Mark Pope Officially Becomes UK's 23rd Basketball Coach

[Spiritof96]

If Hubert Davis can get a team to the final 4 and contend for an ACC title, Mark Pope can. The more I look at the "coaches we should have considered" the happier I am with this hire.

I think Todd Goldon would have been better and fans would have been more mad about him so...

[Matt Dillon]

Interestingly Pope played a little like Big Z when he was here. Not saying that'll mean anything because I always thought Cal and Big Z had a great relationship, but it is kinda interesting.

I expect maybe Sheppard and one more (Burks possibly) to stay...but you might get somebody like Ugo. God knows there's going to be a ton of playing time available.

Can't see DJ Wagner not only because of the connection to Cal, but also Pope doesn't really play a Wagner-conducive style.

Plus coach Pope and Wagner's dad probably aren't good friends.

[Matt Dillon]

Don't sleep on coach Pope. I believe he'll do just fine. The first season may be a little rocky but have patience with him. Shucks, I'm beginning to experience a rejuvenation.

[Jody Porter]

Honestly, I'm as excited about UK basketball as I've been since probably 2020. Haven't felt this way in a while. It might crash and burn, it might be a historic run of success. Either way, we're in for a ride and might as well buckle up, roll the window down, turn the radio up, and have fun.

[Joneslab]

Mitch says that Pope has two players he couldn't successfully recruit to BYU who might follow him here.

[justford]

Hope he contacts former players that are currently assistant coaches or teammates with no coaching experience and see if they would be interested. Padgett, Delk, maybe Jeff etc. Would excite the fan base and might instill what it means to play for UK into our players.

[Realist2]

All due respect, we're a college basketball program. I'm tired of talking about draft stock. UCONN just went out there and historically dominated with probably two guys, three at the most, who will ever get on an NBA court. And honestly probably only one guy who might make it to a second contract.

I looked up UConn’s starting lineup and their recruiting rankings are: 9, 43, 73, 114, 118

UK was: 3, 5, 6, 30, 57 with Bradshaw. With Onyenso you swap 39 in for 5. Dilly is 21 and Reed 79

[Joneslab]

Gonna admit, this sorta got me.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1778808591060812005

[Spiritof96]

Honestly, I'm as excited about UK basketball as I've been since probably 2020. Haven't felt this way in a while. It might crash and burn, it might be a historic run of success. Either way, we're in for a ride and might as well buckle up, roll the window down, turn the radio up, and have fun.

I'm all in until he demonstrates that he isn't the guy for the job. Until (if) then I'm excited and ready to go.

[JFCats22]

I don't do Instagram but there are people saying Reed posted about getting fitted for his custom draft suit.

That's going to take away the little excitement there is about Pope if it's true.

[40bill]

Best of luck to him. Hope he is wildly successful. By year 3 or end of year two we should have an idea.

[Jody Porter]

Gonna admit, this sorta got me.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1778808591060812005

Oh man. Where's the nearest brick wall?

[Joneslab]

Per Barnhart, the public press conference and introduction will probably be on Sunday in Rupp Arena.

I'd definitely go if it wasn't on a bad day for me. Sort of wish it was tomorrow and I'd drive down.

You best believe I'd come away from there with a Mark Pope t-shirt. I mean put that in the dang bank.

[Jody Porter]

I'm all in until he demonstrates that he isn't the guy for the job. Until (if) then I'm excited and ready to go.

Exactly the same here. That's how I've been with every new hire in my lifetime. I'll never tell anyone how they should "fan", but this is by far the way for me to find personal happiness in being a fan.

[Joneslab]

My memory was wrong about Pope as a player. I weirdly remembered him when he came over from Washington being a one-and-done, but that wasn't the case. He played two seasons and, weirdly, had almost identical statistics in both seasons.

I remember my dad being really excited when we got him from Washington. Had been the freshman of the year in the old Pac-10.