Pope

[KYWILDCAT41035]

The 22 million is just a rumor. But even if it isn't, why does that make it worse for you? Would you be OK with the results if it was $10M? Or would you still be mad at $15M, etc.? If we hadn't spent any money at all (and I haven't contributed a nickel), would we all just not care whether we won or loss?

It's best to forget about the money, because if that's what you are worried about, you'd be better off just walking away from cheering for UK.

So another person that tells a person how to fan... Man I have been a fan for over 40 years I expect better out of the program that the great Adolph Rupp built he would too if he were still around. I will never ever walk away but I will always demand for the program to be the best there is especially since we are UK and that's what we have always expected since I can remember.

[TFCats11]

The 22 million is just a rumor. But even if it isn't, why does that make it worse for you? Would you be OK with the results if it was $10M? Or would you still be mad at $15M, etc.? If we hadn't spent any money at all (and I haven't contributed a nickel), would we all just not care whether we won or loss?

It's best to forget about the money, because if that's what you are worried about, you'd be better off just walking away from cheering for UK.

Why does spending the most while underachieving the most matter? Seriously? I’m assuming you’re new to sports, so I’ll just say this… If you don’t know why that matters, then you may be unable to understand why it matters, so we’ll just have to leave it at that.

[Pete Hogwallop]

So another person that tells a person how to fan... Man I have been a fan for over 40 years I expect better out of the program that the great Adolph Rupp built he would too if he were still around. I will never ever walk away but I will always demand for the program to be the best there is especially since we are UK and that's what we have always expected since I can remember.

I was only addressing the comment about how what really makes you mad is the $22M.

[AirForceVet]

Seems we have some of the RR guys that have come over here and haven't changed any..

[bthaunert]

He made it to the Sweet 16 Last season
He beat Duke..Gonzaga..Florida And Louisville
Were those players better last year
What changed with Mark Pope

He didn't bring in the right guys via the portal was a huge part of it. I think it's a poorly crafted roster and we signed guys in the portal class this year that we were hoping would take big steps up instead of give us what they gave us at their previous university (which is what we signed in 2024), and it didn't work. Let's compare last years transfer class to this years:

2024 class
Otega Oweh - 11.4ppg at Oklahoma / Starter
Kobe Brea - 11.1ppg at Dayton / 6th man (29mpg)
Amari Williams - 12.2ppg at Drexel / Starter
Andrew Carr - 13.5ppg at Wake Forest / Starter
Jaxson Robinson - 14.2ppg at BYU / 6th man (26mpg)
Lamont Butler - 9.3ppg at SDSU / Starter
Brandon Garrison - 7.5ppg at Oklahoma State / Starter
Kerr Kriisa - 11ppg at WVU / Starter

2025 class
Denzel Aberdeen - 7.7ppg at Florida / 6th man (19mpg)
Kam Williams - 9.3ppg at Tulane / Starter
Mouhamed Dioubate - 7.2ppg at Bama / 6th man (16ppg)
Jaland Lowe - 16.8ppg at Pitt / Starter
Jayden Quaintance - 9.4ppg at ASU / Starter

The injury to Lowe definitely hurt. I won't count the injury to JQ because Pope knew when he got him that he was coming off surgery so it was a risk. Also, Only Williams in the 2025 class had good 3 point numbers coming into the season. Lack of shooters and lack of production at their previous school is a big part of it.

[Pobilly]

Nice post pobilly, now would you give me the PowerBar numbers for next week
. Just joking with you man

Yeah, this team can get to any of us at about any time. But I was one of the biggest supporters of Pope to UK. Last year we were pretty good, as good as could be expected with Pope having to build a roster in just a few weeks.

This year he made a plan, laid out who he wanted, got the guys he liked. Built them up for months on end to anyone that would listen. Then he started this random wild line up substitution stuff and we had another year of PG injury issues. This time without a back up point guard, his choice.

I really believe the weight of the job might just be too much for the man to handle. Nothing personal but year 2 you should make strides towards where you want to be. Right now Pope is Moses, leading the flock through the dessert and I do not want it to be 40 years before he finds his way.

[Helix]

I have my doubts on Pope as a Coach, but I think he can learn from his mistakes. He has the resources to help him correct those mistakes. It will be up to him to correct them.

I think he can too. And yes, it's most certainly on him to do it. But If he can take players on very short notice from Wake, Drexel, Fairleigh Dickinson and San Diego State and roll out an exciting, top ten, and sadly, oft-injured team last year, he can do it again. Personally, I think Pope got away from what he knows and talked himself into the idea that he had to recruit and sign defense, defense, defense, despite the fact that at the end of last year our defense was much improved, even while our best defender, Butler, was hobbled. Defense can be taught. Kobe Brea's are born. If you're gonna lose, lose doing it your way. His way is pace and space. I don't think he'll ever be caught again without a some bona fide snipers. Just my opinion.

[Helix]

He didn't bring in the right guys via the portal was a huge part of it. I think it's a poorly crafted roster and we signed guys in the portal class this year that we were hoping would take big steps up instead of give us what they gave us at their previous university (which is what we signed in 2024), and it didn't work. Let's compare last years transfer class to this years:

2024 class
Otega Oweh - 11.4ppg at Oklahoma / Starter
Kobe Brea - 11.1ppg at Dayton / 6th man (29mpg)
Amari Williams - 12.2ppg at Drexel / Starter
Andrew Carr - 13.5ppg at Wake Forest / Starter
Jaxson Robinson - 14.2ppg at BYU / 6th man (26mpg)
Lamont Butler - 9.3ppg at SDSU / Starter
Brandon Garrison - 7.5ppg at Oklahoma State / Starter
Kerr Kriisa - 11ppg at WVU / Starter

2025 class
Denzel Aberdeen - 7.7ppg at Florida / 6th man (19mpg)
Kam Williams - 9.3ppg at Tulane / Starter
Mouhamed Dioubate - 7.2ppg at Bama / 6th man (16ppg)
Jaland Lowe - 16.8ppg at Pitt / Starter
Jayden Quaintance - 9.4ppg at ASU / Starter

The injury to Lowe definitely hurt. I won't count the injury to JQ because Pope knew when he got him that he was coming off surgery so it was a risk. Also, Only Williams in the 2025 class had good 3 point numbers coming into the season. Lack of shooters and lack of production at their previous school is a big part of it.

"Lack of shooters and lack of production at their previous school is a big part of it." Yup. Great post, bthaunert

[Helix]

Yeah, this team can get to any of us at about any time. But I was one of the biggest supporters of Pope to UK. Last year we were pretty good, as good as could be expected with Pope having to build a roster in just a few weeks.

This year he made a plan, laid out who he wanted, got the guys he liked. Built them up for months on end to anyone that would listen. Then he started this random wild line up substitution stuff and we had another year of PG injury issues. This time without a back up point guard, his choice.

I really believe the weight of the job might just be too much for the man to handle. Nothing personal but year 2 you should make strides towards where you want to be. Right now Pope is Moses, leading the flock through the dessert and I do not want it to be 40 years before he finds his way.

Here's hoping the pressure turns him into a diamond. I'm hopeful.

[Pete Hogwallop]

I think he can too. And yes, it's most certainly on him to do it. But If he can take players on very short notice from Wake, Drexel, Fairleigh Dickinson and San Diego State and roll out an exciting, top ten, and sadly, oft-injured team last year, he can do it again. Personally, I think Pope got away from what he knows and talked himself into the idea that he had to recruit and sign defense, defense, defense, despite the fact that at the end of last year our defense was much improved, even while our best defender, Butler, was hobbled. Defense can be taught. Kobe Brea's are born. If you're gonna lose, lose doing it your way. His way is pace and space. I don't think he'll ever be caught again without a some bona fide snipers. Just my opinion.

Agree with everything here.

[WeWant9]

I do agree that there needs to be an emphasis on shooters (I feel Pope did go after shooters, he just didn't land them this cycle). Another thing I am noticing is how important a big like A. Williams was for Pope's system. Maybe a soph Moreno can fill that role. He seems to have good hands and bball IQ, spend the summer really working on passing and the offense might look vastly different in year 3.

[EKYCat]

My 2 cents on Pope. I like him and want him to win big but I believe he is in over his head and will not succeed here long term. Zero commits for 2026. We find ourselves in holes against seemingly every P4 team we play (and that goes back to last year, too) and have to claw our way back out. UK was complete trash last night for 25 minutes. Glad they pulled it out, was up cheering in the living room, but there are just too many signs to think he is the guy long term. I hope I'm wrong.

[Helix]

I do agree that there needs to be an emphasis on shooters (I feel Pope did go after shooters, he just didn't land them this cycle). Another thing I am noticing is how important a big like A. Williams was for Pope's system. Maybe a soph Moreno can fill that role. He seems to have good hands and bball IQ, spend the summer really working on passing and the offense might look vastly different in year 3.

Yes! Williams was tailor made for his offense, a big, mobile, physical center who was also talented passer, particularly out top, and could in a pinch bring the ball up the court. With some added muscle I could see Moreno inheriting that role. Malachi is developing a knack for steals. We gotta to make sure he stays in Kentucky blue. His future is bright.

[Matt Dillon]

Seems we have some of the RR guys that have come over here and haven't changed any..

There's still time.

[Helix]

There's still time.

Dry humor, thy name is Matt.