Misperception to clear up

Catphright23

Senior
Dec 6, 2023
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Lol. I am a realist. And Walter Clayton Jr was his correct name and Dalton Knecht did not come from Florida Atlantic. He came from the University Northern Colorado and Northeastern Junior College. My argument is Pope can not sign elite High School level talent and he is repeatedly getting blown out by average teams because his team looks un prepared. He has been in the business 17 years and he has averaged losing double digit games during this time. He has never won a conference championship in 3 different conferences and he has won only 3 NCAA tournament games in his coaching career. And one of those was a prayer at the buzzer.
So yes he is terrible.
Wrong I said clayton came from iona. Try again. Keep on hating you aren't a fan, he is our coach. You bring nothing to the conversation. He is our next year so screw off. Alijah martin came from Florida Atlantic. Wasn't talking about Dalton. Pope also has never had a season only winning 9 games. I think you are a Calipari fan, and have lots of other screen names on here.
 

paulcalhoun_rivals397471

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Aug 23, 2024
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Just to clarify Mark Pope was never a Rhodes Scholar. He was a candidate but never won the scholarship award.
It doesn't affect my thinking as I knew this already and I don't see where it makes any real difference anyway. I am all for factual accuracy though and you are correct about this.
 

Tim0808

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Apr 4, 2013
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Wrong I said clayton came from iona. Try again. Keep on hating you aren't a fan, he is our coach. You bring nothing to the conversation. He is our next year so screw off. Alijah martin came from Florida Atlantic. Wasn't talking about Dalton. Pope also has never had a season only winning 9 games. I think you are a Calipari fan, and have lots of other screen names on here.
Do you just make up stuff? Walter Clayton Jr is from Florida that played at Iona under Pitino. Pope might not have a season with 9 wins, yet. He also does not have an SEC championship, any conference championship a round of 16 win, an elite eight win, a final four win or a national championship as a coach. Talking about being a Kentucky fan? A guy that has tried to compare Pope to 3 national championship coaches, Tubby, Pitino, Calipari. Yeah, you really know basketball. The sad part is you deserve Pope as your coach, but you can be thankful because he will be gone soon.
 

preacherfan

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Oct 11, 2003
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I doubt that. There are many on this board that are as intelligent as hell. There are many others on this board that can't recognize that fact. It's a good board. The fact that Pope can't seem to relate (supposedly) to others is not a sign of intelligence. It is the opposite. Intelligent people can adapt to the situation at hand quite well.
That really isn't true. One of my best friends graduated from Penn (not Penn St), and then graduated from Harvard Law. I see his struggles to relate firsthand. I've seen this many times over the years in higher education. Intelligence comes in many different forms.

BTW, I see an interesting dynamic in my own family. 2 of us had to work extremely hard to get advance degrees. We both are really good with relating to others. The one family member who never struggled and received straight A's is the one has major issues relating. It is hard to put intelligence in a box.
 
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Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
41,662
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Oh the old "you are a troll" card, because my coach is terrible and I can not defend his record.

You know so much about them, you do not know either one of their names. Walter Clayton? DALTON Kenect? 🤣 😂
And yes everyone knows were they played.

You are so lost.
If you don’t want to be called a troll, stop trolling. You are a one track poster and it’s mostly negative. That is why people do not believe you are a UK fan. Had Wilkins chosen another school, you would have certainly chided Pope for missing. Wilkins signs and you bash Pope. It’s the definition of troll.
 
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Uncle B.S.

Junior
Apr 10, 2017
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A friend of mine had an interesting theory as to why he decided to get into coaching. Everyone talks about Pope's brilliance but could it be that yes he got accepted to Columbia Medical School but couldn't cut the mustard as a med student and that's why he decided to coach and to take a job for his bff Mark Fox at UGa for $24,000?
I think your friend is probably partially correct.

My theory is he had no trouble with the first 2 years of med school because the first 2 years are mostly go to lecture, read, study, remember, and regurgitate on steroids.
He is very smart and probably could handle that well.
At some point you start clinicals which is dealing with people.
And we all know how ####ing hopeless and lost he is dealing with people. I think he realized on his own or with others that he needed a different direction.
 

preacherfan

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I think your friend is probably partially correct.

My theory is he had no trouble with the first 2 years of med school because the first 2 years are mostly go to lecture, read, study, remember, and regurgitate on steroids.
He is very smart and probably could handle that well.
At some point you start clinicals which is dealing with people.
And we all know how ####ing hopeless and lost he is dealing with people. I think he realized on his own or with others that he needed a different direction.

The main problem with your theory is that there are many doctors who are not good with people. In fact, after seeing multiple doctors for a problem, I finally saw one who had horrible people skills but he quickly saw the issue that all the other doctors missed and solved the issue. Honestly, some great doctors are not good with people.

One thing I have seen is that the entire medical field has become more "people friendly" in recent years. That was not true 20 years ago, IMO. I would be interested in hearing from someone in the medical field if my observation is correct.
 

Uncle B.S.

Junior
Apr 10, 2017
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The main problem with your theory is that there are many doctors who are not good with people. In fact, after seeing multiple doctors for a problem, I finally saw one who had horrible people skills but he quickly saw the issue that all the other doctors missed and solved the issue. Honestly, some great doctors are not good with people.

One thing I have seen is that the entire medical field has become more "people friendly" in recent years. That was not true 20 years ago, IMO. I would be interested in hearing from someone in the medical field if my observation is correct.
There are definitely some medical specialties that fit those who are not people friendly. You also can go into research. People just don’t quit after 2 years without a good reason. By that point the schools have invested heavily into their students and frankly don’t like to admit they picked a dud so they will bend over backwards to make it work. Seeing his “The refs are cheating us” press conference made me wonder about his ability to handle stress and speculate if that played into his career change.
 
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BookofMormon

Sophomore
Mar 27, 2026
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Lol. I am a realist. And Walter Clayton Jr was his correct name and Dalton Knecht did not come from Florida Atlantic. He came from the University Northern Colorado and Northeastern Junior College. My argument is Pope can not sign elite High School level talent and he is repeatedly getting blown out by average teams because his team looks un prepared. He has been in the business 17 years and he has averaged losing double digit games during this time. He has never won a conference championship in 3 different conferences and he has won only 3 NCAA tournament games in his coaching career. And one of those was a prayer at the buzzer.
So yes he is terrible.
It's very safe to say that at this point, Pope's upside is going to be limited. The worst case scenario is if he does just enough not to get fired, of which I like to refer to as the Mike Tomlin effect.

He landed some players - everyone here is now skipping. I don't sense it was intentional, but more to the fact he volume recruits. Have read too much about how mis-coached this last team was, and how it was evident there was no chemistry or desire because it was a disjointed team happy with a pay check.
 
Jul 30, 2024
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It's very safe to say that at this point, Pope's upside is going to be limited. The worst case scenario is if he does just enough not to get fired, of which I like to refer to as the Mike Tomlin effect.

He landed some players - everyone here is now skipping. I don't sense it was intentional, but more to the fact he volume recruits. Have read too much about how mis-coached this last team was, and how it was evident there was no chemistry or desire because it was a disjointed team happy with a pay check.
The first point guard Pope offered this offseason was Zoom Diallo -- he got him.
He targeted Alex Wilkins to play the "second point guard" position and slot in at the two -- he got him.
He has his sights set on Freeman or Ransik -- let's see how that turns out.

...So far, Pope has done a better job than I would expect in naming his guy and going to get him.

Admittedly, I don't think he will get Stokes. That would be losing out on the #1 player to a HOF coach , at a blueblood program. That would be a "whiff" that is reasonably understandable for any coach who isn't Jon Scheyer or John Calipari on the recruiting front.

Pope, IMO, continues to show that he is competent in recruiting (B+), although he isn't elite. I don't think anyone thought we were hiring an elite recruiter when we got Pope. However, he needs to be better in many other areas if he wants to remain the coach here.
 

SenseMaker_Cats

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If you don’t want to be called a troll, stop trolling. You are a one track poster and it’s mostly negative. That is why people do not believe you are a UK fan. Had Wilkins chosen another school, you would have certainly chided Pope for missing. Wilkins signs and you bash Pope. It’s the definition of troll.
Yep. Right after the Wilkins announcement, he started a stupid thread no one replied to because they know who he is. Bookofmorman started one too right after. Bluemanchu is such a big fan he started 6 or so new BS threads after some good news finally came out.

Being mad about the state of the program isn’t trolling but it is weird how some of the maddest (negative) align themselves with these weirdos.
 
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JakeKx

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I’ll agree it’s a dumb thread, but you really get to see the 10 accounts or so on threads like these that really make you suspicious about who they could be…
 
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Dr.LutherSan

All-American
Sep 6, 2019
4,154
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Lol it was worst by points. Being beaten by Oakland and St Peters way worse. Only person in portal turn us down was byu guy. We got targets two and three. Overreaction, were you alive during Billy g, tubby times when sec was no good or pitinos first years? Do you just like to find a reason to be negative? If we get Syracuse guy freeman, still complaining huh?
I think the negativity comes from the fact that Mark Pope has never been a successful coach and was only hired because he used to play here. He still has shown no indication of being an elite coach.

One of the biggest excuses last year was that his roster didn't fit how he typically likes to play. During this off-season he wanted to target guys that fit "his system" and Keegan Brown was supposed to help with that. Well, "his system", which has never won anything, revolves around shooters and passing big men. While I love his recent commits, neither are 3-point shooters and Freeman nor Rancik are neither.
 
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Tim0808

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If you don’t want to be called a troll, stop trolling. You are a one track poster and it’s mostly negative. That is why people do not believe you are a UK fan. Had Wilkins chosen another school, you would have certainly chided Pope for missing. Wilkins signs and you bash Pope. It’s the definition of troll.
I could give two cents if you call me a troll or if you think I am a Kentucky fan. I am not a Yes Sir man. I call it as it is. Pope is way under performing on the court and off the court. I will give Pope credit when he does something to earn credit. I was just as negative when Cal was bringing in all the mid major players. This is not a mid major program and you will not succeed at this level with those players. Truth be told, when Cal when heavy in the Portal is when Kentucky stop going to final four.
 

Tim0808

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The first point guard Pope offered this offseason was Zoom Diallo -- he got him.
He targeted Alex Wilkins to play the "second point guard" position and slot in at the two -- he got him.
He has his sights set on Freeman or Ransik -- let's see how that turns out.

...So far, Pope has done a better job than I would expect in naming his guy and going to get him.

Admittedly, I don't think he will get Stokes. That would be losing out on the #1 player to a HOF coach , at a blueblood program. That would be a "whiff" that is reasonably understandable for any coach who isn't Jon Scheyer or John Calipari on the recruiting front.

Pope, IMO, continues to show that he is competent in recruiting (B+), although he isn't elite. I don't think anyone thought we were hiring an elite recruiter when we got Pope. However, he needs to be better in many other areas if he wants to remain the coach here.
Do you honestly think Pope is a B+ recruiter?
I wished you graded my homework when I was in school.
 
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Trinity45

All-American
Oct 26, 2005
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pretty low bar
I guess that unfortunately may be true. But I also believe there are smarts then there is common sense. I went to high school and college with a guy who aced the ACT, worked for NASA writing computer programs for them, but there were times, I thought he was too dumb to come in out of the rain.
 

Trinity45

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Oct 26, 2005
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I doubt that. There are many on this board that are as intelligent as hell. There are many others on this board that can't recognize that fact. It's a good board. The fact that Pope can't seem to relate (supposedly) to others is not a sign of intelligence. It is the opposite. Intelligent people can adapt to the situation at hand quite well.
Maybe, maybe not, I know several what I call too smart but no common sense people who just can't relate to others and I know some really dumb friends who just seem to get along with almost anybody. I will put Pope on the intelligent side, the man had really good grades and at one time if I remember right was looking at going into medicine. And yes there are a few intelligent people on this board but there are some really dumb one as well.
 
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Trinity45

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And you know this how? Being smart is quite subjective depending on the area of intelligence under consideration. We have doctors and lawyers on this board that requires quite a bit of intelligence so I’m going to have to say you are quite wrong.
And you know this how? Being smart is quite subjective depending on the area of intelligence under consideration. We have doctors and lawyers on this board that requires quite a bit of intelligence so I’m going to have to say you are quite wrong.
I am willing to bet that the less than stellar out number the quite intelligent, just by looking at the comments. But then again, I still say we have a lot of trolls on this board, I know personally of a few, who just love to come over here and start stuff, then sit back and laugh. They have admitted it to me.
 

Cats_2010

Heisman
Jan 8, 2010
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I am willing to bet that the less than stellar out number the quite intelligent, just by looking at the comments. But then again, I still say we have a lot of trolls on this board, I know personally of a few, who just love to come over here and start stuff, then sit back and laugh. They have admitted it to me.
Well your comment was that pope was smarter than every single poster on here which is definitely not true. For those others you are talking about I really dont care about. If that’s what they have to do for entertainment it’s a pretty sad state of affairs for their own personal lives.
 

Tri-Countycat

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Just like everything else about the state of this program. Try to spin the facts to make it sound better. I said players, not portal players. There have been plenty more guys than the BYU guy to turn us down. You must be new to this sport. Tubby is 10 times the coach Pope is and I cannot believe you are comparing anything about Pitino's years compared to Pope's years. And I cannot believe someone is pumping their chest about getting a Furman player or a guy from Washington. Will either of these guys be better than Oweh? Aberdeen? Chandler?
Just so you are not shocked next year. Our program is not in a good spot.

And I enjoyed the St Peters and Oakland games more than I did Iowa St. At least they were competitive and I had a reason to watch the full game.
This was just after the first week. You can add more now.
1776613222992.png
 

Tri-Countycat

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Wait. That cannot be. I read on here that Pope is a B+ recruiter. That does not look like B+ work.
You can’t offer 9 freshman in 2025 and only land two in state players and Lewis that decommitted and offered 12 freshman this year with only Williams saying yes if you are a good recruiter. Pope wanted these guys, offered money, they said no. Pope is a decent evaluator of talent but a D level recruiter.
 

Catphright23

Senior
Dec 6, 2023
477
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He only had a chance to recruit freshmen at Kentucky last year ,his priorities were waiting on otega. His transfer recruiting was bad last year, solid his first year. Freshmen class last year was great, and really not the best for a couple years. I admit his recruiting freshmen isn't good but beating a dead horse. You said you'd stop the whiff post if we got someone but you like many love negativity
You can’t offer 9 freshman in 2025 and only land two in state players and Lewis that decommitted and offered 12 freshman this year with only Williams saying yes if you are a good recruiter. Pope wanted these guys, offered money, they said no. Pope is a decent evaluator of talent but a D level recruiter.
 

Catphright23

Senior
Dec 6, 2023
477
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1000001069.png anytime anyone says whiff I'm gonna post a picture of rival fans whiffing their own farts. I see the stupid word on Facebook enough. Bad publicity for Kentucky and making our fans look bad. It's not most of us it's the vocal 1 percent.