Dan Hurley and his terrible first 2 UCONN years

paulcalhoun_rivals397471

All-Conference
Aug 23, 2024
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And he literally called that team "great".

If you swapped coaches, he would say 2020 was awful and 2025 was great.
I've never wanted to discredit the 2020 team. 25-6 is a very good record and I think they could have made a run in the tourney provided Hagans had his head on straight enough to perform. Yet when you look at SOS and the SRS (actual performance against that schedule) each of the last two seasons actually rate better. I think a Final Four was a real possibility last season if not for injuries. Having Quaintance and Lowe for this years tourney was a reasonable expectation going into the year and could have potentially made a big difference.

 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
Pope hasn’t seen an elite 8 as a coach in his life. Tennessee has 3 in a row. Put that in your pipe and toke it.
Why are you talking about the elite 8? Is that the new made up standard now?
that's new, I thought it was Final 4, or bust.
Ohhh wait, I get it, you're cherry picking odd facts to make it seem like UK has fallen behind Tennessee.
Except, Pope wasn’t the coach 2 years ago. Cal didn’t make the Elite 8 that year either. Heck, he didn't even get past the first round. But, but, but "he's in the HOF"
 
Jul 30, 2024
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I've never wanted to discredit the 2020 team. 25-6 is a very good record and I think they could have made a run in the tourney provided Hagans had his head on straight enough to perform. Yet when you look at SOS and the SRS (actual performance against that schedule) each of the last two seasons actually rate better. I think a Final Four was a real possibility last season if not for injuries. Having Quaintance and Lowe for this years tourney was a reasonable expectation going into the year and could have potentially made a big difference.

I’m actually a huge Immanuel Quickley, Tyrese Maxey and Nick Richards fan. The 2020 team is one my all-time favorite teams. I will always have a soft spot for Richards because of how much work he put in to get better. I love the stories of IQ’s upbringing and his devotion to God. I love Maxey’s joy for the game.

Love 2020 big time!
 

Son_Of_Saul

Heisman
Dec 7, 2007
45,127
97,968
113
Yeah….I know. Honestly tired of saying it. Win/loss record means much less than the full body of work. So far, Pope had a good first year at Kentucky and a bad second year. The level of bad in year two was more intense than the level of good in year one. Hence, he is on the hot seat. This is grade school level stuff and frankly obvious. Yet here we are still debating the same talking points, beating the same dead horses.
Is it grade level stuff to see that over the course of 11 full seasons, Mark Pope is a 63% winning percentage coach?

There's no vacuum about that. So sometimes horses need to be resurrected and beat to death again; and this is one of them until people finally figure it out. There is no hidden objective truth waiting to unveil itself with Mark Pope. There's an 11-year sample size that people need to pay attention to.

He's always been a mediocre coach.

11 years of coaching tells the full story.
 
Jul 30, 2024
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Is it grade level stuff to see that over the course of 11 full seasons, Mark Pope is a 63% winning percentage coach?

There's no vacuum about that. So sometimes horses need to be resurrected and beat to death again; and this is one of them until people finally figure it out. There is no hidden objective truth to wait for. There's an 11-year sample size that people need to pay attention to.
I don’t believe there is an 11 year sample size. I believe you continue to make the same category error over and over again. You’re too smart to keep doing it.

Pope coached at a midmajor every year except three — 2024 BYU, 2025 Kentucky and 2026 Kentucky. His prior record means absolutely nothing since his job won’t hinge on his prior performances before he became coach here.

Your 63% argument is, therefore, weak. You don’t even need it. Just look at it his two year sample size and say “He’s averaging a five seed in the NCAA tournament, like 13 losses and has yet to reach an Elite Eight.”

^ That right there is an airtight anti-Pope argument that can’t really be argued against. That’s the whole reason he’s on the hot seat, not anything to do with the mythical “eleven year sample.” Those are great arguments for why he shouldn’t get the job (which isn’t even contested) but he did. So now we deal with his body of work at Kentucky, which hasn’t been good enough so far.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
I've never wanted to discredit the 2020 team. 25-6 is a very good record and I think they could have made a run in the tourney provided Hagans had his head on straight enough to perform. Yet when you look at SOS and the SRS (actual performance against that schedule) each of the last two seasons actually rate better. I think a Final Four was a real possibility last season if not for injuries. Having Quaintance and Lowe for this years tourney was a reasonable expectation going into the year and could have potentially made a big difference.

I wish these last 2 teams didn't have those injury issues. More last year than this year.

Problem is, Pope's sub patterns definitely were an issue. I think he subbed better last year, but this year was a head scratcher for sure.

Next year, I hope there are no injuries. I want no excuses. I want Pope to get the guys he wants and I want everyone to stay healthy. Show me what you can do, Pope.

Lose 10+ games, get blown out a few times and flame out before the E8, it needs to be over.
 
Jul 30, 2024
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I wish these last 2 teams didn't have those injury issues. More last year than this year.

Problem is, Pope's sub patterns definitely were an issue. I think he subbed better last year, but this year was a head scratcher for sure.

Next year, I hope there are no injuries. I want no excuses. I want Pope to get the guys he wants and I want everyone to stay healthy. Show me what you can do, Pope.

Lose 10+ games, get blown out a few times and flame out before the E8, it needs to be over.
I think a very important aspect of next year is the CBB landscape. Are we a real player? A top ten level team all year? I think we absolutely need to be, since that isn’t something Pope has proven yet. At Kentucky, you can’t be the underdog. You need to be the favorite and win while wearing the crown.
 
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KyKevin

All-Conference
Dec 28, 2021
1,594
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Tommy Lloyd had an incredible year one at Arizona and regressed in year two. Last year had a disappointing year and this year is in the Final Four. Not every coach improves from year one to year two. And no, I’m not comparing Pope to Lloyd or anyone else — I don’t know how it will turn out with Pope either way unlike these amazing prognosticators who already know the future.





I really believe Pope could have done as good of job as Loyd against Michigan, with the same team. But Michigan is even better then I thought, and I had them winning it all, but not as dominant as they beat AZ. I hope they kick Hurley's a.ss to, but I'm not counting him out just yet.
 

Resignmarkpope

Freshman
Mar 13, 2026
118
87
18
Against a really weak schedule.

You’re saying that team was great, you literally said that. But it's very possible they get a 4 seed, 3 at best.

But you're ready to fire Pope, because he's not keeping up with expectations, even though UK was a 3 seed last year after winning more quad 1 games than anyone ever has.

You’re all over the map.
I remember quickly playing lights out and maxey was a beast!
 

Resignmarkpope

Freshman
Mar 13, 2026
118
87
18
It’s funny, because you get frustrated when your flawed thoughts get easily disproven and blow up in your face, then you just flail away and claim Pope isn’t the guy.

I just wish you would slow down and understand what we're telling you. We don't think Pope is the guy either, but we're hoping he proves us wrong and we think he can.
Quickly was great that year! He was sec player of the year and uk was ranked in the top 10 when the season stopped. That’s facts!
 

Resignmarkpope

Freshman
Mar 13, 2026
118
87
18
Why are you talking about the elite 8? Is that the new made up standard now?
that's new, I thought it was Final 4, or bust.
Ohhh wait, I get it, you're cherry picking odd facts to make it seem like UK has fallen behind Tennessee.
Except, Pope wasn’t the coach 2 years ago. Cal didn’t make the Elite 8 that year either. Heck, he didn't even get past the first round. But, but, but "he's in the HOF"
What’s the new standard under pope? Losing 10 games?
 

Resignmarkpope

Freshman
Mar 13, 2026
118
87
18
It’s funny, because you get frustrated when your flawed thoughts get easily disproven and blow up in your face, then you just flail away and claim Pope isn’t the guy.

I just wish you would slow down and understand what we're telling you. We don't think Pope is the guy either, but we're hoping he proves us wrong and we think he can.
Least I don’t think your a complete dufus! I have no faith in pope! I thought you was pope’s stalker or something
 
May 4, 2015
10,475
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No it does not. You are just being incorrigible at this point. He has been head coach here for 2 years. That is indisputable fact. You looking at his entire career which has nothing to do with my post. When have you ever heard of a head coach being removed because he did not win enough at his previous job?
It does .matter. Just as Sutton, Pitino, Cal's record before UK mattered
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
I remember quickly playing lights out and maxey was a beast!
Maxey was a beast in November against Michigan State, other than that, he never really showed out again. He us another kid in the very long list of UK players under Cal that played great the second they left Cal.
 
May 4, 2015
10,475
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Is it grade level stuff to see that over the course of 11 full seasons, Mark Pope is a 63% winning percentage coach?

There's no vacuum about that. So sometimes horses need to be resurrected and beat to death again; and this is one of them until people finally figure it out. There is no hidden objective truth waiting to unveil itself with Mark Pope. There's an 11-year sample size that people need to pay attention to.

He's always been a mediocre coach.

11 years of coaching tells the full story.
Bro they aren't going to listen.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
Least I don’t think your a complete dufus! I have no faith in pope! I thought you was pope’s stalker or something
You and about 50 other dudes just refuse to pay attention. Several of us keep getting accused of being Pope fans and it’s just false. We are simply supporting him and hoping he makes the changes that need to he made and he wins big next year.
If not, he’s out and none of us would have a problem with that.
 
May 4, 2015
10,475
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You and about 50 other dudes just refuse to pay attention. Several of us keep getting accused of being Pope fans and it’s just false. We are simply supporting him and hoping he makes the changes that need to he made and he wins big next year.
If not, he’s out and none of us would have a problem with that.
You support him to the detriment of the program, just my opinion. You hidve im being too harsh and am putting the program in a bad situation with a coachinv search. You believe we have a year/years to waste on Pope learning how to coach, we don't. Looks like we have to agree to disagree.
 
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Resignmarkpope

Freshman
Mar 13, 2026
118
87
18
You and about 50 other dudes just refuse to pay attention. Several of us keep getting accused of being Pope fans and it’s just false. We are simply supporting him and hoping he makes the changes that need to he made and he wins big next year.
If not, he’s out and none of us would have a problem with that.
Yeah sorry I think failure is the way! Can’t see pope being an elite coach!
 
May 4, 2015
10,475
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To me it's more about catching up. We are behind the evolution of the game, far behind programs like UConn, Duke, Michigan, Arizona andceven Florida already. We don't have time to waste imho. UConn is at 6 rn, playing for their 7th and Hurley looks like the real deal.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
You support him to the detriment of the program, just my opinion. You believe we have a year/years to waste on Pope learning how to coach, we don't. Looks like we have to agree to disagree.
Oh stfu, I don't have a say in whether Pope gets fired or not. The fact is, he's not getting fired and rightfully so. He hasn't done anything to deserve getting fired.
How do fans harm the program by hoping their coach succeeds? Do you guys even think before you post?
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
I honestly believe if they won the sec tournament they would’ve been a 2. They was ranked 8th at the time it stopped
I don't. Baylor and Gonzaga were head and shoulders better than everyone else and the SEC was garbage.
I did like having that potent 3 guard lineup, but I don't trust that Cal would have done anything with that team. He was too easy to prepare for at that time and still is.
 

JohnRambo82

Senior
Mar 25, 2026
288
433
58
Oh stfu, I don't have a say in whether Pope gets fired or not. The fact is, he's not getting fired and rightfully so. He hasn't done anything to deserve getting fired.
How do fans harm the program by hoping their coach succeeds? Do you guys even think before you post?
Donald Trump GIF
 

Resignmarkpope

Freshman
Mar 13, 2026
118
87
18
And that was very possible year 1, but once Butler's shoulder was trashed and Robinson was lost, the team was severely hobbled.
That was a

I don't. Baylor and Gonzaga were head and shoulders better than everyone else and the SEC was garbage.
I did like having that potent 3 guard lineup, but I don't trust that Cal would have done anything with that team. He was too easy to prepare for at that time and still is.
Year before they lost in the elite in overtime to auburn. They would’ve made a run at it
 

JimboBBN

Heisman
Jan 26, 2016
14,720
28,606
113
You need proof? If Butler and Robinson never get hurt, last years team at least finishes so much better. That team beat 2 of the teams that made the FF.

It comes down to the players he gets. He should know what he needs now, but if he doesn't get the guys he needs and he fails, he’s out and that doesn't bother me one bit. Not sure why you guys think it would bother me if Pope is fired after next year.

What does bother me, are the nasty insults and barbs hurled at Pope, because I don’t feel like he deserves what’s being said.

I've said from the beginning he shouldn't have been hired, but here we are.

Do I think he can right the ship next year? Yes, I do, but I wouldn't bet my house on it.
Sorry man. Thats hardly proof. You are basing your opinion he can turn it around on two tournament wins in 7 years coaching at a major school. Pope has never won more than 24 games in a season. Think about that for a second. There is infinite more proof next year will be a dud than there is he’s going to turn things around. But hey, weirder things have happened I guess