Pope Gets No Pass

[blueheretic]

Anderson is quick to relay that message.

“It’s active,” he told KSR of the team’s group chat. “He gets it, too — he gets no passes. We’d be like, ‘Pope, what you doing, man? We’re gonna come in here and rough you up.’ It’s always ongoing, but we’re always positive. We always tell him, motivate him. He asks for some opinions sometimes, just talking, because we’re his brothers.

“We’re not opinionated, we’re facts. We’re not gonna give him a pass if he’s not doing well. We’re not gonna beat him down when he’s not doing well. We’re gonna say, ‘Hey, man, we’re here for you, just keep getting better, man. Just do this, this, and that,’ and he’s always been responsive to that. So our group chat is very active.”

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-w...BzcnRjBmFwcF9p ZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEemQvIhDUv1YfB5tEarBptLK eS7lQtSW7OkxxfA2azIlFzeAoMQ5B2i2DSZEk_aem_vNgNCS6i M_h-uKV1QRQk_w

[blueheretic]

Don't get mad at me. lol

[Semi-OldEvilleCat]

This, this was the problem...and still is at times.

"I think when the fans are upset, they’re upset at how you play,” he said. “Because we lost games (in ‘96) and nobody went in on us, and it’s just how you’re losing. We don’t lose by effort. We lose by chance, or somebody plays well, someone beats us on a better shot or something, but you don’t lose by effort.

“And as a Kentucky player, and as a Kentucky person who was born here, we play with passion, and you have to show that.”

Lets hope there is progression...not hope, but there better be progression.

[WeWant9]

I agree. I'd imagine every UK fan is rooting for Pope, but he shouldn't get extra legroom just because he played at UK 30 years ago. He has accomplished some good things in his short time here, there are also some questions that need to be looked at like the amount of blowout losses. This season went off the rails fast, but to Pope's credit he has kept it going with duct tape. I am glad he has a support group with his former teammates, and that he is open to listening and asking for help.

This Saturday might be one of his biggest games as the UK coach. Go down there and get blown out, and it's another one step forward, two steps backward thing. Play a close game and lose, people can live with it and have some hope for the final 6 games. Go down there and win, and all the sudden UK is first place in the SEC with a real opportunity to win the league.