Coach Cal will claim yet another SEC title tomorrow

Mar 14, 2026
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Cal is what he is and has always been...an egotistical mercenary who excels at recruiting and who sucks at in game tactics. "Dribble drive system" my ***, lol. He got butthurt when Coach K and others started beating him at this own game (ie-the 1 and Done = Instant Success paradigm) and grew lazy and resentful in his final years in Lexington. It was lost past time for him to move on to somewhere new anyway. UMASS, the Nets, Memphis, Kentucky, Arkansas.....and counting...
 

TotheMoon88

Senior
Apr 12, 2024
539
735
93
I don’t think you understand my Pope position very well at all…

I feel like I’ve explained it in pretty great detail and it definitely isn’t calculus. Yet here we are.

BTW who cares whether I do or do not want him back? It doesn’t harm anyone either way.
I didn’t say it harmed anyone, just odd. I guess I don’t understand your position, but you do try to shoot down anyone who thinks we should move on from him
 

MychalG

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2012
2,951
2,846
82
Acuff, Thomas and Richmond are a heck of trio. Cal will replace them before Pope gets his first commitment for next season.
 
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BMR1987

Senior
Mar 5, 2025
212
504
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I hate to say it, but with Acuff and Thomas it's like they have TWO Kemba Walkers that can just takeover and carry them through the tournament. And they've got a great mix of athleticism, size, and experience to go with those two once-in-a-generation talents. Wagner, that mature, steady veteran guard who knows the system, something every true contender needs and something Calipari always strived for but rarely seemed to materialize for him at Kentucky for whatever reason (likely the fault of a microwave fanbase that mocked his dog stroller and ran him off, tbh). Brazile, the long and slender veteran wing, a competitor through and through that loves to lather up a sweat in the heat of battle against all of the top notch young men this sport has to offer, a stud that can really stretch you as a defense or get up and slam it through the hole on those backdoor putbacks you never see coming. Ewin putting it all together and emerging late as the inside Bruiser (pun intended) their team was needing him to be. And Richmond, the swiss army knife that does a little bit of everything and embraces that role, unlike selfish players John had to deal with in his previous thankless job. Put it all together and this is easily the most talented team the Hall of Fame Coach™ has had since before C19. I think that what we're witnessing here is How Cal Got His Groove Back. The return of Old Cal. Swaggy Cal. Chip On My Shoulder, That Boy Ain't Got No Sense, Can't Tell Me A Darn Thing, Oh No He Didn't Cal!

Brace yourselves, HATERS! Arkansas will be THE trendy Final Four pick once all the brackets are released tomorrow night. My guess is over 50% of all brackets that get filled out will have them stinky old Hawgs in it. And after watching their performance in the SEC Tournament thus far, without further ado (and I don't mean Thiero), they're my pick to win it all in The Big Dance™. Not gonna lie, if I'm an Arkansas fan or just a supporter of good ol' John Vincent in general, I'm pretty giddy right about now. Why yes, I predict that in Fayetteville and certain parts of this message board they will be grabbing the missus and dancing The Macarena and singing Gangnam Style like it's 1994 and 2012 all over again! Anything short of a Final Four would be a bitter and haunting disappointment with all of that talent and a Hall of Fame Coach™ at the helm. Not a more talented team or better big game coach in the nation, and you can fight me on that, I'm a man, I ain't scared uh any y'all!
 
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UKWildcats1987

Heisman
Sep 9, 2021
19,665
34,274
113
Try to keep up with the fact that Cal sucked his last 4 years here.

That he did. 2018 to 2020 aren't on 2021 to 2024s level of ineptitude is the obvious point.

And look at artie. He bends over for coach Pope despite him winning nothing that matters with no hope going forward but disses the coach that won a title and 4 final fours and a butt load of sec regular season and tourney titles. Comical.
 

petsounds

Freshman
Mar 8, 2026
44
83
18
Arkansas does not play good enough interior defense nor are their big's consistent enough to make an extended run in the NCAA.
 
Jul 30, 2024
5,748
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I didn’t say it harmed anyone, just odd. I guess I don’t understand your position, but you do try to shoot down anyone who thinks we should move on from him
I reject the notion that I shoot down anyone who wants to fire Pope. Do I think it is silly? Personally, yes. Do I think it comes from a valid place of frustration? Yes. And I’ve been consistent about that for a very long time. I work harder to find common ground than most of my interlocutors. Something I believe is important. A good debater, I’m of the mind, will steel-man their opponents’ positions, which means understanding their methodology and rationale entirely and being able to articulate it very precisely as if it were your own position. A good debater can debate the strongest version of those arguments. That’s what I seek to do. Yes, I have debated the Pope topic with select people, but I don’t find most people are up for actually delving into the topic beyond a few one-liners and low hanging fruit. Most of the time, when discussing the topic, I go out of my way to speak in the first person about my own support for Pope and don’t try to persuade others to agree. I rather only persuade others to take time to understand the viewpoint of those who do support the coach. You’d be led to believe those who do so are imbeciles or trolls by many on here and you’d have to decide for yourself — is my mind open to changing? Or..is my mind open to considering that there may be good reasons and motivations for someone who sees this differently? If you don’t start there, debate isn’t good for you. I begin every single debate I have, and those close to me who have seen me perform in moderated debates or even informal ones can attest, with the idea that I CAN BE WRONG and I am open to my arguments being defeated. Many people don’t like that idea and that’s why the debates become personal or emotionally charged. I personally don’t have the emotional intelligence myself not to respond in kind. Therefore, it’s best I don’t engage with most people in debate, unless they can be very professional, articulate, sharp, topic-focused and impersonal.
 
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kfwa

Senior
Oct 12, 2014
402
743
93
good for Cal and Arkansas

Maybe they'll get a good draw in the tourney too- like an Oakland or St. Peter
 

UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
3,325
5,607
113
I can’t believe so many people hate Cal. He represented the university and team very well. The man is a good Catholic and had some bad years but no coach is perfect. Coach K and Self have been upset in the first rounds of the NCAA. Duke a 2 seed lost to Lehigh, Kansas lost to Bucknell. I don’t hate Cal, I don’t want him to win at Arkansas but some of yall act like he killed someone.
I'm Catholic as well...thats why I can say, with all sincerity...what in the living **** does Cal being a good Catholic have to do with the price of tea in China?
 
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BAsil2Tyler

Junior
Mar 13, 2003
6,257
356
83
I reject the notion that I shoot down anyone who wants to fire Pope. Do I think it is silly? Personally, yes. Do I think it comes from a valid place of frustration? Yes. And I’ve been consistent about that for a very long time. I work harder to find common ground than most of my interlocutors. Something I believe is important. A good debater, I’m of the mind, will steel-man their opponents’ positions, which means understanding their methodology and rationale entirely and being able to articulate it very precisely as if it were your own position. A good debater can debate the strongest version of those arguments. That’s what I seek to do. Yes, I have debated the Pope topic with select people, but I don’t find most people are up for actually delving into the topic beyond a few one-liners and low hanging fruit. Most of the time, when discussing the topic, I go out of my way to speak in the first person about my own support for Pope and don’t try to persuade others to agree. I rather only persuade others to take time to understand the viewpoint of those who do support the coach. You’d be led to believe those who do so are imbeciles or trolls by many on here and you’d have to decide for yourself — is my mind open to changing? Or..is my mind open to considering that there may be good reasons and motivations for someone who sees this differently? If you don’t start there, debate isn’t good for you. I begin every single debate I have, and those close to me who have seen me perform in moderated debates or even informal ones can attest, with the idea that I CAN BE WRONG and I am open to my arguments being defeated. Many people don’t like that idea and that’s why the debates become personal or emotionally charged. I personally don’t have the emotional intelligence myself not to respond in kind. Therefore, it’s best I don’t engage with most people in debate, unless they can be very professional, articulate, sharp, topic-focused and impersonal.
Thanks, ITVI. My suspicion is that we both are a bit long in the tooth. I have Rupp's autograph. I have my father's 1948 & 1949 scrapbook of UK basketball. I've given several articles to Jon Scott for his incredible website. My first basketball heartbreak was the '70 season end against Jacksonville. I lived in Chapel Hill for three years and understand Tobacco Road very well, but know it is nothing compared to our love for our 'Cats. I am confident that no one cares about all of that, and I probably wouldn't either.

When I woke up to find out Mark Pope was going to replace Cal, my gut was incredible dissapointment. I wasn't a Drew or Hurley fan. I thought one was overrated and the other was a pipe dream despite the fact that "WE are UK." My hope was that Mitch knew that it was a possibility Cal was going to move on and that he, like CM Newton, had a list of candidates in his pocket and contacts in the basketball world that we were eventually going to get a surprise choice. We did. Not the kind of surprise most were hopeful for. Cal's time was over and we were warned that he would leave destruction in his wake. He did. The greatest recruiter of all time took his show to Fayetteville. A place with one SEC tournament title and one NCAA title.

Cal has a bit more energy now. Has a bone to pick with UK as long as Mitch is in charge. And will probably stick around another five years or so. It's just not a great place for his family and he will move on. For Arkansas, he will be their savior. Same as he was at all of his previous collegiate stops. In the meantime, the BBN gets a "son" from the family. He proved himself against dUKe in a game that we and the country thought was going to be what UK would become with Mark Pope at the helm. Injuries took over. Crazy decisions of lineups, roster construction, wholesale changes in games, postgame responses that boggle the mind, and of course more injuries.

Pope will be with us at least one more year. Frankly, I'd like to see a change because I have not see enough to make me think he can be our sixth coach to hang a banner. I HOPE I'm wrong. I truly do. Yet Cal's not coming back. Rick isn't either. A GM that knows what they heck is needed in today's recruiting and roster construction has got to happen fast. Perhaps Mitch's replacement will be the biggest key to turning things around since CM Newton did for basketball. CM Newton was not perfect by any means, but he did not hire Joker, Billy G., or Mark P... To do it correctly, there had better be a group thinking about this strategically, holilistically, and from a long term perspective. If not, we are in grave danger IMO.
 
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sk73

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2013
3,183
3,234
113
if we were smart we shouldve gave cal one more year to see if he couldve gotten dybantsa and wilson to go along whth acuff and thomas

CCC never really embraced the SECT. If he had his way UK wouldn't have played.
Conference tournaments make big money, period. Just 30 years ago , or so, the ACC was the only conference that I remember that had a conference tournament. I think we play too many games as it is.
The SEC ends play today just prior to the brackets reveal.. Very few times over the years has the outcome of the tournament changed seedings in the NCAA. It has happened but, rarely.
 

TALtruthatlast

Sophomore
Jan 18, 2008
99
102
32
Conference tournaments make big money, period. Just 30 years ago , or so, the ACC was the only conference that I remember that had a conference tournament. I think we play too many games as it is.
The SEC ends play today just prior to the brackets reveal.. Very few times over the years has the outcome of the tournament changed seedings in the NCAA. It has happened but, rarely.

it’s all about making money. Is the NCAA giving their haul $$$ away to charity?

Vandy is a 2.5 favorite today but if Arky wins expect to see the smarm ooze from Cal’s pores in the post-game.
 

katwest

Heisman
Feb 16, 2003
39,834
13,689
113
Arkansas may win today but l don’t think they can get past the sweet sixteen, hell Kentucky beat them. They won a couple of games in overtime and had several real close games that they won.Funny Brazile and Wagner both came back but if they were at Kentucky they both would have left last year. For some reason he can keep players there longer than he could at Kentucky.
 

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,808
6,779
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Talent > everything
Talent and good coach, upperclassman who have good control, talented freshman who understand system basketball is what you want. I’ve seen so many talented freshman bite dust they actually fold in the end more than they produce. The list is long. Very few talented freshman teams produce championships. Very few. Almost never.
 

Monday Nitro

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
4,034
6,880
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Cal left on his own. You saw it right there on video. Barnhart said he was going to start looking in on practices, Cal took it as an insult and left. Same thing with Tubby. Barnhart simply asked him to get better assisants, he took it as an insult and left.

Both left like cowards in the middle of the night. Blaming Barnhart for trying to do his job is nonsense. Neither were fired nor run off.
 

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,808
6,779
100
does cal care about the SEC tournament now? Dos he want to win this? Noooooooo. Not the narcissistic “I hate SEC tournament guy” lol.

He’s wanting this because he knows he won’t win anything else there and he’s now going to make it out like this is major. He’s su ch a fraud.
 
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AllBall

All-American
May 5, 2015
4,361
5,548
93
Cal has the same sweet 16 as Pope last yr. They're 1-1. However, he's about to claim a conference title and be a much higher seed going into this NCAA tournament.
 
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UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,808
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Cal left on his own. You saw it right there on video. Barnhart said he was going to start looking in on practices, Cal took it as an insult and left. Same thing with Tubby. Barnhart simply asked him to get better assisants, he took it as an insult and left.

Both left like cowards in the middle of the night. Blaming Barnhart for trying to do his job is nonsense. Neither were fired nor run off.
This is false. Calipari called Ohio state and pissed boosters off bad. They were livid. Cal called Mitch after he tried to use Arkansas as leverage and said he’d make changes and worth with Barnhart. Barnhart said you breached contract and moved on Calipari. And if you go see Calipari get off the plane you’ll see a guy who never imagined he end up there. He thought Barnhart would fold. But cal called Barnhart and agreed to changes when he realized it wasn’t going to work by talkin to Arkansas.

Barnhart wanted control back and so he hired Pope and sent Calipari packing. This is 100% a guy that’s one of the biggest contributors at UK said it. You can believe what you want but you’re wrong.
 

Dward13

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2008
10,171
1,505
72
Arkansas 14-23 from 3. Unreal. A cal team shooting the **** out of the ball in a title game. Never thought i’d see the day.

The college basketball universe really does hate Kentucky.
 
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Monday Nitro

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
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This is false. Calipari called Ohio state and pissed boosters off bad. They were livid. Cal called Mitch after he tried to use Arkansas as leverage and said he’d make changes and worth with Barnhart. Barnhart said you breached contract and moved on Calipari. And if you go see Calipari get off the plane you’ll see a guy who never imagined he end up there. He thought Barnhart would fold. But cal called Barnhart and agreed to changes when he realized it wasn’t going to work by talkin to Arkansas.

Barnhart wanted control back and so he hired Pope and sent Calipari packing. This is 100% a guy that’s one of the biggest contributors at UK said it. You can believe what you want but you’re wrong.
You're just like a mechanical engineer tthat thinks he knows everything but knows nothing. Thank goodness for the 98% ignore rule I use, lol. Oh and I know exactly what you are up to on antoher subject. What a sad case.
 

ComebackCats98

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
605
1,764
93
Our fanbase getting exactly what they deserve. Arkansas 2nd SEC tournament title ever. Looking like a sure fire second weekend team with the #2 recruit on the way.

We’ll be lucky to win one game in the tournament and can’t find anybody willing to play for Pope. Stellar job by Mitch Barnhart.

Fire Mark Pope immediately
 

MichaelGray

All-Conference
Jan 13, 2026
709
1,004
93
With more 5 stars on the way!!

View attachment 1218628

it’s okay I heard Trent Noah is coming back
Coach Cal is a slimey grease ball that couldn't coach his *** out of a wet paper sack, the only way he wins is by getting 5* players, he doesn't know how to coach players that need to be coached, a good coach can coach a team of players & make them better that aren't 5* players, plus make adjustments & draw up plays which he can do none of. I'm glad that ****** is gone & his one trick pony offense.