Pope did this one thing well

theBlues

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2025
2,042
4,604
113
I think the problem is finding the right fit for him. I don't think he's one of our top 2 guards or top 3 perimeter players but he may be one of our top five players. If Ousmane keeps missing I could see using Zoom as a small four against teams without a post up four.
 

Wildcat_in_DC

All-Conference
Nov 25, 2025
1,437
2,473
113
Horribly overrated portal addition.
As Tubby would say, "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane."
i dont know what pope was thinking. every time someone online posts his highlight package, its the same kind of shot. back or slow dribble into the paint. and either rock back for a jumper or go up and play it off the glass. its basically all he can do.

i have no idea how pope can look at that and say....yeah thats a perfect fit for my offense/team.
 
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WallMash

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2009
4,646
3,074
103
it seems like his strengh (which isn't quickness, shooting and not huge assist machine) is his large body for a pg. He should body smaller guards up under the bucket and either kick out or layup, and he should be the rebounding guard.
 
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WallMash

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2009
4,646
3,074
103
Also, I just had a thought. Maybe Pope didn't want to tip all the vast multitude of plays he's drawn up to get Mom free for a three in exhibition games. Wily old fox strategy. That's the explanation that makes sense.
 
Mar 13, 2026
738
643
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Listen I hate Mark Pope as much as the next guy but Williams is a stud. Was wayyyyyy under ranked as a recruit.
But he plays for the Kentucky Hoosiers! He’s probably the 2nd best player on the Hoosiers though! My point this, this team is not talented! Reminds me of Indiana Hoosiers! Especially when fan praise pope on the Duke win! That’s Indiana!! Indiana also finishes around 8th in the big 10! They lose 12 games just like mark pope. He’s brought Indiana expectations to Lexington. It’s no more elite eight and final fours it’s beat Duke and hope for a sweet16. That’s the Indiana Hoosiers! That’s pope! Pos
 
Last edited:

RunninRichie

Heisman
Sep 5, 2019
29,878
72,084
113
But he plays for the Kentucky Hoosiers! He’s probably the 2nd best player on the Hoosiers though! My point this, this team is not talented! Reminds me of Indiana Hoosiers! Especially when fan praise pope on the Duke win! That’s Indiana!! Indiana also finishes around 8th in the big 10! They lose 12 games just like mark pope. He’s brought Indiana expectations to Lexington. It’s no more elite eight and final fours it’s beat Duke and hope for a sweet16. That’s the Indiana Hoosiers! That’s pope! Pos
Damn dude, we get it.
 
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Mar 13, 2026
738
643
93
Listen I hate Mark Pope as much as the next guy but Williams is a stud. Was wayyyyyy under ranked as a recruit.
I don’t hate mark pope. I despise him as a coach. I honestly look down on him as a coach and I believe that rupp rafters can coach better than him. You need a young coach who relates to young talented kids. My opinion that’s Jai Lucas.
 
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Jun 19, 2026
181
501
92
I don’t hate mark pope. I despise him as a coach. I honestly look down on him as a coach and I believe that rupp rafters can coach better than him. You need a young coach who relates to young talented kids. My opinion that’s Jai Lucas.
I agree 100% on Jai. He’d be the best hire we could possibly get. Good coach, NBA ties, well respected
 

Wildcatmenace

All-Conference
Oct 29, 2025
954
1,465
93
if the season goes in the wrong direction.....taking 2 guys from a 16-17 team will be a big reason why. there is a complete lack of common sense from the people in charge of uk basketball
Completely agree. I just can’t understand what motivated Pope to think: hmmm, these two
Washington players are different. How? Losing? They’re probably great guys but ball players? Not so much. Frank might average 3ppg and is injury prone.
 

RunninRichie

Heisman
Sep 5, 2019
29,878
72,084
113
Completely agree. I just can’t understand what motivated Pope to think: hmmm, these two
Washington players are different. How? Losing? They’re probably great guys but ball players? Not so much. Frank might average 3ppg and is injury prone.
More like “I’ve missed out on all my top targets, let’s throw a bag at these mediocre players”. Then we’ll get the media PR hype job about how they’re “sneaky good”.
 

rob_47

All-Conference
Jun 17, 2020
990
1,956
93
I think the problem is finding the right fit for him. I don't think he's one of our top 2 guards or top 3 perimeter players but he may be one of our top five players. If Ousmane keeps missing I could see using Zoom as a small four against teams without a post up four.
🤦‍♂️
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
48,607
89,520
113
Horribly overrated portal addition.
As Tubby would say, "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane."
I have no idea how he was rated so high. Must have been a terrible guard year, but someone out there was better than him. Shows how desperate Pope is to get anyone. I think he takes whatever players that gets way more from Pope than they could get anywhere else.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
48,607
89,520
113
if the season goes in the wrong direction.....taking 2 guys from a 16-17 team will be a big reason why. there is a complete lack of common sense from the people in charge of uk basketball
I said it all offseason. Why take two guys off a terrible team. Two main contributors. They both have plenty of tape showing how mid they are. At least the big is strong and can give you some fouls and rebounds. A PG like Zoom can’t run a team like Pope wants to play. Never have been a fan and he’s exactly what I expected.
 
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RedwoodHigh

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2025
968
1,514
93
Johnny Dawkins said it best :
Ky is long & deep with players that play together & share the ball.
I support Ky Athletics no matter who the coach is.
Ky has 4 teams currently ranked in the top 25
Why all the DOOM & GLOOM?
 

bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,936
11,153
113
i dont know what pope was thinking. every time someone online posts his highlight package, its the same kind of shot. back or slow dribble into the paint. and either rock back for a jumper or go up and play it off the glass. its basically all he can do.

i have no idea how pope can look at that and say....yeah thats a perfect fit for my offense/team.
He can't judge talent
 
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