Stop the Witch Hunts, Let People Enjoy A Good Offseason

[PastorofMuppets82]

I thought (on vacation and can’t look) that Pope did worse than his predecessors (everywhere- including KY).

Objective answer for first 2 years at UK going back to Rupp (pre-Rupp isn't worth the effort to add because it's all over the place with random coaches and a different conference (Southern).)

Calipari -
1st Year - 35-3, 14-2 in SEC, Reg Season SEC Champs, SEC Tourny Champs, Elite 8
2nd Year - 29-9, 10-6 in SEC, 2nd in SEC (East), SEC Tourny Champs, Final 4

Conclusion - Calipari did better than Pope in years 1 and 2

Gillispie -
1st Year - 18-13, 12-4 in SEC, 2nd in SEC (East), NCAA First Round
2nd Year - 22-14, 8-8 in SEC, 4th in SEC (East), NIT Quarterfinals

Conclusion - Pope did better than Gillispie in years 1 and 2

Tubby -
1st Year - 35-4, 14-2, Reg Season SEC Champs, SEC Tourny Champs, National Champion
2nd Year - 28-9, 11-5, 2nd in SEC (East), SEC Tourny Champs, Elite 8

Conclusion - Tubby did better than Pope in years 1 and 2

Pitino - *Ineligible first two seasons at UK and will not compare as it is not a fair comparison for either coach

Sutton -
1st Year - 32-4, 17-1, Reg Season SEC Champs, SEC Tourny Champs, Elite 8
2nd Year - 18-11, 10-8, 4th in SEC, NCAA First Round

Conclusion - Weak year 2 makes this closer than it should be, but still clearly Sutton over Pope in first 2 years.

Hall -
1st Year - 20-8, 14-4, Reg Season SEC Champs, Elite 8
2nd Year - 13-13, 9-9, 4th in SEC, Not invited to the post season

Conclusion - Another weak year 2 makes this closer than it should be, but still clearly Hall over Pope in first 2 years.

Rupp -
1st Year - 15-3, 8-2, 4th in Southern Conference, No postseason
2nd Year - 15-2, 9-1, 1st in Southern Conference, No postseason

Conclusion - Despite no postseason invites, Rupp is clearly the winner over Pope here in first 2 years.

Pope -
1st Year - 24-12, 10-8, 7th in SEC, Sweet-16
2nd Year - 22-14, 10-8, T-7th in SEC, Round of 32

Thoughts:
Pope's winning percentage of 0.639 dwarfs Gillispie's of 0.597. Pope had more regular season wins, They both had 20 conference wins (Pope has more conference games where they used to only play 16 SEC games, now it's 18) so you could argue Gillispie's win percentage in the SEC is higher and be correct. Neither Coach won a regular season conference, or SEC tournament title. Gillispie lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament and didn't make the tournament year 2 in his two seasons. Pope was able to manage a sweet 16 and round of 32 appearance in his two seasons. Pope has been UK historically bad, but he's still not the worst to man the helm. That would be Gillispie. Hopefully that record is never broken by any future UK head coach. Unless by predecessor, you specifically mean the guy he replaced. That is a different set of data entirely.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

This is the point.

Pope’s career at Kentucky so far, in my opinion, has not been good enough to warrant widely held confidence. That agreed with the fan poll I put out recently where almost everyone voted that they were in the middle on Pope, slightly confident or slightly doubtful. Everyone knows the warts, everyone knows the strengths.

As for his early career, he was a promising coach. That’s why he continued to get promotions. Go year by year and look at the roster situation, expectations and performances of his teams prior to Kentucky. Other than 2023 and 2026, I’d say every other Pope season showed promise as a program builder and coach on the rise.

We need to see more of that at Kentucky rather than the warts or his time will be short. I’m all about being fair either way.

I think the point he's trying to make, and I've tried to make it before too, a ton of those other coaches had equity previous to the job he referenced. They had REAL actual success. Their hallmarks weren't finished second to Gonzaga twice. So those coaches had actual real proven success as a coach. Pope hasn't been awful, but he hasn't really been "good" either. Therefore, he just doesn't have the equity.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Pope verses the guy he replaced, two data sets, the guy he replaced first two seasons at that school (program building insight), and his last two (state of the program when he left).

BYU:
Dave Rose
1st Year - 20-9, 12-4, T-2nd in Mountain West, NIT First Round
2nd Year - 25-9, 13-3, Reg Season Mountain West Champs, NCAA First Round

2nd to Last Year - 24-11, 11-7, 3rd in West Coast Conference, NIT First Round
Last Season There - 19-13, 11-5, 3rd in West Coast Conference, No Postseason Invite

to Pope at BYU
1st Year - 24-8, 13-3, 2nd in West Coast Conference, No Postseason Held (COVID)
2nd Year - 20-7, 13-3, 2nd in West Coast Conference, NCAA First Round

2nd to Last Year - 19-15, 7-9, T-5th West Coast Conference, No Postseason Invite
Last Season There - 23-11, 10-8, T-5th Big 12, NCAA First Round

One could argue this one either way, not for me to do so. He improved over Rose's two final seasons in the same conference finishing 2nd both times verses Rose's 3rds in both, got to the NCAA in year 2 where Rose didn't in his final two seasons, and probably missed a second trip to the postseason because of COVID cancelling the tournament year 1. Initial Year 1 and Year 2 are almost identical from when they took over, but two different conferences and I don't feel like arguing conference strengths and schedules. Kevin Young has done better in his 2 seasons since replacing Pope at BYU with a 26-10 and 23-12 regular season records, a T-3rd in Big 12 along with a T-7th, and Sweet 16 appearance to go along with the first round exit last season.

UTAH VALLEY: (Note they were a Junior College until 2002-2003 and entered into D1 provisionally with no postseason opportunities as an independent until they were allowed to enter the Great West Conference in 2008-2009).
Dave Hunsaker
1st Year - 23-5, No conference, no postseason, provisional team with no conference or postseason chances, independent school
2nd year 16-12, No conference, no postseason, provisional team with no conference or postseason chances, independent school

2nd to Last Year - 20-12, 13-3, Reg Season WAC Champs, NIT First Round
Last Season There - 11-19, 5-9, 6th in WAC, No Postseason Invite

to Pope at Utah Valley
1st Year - 12-18, 6-8, 5th in WAC, No Postseason Invite
2nd Year - 17-17, 6-8, 5th in WAC, CBI Invitational Semifinals

2nd to Last Year - 23-11, 10-4, 2nd in WAC, CBI Invitational Quarterfinals
Last Year - 25-10, 12-4, 2nd in WAC, CBI Invitational Quarterfinals

The guy who took over after Pope left (Mark Madsen) proceeded to go 11-19 and 11-11 in his first two years taking over for Pope. Utah Valley hasn't been to a postseason tournament since Pope left.

Obviously we know Calipari numbers (amazing first two years compared to Popes) and pretty solid regular season numbers his final two years with disappointing tournament finishes his final two years. So i won't include those here because Pope has clearly been worse than Cal by the numbers through his first two years here and I've already posted them in my previous post.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

I think the point he's trying to make, and I've tried to make it before too, a ton of those other coaches had equity previous to the job he referenced. They had REAL actual success. Their hallmarks weren't finished second to Gonzaga twice. So those coaches had actual real proven success as a coach. Pope hasn't been awful, but he hasn't really been "good" either. Therefore, he just doesn't have the equity.

There are coaches in my study that didn’t have much more success than Coach Pope early in their career. People see some of the names and assume it was always obvious they’d develop into great coaches but it isn’t true. I also push back on early career Pope not having equity. Pope at Kentucky has to be better. Period. That’s uncontested. But people think winning an argument is more important than being charitable in their criticisms. Pope’s early career winning percentage was tanked by recovering an abysmal Utah Valley program. That’s why he, despite having a poor win percentage, got the BYU job.

 

[Cattorney]

There are coaches in my study that didn’t have much more success than Coach Pope early in their career. People see some of the names and assume it was always obvious they’d develop into great coaches but it isn’t true. I also push back on early career Pope not having equity. Pope at Kentucky has to be better. Period. That’s uncontested. But people think winning an argument is more important than being charitable in their criticisms. Pope’s early career winning percentage was tanked by recovering an abysmal Utah Valley program. That’s why he, despite having a poor win percentage, got the BYU job.

Lol, what?

UTAH Valley state won the Mac in the 2014 season, 1 year before they hired Pope. What exactly was he recovering?

Like, you really to the point you just have to create a false narrative?

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

Lol, what?

UTAH Valley state won the Mac in the 2014 season, 1 year before they hired Pope. What exactly was he recovering?

Like, you really to the point you just have to create a false narrative?

Really clever way of wording that.

Except --- yeah they had a good year in the 2014 season and had the best record in the MAC.
2013-14 Utah Valley Wolverines Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

1.) That year was preceded by a 14-18 team
2012-13 Utah Valley Wolverines Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

and followed by an 11-19 squad
2014-15 Utah Valley Wolverines Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

BEFORE Pope was hired. And then many of the major players from the 11 win team were gone as well. Pope was rebuilding from a very difficult starting place.

2015-16 Utah Valley Wolverines Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com


2.) None of the major players on that 2014 team were around by the time Pope was coach.

 

[Cattorney]

Really clever way of wording that.

Except --- yeah they had a good year in the 2014 season and had the best record in the MAC.
2013-14 Utah Valley Wolverines Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

1.) That year was preceded by a 14-18 team
2012-13 Utah Valley Wolverines Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

and followed by an 11-19 squad
2014-15 Utah Valley Wolverines Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

BEFORE Pope was hired. And then many of the major players from the 11 win team were gone as well. Pope was rebuilding from a very difficult starting place.

2015-16 Utah Valley Wolverines Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com


2.) None of the major players on that 2014 team were around by the time Pope was coach.

Interesting way of wording it? You mean, like, the truth? Lmao!

They were also 20-13 in 2011 and 2012 season, winning the WAC with a 9-1 record and 19-11 in 2010-2011 winning the WAC and going 11-1.
So 3 of 5 years prior to Pope they won the WAC, but Pope had to "recover" the program now?

A recovery that includes no WAC championships. But.. a year removed from Pope and they win the Mac again and have done so 4 of the last 6 seasons.

Ole, Mark Pope though with that riveting "recovery" of Utah Valley State!

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

Interesting way of wording it? You mean, like, the truth? Lmao!

They were also 20-13 in 2011 and 2012 season, winning the WAC with a 9-1 record and 19-11 in 2010-2011 winning the WAC and going 11-1.
So 3 of 5 years prior to Pope they won the WAC, but Pope had to "recover" the program now?

A recovery that includes no WAC championships. But.. a year removed from Pope and they win the Mac again and have done so 4 of the last 6 seasons.

Ole, Mark Pope though with that riveting "recovery" of all Utah Valley State!

On me for entertaining you, bro. I tried to have a good faith dialogue and it's laugh emojis and trying to humiliate people. Won't see your posts anymore. Good talk.

 

[Cattorney]

On me for entertaining you, bro. I tried to have a good faith dialogue and it's laugh emojis and trying to humiliate people. Won't see your posts anymore. Good talk.

Lol, no you didn't. You lied and got caught. Now you deflect. It's what you do.

Also, Pope returned 7 players from the previous season and coach. So over half his Roster returned. Not quite the dramatic rebuild you claim.

I don't blame you for giving up. You're embarrassing yourself and Pope.

 

[DudahUK]

@Cattorney is over here on fire ladies and gentlemen. Get em!!!!

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

LOL, you really put coaches on here, who won big at their previous schools, or were in totally different eras of CBB. To prop up Mark Pope. Pope coached 9 years before being hired at UK. For example, putting Scott Drew on the list is hilarious, players were killing each other on that team, before he was hired. It was the worst basketball job in America. Baylor basketball post 1950 is Scott Drew.

Are you incapable of understanding the criteria of the list? Here is a hint. It was coaches who have the National Championship since 1991 as I stated in that post.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Coach K also turned Army competitive at the NIT level and they have never made it again either since he left in 78. He turned duke into a powerhouse rather quickly.

He was 23-28 his last two seasons at Army. He was 38-47 his first three seasons at Duke but you claim 46-26 in two seasons at UK to be proof that Pope can never possibly do better?

 

[UKortho]

Objective answer for first 2 years at UK going back to Rupp (pre-Rupp isn't worth the effort to add because it's all over the place with random coaches and a different conference (Southern).)

Calipari -
1st Year - 35-3, 14-2 in SEC, Reg Season SEC Champs, SEC Tourny Champs, Elite 8
2nd Year - 29-9, 10-6 in SEC, 2nd in SEC (East), SEC Tourny Champs, Final 4

Conclusion - Calipari did better than Pope in years 1 and 2

Gillispie -
1st Year - 18-13, 12-4 in SEC, 2nd in SEC (East), NCAA First Round
2nd Year - 22-14, 8-8 in SEC, 4th in SEC (East), NIT Quarterfinals

Conclusion - Pope did better than Gillispie in years 1 and 2

Tubby -
1st Year - 35-4, 14-2, Reg Season SEC Champs, SEC Tourny Champs, National Champion
2nd Year - 28-9, 11-5, 2nd in SEC (East), SEC Tourny Champs, Elite 8

Conclusion - Tubby did better than Pope in years 1 and 2

Pitino - *Ineligible first two seasons at UK and will not compare as it is not a fair comparison for either coach

Sutton -
1st Year - 32-4, 17-1, Reg Season SEC Champs, SEC Tourny Champs, Elite 8
2nd Year - 18-11, 10-8, 4th in SEC, NCAA First Round

Conclusion - Weak year 2 makes this closer than it should be, but still clearly Sutton over Pope in first 2 years.

Hall -
1st Year - 20-8, 14-4, Reg Season SEC Champs, Elite 8
2nd Year - 13-13, 9-9, 4th in SEC, Not invited to the post season

Conclusion - Another weak year 2 makes this closer than it should be, but still clearly Hall over Pope in first 2 years.

Rupp -
1st Year - 15-3, 8-2, 4th in Southern Conference, No postseason
2nd Year - 15-2, 9-1, 1st in Southern Conference, No postseason

Conclusion - Despite no postseason invites, Rupp is clearly the winner over Pope here in first 2 years.

Pope -
1st Year - 24-12, 10-8, 7th in SEC, Sweet-16
2nd Year - 22-14, 10-8, T-7th in SEC, Round of 32

Thoughts:
Pope's winning percentage of 0.639 dwarfs Gillispie's of 0.597. Pope had more regular season wins, They both had 20 conference wins (Pope has more conference games where they used to only play 16 SEC games, now it's 18) so you could argue Gillispie's win percentage in the SEC is higher and be correct. Neither Coach won a regular season conference, or SEC tournament title. Gillispie lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament and didn't make the tournament year 2 in his two seasons. Pope was able to manage a sweet 16 and round of 32 appearance in his two seasons. Pope has been UK historically bad, but he's still not the worst to man the helm. That would be Gillispie. Hopefully that record is never broken by any future UK head coach. Unless by predecessor, you specifically mean the guy he replaced. That is a different set of data entirely.

Thanks brother.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Billy D won the conference at Marshall during his first year as HC. He then went to UF where he went to the sw 16 in his 5th year coaching and was NC runnerup in year 6. You think that's like Pope how?

The Southern Conference was utter crap. He went 18-9 against an extremely weak schedule and then went 17-11 in year 2. All this nitpicking is pointless and has no bearing on the subject which is Pope's record to this point does not prove in anyway that he can not have much better records going forward. I'll not waste my time addressing every single silly argument you come up with.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

This might be the worst and most laughable argument ever. Basically "just wait, Pope could be like Lute Olson, Dan Hurely, Coach K, or Dean Smith".

You can't rule out the possibility and you never would have proclaimed those guys were destined for greatness at particular junctures of their careers.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Golden took San Fran to their first tournament in 24 years by yr 3 as a & HC. Then won a NC in his 6th year coaching.

You are either too dim to comprehend the criteria laid out or you just choose to be incorrigible. It was first two seasons at the school they won a title. In the thread this originally appeared I was then asked to list their records at previous stops so that was included here.

Dean Smith was in the F4 or better in his 4th, 5th and 6th seasons as a HC.

Smith didn't make his first tournament until year six after taking over for Frank McGuire who had gone 126-27 82% over the previous six seasons.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

Pope's already had 2 years here and like 9 elsewhere.

He has never won **** and isn't going to miraculously start now.

We have some good players but not a good team. We filled holes with what we could get and got lucky on some late circumstances and still having money available. There is a reason we still aren't projected as a top 10 pre season team at this point.

This team will be another horrible defensive team and will be out matched physically often. Their hope is to run up the score and pray the other team isn't making as many shots.

Pope will fail, and the hopefully this AD can go and land a real coach.

You are an idiot if you don't think we have a very good team

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

I think the point he's trying to make, and I've tried to make it before too, a ton of those other coaches had equity previous to the job he referenced. They had REAL actual success. Their hallmarks weren't finished second to Gonzaga twice. So those coaches had actual real proven success as a coach. Pope hasn't been awful, but he hasn't really been "good" either. Therefore, he just doesn't have the equity.

The point was, which should be impossible to miss is that they would not have won their small conference title had they gone up against Gonzaga which was truly a national power during those seasons.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

Notice, there was nothing you could say to refute the actual post. I appreciate the use of fallacies though.

I'll dispute it at least the part where you said we do not have a good team. That is absolutely moronic. Even without Mitchell, we had a very solitude most likely top 15 top 20 maybe better. But with him we are easily adopted tempting..

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

None in the NIL/Portal era. It's curious how you and the other Popettes always conveniently ignore that. Almost like it's done purposefully.

Nil has not been around long enough to draw much if anything from it. The impact it has on this is entirely questionable at this point anyway.

 

[Cattorney]

He was 23-28 his last two seasons at Army.

Sure, but he did turn them into a competitive program and took them to the NIT which was still big then. They haven't made it since.

Pope never did anything like that.

 

[Cattorney]

The southern Conference was utter crap. He went 18-9 against an extremely weak schedule and then went 17-11 in year 2. All this nitpicking is pointless and has no bearing on the subject which is Pope's record to this point does not prove in anyway that he can not have much better records going forward. I'll not waste my time addressing every single silly argument you come up with.

Sure it has a point. It negates your list and failed attempt at propping Pope up.

The WAC and West Coast conferences are strong now are they? Lulz

 

[Cattorney]

You are either too dim to comprehend the criteria laid out or you just choose to be incorrigible. It was first two seasons at the school they won a title. In the thread this originally appeared I was then asked to list their records at previous stops so that was included here.

Smith didn't make his first tournament until year six after taking over for Frank McGuire who had gone 126-27 82% over the previous six seasons.

Not at all. I am just demonstrating all of those guys sans Calhoun had already shown promise/success at other stops. Pope didn’t. You're therefore comparing apples and oranges. Also, Pope doesn't had a NC, so comparing him to coaches that actually won one is even more idiotic.

 

[Cattorney]

You are an idiot if you don't think we have a very good team

We don't, which is why every pundit has us outside the top 10. Many even outside the top 15.

 

[Cattorney]

You are an idiot if you don't think we have a very good team

We don't, which is why every pundit has us outside the top 10. Many even outside the top 15.

I'll dispute it at least the part where you said we do not have a good team. That is absolutely moronic. Even without Mitchell, we had a very solitude most likely top 15 top 20 maybe better. But with him we are easily adopted tempting..

Lol, wow top 20! Hang a damn banner, will ya?!?!?!

 

[KYFOSSIL]

I never said hang a banner for top 20 I love guys like you that go straight to a hyperbole. But the top point team is what I would call a good team not a great team and as far as the pits not ranking, the cats most of them haven't even said anything yet because they're probably just see if Mitchell is gonna be a cat or not?. if you objectively looked at this Team, there are maybe five teams that are significantly better than that if they have Mitchell

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Oh looky...Paul name calling. Such a surprise.

Same ole crap from you. It is describing his behavior. You've claimed you don't care about name calling anyway. I never owed you an explanation in the first place and I'm not going to bother rehashing the same garbage with you over and over. You and this guy have no interest in good faith discussion.

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

Pope turned me into a newt

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Sure, but he did turn them into a competitive program and took them to the NIT which was still big then. They haven't made it since.

Pope never did anything like that.

You can pretend like you would have supported a guy hired under those circumstances and that you would have continued backing him as he went 38-47 his first 3 seasons at Puke but it is absurd to think anyone believes that.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Not at all. I am just demonstrating all of those guys sans Calhoun had already shown promise/success at other stops. Pope didn’t. You're therefore comparing apples and oranges. Also, Pope doesn't had a NC, so comparing him to coaches that actually won one is even more idiotic.

False as usual and you apparently have missed the entire point of all of this.

 

[Cattorney]

You can pretend like you would have supported a guy hired under those circumstances and that you would have continued backing him as he went 38-47 his first 3 seasons at Puke but it is absurd to think anyone believes that.

It's not, but whatever you need to tell yourself is fine by me.

 

[Cattorney]

False as usual and you apparently have missed the entire point of all of this.

Not at all, but again, if that's what you need to tell yourself to feel better about it.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

You can pretend like you would have supported a guy hired under the circumstances and that you would have continued backing him as he went 38-47 his first 3 seasons at Puke but it is absurd to think anyone believes that.

That guy has no interest in truth. Pope bad. That’s as deep as it goes.

Tbh I genuinely don’t care what someone’s opinion of Pope is one way or the other. But I don’t like intentionally unreasonable people.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Lol, what?

UTAH Valley state won the Mac in the 2014 season, 1 year before they hired Pope. What exactly was he recovering?

Like, you really to the point you just have to create a false narrative?

That must have been quite a feat to win a conference they have never been a member of.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Sure, but he did turn them into a competitive program and took them to the NIT which was still big then. They haven't made it since.

Pope never did anything like that.

K went 73-59 and made one NIT in five seasons at Army. Pope went 77-56 in four seasons at Utah Valley while making two CBI tournaments. Pope also had a successful five year run at BYU. Trying to act like K's pre-Duke resume was clearly superior to Pope's pre-UK resume is ridiculous. Pope's first two seasons at UK are clearly superior to K's first two seasons at Duke though.

Duke had gone 73-24 75.3% with a title game appearance, a second round loss, and an Elite Eight in three seasons prior to K's arrival. K's first team returned three starters including Gene Banks and all but the two seniors from an Elite Eight team. UK had gone 71-30 70.3% with two first round loses and a second round loss in three seasons prior to Pope's arrival. Pope's first team returned no one from the previous year and had a roster consisting of only incoming freshman Travis Perry in mid April.

 

[DudahUK]

He was 23-28 his last two seasons at Army. He was 38-47 his first three seasons at Duke but you claim 46-26 in two seasons at UK to be proof that Pope can never possibly do better?

Coach K didn’t miraculously turn Duke into a contender. Not sure where that came from. Also, Pope isn’t K. They both coach/coached at school with a K in the name, that’s where the comparison needs to stop. K would coache circles around Pope.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Coach K didn’t miraculously turn Duke into a contender. Not sure where that came from. Also, Pope isn’t K. They both coach/coached at school with a K in the name, that’s where the comparison needs to stop. K would coache circles around Pope.

The poster I was responding to was the one who claimed K quickly turned Duke into a national power. There was really nothing to suggest that about K as of 1984. I've never suggested that Pope is destined to match what K did in a legendary career beyond that only that considerable improvement in a coaches record well into his career is possible and has happened for a fair number of coaches.

 

[Cattorney]

That must have been quite a feat to win a conference they have never been a member of.

Ohh, you got me good.

Wac and Mac....clearly no one would have known what was meant.

 

[Cattorney]

K went 73-59 and made one NIT in five seasons at Army. Pope went 77-56 in four seasons at Utah Valley while making two CBI tournaments. Pope also had a successful five year run at BYU. Trying to act like K's pre-Duke resume was clearly superior to Pope's pre-UK resume is ridiculous. Pope's first two seasons at UK are clearly superior to K's first two seasons at Duke though.

Duke had gone 73-24 75.3% with a title game appearance, a second round loss, and an Elite Eight in three seasons prior to K's arrival. K's first team returned three starters including Gene Banks and all but the two seniors from an Elite Eight team. UK had gone 71-30 70.3% with two first round loses and a second round loss in three seasons prior to Pope's arrival. Pope's first team returned no one from the previous year and had a roster consisting of only incoming freshman Travis Perry in mid April.

Lol, Pope went to the CBI in the last decade and You think that compares to the NIT in the 70s?



Successful run at BYU? What was Successful about it? If it was such a success, why was literally no one else trying to hire him? Why did BYU actually start heavily investing in basketball when he left?

Well, I mean Ks resume was far superior. Pretending otherwise won't get you far. You just got called out for it by the other moron poster.

K took Army to the NIT by his 3rd year coaching. That was there first time since 1970 and also the last time they ever made it.

Now, how does Pope match that?


K took over a Duke program who had just gone 24-9 and 7-7 in the ACC

Duke only had 2 NCAA tournament appearances in the 70s. That was 78 and 79. They made it to the sw16 or further once. They made the NCAA 7 times in the 80s under K.

UK also played a much larger schedule and conference during that time, correct?

Did Pope not have the transfer portal or NIL to build a team instantly? So why did BYU and Ark finish exactly where we did that year both also replacing their coach? Hiw did Dusty May do it so quickly at Michigan?

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Lol, Pope went to the CBI in the last decade and You think that compares to the NIT in the 70s?



Successful run at BYU? What was Successful about it? If it was such a success, why was literally no one else trying to hire him? Why did BYU actually start heavily investing in basketball when he left?

Well, I mean Ks resume was far superior. Pretending otherwise won't get you far. You just got called out for it by the other moron poster.

K took Army to the NIT by his 3rd year coaching. That was there first time since 1970 and also the last time they ever made it.

Now, how does Pope match that?


K took over a Duke program who had just gone 24-9 and 7-7 in the ACC

Duke only had 2 NCAA tournament appearances in the 70s. That was 78 and 79. They made it to the sw16 or further once. They made the NCAA 7 times in the 80s under K.

UK also played a much larger schedule and conference during that time, correct?

Did Pope not have the transfer portal or NIL to build a team instantly? So why did BYU and Ark finish exactly where we did that year both also replacing their coach? Hiw did Dusty May do it so quickly at Michigan?

Continuing to insist K's pre-Duke resume was vastly superior is absolutely clownish.