Demarcus Henry to UNC

[BigBluefoot]

iTs YoU pEoPLe'S fAuLt!!!

He pulled the same nonsense when the fans wanted Stoops, Calipari, and Barnhart gone.
He seems more interested in protecting the UKAA and the coaches than the success of the program. I don't know if it's some self interest involved, or some weird psychological quirk.

 

[BookofMormon]

Not saying you’re wrong, but, I see that excuse after every miss. Apparently, we’re just a perpetual hat on a table with every 5* we recruit & we’re never a realistic possibility. And, they do all end up going elsewhere, so, it’s not hard to believe. Which begs the questions, why do we continually waste time & resources on unrealistic recruits, who were never coming here & why is it that UK is always an afterthought, with no real shot?

Something ain’t right. Obviously, there’s a problem somewhere. I’ve refrained from going in on Pope, for the most part. But, it’s not too hard to connect the dots. We are a perennially ranked team that gets as much exposure as anyone. We have a huge budget & can pay as well, or better, than anyone. We have like 30 ex-players in the NBA. Not even mentioning our history & tradition. And, our coach is 0 for infinity landing 5* recruits?! But, it has nothing to do with him?! Ok.

Calipari Apparently Takes Subtle Shot At Pope after UK’s Desperate Bid for DeMarcus Henry

Kentucky’s reported Everestian high-balling of Henry wouldn’t go over well with Arkansas’ basketball coach.

www.bestofarkansassports.com

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

He pulled the same nonsense when the fans wanted Stoops, Calipari, and Barnhart gone.
He seems more interested in protecting the UKAA and the coaches than the success of the program. I don't know if it's some self interest involved, or some weird psychological quirk.

You guys are total whiners and if you think the non stop negativity surrounding the program has no effect you are naïve to the point of stupidity. I've never claimed everything is great but all of the complaining helps nothing and does in fact hurt the situation.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Calipari Apparently Takes Subtle Shot At Pope after UK’s Desperate Bid for DeMarcus Henry

Kentucky’s reported Everestian high-balling of Henry wouldn’t go over well with Arkansas’ basketball coach.

www.bestofarkansassports.com

I do not see that Cal took a shot at Pope with this at all. This writer has concocted a conspiracy theory based on scant evidence that relies on his biased assumptions.

 

[UKfan2151]

Mark Pope makes Tubby Smith look like an ace recruiter!

 

[chroix]

You guys are total whiners and if you think the non stop negativity surrounding the program has no effect you are naïve to the point of stupidity. I've never claimed everything is great but all of the complaining helps nothing and does in fact hurt the situation.

Do you think your constant misguided positivity is fixing anything is the real question. Many, many people here started out supportive of Pope, but at some point you have to recognize the pattern. So how does pumping failure help anything?

 

[chroix]

Mark Pope makes Tubby Smith look like an ace recruiter!

Even drunk *** Billy Clyde brought in Patterson ffs.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

You guys are total whiners and if you think the non stop negativity surrounding the program has no effect you are naïve to the point of stupidity. I've never claimed everything is great but all of the complaining helps nothing and does in fact hurt the situation.

I agree completely, enough with the whining. Kentucky is just no longer relevant in college baseball any longer and people need to understand that. It's a historic and storied program that is just no longer relevant at all. People need to give up on the idea of five star recruits and championships and understand the best Kentucky is ever going to do again is a sweet 16 maybe an elite eight. That's what Kentucky is now and all those whining about it don't understand that they are doing a disservice to the school.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

I agree completely, enough with the whining. Kentucky is just no longer relevant in college baseball any longer and people need to understand that. It's a historic and storied program that is just no longer relevant at all. People need to give up on the idea of five star recruits and championships and understand the best Kentucky is ever going to do again is a sweet 16 maybe an elite eight. That's what Kentucky is now and all those whining about it don't understand that they are doing a disservice to the school.

Hell even the herald leader posted a story today ranking the top 10 duke freshman of all time.

If that aint a sign, I don't know what is.

 

[jrpross_rivals]

From the article I read earlier, Pope wants maybe 3 from this years class and is saving money for the Portal and retaining guys. They don’t feel that any of these guys in this class are worth 5 million, however they still are recruiting them just not going to blow the whole budget. Now it might be all horse crap but it was an interesting article.

If true, that works for me. Either he has a great season this year and gets to pay to keep the team together or he has another 12 loss season & early tournament exit and leaves a huge budget for his successor.

 

[0r1c]

He lives in your head along with about a dozen others on here

Once Pope is gone and we go back to actually being Kentucky basketball, nobody will think about Pope. Ain't nobody living in anybody's head. Do people think about Billy G? No. It will be the same once we get a proper Kentucky coach and are elite again.

 

[0r1c]

I want kids who want to play for the name on the front of the jersey. We don't need players like that

sacred cloth*

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

I agree completely, enough with the whining. Kentucky is just no longer relevant in college baseball any longer and people need to understand that. It's a historic and storied program that is just no longer relevant at all. People need to give up on the idea of five star recruits and championships and understand the best Kentucky is ever going to do again is a sweet 16 maybe an elite eight. That's what Kentucky is now and all those whining about it don't understand that they are doing a disservice to the school.

Ignored. Been down before. UK will be back again. You’re not fooling anyone troll.

 

[Catastic5]

I agree completely, enough with the whining. Kentucky is just no longer relevant in college baseball any longer and people need to understand that. It's a historic and storied program that is just no longer relevant at all. People need to give up on the idea of five star recruits and championships and understand the best Kentucky is ever going to do again is a sweet 16 maybe an elite eight. That's what Kentucky is now and all those whining about it don't understand that they are doing a disservice to the school.

I don’t know how anyone can’t see this is a blatant Louisville troll.

 

[BookofMormon]

I agree completely, enough with the whining. Kentucky is just no longer relevant in college baseball any longer and people need to understand that. It's a historic and storied program that is just no longer relevant at all. People need to give up on the idea of five star recruits and championships and understand the best Kentucky is ever going to do again is a sweet 16 maybe an elite eight. That's what Kentucky is now and all those whining about it don't understand that they are doing a disservice to the school.

UK is one coach away from being very relevant. It's a coach lead sport, just as CFB is. Top kids want a coach that can get them to the NBA.

 

[UKCowboys]

You guys are total whiners and if you think the non stop negativity surrounding the program has no effect you are naïve to the point of stupidity. I've never claimed everything is great but all of the complaining helps nothing and does in fact hurt the situation.

It has a ton to do with it. What outsider would want to be a part of that kind of culture? It doesn't just hurt with recruiting, its why there wasn't enough money in Fort Knox to get Hurley here and its why Scott Drew of all people said, you know what? Ill stay at Baylor over coming to UK. They can't blame Pope for those Whiffs

 

[0r1c]

UK is one coach away from being very relevant. It's a coach lead sport, just as CFB is. Top kids want a coach that can get them to the NBA.

These Pope people are the ones that would have told everyone "it's fine" and brought back stoops. Meanwhile we have Will Stein and can see how the program is better in every single way, AND THAT'S FOOTBALL. It's the most obvious thing ever that Kentucky basketball should not be like this and it's a mismatch. Reset and get an elite coach.

 

[ScWildcat3]

These Pope people are the ones that would have told everyone "it's fine" and brought back stoops. Meanwhile we have Will Stein and can see how the program is better in every single way, AND THAT'S FOOTBALL. It's the most obvious thing ever that Kentucky basketball should not be like this and it's a mismatch. Reset and get an elite coach.

I don’t think many if any really think pope is the best guy for the job. I don’t. But he will
Be the coach this season no matter what so whining for the whole season isn’t going to matter. Just get behind the team and see what happens. All the stuff with zoom online and the constant bashing of everything just makes it look like a less than desirable job. If pope doesn’t get to an elite eight he’s gone more than likely. Saying he sucks and has to go every day isn’t going to change anything until the season is over.

 

[TFCat11]

Do that math for me please

That comes out to, 0%. In baseball terms that’s, batting .000. In primary school terms, the grade is a F.
Anything else?

 

[0r1c]

I don’t think many if any really think pope is the best guy for the job. I don’t. But he will
Be the coach this season no matter what so whining for the whole season isn’t going to matter. Just get behind the team and see what happens. All the stuff with zoom online and the constant bashing of everything just makes it look like a less than desirable job. If pope doesn’t get to an elite eight he’s gone more than likely. Saying he sucks and has to go every day isn’t going to change anything until the season is over.

Brother, Pope is making it seem like a less desirable job, by failing and being incompetent. And I don't think you people get it. The reason people constantly talk about Pope is because we will just keep bringing Pope back if we don't! It has to be made crystal clear this is not remotely good enough and we HAVE to move on ASAP. Again, Imagine where we'd be at right now if we were still in the weeds with Stoops.

 

[BookofMormon]

These Pope people are the ones that would have told everyone "it's fine" and brought back stoops. Meanwhile we have Will Stein and can see how the program is better in every single way, AND THAT'S FOOTBALL. It's the most obvious thing ever that Kentucky basketball should not be like this and it's a mismatch. Reset and get an elite coach.

Football coaching carousel a lot different than hoops. Stein was an OC before UK. CFB is more rank & file with how coaches come up. Dan Lanning sure looks lost without Stein.

CBB you're not going into the sea of DCs and OCs, you're typically trying to find a proven guy and there just aren't many options. As much as everyone wants Pope out, have to be careful to make sure the right guy is available. If hanging onto him an extra year nets you the right guy, you do it instead of rushing to push him out and getting the wrong guy, again, that sets you back another 3-4 years.

I'm not pushing him out after this year unless I know darned well I have a short list of candidates that are going to be right. Push him out too early without knowing that, you risk making the seat look combustible. I'm sure they are doing whatever they have to, but I'm making darned sure. Who are the top coaches winning with limited NIL that see UKs NIL as opportunity?

If there are no top established coaches that want the job, or Schertz, then I'm holding out another year to see what Hodgson & Murray are looking like after Y2. Holding onto Pope for a 4th year makes it look like he was given more of a chance and the pool could widen.

 

[CUJO_1970]

These Pope people are the ones that would have told everyone "it's fine" and brought back stoops. Meanwhile we have Will Stein and can see how the program is better in every single way, AND THAT'S FOOTBALL. It's the most obvious thing ever that Kentucky basketball should not be like this and it's a mismatch. Reset and get an elite coach.

There's this weird subset of the Kentucky fanbase that had a 'cult of personality' devotion to Mark Stoops and this same group has a suicidal empathy for Mark Pope. Some of them still carry water for Mark Stoops today. They were wrong about Stoops then and they are wrong about Pope now.

We are about to throw away the third consecutive season of Kentucky basketball. Three years...all gone.

 

[0r1c]

Football coaching carousel a lot different than hoops. Stein was an OC before UK. CFB is more rank & file with how coaches come up. Dan Lanning sure looks lost without Stein.

CBB you're not going into the sea of DCs and OCs, you're typically trying to find a proven guy and there just aren't many options. As much as everyone wants Pope out, have to be careful to make sure the right guy is available. If hanging onto him an extra year nets you the right guy, you do it instead of rushing to push him out and getting the wrong guy, again, that sets you back another 3-4 years.

I'm not pushing him out after this year unless I know darned well I have a short list of candidates that are going to be right. Push him out too early without knowing that, you risk making the seat look combustible. I'm sure they are doing whatever they have to, but I'm making darned sure. Who are the top coaches winning with limited NIL that see UKs NIL as opportunity?

If there are no top established coaches that want the job, or Schertz, then I'm holding out another year to see what Hodgson & Murray are looking like after Y2. Holding onto Pope for a 4th year makes it look like he was given more of a chance and the pool could widen.

Okay but all of that can be offset considering you're comparing Kentucky football with almost no advantage in the SEC to Kentucky basketball with every advantage in the SEC, including the ability to go out and steal pretty much any coach you want, like Nate Oats. We're not really trying to argue that it's easier for Kentucky football to change the program around than basketball are we?

 

[BMR1987]

Mark Pope makes Tubby Smith look like an ace recruiter!

Tubby with NIL and the portal to cover his high school recruiting whiffs would've had several more really good to great seasons at UK.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Brother, Pope is making it seem like a less desirable job, by failing and being incompetent. And I don't think you people get it. The reason people constantly talk about Pope is because we will just keep bringing Pope back if we don't! It has to be made crystal clear this is not remotely good enough and we HAVE to move on ASAP. Again, Imagine where we'd be at right now if we were still in the weeds with Stoops.

I can promise you what’s said on a message board about Pope matters 0%. It all comes down to boosters and the money. They decide everything. Bart can’t fire him without them.

 

[Anon161453]

UK is one coach away from being very relevant. It's a coach lead sport, just as CFB is. Top kids want a coach that can get them to the NBA.

Many programs are "one coach away." And no, "top kids" want to cash in. It's no longer about "player development."

 

[0r1c]

I can promise you what’s said on a message board about Pope matters 0%. It all comes down to boosters and the money. They decide everything. Bart can’t fire him without them.

That's not what I mean. There is a portion of the fanbase that has put their heels in the sand on Pope and want him here for the next 5+ years. They live in denial and give him constant excuses. We cannot let them be the voice of what the fans think or want.

 

[BookofMormon]

I can promise you what’s said on a message board about Pope matters 0%. It all comes down to boosters and the money. They decide everything. Bart can’t fire him without them.

Where is the booster camp on Pope?

Okay but all of that can be offset considering you're comparing Kentucky football with almost no advantage in the SEC to Kentucky basketball with every advantage in the SEC, including the ability to go out and steal pretty much any coach you want, like Nate Oats. We're not really trying to argue that it's easier for Kentucky football to change the program around than basketball are we?

FB & BB very different. FB is a major operation.

The diff between the two is that UK FB has no expectations, UK BB has unreasonable expectations and a fanbase that is really loud about expressing it. It may actually be more attractive now after a potential failed coach that it was after Cal.

 

[BookofMormon]

Many programs are "one coach away."

Florida - Todd Golden
Michigan - Dusty May
Indiana - Curt Cignetti

Oats plucking away - now has two kids ranked ahead of Hampton, both top 25.

 

[Anon161453]

Okay but all of that can be offset considering you're comparing Kentucky football with almost no advantage in the SEC to Kentucky basketball with every advantage in the SEC, including the ability to go out and steal pretty much any coach you want, like Nate Oats. We're not really trying to argue that it's easier for Kentucky football to change the program around than basketball are we?

It's clearly easier for Kentucky football to change the program from an expectation standpoint as opposed to basketball. Kentucky FB ranked top 10 and a 7-1 record has the fanbase ecstatic (and surprised). With BB it's simply expected.

 

[ScWildcat3]

That's not what I mean. There is a portion of the fanbase that has put their heels in the sand on Pope and want him here for the next 5+ years. They live in denial and give him constant excuses. We cannot let them be the voice of what the fans think or want.

I’m just saying it’s like politics. What the average person says doesn’t matter. The boosters in the new NIL age are really all that matter. They have to pay the buyout. They have to keep funding the programs. Just comes down to if they ride it out another year or 2 with football doing good and wanting to dump money into it now. The buyout plus new coach and stuff is going to cost a ton. Do we have the boosters to pay all that. I don’t know honestly. Paying stoops still too aren’t they?

 

[ScWildcat3]

Where is the booster camp on Pope?

FB & BB very different. FB is a major operation.

The diff between the two is that UK FB has no expectations, UK BB has unreasonable expectations and a fanbase that is really loud about expressing it. It may actually be more attractive now after a potential failed coach that it was after Cal.

Idk what the booster temperature is. I’d assume with football doing good and with paying stoops buyout they will have to really think harder about it than if football wasn’t doing what it is. Stein is going to command more money now and do we have the war chest to give him what he wants, pay stoops, pay a buyout and a whole new staff? I hope we would if pope doesn’t meet expectations and we can let him go and get a new coach. Just not sure we have that kind of money.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

Okay but all of that can be offset considering you're comparing Kentucky football with almost no advantage in the SEC to Kentucky basketball with every advantage in the SEC, including the ability to go out and steal pretty much any coach you want, like Nate Oats. We're not really trying to argue that it's easier for Kentucky football to change the program around than basketball are we?

If we could really go out and steal any coach we wanted do you really think anyone thought Mark Pope was the absolute best coach in college basketball when he was hired? Its obvious to me that Kentucky is just not relevant in this era of college basketball if Mark Pope was the best we could get. Other programs, coaches and top players clearly do not consider Kentucky relevant or meaningful. The only people that still think Kentucky is a great basketball school any longer are its delusional fans that haven't let reality sink in yet. And they are really doing a disservice to the school by trying to insist Kentucky is relevant or important in this current era when it clearly is not.

 

[BookofMormon]

Idk what the booster temperature is. I’d assume with football doing good and with paying stoops buyout they will have to really think harder about it than if football wasn’t doing what it is. Stein is going to command more money now and do we have the war chest to give him what he wants, pay stoops, pay a buyout and a whole new staff? I hope we would if pope doesn’t meet expectations and we can let him go and get a new coach. Just not sure we have that kind of money.

What I'd be curious to - with all the buyouts and FB doing so well, you wonder if they stay patient and focus there until Pope dies on the vine. It stinks, but sometimes economics matter.

Will Wade just grabbed his 4th top kid of this cycle, 2028 reclass.

 

[ScWildcat3]

What I'd be curious to - with all the buyouts and FB doing so well, you wonder if they stay patient and focus there until Pope dies on the vine. It stinks, but sometimes economics matter.

That’s what I’m saying. Stein doing this good is a blessing and a curse. He’s going to ask for more nil as well as probably going to get a raise sooner rather than later at least verbally. In years past pope being fired would be easy but with NIL now you have to weigh the pros and cons of blowing all the money on a coach and firing a coach or just keep throwing money at recruits and towards football. Comes down to what the boosters really care about with their money. We don’t have those ultra aggressive sports boosters it seems.

 

[Ash Williams]

You guys are total whiners and if you think the non stop negativity surrounding the program has no effect you are naïve to the point of stupidity. I've never claimed everything is great but all of the complaining helps nothing and does in fact hurt the situation.

"you guys"

You're not even a UK fan. All you do is bash other fans.

 

[Ash Williams]

You guys are total whiners and if you think the non stop negativity surrounding the program has no effect you are naïve to the point of stupidity. I've never claimed everything is great but all of the complaining helps nothing and does in fact hurt the situation.

You have no proof that complaining hurts the situation, unless the "situation" in question is your own petty wittle feewings.

 

[Ash Williams]

I agree completely, enough with the whining. Kentucky is just no longer relevant in college baseball any longer and people need to understand that. It's a historic and storied program that is just no longer relevant at all. People need to give up on the idea of five star recruits and championships and understand the best Kentucky is ever going to do again is a sweet 16 maybe an elite eight. That's what Kentucky is now and all those whining about it don't understand that they are doing a disservice to the school.

ACCEPT MEDIOCRITY, PEASANTS!

 

[RunninRichie]

He pulled the same nonsense when the fans wanted Stoops, Calipari, and Barnhart gone.
He seems more interested in protecting the UKAA and the coaches than the success of the program. I don't know if it's some self interest involved, or some weird psychological quirk.

I personally think he works for the athletic department.

 

[Ash Williams]

I don’t think many if any really think pope is the best guy for the job. I don’t. But he will
Be the coach this season no matter what so whining for the whole season isn’t going to matter. Just get behind the team and see what happens. All the stuff with zoom online and the constant bashing of everything just makes it look like a less than desirable job. If pope doesn’t get to an elite eight he’s gone more than likely. Saying he sucks and has to go every day isn’t going to change anything until the season is over.

JUST SHUT UP, PEOPLE!, he explained