Kentucky vs. Iowa State NCAA Tournament Game Thread

[TrueblueCATfan]

This was not good basketball to watch this year. Last years team was very fun to watch.

I loved last year's team especially Amari Williams

[UKHoops01]

This was not good basketball to watch this year. Last years team was very fun to watch.

I agree. Last year's team was enjoyable. This year was the polar opposite... which is why I'm hoping to see less player retention than what Pope seems to want.

[Catsrock]

Let's say Pope gets fired. Which recruits would the new coach have signed as of today?

Pope’s going to be here next year. But actually the answer to this question could be much different than you are insinuating. Coaches like Sampson or Lloyd have some real good pieces committed whether they’re signed or not. And they are committed to a coach, not a school.

BTW I’m not saying either of those 2 particular coaches would jump ship to run to UK. Maybe, maybe not. But the point is ALL the commits are to a coach and system, not a school. Schools steal players by hiring new coaches every year now.

[Los Gatos]

I'd give Pope another year but only because of the injuries this year. The lack of recruiting does worry me however.

[JFCats22]

Fire Pope now

[KentuckyWild2020]

Pope will get another year. i don't like anything about this year's team but I do hope he can learn from this.

As for recruits, sore subject, hopefully the staff knows something we don't.

Returning players, AJ maybe, think he can still be very good. Chandler is a plus.

The home grown Kentucky kids have a whole lot of work to do and one without saying any names, hope he's packing his bags tonight. He may end up being a decent player on a no name team and score some points but the bad outweighs the good in my opinion, Kentucky isn't a place to showcase your NBA talent when you really ain't all that good to begin with..

[Pete Hogwallop]

Pope will get another year. i don't like anything about this year's team but I do hope he can learn from this.

As for recruits, sore subject, hopefully the staff knows something we don't.

Returning players, AJ maybe, think he can still be very good. Chandler is a plus.

The home grown Kentucky kids have a whole lot of work to do and one without saying any names, hope he's packing his bags tonight. He may end up being a decent player on a no name team and score some points but the bad outweighs the good in my opinion, Kentucky isn't a place to showcase your NBA talent when you really ain't all that good to begin with..

Nice post. I pretty much agree.

[Pete Hogwallop]

Pope’s going to be here next year. But actually the answer to this question could be much different than you are insinuating. Coaches like Sampson or Lloyd have some real good pieces committed whether they’re signed or not. And they are committed to a coach, not a school.

BTW I’m not saying either of those 2 particular coaches would jump ship to run to UK. Maybe, maybe not. But the point is ALL the commits are to a coach and system, not a school. Schools steal players by hiring new coaches every year now.

True. But they don't alll have to come either. And my secondary point is that we don't even know who those recruits are. And the coach COULD be an assistant currently (unlikely at UK).

I guess I'm saying to those who want Pope gone and are pointing to the lack of recruits as a major reason, that hiring a new coach doesn't solve that reason conclusively.

[Catsrock]

True. But they don't alll have to come either. And my secondary point is that we don't even know who those recruits are. And the coach COULD be an assistant currently (unlikely at UK).

I guess I'm saying to those who want Pope gone and are pointing to the lack of recruits as a major reason, that hiring a new coach doesn't solve that reason conclusively.

True as well. But the possibility is there.

All moot. I’d be stunned if Pope’s not here next year. Matters not whether any of us feel he’s earned it. Mitch isn’t firing him and a new AD won’t fire him the day he walks on campus. The coaching carousel will have run another course by then.

[Jaxcat]

I'm just glad ISU's best player was sidelined. No telling how bad it would've been otherwise.

[KentuckyWild2020]

I guess what blows my mind is that I can't ever remember a Kentucky team who just folded and gave up the way they did today, where is the fight???

If a Coach is supposed to rub off on his team, there are some tell tell signs. Not only this game, but Vanderbilt and a few other games this year.

Iowa State punched back and we just rolled over and played dead, never seen nothing like that, that was embarrassing really.

Sad truth reality, If Oweh doesn't hit that once in a lifetime shot, we would have went home the other day.

I really believed that maybe just maybe this team would have finally figured something out.

Only thing it figured out how to get back to Lexington and get to the bank early Monday morning to spend some of that money UK been giving out all year long...

Disgraceful...

[WeWant9]

I really believed that maybe just maybe this team would have finally figured something out.

man, there were so many times this year I would think this is it, it’s going click. It never happened, one of the most inconsistent teams I’ve watched in my lifetime.

[Pobilly]

I will wipe the slate clean and as a learning experience for Pope. He did not like getting man handled last year in the SEC and thought he was getting a roster together. If he could have looked at Lowe (body size and such) and he would realize he would have been better with other options at PG. If he would have gotten one of his first choices in PF/C he would not have signed JQ.

He over thought the whole thing. Now he has pressure from BBN along with his own pressure to make it work here. If he overthinks things again we could be in worse shape.

Hoping Pope makes the right moves, then works real hard to make his new roster work. Hope he keeps some guys. Maybe lets others go. Same with coaches. Just not working in its current makeup.