybody understood him except you. That leads you to think what?

 

[Ash Williams]

Maybe so fossil, but the guys pretty much a jerk. And I’ll double down on people like him all day.

“I’m stupid but he’s a jerk” is a weird flex.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

In year one, Kentucky went 24–12 and reached the Sweet 16. They beat eight AP Top-15 opponents, tied for the most ever in a single college basketball season, and their five Top-10 wins set a Kentucky record. They also finished in the Top 10 nationally in offensive efficiency and set a UK record with 341 made threes.
Year two was less impressive at 22–14 with a second-round NCAA exit, and that absolutely deserves criticism. But even through significant injuries, Kentucky still recorded five wins over KenPom Top-20 teams and five AP Top-25 wins.
So I wouldn’t “shame” anyone for doubting Pope. Skepticism is perfectly reasonable at Kentucky, where the standard is competing for SEC titles, Final Fours and national championships.
But I also wouldn’t say he has done nothing to prove he belongs. He inherited essentially an entirely new roster, immediately reached a Sweet 16, has beaten a substantial number of highly ranked teams, and has shown he can recruit and build competitive teams in the modern portal/NIL environment.

Well said!

Also, contrary to popular belief, Pope showed a lot of promise prior to becoming the Kentucky coach. He had only one bad year at BYU in 2023. Other than that season, he clearly showed himself to be a coach on the rise. Completely understand being skeptical of him but there’s a lot to like.

 

[phyrekat01]

If he can deal with in-season adversity as well as he's dealt with the off-season adversity this year, I really like our chances.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

This board has always said on court results matter and they dont hand out championships for winning recruiting rankings. That said, you cant win without talent so about time we have a UK level roster under Pope that can do some real damage.

We have a very impressive roster. Need to win something that matters this season now (sec or sec tourney or make final four).

They will quit just like every Pope team. He won’t stray from his DNA.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

They will quit just like every Pope team. He won’t stray from his DNA.

You gonna be ok?

 

[UKCowboys]

What has Pope achieved to make one believe he belongs coaching at UK? Where are these achievements that speak to where people who doubt Pope should be shamed? Let us know

The question is, why is today the time to rip Pope? He is bashed on Rafters 24/7/365. We just landed the final piece we needed to truly contend for a Championship this season. How about the people with an extreme hatred for Pope bottle the venom up until we actually lose a game this season and then break out the tar and feathers again?

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

With how hard the SEC is now. An SEC regular season title and an elite 8, would be enough for a year 4, from me.

Can I trade you a top three finish in the SEC and a sweet 16 because there is no way Kentucky is ahead of both Florida and Tennessee at the end of the season? I think the reasonable expectation is a top 5 finish in the SEC and a sweet 16 and if he does that then he's coming back for a fourth year. People might not like that he'll be back but there is no way that he doesn't if he just makes it to the sweet 16 and has a reasonably good finish in conference.

 

[HalHR2500]

Potentially elite offensive team

Rebounding and defensive efficacy - that’s the issue

 

[davtay]

You gonna be ok?

There is nothing wrong with him. This is who he is. If he ever says anything positive, then you should ask if he is ok.

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

Well, I found the thread that shows off all the bickerers

 

[TotheMoon88]

You guys are really dense, there’s nothing in the original post that refers to giving Pope a year 4. If you understand how conversations work, there was no previous talk about giving Pope a 4th year. His comment about a year 4 lacks context. You’re making a comment after reading others explaining what he meant. Matter of fact this thread wasn’t about “If Pope should get a 4th year”

No I didn’t read any explanations, I knew exactly what he meant, as did many others.

 

[NociHTTP]

I did want him gone...they didn't fire him.
So when he signs a potential Natty roster, I give him credit.. you squeal "Pope first". Thats not Pope first, that's UK first. You hate Pope more than you love the Cats. Pathetic

Sometimes you're like a fart in the wind, but I love you anyway. Skunk Lives Matter.

 

[NociHTTP]

How am I overpraising Pope? Almost everything i post is about the team. Its just that for every post I make that does compliment Pope, there are 4-5 guys that will post insult that post multiple times each

At one point you WERE overly-Pope. It's okay, I was super enamored with Legos when I was a kid, even threw a fit because Santa Claus forgot to bring them to me (that's what I was told). You're a die-hard UK fan

 

[NociHTTP]

What has Pope achieved to make one believe he belongs coaching at UK? Where are these achievements that speak to where people who doubt Pope should be shamed? Let us know

Lots
Of
Duck

 

[UKCowboys]

At one point you WERE overly-Pope. It's okay, I was super enamored with Legos when I was a kid, even threw a fit because Santa Claus forgot to bring them to me (that's what I was told). You're a die-hard UK fan

I am for sure a die hard UK fan lol. Bleed Blue. I never wanted Pope. I just hate seeing people treated unfairly, especially someone I deem to be a good dude. Its hard not to get his back. I mean, does he do stuff I don't like? Yeah. But the guy gets blamed for everything but the Kennedy assassination too

 

[kyjeff1]

I agree. Need to come out with effort. No more "comeback" wins, where we come out, and look like we are asleep in the 1st half. Really hope to see the defense/defensive coaching improve as well. It seems we never defend 3 point shooters with our hands up.

Drives me crazy. Last year, the only guy that played hands up defense, was Trent Noah. Guards were getting easy buckets over our centers and our perimeter defenders refused to put their hands up. I really hope they are not being coached to play hands down defense, that's just awful.

 

[BookofMormon]

Drives me crazy. Last year, the only guy that played hands up defense, was Trent Noah. Guards were getting easy buckets over our centers and our perimeter defenders refused to put their hands up. I really hope they are not being coached to play hands down defense, that's just awful.

Brutal - last year felt like a broken locker room. This kind of stuff is all about coaching and culture. This roster comes out lazy defensively, put a fork in Pope after this year. I'm glad it's a great roster, now he can be held accountable.

 

[Bluesbrother]

I'm badmouthing the team and coach, because I said I need to see Pope win big? Guys like you are why people think our fanbase, is full of mouth breathers.

Show the last positive post you made about this team or coach. Ill wait, it'll take you a while

Why do you even care what others think? It's a message board. I prefer to hear all opinions from both sides, so when you argue and constantly rant against those who disagree with you ... you do nothing for the vitality of the board. For that ... I wish you would just STFU because no one cares at some point because your views aren't rational.

 

[NociHTTP]

Drives me crazy. Last year, the only guy that played hands up defense, was Trent Noah. Guards were getting easy buckets over our centers and our perimeter defenders refused to put their hands up. I really hope they are not being coached to play hands down defense, that's just awful.

I doubt that they were taught to play defense with their hands down, but I do think playing good defense wasn't enforced. It wasn't in Cal's years, either. At least not the later years at UK

 

[KapitalCat]

Take a look at this final roster. I quit reading these boards because of the negativity. Pope has done a masterful job of constructing this roster. Go Cats!!!!

It's a top 10 roster with Mitchell. He gets credit for putting this roster together. Now keep them healthy and go make UK elite again. Do that and all will be forgotten except for trolls and people who are never happy. There is a flip side to that statement that I won't discuss unless it happens but it does involve Billy Donovan

 

[kyjeff1]

I doubt that they were taught to play defense with their hands down, but I do think playing good defense wasn't enforced. It wasn't in Cal's years, either. At least not the later years at UK

Playing defense with your hands up, is taught in grade school ball. These guys have been playing ball for 15+ years and should know better.

I know there were games where our guys mailed it in due to whatever was going on in the lockerroom, but there were also games where our team was playing with great effort and in those games, we still played defense with our hands down.

In one game thread, someone commented that they can’t run as fast with their hands up and it’s normal. No it's not. When you close out on a shooter, hands should be up and when you are defending in the paint, your hands better be up, because if they're down, not only are you going to give up a bucket, you're probably going to pick up a foul too.

 

[JimboBBN]

Hey guys. The ones saying we have a great roster. You’re correct! The roster has talent and depth like we haven’t seen a Pope team have at UK thus far.

Hey other guys. The ones saying Pope needs to go out and prove it now. You’re also right! Pope had the highest payroll in the country last year and we lost 14 games. It’s boom or bust this year, and he’s been more bust to this point.

Let’s see what happens. I know I’m excited for this team.