Would you be fine with a 6th place finish in basketball?

Is a 6th place finish good enough for Pope’s 3rd year?

  • Yes

    Votes: 1 1.0%
  • No

    Votes: 100 99.0%

  • Total voters
    101

Catastic5

Junior
Sep 12, 2026
109
294
53
I’ve been seeing a lot of 5th or 6th place finishes from a few experts online and that seems like our likeliest position once we get preseason SEC standings from media day. I’ve seen some fans who seem to outright find those results “acceptable”. But would you be fine with that? Would that be enough for you to want Mark Pope to return for a 4th season?
 
Last edited:
Nov 19, 2025
211
456
63
Absolutely not! This is Kentucky basketball. We are supposed to be an elite program with great teams. If we are not competing for a championship at all levels then it is unacceptable. I like Coach Pope but this season there can be no excuses. He has a team he recruited with the number one transfer portal player, a Center who was a possible draft pick, a physical back up center, shooters, and experienced point guards.
 

Catastic5

Junior
Sep 12, 2026
109
294
53
I’ve never talked to any Kentucky fan who said they want to be 6th in the SEC. Never. Not a single one — even on here.
I wouldn’t say that…


I've never seen such gullability. The OP joined (opened another side account) a few weeks ago and has done absolutely nothing but troll ever since. Can some not see that this is yet another blatant troll thread to get people mad? smh.
 

Carolinawildcats

Redshirt
Nov 14, 2025
7
27
3
Not even close to being fine. I am so sick of UK basketball "settling". I LOVE our football team and think we are on the right direction, but my love is Basketball and the disappointment continues to mount. This is a good team that put together but still lacks the star power recruit that takes us to that next level. Having said that, there is enough talent on this team for a Pitino, etc coach to finish in the top 3 in the SEC. I hope Pope gets it all together and proves me wrong but just don't feel he possesses the charisma and confidence to get UK basketball where we deserve to be. Yes, I am old school, but it's nauseating hearing the comments coming from Pope at times. It sounds like he is a member of congress on CNN, MSNBC, Fox, etc at times. Is he AI? Starting to sound like it. GO CATS!!!
 

Catastic5

Junior
Sep 12, 2026
109
294
53
Well. I would say that. You’re welcome to quote anyone on this website who has ever said they really want to be 6th. Pretty sure this is a failed attempt at a strawman.
It’s a joke, man. Simply pointing out some fans on here who seem completely fine with whatever our current coaching staff does. I know some guys like that. Just some old fogies completely fine with whatever the results are as long as it tickles their nostalgia bone from a legacy hire.
 

Goingfor9

All-Conference
Jan 27, 2003
16,488
3,529
113
If we’re fifth or six in the SEC, don’t worry Pope will be out and hopefully we finally get a solid replacement for cal. Someone capable of winning titles.
 
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scratchycat3

All-Conference
Mar 21, 2026
2,672
1,469
113
It’s a joke, man. Simply pointing out some fans on here who seem completely fine with whatever our current coaching staff does. I know some guys like that. Just some old fogies completely fine with whatever the results are as long as it tickles their nostalgia bone from a legacy hire.
I know a lot of “as long as they’re having fun kinda fans “ or “we made the sweet 16” or it’s not that bad “ it is f** that bad it irates the hell out of me
 

scratchycat3

All-Conference
Mar 21, 2026
2,672
1,469
113
The threshold for keeping Pope is any one of these:
- 1 or 2 seed (NCAA)
- SEC title (season or tournament)
- Elite Eight

If he is 0-3, he's done.
No final four or bust 1-2 seed sec runner up or championship nothing else less than 6 losses good luck with that though 😂 🙄
 

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
13,160
20,551
113
If we’re fifth or six in the SEC, don’t worry Pope will be out and hopefully we finally get a solid replacement for cal. Someone capable of winning titles.
Pope does not have the protection of an admin being afraid to lose players because now all of these players are mercenaries.
 

Ash Williams

Heisman
Aug 3, 2022
8,547
26,930
113
No.. Unless a final four comes from it.. Don't matter if finish 1st,, unless a final four comes from it then he needs gone..
wow already pre-loading the "March is the only thing that matters" before pivoting to "let's let the offseason play out and see who Pope lands"
 
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Reactions: Catastic5

Supafuzz75

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2014
629
1,242
93
wow already pre-loading the "March is the only thing that matters" before pivoting to "let's let the offseason play out and see who Pope lands"
This is year 3.. Time to put up or get the hell out of Lexington.. And march is the only thing that matters..
 
Feb 26, 2020
253
219
27
Your clearly clueless about who the GD coach is
Na not really. I follow the team year ‘round, always scrolling the boards and reading articles and stats, old games, new games, etc. always excited about our team before the season starts. Always look forward to each game for the past 25 years without ever saying the unwarranted, hateful, nasty, ignorant **** about our coach that a lot of yall say. I’m guessing you’re too young to have seen any coach at uk other than cal. That’s the only way what you’re saying makes sense
 

scratchycat3

All-Conference
Mar 21, 2026
2,672
1,469
113
Na not really. I follow the team year ‘round, always scrolling the boards and reading articles and stats, old games, new games, etc. always excited about our team before the season starts. Always look forward to each game for the past 25 years without ever saying the unwarranted, hateful, nasty, ignorant **** about our coach that a lot of yall say. I’m guessing you’re too young to have seen any coach at uk other than cal. That’s the only way what you’re saying makes sense
Nobody cares that pope played here nobody gives two f about it expect for Mitch Barnhart. What does me knowing cal the only coach I know have to do with anything. 30 years ago don’t matter anymore anyone who hangs around and talks about well back in my day bs shows how down we’ve become because all fans talk about is the past .
 

scratchycat3

All-Conference
Mar 21, 2026
2,672
1,469
113
Na not really. I follow the team year ‘round, always scrolling the boards and reading articles and stats, old games, new games, etc. always excited about our team before the season starts. Always look forward to each game for the past 25 years without ever saying the unwarranted, hateful, nasty, ignorant **** about our coach that a lot of yall say. I’m guessing you’re too young to have seen any coach at uk other than cal. That’s the only way what you’re saying makes sense
I’m not gonna be positive whenever we have a coach who shouldn’t be here I’m not gonna be a sunshine pumper . I want to win and popes not doing a good enough job period last 7-8 years have sucked and it’s becoming sad
 
Aug 23, 2024
3,124
6,698
113
Is this Kentucky basketball? Has it ever been okay to be in 6 th place?
No it hasn't but in truth the SEC has gone from 10 to 16 teams and improved dramatically in the quality of opponents since I've been following the Cat's. I honestly think a 6th place finish is the equivalent of 2nd or 3rd in a number of past seasons.
 
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