Remember this about Pope

[Beatle Bum]

Every team has injuries. Every team does not experience the injuries UK experienced the past two years. It is just a fact and something objective people actually consider in assessing the success or lack there of. And, objective observers don’t just assess last year’s team when contemplating Pope’s coaching. His first team was fun to watch, offensively sound, and by season’s end a good defensive team. It too had huge WTF moments that frustrated fans (first half of Zag game, Clemson on the road, etc.) but also had really high moments for fans (second half of Zag game, Duke, etc.). There was something really different about Year One that we did not see in Year two.

The PG position was certainly part of it. But outside shooting was really a big part. Aberdeen and Chandler were really our only two consistent shooters. Kam got it right but then got injured.

Injuries should be considered.

 

[UKFootball78]

Stop with the injuries. It is part of the game. Every team has them. We look lost most of the time. No defense, No offense, No fight,
Pitino lost one of his top players on a short handed team and still made it to the finals.

In all reality with the NIL, the way he uses the transfer portal to build his rosters, both years have been a disappointment. You can say he had a late start, but the truth his he does not recruit high school talent very well and he does not coach them very well either. His roster building did not start very early this year either. Our only hope is that Mo Williams can coach and Pope listens.

Lol...you just showed how little you know if think the injuries the last 2 years are normal and happens to ever team every year. Then you take roster from 1997, loaded with pros, that had 1 injured player and try to compare it to either of the last 2 years....smh. the pure ignorance and stupidity of those 2 things invalidates anything else you ever say. So you can just stop with the stupidity. There are several other areas you can fault pope on but you chose to ignore the legitimate concerns. I won't even bother to reply to you again. Nothing to be gained or learned from any interaction with you.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

I'm sorry but NO Kentucky fan should accept lowering the standards in ANY WAY or be ok with it. We did not become "Kentucky" by settling or lowering standards. I wasn't on this board Tubby had his dedicated defenders, even Billie G did from questions I've asked on here. So I 100% agree there.

Last year was an unmitigated disaster in almost every way possible. Just like his first year showed lots of promise. I'm judging him on what happens this season and above average mediocrity is something I'll NEVER accept. I'm giving him a 100% fair chance and laying off the criticism till it's warranted. It's hard not to beat the dead horse of last year but trust me I see why people are worried.

Last season was definitely disappointing but not an unmitigated disaster. 9-16 was an unmitigated disaster. Recognizing that Pope has played the two most difficult schedules in school history while dealing with exceptional injury issues does not equal lowering standards nor does it mean anyone is satisfied with the result. What it does mean is results should realistically improve if circumstances become even marginally normalized.

 

[mjj_2K]

Last season was definitely disappointing but not an unmitigated disaster. 9-16 was an unmitigated disaster. Recognizing that Pope has played the two most difficult schedules in school history while dealing with exceptional injury issues does not equal lowering standards nor does it mean anyone is satisfied with the result. What it does mean is results should realistically improve if circumstances become even marginally normalized.

It's actually a larger class of seasons that last season compares to than some people want to admit. UK has missed the tournament 6 times since the field expanded to 64. 2 of those were probation years, and though both were more satisfying than 25-26 given the context, Pitino's 14-14 first year was objectively worse.

The real comparisons are to UK teams that didn't accomplish much in the regular season and went out early in the tournament. 85 advanced one more round in the tourney but was worse in the regular season. 87 is fairly comparable. After that, 2000, Tubby's last 2 years, Clyde the drunk's first, 2018 though they earned some redemption by winning the SEC Tourney and 2 tournament games, and Cal's last 3 seasons, though 22-23 did well enough in the regular season that it gave some hope before they blew all that by losing in the NCAA first round. Still we're talking a dozen years out of 42 worse or similar.

That said, as a class those are definitely bad years for UK, and Pope has never done anything in his career that rates much above that. And both of Pope's 2 UK seasons have had a sense of desperation. The first more clearly because of injuries, just kind of trying to hang on and get to the tournament and eke out some wins. Which they did. Last year because of a truly horrific November immediately followed by an embarrassing performance against Gonzaga.

I at least have some confidence now that Pope, however sunny a face he's tried to put on his situation, realizes his chair is doused in gasoline. The Mo Williams/Momcilovic/Ryan Hampton turnaround shows that, and I like the aggressive pursuit of Jamal Crawford. But the proof will be on the court.

 

[Hunting9]

You’d have to be reading something extra into the original post. He’s saying Pope is flawed but smart and humble. That’s why he thinks Pope will get things right.

What’s wrong with that opinion? He didn’t cast shame on anyone who disagrees in that post, didn’t call anyone a name or anything else. I thought it was a perfectly fine post.

If OP is here to cause trouble that will show itself over time and then it will be appropriate to say that. For now, I’m puzzled where you got the impression that you did.

You may very well be right. I get that. But, at this point in time, we’ve had hundreds of people say the EXACT same thing. Then we have hundreds of people say the exact opposite. It is what it is. Also, he started the thread and never commented again, at least up until I made my post. Taking the time to start a new account just to repeat what’s constantly being said just seems petty to me. With that said, you have every right to question my post.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

You may very well be right. I get that. But, at this point in time, we’ve had hundreds of people say the EXACT same thing. Then we have hundreds of people say the exact opposite. It is what it is. Also, he started the thread and never commented again, at least up until I made my post. Taking the time to start a new account just to repeat what’s constantly being said just seems petty to me. With that said, you have every right to question my post.

Let's be real, site has had an influx of trolls. Your concern is a valid one.

 

[26MichaelUK]

Last season was definitely disappointing but not an unmitigated disaster. 9-16 was an unmitigated disaster. Recognizing that Pope has played the two most difficult schedules in school history while dealing with exceptional injury issues does not equal lowering standards nor does it mean anyone is satisfied with the result. What it does mean is results should realistically improve if circumstances become even marginally normalized.

That's fair Paul. My meds had me outta my mind last night. I wasn't saying Pope is lowering the standards, I was saying some posters were willing to do that. I know Pope knows the standards. Yes injuries have killed us and I think personally going to that Gonzaga game and witnessing up close the issues with effort and chemistry really did a number on my confidence. But like I said the past is the past. I'm giving him all the grace coming into next year and will refrain from criticizing him unless/if things start going downhill next year .

 

[gracetoyou]

His adjustments against Duke and Gonzaga his first season made him seem like a basketball genius. But his substitution decisions have been baffling. I don't understand why he won't adjust in that area.

Last year especially!! But I think the make-up of that team left him puzzled. Yes we had major injuries & never was the roster he envisioned but at the same time I think he recognized that roster was not very complimentary. I think he tried to exchange some skill for more athleticism & it backfired.

Not being a Homer but I honestly think the roster fir next season is extremely complimentary & is the best blend of players Pope has had at UK..

 

[IMightJustFartOnEm]

Every team has injuries. Every team does not experience the injuries UK experienced the past two years. It is just a fact and something objective people actually consider in assessing the success or lack there of. And, objective observers don’t just assess last year’s team when contemplating Pope’s coaching. His first team was fun to watch, offensively sound, and by season’s end a good defensive team. It too had huge WTF moments that frustrated fans (first half of Zag game, Clemson on the road, etc.) but also had really high moments for fans (second half of Zag game, Duke, etc.). There was something really different about Year One that we did not see in Year two.

The PG position was certainly part of it. But outside shooting was really a big part. Aberdeen and Chandler were really our only two consistent shooters. Kam got it right but then got injured.

Injuries should be considered.

Tilt your head back and accept my nastiness.

 

[gracetoyou]

Here's what I know about Pope, he is not a good basketball coach. And his teams quit. BYU was glad to get rid of him just as UK fans will be when he's gone. He might be booksmart? But he is basketball stupid. He has absolutely no feel for the game.

No one can watch a Pope team play and see a well coached team.

Yea, his first UK team quit. Lol...not!

Last years bunch was a bunch of pampered cry babies that never should have wore a UK jersey. No competitive player has to have a coach tell them to compete. They were what they were on the floor because they CAME TO UK that way. Don't blame that on Pope. Your post reeks of someone who knows some of the families or is one of them. Sorry the truth hurt your feelings but any intelligent person could watch last years games & 100% know some attitude issues were present. Those problems were NOT on Pope's first UK team. They actually cared & competed & were not as athletically gifted.