BCG landed Liggins, Orton, Patrick Patterson, all 5 stars. As well as Darrius Miller, who was a high 4 star. Mark Pope has never landed someone as highly ranked as Patterson.
And still went to the NIT and still lost at home to Gardner Webb by 16. Lost to San Diego in Rupp, lost to VMI in Rupp, got an 11 seed in the NCAAT and lost immediately. Our SOS that year, was 42nd. He went 18-13. Didn't win a single SECT game.
That team had Bradley (Sr), Crawford (Sr), Patterson, Meeks, Stevenson, Harris and Derrick Jasper. The SEC was straight *** that year and he still sucked.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE. That was actually Billy's best year at UK.
In 2008/09:
-He went 22-14 against the 66th ranked SOS.
-Lost to VMI at home… VMI
-Lost 7 home games (one was in Memorial)
-Went to the NIT
In what world is this even a competition?
1) Mark Pope never lost to mid majors at home.
2) Mark Pope has 3 tournament wins, BCG has zero while at UK
3) Mark Pope's worst NCAAT seed is a 7, BCG's best NCAAT seed, is 11.
4) Mark Pope never went to the NIT while at UK
5) Mark Pope played the #3 SOS in 2024/25, had a final ranking of 12th
6) Mark Pope played the 4th toughest SOS this year
7) BCG's best win, might be @ Tennessee (Meeks 54), but UT was unranked. That wouldn't even make Pope's top 10 best wins at UK.
Mark Pope dealt with injuries both years, BCG had 1 injury, Derrick Jasper.
How is this even close? It's not. Anyone thinking Mark Pope is anywhere near as bad as BCG, is going off their bad agenda. It's a horrid take.
I agree, Pope is not UK caliber, but lets stop being silly.