Don’t Sweat This Game, A Loss Is Better Long Term

ZaytovenCat · Mar 22, 2026

In all honesty the worst thing that could have happened was we went to the sweet 16 again. Another year gets added to Popes deal due to Mitch’s stupid contract and it would just make it less likely they’d fire him after he has yet another bad year next year.

Atleast with this loss, especially if it’s a blowout and you can blame Pope for it happening, he can’t point to some fluke tournament run as why he shouldn’t be fired next year.

Besides, this team wasn’t winning a title anyway and almost certainly wouldn’t have even made the final four, so losing first weekend doesn’t matter IMO. The one and ONLY thing that’s worth being sad over is Oweh’s career here being done. Dude was great and won’t have anyone like him again until we get a legit coach here.

BigRedMachineBigBlueNation · Mar 22, 2026

Hard to handle but you’re right. The worst that could have happened was a S16 or E8 giving the BOT, AD an excuse to keep Pope around. Crean did at IU and they kept him 5 years too long.

TotheMoon88 · Mar 22, 2026

ZaytovenCat said:
In all honesty the worst thing that could have happened was we went to the sweet 16 again. Another year gets added to Popes deal due to Mitch’s stupid contract and it would just make it less likely they’d fire him after he has yet another bad year next year.

Atleast with this loss, especially if it’s a blowout and you can blame Pope for it happening, he can’t point to some fluke tournament run as why he shouldn’t be fired next year.

Besides, this team wasn’t winning a title anyway and almost certainly wouldn’t have even made the final four, so losing first weekend doesn’t matter IMO. The one and ONLY thing that’s worth being sad over is Oweh’s career here being done. Dude was great and won’t have anyone like him again until we get a legit coach here.

Just really sucks that we have to have a wasted season next year. We need a huge protest or something lol

ChiefPaducah · Mar 22, 2026

ZaytovenCat said:
In all honesty the worst thing that could have happened was we went to the sweet 16 again. Another year gets added to Popes deal due to Mitch’s stupid contract and it would just make it less likely they’d fire him after he has yet another bad year next year.

Atleast with this loss, especially if it’s a blowout and you can blame Pope for it happening, he can’t point to some fluke tournament run as why he shouldn’t be fired next year.

Besides, this team wasn’t winning a title anyway and almost certainly wouldn’t have even made the final four, so losing first weekend doesn’t matter IMO. The one and ONLY thing that’s worth being sad over is Oweh’s career here being done. Dude was great and won’t have anyone like him again until we get a legit coach here.

I really hope this is right. I’m worried we suffered this loss and we are still 2-3 more years of this.

Atrain7732 · Mar 22, 2026

I’m sure this is true. Losing this way can’t help Pope’s cause. He gets next year and it should be make or break.

Still man. It’s hard to accept the level of play this year and this embarrassing debacle of a game where Pope once again just seems lost. A giant goober clapping and squinting up and down the sidelines all year making zero adjustments while the guys literally stand around also looking lost. Bringing in JJ may have literally lost us the game bc **** just came off the rails afterwards.

Sorry, wish I could accept this is a positive. Just seems like a final exclamation **** sandwich to a trash season.

The_Answer1313_rivals · Mar 22, 2026

While this team was never winning the national title...........I'm not going to "root" for losses here. That's just silly.
This game has little to NO bearing on Pope's future either. NONE.

If they give him a 3rd year (and lets be honest here they are)...........then this game does not matter one bit. He'll be retained or fired solely on the merits what what happens next year.

As such........well sorry I'd rather just win the freaking game.

MarkPftw · Mar 22, 2026

I agree, OP. Plus, I have nothing against Iowa St. Tennessee might very well beat Virginia today and you know Tennessee was just itching to play us again and they likely would have whooped our *** like last year in the Sweet 16.

will1976 · Mar 22, 2026

It's hard coming to terms with accepting a loss to better our future, but yes your right. I held on way too long for Gillespie before I found out about how he treated our players. It's time for a change!

UKGrad24 · Mar 22, 2026

I hate it. But losing is better for the program. Not that I enjoy it or didn’t want to win it. But this is one of those times it’s just better than a Hubert Run doesn’t happen and we’re stuck with this guy for half a decade or more.

UKGrad24 · Mar 22, 2026

The_Answer1313_rivals said:
While this team was never winning the national title...........I'm not going to "root" for losses here. That's just silly.
This game has little to NO bearing on Pope's future either. NONE.

If they give him a 3rd year (and lets be honest here they are)...........then this game does not matter one bit. He'll be retained or fired solely on the merits what what happens next year.

As such........well sorry I'd rather just win the freaking game.

You can root for the win but in a loss say it’s probably best. Both can be done.

Snarks · Mar 22, 2026

I hate to say it but that’s the first thing that crossed my mind. At least he won’t get an extension! Horrible contract!

dckala2_ · Mar 22, 2026

Agree that it kept us from having a year 4 or 5 of pope.

New AD has a full year to vet and put feelers out for the next coach so we are not scrambling like with cal.

can’t believe the season was derailed before it started with our starting shooting guard an point guard diving for a loose ball in a scrimmage.

Rosie66 · Mar 22, 2026

ZaytovenCat said:
In all honesty the worst thing that could have happened was we went to the sweet 16 again. Another year gets added to Popes deal due to Mitch’s stupid contract and it would just make it less likely they’d fire him after he has yet another bad year next year.

Atleast with this loss, especially if it’s a blowout and you can blame Pope for it happening, he can’t point to some fluke tournament run as why he shouldn’t be fired next year.

Besides, this team wasn’t winning a title anyway and almost certainly wouldn’t have even made the final four, so losing first weekend doesn’t matter IMO. The one and ONLY thing that’s worth being sad over is Oweh’s career here being done. Dude was great and won’t have anyone like him again until we get a legit coach here.

If you people run Pope off, just who in the world do you think would come here to coach ? If they didn't go undefeated their first year you same people would be wanting to run him off too. Who in the world do you think would come here and put up all this crap that Pope has had to ?

billCgmx_ · Mar 22, 2026

Mistakes are good if you use them to improve.

What will improve going forward?

The_Answer1313_rivals · Mar 22, 2026

UKGrad24 said:
You can root for the win but in a loss say it’s probably best. Both can be done.

Maybe so.

But I just don't see the point in thinking this has any bearing on Pope's future at all.

If they were going to fire him based on the results of this sesaon, they'd fire him. If they give him a 3rd year, this won't matter one bit.

Say we make an Elite 8 next season. I highly doubt anyone in the administration says "ahhh yeah but remember year 2 when we got blown out by Iowa St" lol. Like I just don't see the effect this one game has long term TBH.

CELTICAT · Mar 22, 2026

I had the thought when the score was 20-8 that it would be a catastrophic win. Was still giddy and would have taken it.

Damage_inc · Mar 22, 2026

Loser mentality.

Amonbundy76 · Mar 22, 2026

Many people were saying this after the miracle buzzer beater on Thursday that it was a net negative and they were called fake fans etc. everyone knew we had about as close as there is to zero chance to even keep this close today

AllBall · Mar 22, 2026

Already don't care. Apathy has set in. Moving on with life. I have no control over these decisions and it's infuriating.
I'll enjoy life and support the Johnnies for fun.

UKGrad24 · Mar 22, 2026

The_Answer1313_rivals said:
Maybe so.

But I just don't see the point in thinking this has any bearing on Pope's future at all.

If they were going to fire him based on the results of this sesaon, they'd fire him. If they give him a 3rd year, this won't matter one bit.

Say we make an Elite 8 next season. I highly doubt anyone in the administration says "ahhh yeah but remember year 2 when we got blown out by Iowa St" lol. Like I just don't see the effect this one game has long term TBH.

What? If Pope would have pulled a Hubert and made an elite 8 or final four he’s definitely getting a lot more time. But it wouldn’t have helped us in the long run similar to how it’s hurt UNC because it gives this feckless administration room to find a way to give him more time which they would. We’ve even got fans that were chomping at the bit to make back to back sweet 16 shirts. They know they were. So yea it does have an effect.

CELTICAT said:
I had the thought when the score was 20-8 that it would be a catastrophic win. Was still giddy and would have taken it.

exactly where I was. Can’t help but want it, but knew “back to back S16” would have given ammo to the wrong people. I mean some of these guys were saying last year was successful with no conference banners and blown out to Tennessee in the S16.

UKGrad24 · Mar 22, 2026

Amonbundy76 said:
Many people were saying this after the miracle buzzer beater on Thursday that it was a net negative and they were called fake fans etc. everyone knew we had about as close as there is to zero chance to even keep this close today

And everyone knows that was pure luck. Mark lost that game, and a Hail Mary gave him another game. Nothing he did, not in any of their control except a f’n prayer.

*Fox2Monk* · Mar 22, 2026

Atrain7732 said:
I’m sure this is true. Losing this way can’t help Pope’s cause. He gets next year and it should be make or break.

Still man. It’s hard to accept the level of play this year and this embarrassing debacle of a game where Pope once again just seems lost. A giant goober clapping and squinting up and down the sidelines all year making zero adjustments while the guys literally stand around also looking lost. Bringing in JJ may have literally lost us the game bc **** just came off the rails afterwards.

Sorry, wish I could accept this is a positive. Just seems like a final exclamation **** sandwich to a trash season.

JJ should never see the court ever, in the biggest game of the year he puts him in.

The_Answer1313_rivals · Mar 22, 2026

UKGrad24 said:
What? If Pope would have pulled a Hubert and made an elite 8 or final four he’s definitely getting a lot more time. But it wouldn’t have helped us in the long run similar to how it’s hurt UNC because it gives this feckless administration room to find a way to give him more time which they would. We’ve even got fans that were chomping at the bit to make back to back sweet 16 shirts. They know they were. So yea it does have an effect.

exactly where I was. Can’t help but want it, but knew “back to back S16” would have given ammo to the wrong people. I mean some of these guys were saying last year was successful with no conference banners and blown out to Tennessee in the S16.

I really don't think that's how decisions are made here. Least they shouldn't be.
Had we lucked our way into a S16 or god forbid an E8, I would like to think SOMEONE in the administration would say ok .....**** happens in a one and done tournament..........like I'd imagine these decisions should still be made based on the future of the program.

Despite what we would have done here........we have zero recruiting for next season. Year 3 is going to be way worse than Years 1 and 2. Someone has to see that. We gave him a pass in year 1 because he had little time to put together anything. We were hoping that would be the floor. Instead, year 1 might be the best season Pope has here.

I would have been floored if say they gave him any extension had we won this game for example

UKGrad24 · Mar 22, 2026

*Fox2Monk* said:
JJ should never see the court ever, in the biggest game of the year he puts him in.

And, watches the lead of 10 evaporate and doesn’t make a move until it’s gone. Mark is a bad coach. He’s not average, he’s horrible.

UKGrad24 · Mar 22, 2026

The_Answer1313_rivals said:
I really don't think that's how decisions are made here. Least they shouldn't be.
Had we lucked our way into a S16 or god forbid an E8, I would like to think SOMEONE in the administration would say ok .....**** happens in a one and done tournament..........like I'd imagine these decisions should still be made based on the future of the program.

Despite what we would have done here........we have zero recruiting for next season. Year 3 is going to be way worse than Years 1 and 2. Someone has to see that. We gave him a pass in year 1 because he had little time to put together anything. We were hoping that would be the floor. Instead, year 1 might be the best season Pope has here.

I would have been floored if say they gave him any extension had we won this game for example

I mean it’s possible his recruiting is so bad it wouldn’t have mattered. But I don’t want to risk him lucking into an elite 8 and then seeing support reign in. I see no way it wouldn’t buy him time. I mean we’ve got fans that have clearly said an elite 8 here and there and they want him retained and they don’t care what else happens. I couldn’t believe someone would say that.

“he went to the S16 and then elite 8. “You can’t fire him”

You should easily see the problem.

Anon1762656614 · Mar 22, 2026

dckala2_ said:
Agree that it kept us from having a year 4 or 5 of pope.

New AD has a full year to vet and put feelers out for the next coach so we are not scrambling like with cal.

can’t believe the season was derailed before it started with our starting shooting guard an point guard diving for a loose ball in a scrimmage.

Pope will be here at least 5 years.

The_Answer1313_rivals · Mar 22, 2026

UKGrad24 said:
I mean it’s possible his recruiting is so bad it wouldn’t have mattered. But I don’t want to risk him lucking into an elite 8 and then seeing support reign in. I see no way it wouldn’t buy him time. I mean we’ve got fans that have clearly said an elite 8 here and there and they want him retained and they don’t care what else happens. I couldn’t believe someone would say that.

“he went to the S16 and then elite 8. “You can’t fire him”

You should easily see the problem.

Yeah no i totally see your point there.

And it's like you don't even want to give him any excuse whatsoever to say that...........well the guy just made back to back S16s how can we fire him. That would suck.

I'm just hoping that whoever the new AD is can see this. To me, Pope problem isn't what happened in year 1 and year 2........it's the fact that he's showing zero as far as changing.

22 million.........in NIL...........and we can't even field a top 30 team? Come on now. It's so bad.

Blue Jesus · Mar 22, 2026

ZaytovenCat said:
In all honesty the worst thing that could have happened was we went to the sweet 16 again. Another year gets added to Popes deal due to Mitch’s stupid contract and it would just make it less likely they’d fire him after he has yet another bad year next year.

Atleast with this loss, especially if it’s a blowout and you can blame Pope for it happening, he can’t point to some fluke tournament run as why he shouldn’t be fired next year.

Besides, this team wasn’t winning a title anyway and almost certainly wouldn’t have even made the final four, so losing first weekend doesn’t matter IMO. The one and ONLY thing that’s worth being sad over is Oweh’s career here being done. Dude was great and won’t have anyone like him again until we get a legit coach here.

The auto-extensions for a Sweet Sixteen frustrate me to no end, and you can be sure it was something Barnhart offered up without any jockeying by Pope and his agent.

Don’t Sweat This Game, A Loss Is Better Long Term

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