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Perspective…

Vek96

Vek96

All-Conference
Jul 4, 2025
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UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.
 
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blackcat714

blackcat714

All-American
Apr 30, 2017
4,011
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Vek96 said:
UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.
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Pope on track to beat that
 
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A

Anon1759768907

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2025
2,282
3,691
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Vek96 said:
UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.
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u right, pope is the next hurley book it
 
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The Nightman2

The Nightman2

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2019
993
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Snarks said:
You can’t pick the one exception and expect that to happen every time. Also, NIL changes the entire equation. If Cig can win a NC at IU in football in 2 years, Pope can make it to the weekend of the SEC tournament in 2 years.
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Yep, if it can happen in football that quick... There's no real excuse not to do it in basketball. Next year has to be significantly better
 
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U

UKBB4Ever

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
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Vek96 said:
UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.
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Can you point to a player that didn't get better playing for Hurley? Can you point to any game where hurley's team just quit?

Here's some perspective for you, Pope does nothing well as a coach. Not one thing.
 
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true-blue1

true-blue1

Heisman
May 15, 2007
12,316
10,511
93
Vek96 said:
UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.
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I have been very critical of Pope thus far because of his in game substitutions patterns, recruiting and lack of game preparations but I think you really make valid points. I hope Pope learns from his mistakes but if he doesn’t it will be on him. He has the resources to help him do so.
 
C

Chadrock

All-Conference
Jul 12, 2004
2,989
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Vek96 said:
UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.
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Oh sheeite Vek - I’ll pray for you to help shield the vitriol your way cometh…
 
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KentuckyStout

KentuckyStout

Heisman
Sep 13, 2009
10,612
20,008
65
Danny Hurley already won a conference tournament and a regular season championship in consecutive years at Rhode Island. He had Rhode Island at 26-8 and 16th ranked team in the nation when UConn hired him. He pulled Rhode Island out of the gutter and improved them every season he was there.

He did the same at UConn - Hurley improved them every year until finally winning back to back National Championships.

Compare that to Pope, who consistently declined very season at Brigham Young, one of his last being a 19-15 clunker. Pope is doing the exact same trend at Kentucky...his win % is again in decline and he is on the way to dropping his 26th loss in two seasons (!)

There is no real comparison to be had between Dan Hurley and Mark Pope.
 
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Eastkybball

Eastkybball

All-Conference
May 7, 2019
1,546
2,827
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I remember when Hurley started out coaching at UConn. He would hardly yell at the ref, never cussed, one time he said bull ****, said oh my gosh, hands on the knees engaged like he was on the court, when UConn would turn it over he’d yell let’s go guys, and he would call refs m effers without cussing.
One day after losing a game he just went ape **** and started cussing, cussing his players out, cussing the refs out, and cussing at his wife.
He’s never been the same since. He also threw his Mormon underwear away.
 
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theGspot_rivals175609

Junior
Feb 23, 2017
167
323
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Vek96 said:
UConn hired Hurley, despite the fact he had a career head coaching winning percentage of 57.9 up to that point.

Not only that, his first 4 seasons at UConn, he went 73-47. It’s worked out pretty well since then, don’t you think?

Maybe be a little more patient with Pope. Maybe he figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. Calipari lost 46 games his last 4 seasons here.
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You're missing a lot of context.

Hurley had previously taken Wagner from being a 9 win team to a 25-6 team in 2 years.

He went to RI team that won 7 games the year before he got there. He improved them each year and was 23-10 in year 3. His last 2 they went 25-10 and 26-8, winning the A-10 conference and tournament. He also took those last 2 teams the the 2nd rd of the tournament.

He took over Uconn program under investigation from a fired Kevin Ollie that resulted in probation and lost scholarships. The year before he arrived, they were 14-18. He improved each year and had them back in the tournament in year 3, which was also the same year they went back into the big east.

He did all of that without the transfer portal or NIL.

Now, why don't you do Pope?
 
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FatCatMan

All-Conference
Feb 19, 2026
1,355
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We saw Cal come here year one and win 30+ games. It’s been 2 years and all Pope has to show for it is a 6th and 9th place in the SEC. Coaches either work out immediately or they don’t, especially coaches over 50. Pope’s not some young 30-something year old guy who was an assistant coach and this his first head coaching gig. He’s been doing this for a decade and has nothing to show for it.
 
bbnkat02

bbnkat02

Heisman
Nov 14, 2017
47,616
70,835
113
kywildcat1021979 said:
Pope doesn't have what it takes he's been doing this for a while already.... This is just another one of those Mitch Specials...
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I’m sadly beginning to think that. The bad thing with Pope is he will win you a huge game when you’re down on him. And then you think “Well maybe I was wrong….ah never mind we’re down by 15 again”.
 
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BigRedMachineBigBlueNation

BigRedMachineBigBlueNation

Heisman
May 4, 2015
10,475
13,528
86
Pitino took Providence to a Final Four, Hurley took Rhode Island to conference and conference tournament championships. Pope had ndone neither at his previous jobs.
 
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UKGrad24

UKGrad24

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Apr 2, 2024
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theGspot_rivals175609 said:
You're missing a lot of context.

Hurley had previously taken Wagner from being a 9 win team to a 25-6 team in 2 years.

He went to RI team that won 7 games the year before he got there. He improved them each year and was 23-10 in year 3. His last 2 they went 25-10 and 26-8, winning the A-10 conference and tournament. He also took those last 2 teams the the 2nd rd of the tournament.

He took over Uconn program under investigation from a fired Kevin Ollie that resulted in probation and lost scholarships. The year before he arrived, they were 14-18. He improved each year and had them back in the tournament in year 3, which was also the same year they went back into the big east.

He did all of that without the transfer portal or NIL.

Now, why don't you do Pope?
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I have asked these guys repeatedly and they never answer the question it’s always ignored.

Tell me another guy who’s been coaching nearly 15 years that had no tournament success, really no tournament appearance minus 1 bought roster (by UK but another topic), low 60’s winning %, no conference championships that SUDDENLY in 1 season almost 15 years later turned that into an elite level blue blood worthy coach.

Just 1 time I wish someone would answer this that is all in on Pope.
 
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UKGrad24

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
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PhattyJ said:
Jesus tap dancing Christ Kev.
You’ve gone full retard. Full.
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Kev’s a nice dude I’ve always liked him. We like the sopranos too I’m down with sopranos guys. But this is Vito level craziness. Might need to check the blood pressure Kev, hope it’s not doing to you what it did to him.

I think what we’ve got is the fanboy coach who tell’s us to pull out the ole 96’r and talks about the front of the jersey. They love it. Well I do too, but not more than this program. These guys need to think of the institution not a guy tearing it down with a nice smile.
 
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UKGrad24

UKGrad24

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Apr 2, 2024
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Tri-Countycat said:
I get sick of seeing the Hurley comparison. It’s lazy. No one mentions UCONN was on NCAA probation his first two years and still showed improvement. Pope took over a nice Cadillac and turned it into a Subaru.
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I know it’s insane. There is no comparison to Hurley at all, it’s void of not just context but all reality. And I’m not explaining it again, they have the evidence if they want to willfully ignore it then they’re wrong and they don’t care.
 
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theGspot_rivals175609

Junior
Feb 23, 2017
167
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UKGrad24 said:
I have asked these guys repeatedly and they never answer the question it’s always ignored.

Tell me another guy who’s been coaching nearly 15 years that had no tournament success, really no tournament appearance minus 1 bought roster (by UK but another topic), low 60’s winning %, no conference championships that SUDDENLY in 1 season almost 15 years later turned that into an elite level blue blood worthy coach.

Just 1 time I wish someone would answer this that is all in on Pope.
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I'm with you on that.

I'm trying to get @kyjeff1 to tell us how exactly Kam Williams was exploding prior to his injury. Just getting crickets so far.
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
theGspot_rivals175609 said:
I'm with you on that.

I'm trying to get @kyjeff1 to tell us how exactly Kam Williams was exploding prior to his injury. Just getting crickets so far.
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First of all, KYJeff never said Kam was exploding. I said he was catching fire. Meaning, he was becoming a complete player and getting comfortable in his role. He was scoring from all three levels, he was good on defense and he was rebounding. I realize that doesn't fit your pathetic agenda, which is why you needes to fabricate what I said to make it sound bad, but it's true.

I feel like that foughnut reminding me of your mom is rwally hurting your feelings here. You’re lashing outn
 
K

Ky_Bred_Cat

All-Conference
Dec 28, 2014
2,147
3,995
113
I want Pope to succeed here as much as anybody. Here's what is really starting to concern me.

Maybe Pope just doesn't have the right temperament to succeed at the elite level. The one comparison to him I can think of is Phil Jackson. He was also philosophical and intellectual whose style was more about guiding players, not leading them, like Pope. But Phil had MJ and Kobe, two of the best ever. Pope's future here may be completely dependent on landing some elite talent but he's not proven he can do that yet. I do think Pope could excel with a few elite players. These questions will be answered one way or the other by this time next year.
 
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theGspot_rivals175609

Junior
Feb 23, 2017
167
323
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kyjeff1 said:
First of all, KYJeff never said Kam was exploding. I said he was catching fire. Meaning, he was becoming a complete player and getting comfortable in his role. He was scoring from all three levels, he was good on defense and he was rebounding. I realize that doesn't fit your pathetic agenda, which is why you needes to fabricate what I said to make it sound bad, but it's true.

I feel like that foughnut reminding me of your mom is rwally hurting your feelings here. You’re lashing outn
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Oh, my bad. Huge difference obviously and changes everything. Lol.

Complete player...how so? He scored double digits 4 times all season. In his last 6 games which were all sec games, he did it once. In 3 of those games, he didn't break 5 pts. In those 6 SEC games, he had 7 turnovers, 1 block, 4 steals, 6 assists and 8 rebounds.

So 1 assist and roughly 1.33 rebounds per game with 1.3 turnovers, and .7 steals makes a complete player?

Also, the last 2 games before injury, he was catching fire so hard we played him 15 and 16 minutes respectively.

What am I fabricating?

Why would you thinking of my mom hurt my feelings? If you're into older, wrinkly women relying on Depends, that's your business. It doesn't bother me one bit. She might like the attention.

But if we're being honest, you know it reminds you of something else. ;)
 
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Wildcat_in_DC

Senior
Nov 25, 2025
653
888
93
next year will be the start of something amazing. or it will be more of the same. feels like the strategy by the staff and fans is in hope. but hope isnt much of a strategy.
 
bbnkat02

bbnkat02

Heisman
Nov 14, 2017
47,616
70,835
113
Wildcat_in_DC said:
next year will be the start of something amazing. or it will be more of the same. feels like the strategy by the staff and fans is in hope. but hope isnt much of a strategy.
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Not much of a choice at this point. We are just in wait and see mode. Either Pope will produce or pout. And by next March we will decide the future.
 
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JSquad0070

Senior
Oct 4, 2025
359
958
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The 2 issues with Pope:

1.) He can’t recruit with possibly the highest budget in college basketball

2.) He relies solely on analytics and his substitution patterns kill any momentum we ever get. It’s why he loses big leads.
 
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The_Answer1313_rivals

Heisman
May 27, 2007
31,887
24,978
113
JSquad0070 said:
The 2 issues with Pope:

1.) He can’t recruit with possibly the highest budget in college basketball

2.) He relies solely on analytics and his substitution patterns kill any momentum we ever get. It’s why he loses big leads.
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The first is the biggest thing.

The second thing 1) we have absolutely no idea he relies "solely" on analytics and 2) our issue isn't that we lose big leads.......just the opposite......the issue is we get down 10-15 consistently to anyone with a pulse.

This analytics thing is crazy to me. What numbers is telling Mark Pope to field sub optimal lineups? lol. That's all on Pope.
 
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Dr.LutherSan

Dr.LutherSan

All-American
Sep 6, 2019
3,968
7,635
113
Tri-Countycat said:
I get sick of seeing the Hurley comparison. It’s lazy. No one mentions UCONN was on NCAA probation his first two years and still showed improvement. Pope took over a nice Cadillac and turned it into a Subaru.
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That's an insult to Subaru. I'd say more like a Jeep brand vehicle with it's lack of reliability.
 
J

Jazzycat

All-Conference
May 23, 2002
16,087
4,682
113
I really like Pope as a person. Unfortunately, he is not UK coaching material. I see nothing in his recruiting or coaching acumen that gives me hope that he can take a team to a final four, which is or should be a prerequisite for getting the UK men’s basketball job. I wish it were different but, it is what it is.
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
theGspot_rivals175609 said:
Oh, my bad. Huge difference obviously and changes everything. Lol.

Complete player...how so? He scored double digits 4 times all season. In his last 6 games which were all sec games, he did it once. In 3 of those games, he didn't break 5 pts. In those 6 SEC games, he had 7 turnovers, 1 block, 4 steals, 6 assists and 8 rebounds.

So 1 assist and roughly 1.33 rebounds per game with 1.3 turnovers, and .7 steals makes a complete player?

Also, the last 2 games before injury, he was catching fire so hard we played him 15 and 16 minutes respectively.

What am I fabricating?

Why would you thinking of my mom hurt my feelings? If you're into older, wrinkly women relying on Depends, that's your business. It doesn't bother me one bit. She might like the attention.

But if we're being honest, you know it reminds you of something else. ;)
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LOL, Kam Williams could have the same stats as MJ and you would still crap on him.

You guys are so pathetic, you wouldn't know a good player if he sat on your face and wiggled.
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
bbnkat02 said:
Not much of a choice at this point. We are just in wait and see mode. Either Pope will produce or pout. And by next March we will decide the future.
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Exactly. But we have fans in here literally hoping we lose. That is crazy to me.
 
T

theGspot_rivals175609

Junior
Feb 23, 2017
167
323
63
kyjeff1 said:
LOL, Kam Williams could have the same stats as MJ and you would still crap on him.

You guys are so pathetic, you wouldn't know a good player if he sat on your face and wiggled.
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Lol, doubtful.

The irony is that you're acting like a player with **** stats was really catching fire. We have given you multiple opportunities to provide stats to back up your claims, like when you said he was rebounding and playing defense.

Yet, now you're resorting to fallacies and claiming we just don't know basketball.

You're trying too hard, bud. Take a break and come back better for it!
 
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