Pope bashers

[Lameguy]

I could see him potentially squeezing out another Elite 8 if he strikes it right, 50/50.

This current HS recruiting class is worth watching. They haven't landed anyone. 7 top kids left, 5 of which they're involved with and there is an NIL war going on for them.

Black - bro of Anthony Black, UNC, Texas and USC making strong plays
Daughtry - Ark on late, rumored to stay instate with Miami or Florida
Rosser - NC kid long rumored to UNC. Have to think Malone is saving the chest for him as can't lose.
Henry - recruitment has been all over the place, Ville also in play and throwing money at him
Diggs - long rumored to AZ and would fill the Holt spot seamlessly. AZ hasn't signed one kid yet, so likely has NIL for him.

We all know Jordan Smith is going draft, and plenty of mocks have at least 3 other Hogs going with him (Toure, Richmond, Mikka, the other frosh)

If Cal wiffs here, he's really losing his fastball. As is, he may be forced to try to retain (against his nature), or go portal/euro (also against his nature).

You'd have to think he lands 1 of the lead guards. As is, apparently Henry doesn't like Black and doesn't want to play with him.

Cal could either surprise us and land 3, flexing his muscle over all these other programs or he could end up shooting blanks with 0-1 and be left having to get creative.

Cal greatly benefited by playing weaker schedules, his last 6 years here, he played 32 ranked opponents, for comparison sakes Pope’s first 2 years here he’s played 30. With that said those 6 years weren’t his best years here either.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

I'm not planning to move on from Pope, nor am I definitive that it won't work here like others. I think there are serious issues but I still could see him turning it around at UK, even though that window is closing very quickly.

That said, the answer to your question is Nate Oats. I think he's a perfect on-court fit, despite the off-court reservations many have. He also already has a relationship with the AD.

Am I misremembering things or was there talk of some custody situation at the time of our last search that precluded him from leaving? Not that Mitch would’ve hired him anyways.

Would be an expensive get and show our commitment to footing massive bills in an effort to be elite. Would have another 25M in buyouts between his and Pope’s with a 3.5M+ probably salary increase from the mid 5M that Pope is at.

What’s weird with Oats for such a big swing perception hire, it’s not like he’d be bringing the Monstars with him. Assuming Allen goes pro this year, he could bring over his drug dealing PG and some solid wings(high 4 star freshman if I recall right). Chase Lumpkin is a nice 2027 guy that could be an equal trade for Hampton essentially.

He’d have to hit the portal very aggressively. Maybe he retains Wilkins.

Would be interesting to watch unfold. Will they want to add another 30M on the books? Probably comes down to just how bad Pope is this year. 6 seed or worse with no sweet 16 and I think it’s a realistic conversation.

 

[Catastic5]

My question for folks who want to start planning to move on from Pope, who’s next?

Who is on the short list of guys that come in and immediately get to consecutive E8s at least? Then keep that pace or better!

Secondly, who are you so confident actually wants to come here and deal with you all?

All the top tier coaches said no thanks! Scott Drew couldn’t get out of Lexington fast enough after his interview! He’d rather go .500 in the B12 than have his job questioned after a S16 run!

UNC was pretty confident running HD out! They had to go to the booth to find a guy.

We got Pope because he played here and loves the place! If he wasn’t an alumn god only knows who’d be here!

There’s two coaches who can do the job in the time frame the fanatics want it done. They’ve both already done it here. One of them is 70 the other is 80 years old. Neither one of them coached in an SEC like this.

There are a lot of decent candidates but none of them are coming in and winning recruiting season, combine/draft season, and most importantly the actual season to the degree and at the speed that the extremists want.

Name the coaches who said no. I’m waiting. Go ahead. List them.

 

[Catastic5]

Stoops was here 13 years, got a few seasons grace to start, and about 4-5 years of sliding towards the end.

UK football is actually an attractive gig, especially in the new era.

Whoever the Will Stein of basketball is, he isn’t going to UK or UNC. Most likely would take a Michigan, Florida, Bama before a blue blood.

The reasons why Stein is succeeding as well as other new coaches and other non traditional FB is exactly why Pope UK, KU, UNC are struggling in basketball.

Talent dispersed, conference level of difficulty changed accordingly.

Talent left SEC in football spread out to whoever was offering money and playing time. Talent flooded SEC basketball for money and playing time.

This crap is what abusive hubbies do to their loved ones. Jesus Christ. “You’ll never do better than me.” And so many of you Pope cult members throw that BS. Always bringing down the program all for the sake of the mighty Mark Pope. Man has done nothing to deserve your unbreaking love but here we are. You people have issues. Does he remind you of your fathers? An uncle? Are you are Mormons?

 

[BookofMormon]

Everything fell his way last year. Third easiest schedule in the sec, arguably the 3rd best player he has ever coached,some talented veterans returning. He was still nowhere close .
His coaching staff is putrid and he hasn’t put a decent defensive team on the floor in almost a decade.

I just ain’t buying it, no matter how good he recruits.

I'd lean your way. He was within an *** hair of an E8 the previous year, ironically because he had older players.

Couldn't agree with you more on last years team, was soft. I'm expecting his team this year to be similar. His frontcourt is going to get abused.

 

[UKortho]

Dude you gotta have me mixed up with someone else. I’m not even close . I consider myself pro-pope , neutral at worst .You can access my posting history.

Come on over to the dark side my friend! Hope you are doing well.

 

[yoshukai]

Come on over to the dark side my friend! Hope you are doing well.

Thanks , I am doing well brother. I’m just in the “show me” mode . I thought his first year was encouraging. I thought last year was bad . Injuries aside ,it was a poorly constructed roster.

 

[yoshukai]

Am I misremembering things or was there talk of some custody situation at the time of our last search that precluded him from leaving? Not that Mitch would’ve hired him anyways.

Would be an expensive get and show our commitment to footing massive bills in an effort to be elite. Would have another 25M in buyouts between his and Pope’s with a 3.5M+ probably salary increase from the mid 5M that Pope is at.

What’s weird with Oats for such a big swing perception hire, it’s not like he’d be bringing the Monstars with him. Assuming Allen goes pro this year, he could bring over his drug dealing PG and some solid wings(high 4 star freshman if I recall right). Chase Lumpkin is a nice 2027 guy that could be an equal trade for Hampton essentially.

He’d have to hit the portal very aggressively. Maybe he retains Wilkins.

Would be interesting to watch unfold. Will they want to add another 30M on the books? Probably comes down to just how bad Pope is this year. 6 seed or worse with no sweet 16 and I think it’s a realistic conversation.

That ”custody “ thing was proven to be a hoax . Probably put out by Mitch’s PR firm ,lol . Just joking (I think).

 

[yoshukai]

Name the coaches who said no. I’m waiting. Go ahead. List them.

Scott Drew for sure .(dodged a bullet).

I guess you could say Hurley but I dont think Mitch seriously pursued him.

Thats it.


However North Carolina was rejected by several and I believe that job is in the neighborhood of the Kentucky job .

 

[BookofMormon]

Scott Drew for sure .(dodged a bullet).

I guess you could say Hurley but I dont think Mitch seriously pursued him.

Thats it.


However North Carolina was rejected by several and I believe that job is in the neighborhood of the Kentucky job .

Hurley was probably a hear out conversation at most. Not sure you can technically call it a no. He was in the middle of being pursued by the Lakers.

Drew was a major bullet. I'm not even sure what that guy is doing these days.

I don't think UNC or UK is any more attractive. UK has the SEC on it's side. My fear is that UNC is a prelude to the challenges.