BB: Kentucky Basketball Pro Day

[RunninRichie]

Yea cuz no coach has ever lied about being offered a job. Saban wasn’t leaving the dolphins for bama either. Stoops really wanted to stay at Kentucky instead of go to A&M.

If you think top button Mitch Barnhart offered him, with the shady stuff around his name, I have beachfront property in Colorado to sell you.

 

[RunninRichie]

You think these kids are picking their destination because they like the coach? You're lidding, right?

You think Duke gets every kid they want, because they like Jon Scheyer?

Here's one for you, you think those kids are goung to UConn because they like… .Dan Hurley? Come on man.

It’s about money and there is a price range for every level of talent at every position. Why on earth would Pope overpay for a pg that hasn't won crap anywhere he gas been when the kid wasn’t actually looking to leave BYU?

Everybody has money. The coach separates the schools. If only money mattered, Pope would have Rob Wright, Donny Freeman and a few others on the roster right now.

 

[kyjeff1]

So your support for Pope is because he's a former player and he really wants to win? That's amazing. Pope isn't, so he needs to go. It's calling putting the program first. You're really no different than the Calipari defenders of old.

No, my support for Pope is based on what he did his first season. I'm literally saying I don't think he's the guy, but I'm giving him this year to show who and what he is.

He doesn't deserve the hate he's getting.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

You think these kids are picking their destination because they like the coach? You're lidding, right?

You think Duke gets every kid they want, because they like Jon Scheyer?

Here's one for you, you think those kids are goung to UConn because they like… .Dan Hurley? Come on man.

It’s about money and there is a price range for every level of talent at every position. Why on earth would Pope overpay for a pg that hasn't won crap anywhere he gas been when the kid wasn’t actually looking to leave BYU?

if it was only about money....we would have much better rosters. we would do much better in recruiting. only 2-3 programs have spent more money on roster construction than uk. yet here we are, entering year 3 with a team that is going to start the year ranked in the 20s.

 

[ScWildcat3]

vs trusting people on this board? oh i forgot....everyone here is a former all american.

I mean if you are going to say media has us low this year so we will suck then admit they were wrong last year so could be wrong this year. But as usual the haters pick and choose what they want to use then move goalposts to make their argument seem valid in their heads.

 

[ScWildcat3]

If you think top button Mitch Barnhart offered him, with the shady stuff around his name, I have beachfront property in Colorado to sell you.

I don’t know if we offered him or not but trusting what a coach says to the media about a job is useless. I do believe we probably contacted his agent about interest along with many others who we probably never heard about.

 

[kyjeff1]

Southeastern 16.......you made that up. thats not a real thing.

You telling me you never heard of Southeastern 16?

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

I mean if you are going to say media has us low this year so we will suck then admit they were wrong last year so could be wrong this year. But as usual the haters pick and choose what they want to use then move goalposts to make their argument seem valid in their heads.

how am i moving the goal posts? 46-26 after two years isnt good enough. another 10-11 loss season in year three after spending 25M on a roster isnt good enough. i'm not the one doing mental gymnastics to justify the failure pope has been to date.

 

[RunninRichie]

You telling me you never heard of Southeastern 16?

Really solid podcast.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

You telling me you never heard of Southeastern 16?

LOL thats like saying you got good recruiting info from the KSR guys

 

[ScWildcat3]

how am i moving the goal posts? 46-26 after two years isnt good enough. another 10-11 loss season in year three after spending 25M on a roster isnt good enough. i'm not the one doing mental gymnastics to justify the failure pope has been to date.

Because you sited media predictions this year as a reason we suck and pope sucks. But last year media had us ranked really high and were really high on us. So you only pick the ones who fit your argument. Yes you are correct 46-26 isn’t good enough but the season hasn’t started and we don’t know what we will be nor does the media apparently as they were way off last year.

 

[ScWildcat3]

You telling me you never heard of Southeastern 16?

Only Jeff Goodman is allowed to say what we are pre season don’t you know.

 

[kyjeff1]

Everybody has money. The coach separates the schools. If only money mattered, Pope would have Rob Wright, Donny Freeman and a few others on the roster right now.

Terrible take RR.

Rob Wright didn’t want to leave BYU, he was only leaving if someone gave him an obscene amount of money and why would Pope overpay for that kid?

Donnie Freeman? The guy that has a long list of injuries? The guy gets injured rolling out of bed and I guess you didn't hear, but Pitino took him and 2 weeks later, DF got injured and is out for the season, bit you're mad at Pope for not overpaying for an injury prone loser?

Pope is getting blasted for taking JQ last year and also taking Jaland Lowe, because of his long list of injuries and you want Pope to make the same mistake again?

You wanted him to take Freeman, so you had another reason to bomb him apparently.

 

[kyjeff1]

if it was only about money....we would have much better rosters. we would do much better in recruiting. only 2-3 programs have spent more money on roster construction than uk. yet here we are, entering year 3 with a team that is going to start the year ranked in the 20s.

You have no ideaw hat schools are spending, you're just guessing.

 

[Cleatortoises]

Calipari did worse and was loved here.

Hoops prospect testifies in cousin's murder case | 6abc Philadelphia | 6abc.com

Explain how this was worse.
Player not accused or charged.
Ala case, players accused, player charged.

 

[kyjeff1]

how am i moving the goal posts? 46-26 after two years isnt good enough. another 10-11 loss season in year three after spending 25M on a roster isnt good enough. i'm not the one doing mental gymnastics to justify the failure pope has been to date.

What were the strength of schedules for those 2 seasons and how many players were out/injured?

At least tell the whole story.

 

[kyjeff1]

Really solid podcast.

I love that channel.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Terrible take RR.

Rob Wright didn’t want to leave BYU, he was only leaving if someone gave him an obscene amount of money and why would Pope overpay for that kid?

Donnie Freeman? The guy that has a long list of injuries? The guy gets injured rolling out of bed and I guess you didn't hear, but Pitino took him and 2 weeks later, DF got injured and is out for the season, bit you're mad at Pope for not overpaying for an injury prone loser?

Pope is getting blasted for taking JQ last year and also taking Jaland Lowe, because of his long list of injuries and you want Pope to make the same mistake again?

You wanted him to take Freeman, so you had another reason to bomb him apparently.

Rumor has gone around and has been somewhat talked about on multiple podcasts that Rob wright was told to leave on his visit once they realized he was using them to up byu offer and never was leaving byu. We passed on freeman and thankfully so.

 

[ScWildcat3]

What were the strength of schedules for those 2 seasons and how many players were out/injured?

At least tell the whole story.

That wouldn’t fit their narrative. Some also say Billy G was a better coach and we didn’t get made fun of while he was at UK.

 

[Cleatortoises]

LOL thats like saying you got good recruiting info from the KSR guys

But he didnt.make it up.
Goalpost moved again.

 

[kyjeff1]

LOL thats like saying you got good recruiting info from the KSR guys

Wait, so the youtube channel you quoted is fine, but the one I posted is garbage?

Southeastern 16 literally only scouts the SEC and you started this off by saying Jeff Goodman and the rest of the national group, predicted us 7th. Make that make sense.

 

[kyjeff1]

Rumor has gone around and has been somewhat talked about on multiple podcasts that Rob wright was told to leave on his visit once they realized he was using them to up byu offer and never was leaving byu. We passed on freeman and thankfully so.

Pope missed on a few good ones this summer, the very last two we should be talking about, are Freeman and Wright.

 

[RunninRichie]

Terrible take RR.

Rob Wright didn’t want to leave BYU, he was only leaving if someone gave him an obscene amount of money and why would Pope overpay for that kid?

Donnie Freeman? The guy that has a long list of injuries? The guy gets injured rolling out of bed and I guess you didn't hear, but Pitino took him and 2 weeks later, DF got injured and is out for the season, bit you're mad at Pope for not overpaying for an injury prone loser?

Pope is getting blasted for taking JQ last year and also taking Jaland Lowe, because of his long list of injuries and you want Pope to make the same mistake again?

You wanted him to take Freeman, so you had another reason to bomb him apparently.

Not the point. Point is, if money is all that matters for recruits, not coaches, then Pope would hardly miss on a recruit. Seeming as we spent 22m last year on our roster. We at least have top 10 money for basketball NIL.

 

[kyjeff1]

That wouldn’t fit their narrative. Some also say Billy G was a better coach and we didn’t get made fun of while he was at UK.

Yeah, when the comparisons to BCG started popping up, I had to say something. Worst takes I've ever seen on this board.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Pope missed on a few good ones this summer, the very last two we should be talking about, are Freeman and Wright.

Exactly. And the same media he was all about making predictions about our season said Ousmane is better than anyone we missed on except stokes apparently.

 

[Catastic5]

Southeastern 16 has us 4th, but who cares? Look at the talent Arkansas, Florida and Texas have, they should be ahead of us. Some have UT ahead of us, I disagree,

But who cares about predictions?
What you guys need to realize is, we're all on the same page here, everyone believes Pope is not the guy, but he has shown what he is capable of and it’s at least worth giving him a fair shake in his 3rd season.

There are too many people in here literally throwing hate at the guy, which is odd, he doesn't deserve that, especially given who he is. The guy would give his left arm for this place and he’s giving everything he has to win and we have guys in here acting like he’s losing 20 games a year.

What he did in year 1 was awesome in my eyes. Had a couple duds, but he had a large pile of massive wins and if Butler, KK, Carr and JR don't get hurt, that's a FF level team, no doubt in my mind.

Pope tried to go off script and built a roster that he thought would be tougher, it was a disaster, but he salvaged it. Look at the seasons Cal had that were disasters (2013 and 2021).

He deserves his third season, I agree with that statement. I have a hard time believing he’ll do well (and even if he does, I’m not sold he can do well consistently) and I am worried (probably paranoia) that the AD won’t do anything. But that is probably just me still thinking Mitch is still our AD.

I think the biggest problem with his first year is that all the problems we thought were growing pains turned out to be chronic issues that Pope doesn’t may not be able to fix or is to stubborn to. His players not being ready for games, the lack of defense (and his refusal not to hire a defensive minded coach), his substitution patterns and it’s hard to ignore just how difficult recruiting has been for him. He’s still trying on the recruiting trail but he just doesn’t appear to be capable of recruiting at a level that Kentucky needs to be successful in the SEC. While the coaching stuff has yet to be seen, we’re going into his third season and he still hasn’t figured out this recruiting thing.

 

[kyjeff1]

Not the point. Point is, if money is all that matters for recruits, not coaches, then Pope would hardly miss on a recruit. Seeming as we spent 22m last year on our roster. We at least have top 10 money for basketball NIL.

Never said money was ALL that mattered, but it's 90% of it.

The absolute worst personality in the college game, is Hurley and he’s still getting players. But he misses too, Kobe Brea is an example of that. Who ended up getting Kobe? Who got Momcilivic?

Scheyer doesn’t exactly scream "geeat guy" to me, there's a reason top 10 recruits are going to duke to come off the bench.

 

[RunninRichie]

Never said money was ALL that mattered, but it's 90% of it.

The absolute worst personality in the college game, is Hurley and he’s still getting players. But he misses too, Kobe Brea is an example of that. Who ended up getting Kobe? Who got Momcilivic?

Scheyer doesn’t exactly scream "geeat guy" to me, there's a reason top 10 recruits are going to duke to come off the bench.

Hurley is a winner and runs a great system, at arguably the 2nd to 1st hottest program this decade. It's easy to see why recruits go there. Duke speaks for itself. Hurley stopped recruiting Brea, when Aidan Mahaney committed before he did. I guess we're already doing revisionist history.

 

[kyjeff1]

He deserves his third season, I agree with that statement. I have a hard time believing he’ll do well (and even if he does, I’m not sold he can do well consistently) and I am worried (probably paranoia) that the AD won’t do anything. But that is probably just me still thinking Mitch is still our AD.

I think the biggest problem with his first year is that all the problems we thought were growing pains turned out to be chronic issues that Pope doesn’t may not be able to fix or is to stubborn to. His players not being ready for games, the lack of defense (and his refusal not to hire a defensive minded coach), his substitution patterns and it’s hard to ignore just how difficult recruiting has been for him. He’s still trying on the recruiting trail but he just doesn’t appear to be capable of recruiting at a level that Kentucky needs to be successful in the SEC. While the coaching stuff has yet to be seen, we’re going into his third season and he still hasn’t figured out this recruiting thing.

Great post, I'm on the same page with all of this.

I just don't think it's fair to trash the guy.

 

[RunninRichie]

Mom is a very pedestrian rebounder. It's gonna be a long season.

@chattanogawildcat explain how a 6 foot 8 forward, with a career average of 3.2 rebounds, isn't a very pedestrian rebounder? Way too many homers on this board.

 

[kyjeff1]

Hurley is a winner and runs a great system, at arguably the 2nd to 1st hottest program this decade. It's easy to see why recruits go there. Duke speaks for itself. Hurley stopped recruiting Brea, when Aidan Mahaney committed before he did. I guess we're already doing revisionist history.

He's still a huge d*ck and isn't that what this conversation is about? You're saying players don't want to play for Pope, because… .he's too nice, but they're dying to play for the biggest butthead in college?

 

[Catastic5]

Nate Oats would kill it at UK. I've been saying that for like 3 years. Give him our NIL budget, a good staff budget, and watch the fireworks.

Admittedly I have the same problem with Oats that I do with Pope: his defense is questionable. And looking at what people have said about their recent exhibition game, that still appears to be the case.

If our new AD is worth his weight in gold, he’ll try to nab an established coach before going after someone like Shertz or Lucas. I’d honestly look at Lloyd from Arizona, apparently he was fairly close to taking the UNC job before deciding to stay where he’s at.

 

[RunninRichie]

He's still a huge d*ck and isn't that what this conversation is about? You're saying players don't want to play for Pope, because… .he's too nice, but they're dying to play for the biggest butthead in college?

Because he has no history of winning, player development, and is a relative nobody to modern day recruits? Thus he tries to pitch the sacred cloth and some high NIL offers.

 

[RunninRichie]

Admittedly I have the same problem with Oats that I do with Pope: his defense is questionable. And looking at what people have said about their recent exhibition game, that still appears to be the case.

If our new AD is worth his weight in gold, he’ll try to nab an established coach before going after someone like Shertz or Lucas. I’d honestly look at Lloyd from Arizona, apparently he was fairly close to taking the UNC job before deciding to stay where he’s at.

I think Lloyd is a solid choice also. Just wonder if he'd leave the west coast? He seems to be a western guy. Lloyd would bring the euro studs here, that's for sure.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

“Hurley stopped recruiting Brea, when Aidan Mahaney committed before he did. I guess we're already doing revisionist history.”

 

[Catastic5]

I think Lloyd is a solid choice also. Just wonder if he'd leave the west coast? He seems to be a western guy. Lloyd would bring the euro studs here, that's for sure.

I’m mostly basing it on the UNC rumors. It doesn’t hurt to ask multiple big name coaches before getting the realistic choice. I would hope Batt has someone waiting in the wings and it’s not a long search, frankly. Personally, if Miami does well this season, Lucas would be my ideal choice. He’s probably one of the only coaches with Kentucky’s resources that could compete with Duke on recruits. If he’s got the coaching chops, it’s a no brainer.

 

[RunninRichie]

I’m mostly basing it on the UNC rumors. It doesn’t hurt to ask multiple big name coaches before getting the realistic choice. I would hope Batt has someone waiting in the wings and it’s not a long search, frankly. Personally, if Miami does well this season, Lucas would be my ideal choice. He’s probably one of the only coaches with Kentucky’s resources that could compete with Duke on recruits. If he’s got the coaching chops, it’s a no brainer.

I'm high on Lucas as well. Think we need a younger guy in here, Lucas, Oats, Lloyd, imo. Program is stale and needs youth and fresh ideas.

 

[Cleatortoises]

Admittedly I have the same problem with Oats that I do with Pope: his defense is questionable. And looking at what people have said about their recent exhibition game, that still appears to be the case.

If our new AD is worth his weight in gold, he’ll try to nab an established coach before going after someone like Shertz or Lucas. I’d honestly look at Lloyd from Arizona, apparently he was fairly close to taking the UNC job before deciding to stay where he’s at.

There seems to be an assumption in there.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Lloyd isn’t leaving west coast and isn’t leaving Arizona for Kentucky. Be basically a lateral move at this point.

 

[Cleatortoises]

Lloyd isn’t leaving west coast and isn’t leaving Arizona for Kentucky. Be basically a lateral move at this point.

Lateral move?
That is just dumb.