Coaches

[Pete Hogwallop]

I'll give you Lowe and Kam. JQ was always a risk and it proved not to pay off. I don't think the Lowe injury was as impactful as it looks on paper because of how well Aberdeen stepped into that role. But yes, would be nice for him to have a healthy team next year.

The bigger concern for me is the fact we have zero recruits signed. That's unprecedented and a sign that something is not right.

I agree that JQ was a risk. But what if it had worked out?

Re: Lowe, I also agree that Aberdeen has done fine at the point. However, imagine if he and Lowe were sharing significant minutes on the court this season allowing Oweh to play small forward more?

As far as recruits, I don't think HS recruits matter all that much anymore. Or nearly as much as they used to. I'll get worried when the portal closes and we don't seem to have a few really good players signed.

[TrueblueCATfan]

I'll give you Lowe and Kam. JQ was always a risk and it proved not to pay off. I don't think the Lowe injury was as impactful as it looks on paper because of how well Aberdeen stepped into that role. But yes, would be nice for him to have a healthy team next year.

The bigger concern for me is the fact we have zero recruits signed. That's unprecedented and a sign that something is not right.

I agree...Wondering why Pope isnt recruiting any players

[bthaunert]

He'll be back next year unless he leaves on his own. I expect next year to be a big improvement.

It's hard to believe that people are so totally ignoring the impact of these injuries. Imagine a team with a healthy Lowe, Quaintance and Kam playing very significant minutes all year long along with the guys who have gotten us to this point. This team was set up to be good. Injuries derailed that.

I'll give you Lowe and Kam. JQ was always a risk and it proved not to pay off. I don't think the Lowe injury was as impactful as it looks on paper because of how well Aberdeen stepped into that role. But yes, would be nice for him to have a healthy team next year.

The bigger concern for me is the fact we have zero recruits signed. That's unprecedented and a sign that something is not right.

[WeWant9]

100% agree. He could lose to Santa Cara and it will have zero impact on next year. He was always going to get 3 years unless something happened off the court.

The big question for me is what needs to happen next year in order for him to deserve year number 4? I think anything less than in the hunt for the SEC title and an Elite Eight and he should be shown the door.

I think he needs to show he can have a regular season up to the standard's of UK. It will start with recruiting this off-season, can he bring in the needed elite talent? I do not see a reason why UK can't stay in the that top 10 range from start to finish. UK should be in the conversation to win the SEC up to the bitter end, and at the least should be top 4; I never in my life want to see UK playing a Wednesday SECT game again. Ultimately, we need a team that is in talks for a 1 seed in the NCAAT, we haven't been one since 2015. I feel if he can accomplish stuff like that (not sold that he can), tournament success should follow.

[Pete Hogwallop]

He'll be back next year unless he leaves on his own. I expect next year to be a big improvement.

It's hard to believe that people are so totally ignoring the impact of these injuries. Imagine a team with a healthy Lowe, Quaintance and Kam playing very significant minutes all year long along with the guys who have gotten us to this point. This team was set up to be good. Injuries derailed that.

[bthaunert]

I think he's here next year regardless. Then I think we're hiring a new coach in 2027.

100% agree. He could lose to Santa Cara and it will have zero impact on next year. He was always going to get 3 years unless something happened off the court.

The big question for me is what needs to happen next year in order for him to deserve year number 4? I think anything less than in the hunt for the SEC title and an Elite Eight and he should be shown the door.

[EKYCat]

It's a moment of truth. He pulls off the unthinkable and wins a few more games than expected or we get blown out and Big Blue Nation loses it's mind while Pope is on the phone with his realtor....

Any kind of blowout loss is going to be really bad to for Pope in my opinion... We have seen enough of that type of stuff already this year..

I think he's here next year regardless. Then I think we're hiring a new coach in 2027.

[KentuckyWild2020]

If Pope could somehow beat Iowa State in the second game, he'll get some reprieve (though, in my opinion, he's performing to his career average). That's a big if, though and I fully expect them to run us off the court, provided we're still around Sunday.

It's a moment of truth. He pulls off the unthinkable and wins a few more games than expected or we get blown out and Big Blue Nation loses it's mind while Pope is on the phone with his realtor....

Any kind of blowout loss is going to be really bad to for Pope in my opinion... We have seen enough of that type of stuff already this year..

[GOCAT15]

2014 UK vs. Wich St is one of my favorite games of all time. Just pure basketball that had a little bit of everything

Without a doubt, and it was a great environment too.

[WeWant9]

Well, that magical run started in St. Louis when we beat K-State and Wichita State and I was there. I will be there this weekend as well so I will try and help bring that magic back!

2014 UK vs. Wich St is one of my favorite games of all time. Just pure basketball that had a little bit of everything

[GOCAT15]

That run was epic...and We should have won it all..It was a exciting run

Well, that magical run started in St. Louis when we beat K-State and Wichita State and I was there. I will be there this weekend as well so I will try and help bring that magic back!

[TrueblueCATfan]

The only way I won’t look at this season as a big disappointment is if they channel 2014 and go on a wild FF run.

That run was epic...and We should have won it all..It was a exciting run

[GOCAT15]

I think we all want / expect the same thing. No rational fan expects a Final Four or title every year. But, we do expect to be in the conversation. And we're not. We are playing at 12:15 on Friday for the love of all that is holy.

And we should never be playing at noon on Wednesday in the SEC tournament either....EVER!

[Trueblujr]

You go all in on Todd Golden first, I wanted him 3 years ago. The stop gap guy if you fail on Golden is Bruce Pearl. He would get the program back on track.

If Florida makes a run and gets to another Final 4, Florida will pay him handsomely with a long-term contract. Are we willing to go spend 10-12 million per to get him? The Bruce Pearl ship has sailed. He turns 66 tomorrow now and has political aspirations. Even if he did forego that to come here, how long do you realistically have him? He'd be 67 years old when we would be hiring him.

It's hard to say who'd be the best fit at this point. I think Nate Oats has to be on the short list.

But what about this name?
Billy Donovan? pretty sure he's about to wear out his welcome in Chicago. They haven't had a winning season in a while. I'm surprised he's lasted as long as he has there. I kinda was hoping they would go for him before Pope, but I think he said he wouldn't talk to anyone until his season was over. The NBA is just a different animal and he may have a desire to get back into the college ranks. At least he'd have a good grip on how to manage egos.

[EKYCat]

I think we all want / expect the same thing. No rational fan expects a Final Four or title every year. But, we do expect to be in the conversation. And we're not. We are playing at 12:15 on Friday for the love of all that is holy.