Congrats on a new way to insult. I had never heard that one before!
You insult a group of people and then go running to cry to the teacher about being "attacked"?
We Have Turned On Each Other
- Thread starter ala_kat2
- Start date
Congrats on a new way to insult. I had never heard that one before!
You insult a group of people and then go running to cry to the teacher about being "attacked"?
"Comedy gold, Jerry, Comedy gold!"
I have to use that "toxic positivity" expression some time. That one kills me!
I’d really like to see you address the lack of recruits coming in next year.
Yeah, the year Alabama went to the FF, they also had all their players.
But also, go look at KP right now. Tell me who's defense is higher. How convenient of you to go back to Oats' FF team and focus on that team only, but the truth is, that's an outlier when it comes to defense with Oats.
Oats is not the answer here and for the record, I dgaf if Oats is better than Pope at anything, my conversations about Oats are about him heing qualified to coach here.
i used to be on the Oats train, but after looking closer, he’s not the guy in my opinion.
What's being made up?
-Did UK have injuries to key players last year?
-Did UK have 3 key players out this year?
-ever seen a team missing 3 key players do anything?
It looks to me like everyone in here knows Pope isn’t the answer, but some of us are still hoping we win and we are also hoping Pope figures it out. How does that make us toxic? What's being fabricated?
But you still want to keep a guy around who has ZERO past qualifications to be here. You state Oates is not the answer but you think Pope is?
Oh
My
God
You guys are so pathetic. Nobody is attacking you. Y'all sit there and call us IU fans and tell us to shut up about the injuries, then turn around and cry about positive fans attacking YOU? Give me a break.
Y'all are running in that victim olympics. I hope you win, I really do.
Hilarious.
And in your world, all those positive facts are attacks on you… .the victim.
God forbid some UK fans try to find a silver lining WHILE ALSO ADMITTING POPE MOST LIKELY ISN’T THE RIGHT GUY FOR THIS JOB.
Some of us are simply taking a wait and see approach, because, unlike you, we understand Pope is getting a 3rd year and there's nothing we can do about it.
Totally agree. He has to have a great season next year or he should be replaced. I'm ready to be elite again too.
And that's all we've been saying. There is a path for Pope to fix this, but that doesn't mean we're attacking anybody.
No, it's true. You guys insult those being positive, then claim you're the victim.
Like I literally said a thousand times on here. There are red flags after red flags and I'm not clamoring for Pope and I'm not trying to convince anyone that Pope is the guy, but I damn sure refuse to hope we lose.
All I'm saying is, I want to see how he does with a healthy roster for a full season. Wouldn't that be the fair thing to do?
The guy showed us he can beat the best teams in the country, so he has the ability, he just has to sustain that and get himself better prepared mentally.
He’s probably not the right guy for the job, but can we at least just see how he does next year with a healthy roster?
You move goal posts man. You said Pope was a much better defensive coach than Oats. Then Richie showed you stats for the last few years to disprove that. Then you said LOL but look at this year. You are never wrong. Just move the discussion around ever so slightly.
Def Eff-
How about offensive? You want to go year by year?
Who Had the Better Defensive Efficiency?
Overall
Nate Oats clearly has the better defensive track record.
• Oats:
• Multiple top-5 defenses (2021, 2023)
• Several top-30 seasons
• Pope:
• Best season: 30th (2021)
• Most seasons 50–70 range
Also notable:
• Pope has never produced a KenPom top-25 defense as a head coach. 
• Oats has produced elite defenses even at high-major level (Alabama).
Average Defensive Rank (rough estimate)
• Nate Oats: ~49
• Mark Pope: ~99
⸻
Bottom line:• Oats = higher defensive ceiling (elite seasons).
• Pope = middle-tier defenses most years, offense-driven teams.
Holy hell.
Where did I say Pope was the right guy?
Is this microphone on? Jesus, I'm literally saying, in almost every post, that Pope is probably not the right guy.
Sorry if I don't already have my torch and pitchfork in
If he doesn't, I want him gone.
Pope is getting a 3rd year and unlike a lot of people on here, I'm hoping he gets it right and he turns out to he great.
And what if there’s injuries next year and it’s more of the same? Do we give him a 4th?
And again, all I'm saying is, in my opinion, Nate Oats is not the right guy for this job. I would rather he not get the job if/when Pope is sh*tcanned.You move goal posts man. You said Pope was a much better defensive coach than Oats. Then Richie showed you stats for the last few years to disprove that. Then you said LOL but look at this year. You are never wrong. Just move the discussion around ever so slightly.
Def Eff-
How about offensive? You want to go year by year?
Who Had the Better Defensive Efficiency?
Overall
Nate Oats clearly has the better defensive track record.
• Oats:
• Multiple top-5 defenses (2021, 2023)
• Several top-30 seasons
• Pope:
• Best season: 30th (2021)
• Most seasons 50–70 range
Also notable:
• Pope has never produced a KenPom top-25 defense as a head coach. 
• Oats has produced elite defenses even at high-major level (Alabama).
Average Defensive Rank (rough estimate)
• Nate Oats: ~49
• Mark Pope: ~99
⸻
• Oats = higher defensive ceiling (elite seasons).
• Pope = middle-tier defenses most years, offense-driven teams.
Hell, I don't know. If these injuries continue next year, I might just spend my Saturdays sitting in a field.
Pope was always getting a 3rd year, regardless, just like BCG was supposed to, until alcohol took over.
So, okay, let me ask you this, are you going to hope Pope has a grest year next year, or are you hoping he has another 10 loss record?
Doesn’t that go both ways though? Let me know when Pope wins a regular season conference title, conference tournament title, advances to the semifinals of a conference tournament, doesn’t lose double digit games or makes it to a final four.
That’s not acceptable Phil. You just typed the words “next year”. Forget the fact that you’re just smart enough to realize Pope will be here next year. That’s enough to throw many on here into a frothing at the mouth hysterical tirade about MEDIOCRITY!! They actually think ruining every thread by being an a hole will change things.
Not saying this about the guy you replied to but unfortunately there are way too many that will root for the latter.
I hope IF he doesn’t have a great year and has another 10 loss record he’s let go at the end of the season, no excuses. I want UK to be the best, would be great if pope turns out to be elite but just based on what I’ve seen I don’t think he is
Exactly. I have been on this board for probably 19 years and it has always been divided in a sense. When things are going good the negative posters stay away and the opposite applies when things are going bad. There is always conflict. I don't know how/why that surprises anyone.
Yeah and some of us are hoping Pope does those things and some of us are hoping he loses so he gets fired.
Those people hoping he loses, are calling me a bad fan, because I want to win. Ain't that some sh*t?
What you guys are refusing to understand is, everyone knows Pope has massive issues, but he’s also done great things. He CAN fix his issues, it won't be easy, but he can. If he does, great, let him stay.
But if he doesn't, he needs to be replaced.
Literally nobody, not even Monday, or Cowboy, are saying Pope is the answer long term. All we're saying is, we hope he figures it out and we win like UK basketball should win. But somehow, that makes us Indiana… ..because we want to win. Please explain that one to me.
Oh yeah, us wanting to win, also means we are attacking those that don't. While you're explaining things, please explain that one too.
Yeah and that boggles my mind.
Why would we not want Pope to learn from his mistakes and be great?
But I'm the problem with UK fans. You can't make this stuff up.
While I agree with what you said here, because I feel the same way, that wasn't the question.
I'll ask it again:
Exactly. He's getting a third year whether one likes it or not. Baring a major scandal, no administration is firing a coach after year two, especially not this admin. It's not even worth arguing over. So you have two choices, well three. 1. Try to find some positives, and hope he turns things around next year. 2. Stay miserable and try to make everyone else miserable too. 3. Stop watching and find a new hobby. 1 and 3 sound like the best choices to me but most seem stuck on choice 2. As I stated before, teams 1 and 2 should probably ignore each other.
I never said you were. You’re grouping me in with posts I didn’t make and being all emotional about things I never said. If pope makes it I’m fine with it, if he doesn’t I’m fine with moving on. All I want is for our program to be elite again. I’ve said that several times.
You literally told me to look at kenpom like I’m stupid and then after I told you that you’re wrong and explained why using what you asked me to look at you got mad. You think you know it all and when you get shown you’re 100 percent wrong you get mad about it and to justify it you start using posts others make and attacking me for it lol
I don’t mind constructive criticism when it’s warranted. However the personal attacks crossing the line. When you start making fun of someone’s looks, that’s over the top.
I thought I answered the question when I said it would be great if pope turns out to be elite. I hope he does, but I also hope people don’t blindly follow pope if he has another bad year
LOL, first of all, I wasn't 100% wrong. Oats' defense is ranked in the high 60' s right now, we're at 27th. I mean, where am I wrong?
Keep in mind, we're 40 spots higher and we're missing 3 guys.
But back on topic. There are dudes on here hoping we lose, because they think it means Pope doesn’t get a 3rd year. Well, he’s getting a 3rd year, nothing is going to change that.
But also, they want him to lose next year too. To me, that's absolutely crazy. Why would anyone want us to have another losing year, just to get rid of a guy?
There you go again, claiming you’re right when you’re not. SMH you just move goal posts constantly and it’s hilarious
Right, I asked that question, because there are dudes on here hoping we lose so Pope gets fired.
They don't even want him to have a great year, they want him to lose, then they look at me as a bad fan, because me wanting Pope to win, means we're turning into Indiana… .but they’re the ones that want us to lose.
Wouldn't losing be what makes us look like Indiana???
You just can’t discuss things with him. Yesterday he asked something about name any school that did something (I can’t remember and am not going back) with two or three players out. Richie named two schools. Then this guy movef the goal post again- saying “now name the players”. lol.
Also, he said Pope was a much better defensive coach than Oats. When presented with historical data that contradicts he says “oats isn’t the guy”.
A while back a few folks challenged something he said and he started a thread trying to get consensus that he was right. His entire identity his tied up in his views being correct. He will never admit he is wrong. I bet he has hundreds of friends.
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This is where you are wrong lol. We can’t judge pope in one year due to injuries but you can cherry pick one year of defensive stats and ignore the career of each. You can have the last word saying you are right blah blah blah.
Ritchie named 2 schools, 2019 KU and 2023 UCLA, I replied and asked who was injured on those teams. He never answered. I don't get this issue here, I simply asked who was out injured in those 2 teams.
Alabama has a full roster, we have/had 3 guys out and our defensive rating is 40 points higher. Please explain to me where I'm wrong???
Cherry picked? Do you understand what that means? I'm the one talking about this year, how is that cherry picking?
I genuinely think almost 100% of the nastiness comes from the fact that:
One side thinks the other side is literally causing the downfall of Kentucky basketball by supporting the coach.
If it weren’t for this fact, conversations would be more like:
Question: What do we think of Pope?
Anti-Pope: I think he needs to go because of XYZ
Pro-Pope: I think he needs to stay because of XYZ
Instead, it’s more like:
Question: What do we think of Pope?
Pro-Pope: I think he needs to stay because of XYZ (responded to with a wall of laugh emojis)
Anti-Pope: You cucks are literally the worst, not even fans. Place coach above the program yada yada.
^ How on earth do tensions not get raised with this stuff. My tensions are raised and I’m snapping at people. We are just going to fight like cats and dogs until both sides are willing to agree to disagree on the topic gracefully. Even in this very thread, you have the familiar suspects adamantly saying that the Popeists are causing the destruction of the program. If this whole site is for discussing UK basketball and the majority have decided that people with a certain opinion are enemies, you won’t have discussion. You’ll have war and attrition until the supporters just feel like they have to leave.
One side thinks the other side is literally causing the downfall of Kentucky basketball by supporting the coach.
If it weren’t for this fact, conversations would be more like:
Question: What do we think of Pope?
Anti-Pope: I think he needs to go because of XYZ
Pro-Pope: I think he needs to stay because of XYZ
Instead, it’s more like:
Question: What do we think of Pope?
Pro-Pope: I think he needs to stay because of XYZ (responded to with a wall of laugh emojis)
Anti-Pope: You cucks are literally the worst, not even fans. Place coach above the program yada yada.
^ How on earth do tensions not get raised with this stuff. My tensions are raised and I’m snapping at people. We are just going to fight like cats and dogs until both sides are willing to agree to disagree on the topic gracefully. Even in this very thread, you have the familiar suspects adamantly saying that the Popeists are causing the destruction of the program. If this whole site is for discussing UK basketball and the majority have decided that people with a certain opinion are enemies, you won’t have discussion. You’ll have war and attrition until the supporters just feel like they have to leave.
Jeff, we all understand you love coach Pope. That’s fine, but some of the ways you defend him aren’t rational at times. You still don’t realize you’re doing that but you are. I don’t dislike the guy, all I’ve said is he has got to improve. The program isn’t even close to where it needs to be. Either he has to get better or it’s time to move on. It is what is it.