Note from Pilgrim on Recruiting on Sources Say Pod

TheAssignment9

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
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I don’t think this should be over-looked. I love Mark, but his recruiting is seriously suspect. When you have the money he had and bring in what he brought in - well, there is an issue there.

I posted after the Gtown exhibition that we had a team full of bench guys. I’m not surprised at where we are currently this season. I wasn’t a big fan of Lowe. JQ coming off an ACL? I think it’s obvious Mark whiffed on most of his 1 and 2 targets across the board.

When we never were a serious leader for Yaxel, I had this sense of "what is happening?".

If this team has Yaxel, a PG that could shoot the ball, and another SG who could truly shoot it, along with a healthy Kam, this would be an entirely different team.

Maybe we should have seen the signs when he couldn't pull Richie Saunders from BYU.

Imagine if we had him the last 2 years.
 

Monday Nitro

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
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Idk if that is totally fair.

He is #1 in 2nd-year head coaches in terms of Q1 and Q1A wins, as well as top-15 wins. He is the only first-year coach last year who advanced to the 2nd weekend of the NCAA tournament.

His first year was better than Jon Scheyer's, etc.

This year has not been even close to the standard so far but through 1.5 years of guys who were hired a year ago, there aren't ten coaches that have done better or accomplished more during that stretch.
You just made the Pope Detractors look away after they read that.
 

ChiefPaducah

Senior
Nov 18, 2025
279
487
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Pope made 2 major missteps this year in recruiting in my view. He only got 1 true point guard who had a history of spotty injuries. And paying as much as we did for JQ. A fully healthy JQ might be worth it but not one coming off an ACL. And a big man at that. Knees are always the biggest issues for bigs. Pope needs to go find some point guards that can score the ball. He also needs to get more shooters. His offense is driven by smart players that shoot the ball well. Recruit accordingly.
 

theKybluedude

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
634
1,458
93
The number of first year and second year coaches that are out performing Pope is astounding. Most are not at basketball schools with half the money UK has. I can name at least ten. But let’s run it back, everyone should be use to being a middle tier SEC team at this point.
I’d like to see your list of 10 coaches.
Not saying I don’t believe you but that’s something if true.
Could you list the 10?
 
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0r1c

Sophomore
Jan 4, 2026
78
116
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The recruiting so far has been a big problem.

And it needs to be fixed YESTERDAY.

Otherwise, Pope has to go.

Zero reason for us to not have multiple first-round NBA dudes on our roster year-in and year-out.

$22 Million.

We could have spent $6-$7 million on AJ Dybansta, another $4 million on a guy like Caleb Wilson or Yaxel Lendeborg, and then STILL had $11-$12 million to fill out the rest of the roster with shooters and defenders.

Just embarrassing that this team isn't loaded with talent. And it pisses me off.

And looking at next year, that's Collins and Stokes, BOTH of which we led for, and BOTH of which we have now lost.

If Pope doesn't go out there and just CRUSH the portal this year with truly all-American level talents, he needs to go.
Not role players, not guys who shoot 27% from 3 and "could easily be fixed." All-American level talent. Period.
 

Wildcat_in_DC

Senior
Nov 25, 2025
682
950
93
there are 30 teams in the NBA. 13 of those teams are .500 or worse. all of which have a GM.

why people are fascinated with this idea and think it will lead to amazing and instance success is beyond me.
 

UKortho

All-American
Oct 13, 2015
4,995
9,551
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I agree Lowe was a bad fit injury or not. Way too ball dominant. I would like to have seen what an Aberdeen/ Conwell back court might have looked like this year. And been able to keep the kid who ended up at Nova. I feel like Popes system needs a pass first, great on ball defender at the point. Butler was just about perfect. Damn shame he had the injury. Hopefully the staff can learn from this and find better fits next year.

Wouldn’t surprise me if Lowe is our starting PG next year. He shouldn’t be- but he probably will be.
 

Trinity45

All-American
Oct 26, 2005
3,349
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Or…and here’s a thought…Cal was wrong for making the promises AND Pope is a huge effing dork that doesn’t identify with today’s players. Both can be true.
You know you are making these claims just on a report from some stupid sports guy who speculates for a living and likes to stir the pot to get fools like you all fired up for nothing. You and I don't know what is true, Pilgram doesn't know what is true.
 

Trinity45

All-American
Oct 26, 2005
3,349
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If he's getting elite players, who gives a s***? I don't think we're in any position to judge the dude who traditionally has one of the best recruiting classes, while we don't have anyone.
So watching year after year, as Cal plays some freshman kid who turned out to be basically a bust over players who when given the chance out played that kid and even made it to the NBA despite Cal's stupidity. You sound like a Cal troll, how much does he pay you to troll this board.
 
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Damage_inc

Senior
Oct 4, 2019
424
758
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Pope made 2 major missteps this year in recruiting in my view. He only got 1 true point guard who had a history of spotty injuries. And paying as much as we did for JQ. A fully healthy JQ might be worth it but not one coming off an ACL. And a big man at that. Knees are always the biggest issues for bigs. Pope needs to go find some point guards that can score the ball. He also needs to get more shooters. His offense is driven by smart players that shoot the ball well. Recruit accordingly.
He had a second PG. Lewis. But that kid didn’t want to share minutes so he left. Pope can’t let kids walk like that
 

Trinity45

All-American
Oct 26, 2005
3,349
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Can you find even one player that says Cal promised him anything?
Oh come on, year after year of Cal playing a freshman who after 3 or 4 games proved to be in over his head, while sat players who when given the chance proved they could play at this level, are you just one of those Cal butt kissers are blind.
 

Possum

All-American
Apr 28, 2024
1,771
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Or…and here’s a thought…Cal was wrong for making the promises AND Pope is a huge effing dork that doesn’t identify with today’s players. Both can be true.
Or here’s another one…you’re just a wannabe coach who never had the chops to be one. All 3 can be true.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
44,833
80,763
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He mentioned that in talking with recruits families, he feels that pope doesn't do the best job in building a relationship and seeing eye to eye with some of these families and players. Also mentioned how pope sometimes struggles with valuing players correctly in a monetary way.
That’s just a glowing endorsement right there. We aren’t signing anyone unless it’s a portal overpay.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
44,833
80,763
113
The time to figure these things out is when you’re coaching at a G5 school, not when you’re coaching at a top 5 program in the country.
I know the landscape is different and BYU is paying big money now, but Pope should have figured recruiting out working there. We have like 40 freaking NBA players and massive NIL money. We shouldn’t struggle to sign anyone.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
44,833
80,763
113
I have never bought into the “ this coach doesn’t make promises” . It’s ******** every coach does to land recruits . Doesn’t mean they will honor it .

As far as Pope connecting with families it’s pretty crazy that is where we are at right now . Personality wise I wouldn’t have expected this . Felt like the complete opposite the way JQ pop’s described Pope
I know right, Duke signs 7 five stars per class and gets 2-3 portal guys but they make no promises.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
44,833
80,763
113
How about this- only brought in ONE guy who was a season-long starter last year for a P5 team.

Jaland Lowe.

Aberdeen, Dioubate, Kam Williams, etc. don't fit that criteria.

We should have been able to bring in MULTIPLE dudes who can dominate and change a game, instead we brought in this collection of role guys and paid them an insane amount.
Yeah he is maybe the worst coach I. The country at determining stars and player value.
 
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entropy13

All-American
Apr 27, 2010
3,541
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The recruiting so far has been a big problem.

And it needs to be fixed YESTERDAY.

Otherwise, Pope has to go.

Zero reason for us to not have multiple first-round NBA dudes on our roster year-in and year-out.

$22 Million.

We could have spent $6-$7 million on AJ Dybansta, another $4 million on a guy like Caleb Wilson or Yaxel Lendeborg, and then STILL had $11-$12 million to fill out the rest of the roster with shooters and defenders.

Just embarrassing that this team isn't loaded with talent. And it pisses me off.

And looking at next year, that's Collins and Stokes, BOTH of which we led for, and BOTH of which we have now lost.

If Pope doesn't go out there and just CRUSH the portal this year with truly all-American level talents, he needs to go.
Rack 'em! This is really all that needs to be said at this point.
 

UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
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as i've said all along. the JMI situation probably isnt perfect and i could believe it will prevent some top 20-30 guys from coming here. but no one in the top 150 is interested in playing for pope/uk. that isnt a JMI issue.....

UK probably loses 7 more conference games. 1 SECT game. thats 14 on the year. then you go into next year having to having to roll the dice on the portal with 5-6 guys and hope it works better since you have zero big talent coming in from high school. i dont see how its not a double digit loss season next year if our core group are dudes already on the roster.

that would be 3 years in and not much to show for it and no real hope for the future. but sure....being patient should work out
You had him losing 4 of these last 5 games we won in a row so MB probably isn't firing him over your predictions
 
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UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
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And let's be honest, this team doesn't have the best chemistry and it doesn't seem like they all respect the coaching staff. I imagine several guys on this team will hit the portal.

Ditch Mitch
LMAO....imagine if they had better chemistry. They might have won the last 5 games
 
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UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
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I'm surprised UKcowboys isn't here yet to tell us why Pilgrim is lying, Pope is a great recruiter, he's the coach for UK.
I'm here laughing in your troll face. Pope is doing a Hell of a job Son. He isn't going anywhere this year and he isn't going anywhere next year. Meanwhile, while you continue to cry like a baby missing her pacifier, the team is out there scrapping their heart out and winning games, shorthanded or not. Pope isn't a quitter like you are boy
 

Anon1759768907

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2025
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I'm here laughing in your troll face. Pope is doing a Hell of a job Son. He isn't going anywhere this year and he isn't going anywhere next year. Meanwhile, while you continue to cry like a baby missing her pacifier, the team is out there scrapping their heart out and winning games, shorthanded or not. Pope isn't a quitter like you are boy
your accepting mediocrity, got it

i hope you enjoy endless 10 loss seasons bud
 

ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk

All-Conference
Feb 20, 2007
2,360
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Hope our recruiting improves. But also dont want to ever be in a situation again where Dejauan Wagner is playing ahead of Reed Shepherd or Quade Green is playing ahead of SGA, or the Twins are playing ahead of Ulis and Booker because promises have been made.
JFC... we shouldn't have to relitigate the nonsense you just posted for the 4 millionth time. We really shouldn't.
 

ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk

All-Conference
Feb 20, 2007
2,360
2,123
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Such a silly revisionist take.

Reed Sheppard -28.9 mpg
Dj wagner -25.8

quade green - 25.6
SGA- 33.4

Harrison’s - both 25mpg
Ullis-23

both doubled up ullis in points ona team where we were a **** *** goaltending call away from playing for 40-0


Reed was 2nd most on team. He is also probably the reason we got sent packing. Getting schooled by a balding insurance salesman and throwing uncontested passes over heads.

it’s fine to bash cal. It’s fine to have wanted him gone- I thought it was time for a change. But you goobers have to make stuff up to support your feelings. It’s hilariously sad.

Not to mention the Harrisons went to 2 Final Fours.
 
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Dr.LutherSan

All-American
Sep 6, 2019
3,998
7,725
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So watching year after year, as Cal plays some freshman kid who turned out to be basically a bust over players who when given the chance out played that kid and even made it to the NBA despite Cal's stupidity. You sound like a Cal troll, how much does he pay you to troll this board.
There it is. As soon as someone disagrees with you, they're a troll. It has nothing to do with the fact that the current coach has zero recruits coming in, has no history of recruiting top talent from out-of-state, and had to overpay for the current rag tag of misfits in the transfer portal.

On Saturday, when Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff both drop 20 on us, I'm not going to be saying "thank God we didn't promise those guys minutes."
 

Anon1759768907

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2025
2,282
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There it is. As soon as someone disagrees with you, they're a troll. It has nothing to do with the fact that the current coach has zero recruits coming in, has no history of recruiting top talent from out-of-state, and had to overpay for the current rag tag of misfits in the transfer portal.

On Saturday, when Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff both drop 20 on us, I'm not going to be saying "thank God we didn't promise those guys minutes."
i don't even think 2 pope players have scored 20+ in the same game before lol
 
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