Rupps Rafters....WOW!

[Pobilly]

Trying to figure out what the issue is with attracting new players to the program

Kentucky has the great history and tradition
. They have great facilities, an awesome fan base that is second to none and in a great conference
that leaves two things, money and the recruiting process. The reported 20/22 $ million
May not be a fact and they simply don't have the money to compete. OR, THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE COACHING STaff d their recruiting presentation.
personally, I'm sitting back with.my popcorn waiting to see how it all plays out

First point: tradition and history mean exactly zero to the players of today. Not every player but 9 out of 10.
Facilities are as good as some but not as good as others. They are outdated already but I do not feel that facility means much. As long as guys can feel pampered they are fine.
Reports are that Freeman is leaning towards UCONN and that KENTUCKY has offered way more than any other program for his services (if you can believe said reports).
Not sure it is 100% coaching staff.

My belief is that JMI deal is the only problem. If a player has a contract with say a shoe company already and wants to come to UK then he has to go through JMI to get approval. What you

[EKYCat]

First point: tradition and history mean exactly zero to the players of today. Not every player but 9 out of 10.
Facilities are as good as some but not as good as others. They are outdated already but I do not feel that facility means much. As long as guys can feel pampered they are fine.
Reports are that Freeman is leaning towards UCONN and that KENTUCKY has offered way more than any other program for his services (if you can believe said reports).
Not sure it is 100% coaching staff.

My belief is that JMI deal is the only problem. If a player has a contract with say a shoe company already and wants to come to UK then he has to go through JMI to get approval. What you

My belief is the JMI deal is not the best thing in the world but the real problem is the head coach.

[Pobilly]

My belief is the JMI deal is not the best thing in the world but the real problem is the head coach.

Understand your point but if it is all on coaching then they would not have Pope in their homes, would not come to Lex at all. It has something to do with it but we are getting good word on guys over and over and then see the bottom fall out. We hear the rumors of UK is offering more, so it is not the pay. It ends up being the JMI deal takes control from the player and their NIL deal or they sign that they will do their own thing and get none of the JMI money. I think that is where we see the bottom fall out.

[UKHoops01]

I just went back over to check it out some more. It's gone from unadulterated pandemonium and hate to 100% pure rabid lunacy and hate.

Some people are posting threads that may or may not have factual information to them.....but regardless, nobody wants to hear "possibilities" right now. if something doesn't fit the "Mark Pope is horrible and everything is all his fault" narrative, then then they attack, attack, attack relentlessly!

It's nothing but a 100% pure Mark Pope hate fest going on over there!

[TrueblueCATfan]

I just went back over to check it out some more. It's gone from unadulterated pandemonium and hate to 100% pure rabid lunacy and hate.

Some people are posting threads that may or may not have factual information to them.....but regardless, nobody wants to hear "possibilities" right now. if something doesn't fit the "Mark Pope is horrible and everything is all his fault" narrative, then then they attack, attack, attack relentlessly!

It's nothing but a 100% pure Mark Pope hate fest going on over there!

Our fanbase is nuts sometimes

[Jload]

There are some more than legitimate concerns that POPE needs to address. He needs to explain HOW the University of Kentucky can fail to sign a single top 100 recruit for a coming season. How does that happen? He needs to explain on day 9 of transfer portal we haven't signed a single guy. Several of our chief rivals have signed MULTIPLE guys already. Why were they more prepared for this process than we are. Finally why have we had 4 guys on campus that we obviously wanted and haven't signed any of them. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Because there is a problem wether folks want to accept it or not.

[WeWant9]

Understand your point but if it is all on coaching then they would not have Pope in their homes, would not come to Lex at all. It has something to do with it but we are getting good word on guys over and over and then see the bottom fall out. We hear the rumors of UK is offering more, so it is not the pay. It ends up being the JMI deal takes control from the player and their NIL deal or they sign that they will do their own thing and get none of the JMI money. I think that is where we see the bottom fall out.

Would agents not already have an understanding of possible money figures from UK? I kind of doubt that they don't know how it'll work until they get to campus for a visit. I never believed Yaxel and the $7-9 million figure from UK, but I did believe him that he took less money to go to Michigan because of Dusty May. I do not think JMI is doing us any favors, but I also believe that Pope isn't selling these top guys on what they want to hear. It seems like a two headed dragon that pushes recruits away.

[UKHoops01]

There are some more than legitimate concerns that POPE needs to address. He needs to explain HOW the University of Kentucky can fail to sign a single top 100 recruit for a coming season. How does that happen? He needs to explain on day 9 of transfer portal we haven't signed a single guy. Several of our chief rivals have signed MULTIPLE guys already. Why were they more prepared for this process than we are. Finally why have we had 4 guys on campus that we obviously wanted and haven't signed any of them. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Because there is a problem wether folks want to accept it or not.

There is, I agree. Not arguing that. I was simply pointing out that another UK forum is going absolutely bonkers right now! I understand the frustration...I share in that. And right about now I'm slowly climbing on the FMP (Fire Mark Pope) bandwagon. But I'm not going to bash the guy personally and make uncalled for personal comments about him like I'm seeing over there. There's absolutely no rational talk going on over there, it's pure emotional hate right now. I'm seeing the kind of nonsense that makes you think that he may need 24/7 detailed security surrounding him and his family! Seriously!

[Pobilly]

Would agents not already have an understanding of possible money figures from UK? I kind of doubt that they don't know how it'll work until they get to campus for a visit. I never believed Yaxel and the $7-9 million figure from UK, but I did believe him that he took less money to go to Michigan because of Dusty May. I do not think JMI is doing us any favors, but I also believe that Pope isn't selling these top guys on what they want to hear. It seems like a two headed dragon that pushes recruits away.

Heck it is starting to push fans away as well. lol

[UKHoops01]

I never believed Yaxel and the $7-9 million figure from UK, but I did believe him that he took less money to go to Michigan because of Dusty May. I do not think JMI is doing us any favors, but I also believe that Pope isn't selling these top guys on what they want to hear.

Bingo!

I would love to be a fly on the wall during one of these recruiting visits. If love to hear what Mark Pope is or is not saying to these guys. I'd love to see if it is, in fact, Mark Pope that is driving recruits away. I can't help but see a little bit of Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys owner) in Mitch Barnhardt and wonder if Mitch is butting in at inopportune times. Not saying I think that's what's happening, but it wouldn't totally surprise me either! But make no mistake..... whether it's Pope, or Mitch, or JMI, or Mark Fox, or campus police, or crazy fans, etc, .... something is really screwing things up for UK basketball. Period.

[Jeffky62]

I just went back over to check it out some more. It's gone from unadulterated pandemonium and hate to 100% pure rabid lunacy and hate.

Some people are posting threads that may or may not have factual information to them.....but regardless, nobody wants to hear "possibilities" right now. if something doesn't fit the "Mark Pope is horrible and everything is all his fault" narrative, then then they attack, attack, attack relentlessly!

It's nothing but a 100% pure Mark Pope hate fest going on over there!

Some are trolling ,but I do agree that there are alot that want mark pope gone . I am willing to give it 1 more year .I mean mark was the 3rd choice but it does not look good .

[WeWant9]

There is, I agree. Not arguing that. I was simply pointing out that another UK forum is going absolutely bonkers right now! I understand the frustration...I share in that. And right about now I'm slowly climbing on the FMP (Fire Mark Pope) bandwagon. But I'm not going to bash the guy personally and make uncalled for personal comments about him like I'm seeing over there. There's absolutely no rational talk going on over there, it's pure emotional hate right now. I'm seeing the kind of nonsense that makes you think that he may need 24/7 detailed security surrounding him and his family! Seriously!

I do wish they would stop with some of the weird AI photos of him. I think there is enough to discuss from a recruiting standpoint, game planning, Xs and Os, etc, etc without bringing up his faith or personality.

[Cawood86]

I do wish they would stop with some of the weird AI photos of him. I think there is enough to discuss from a recruiting standpoint, game planning, Xs and Os, etc, etc without bringing up his faith or personality.

People are doing that? My goodness

[WeWant9]

People are doing that? My goodness

Sadly, yes. I got not problem using humor or keeping things silly, but some stuff is just plain stupid.

[BlueBlood]

It's beyond belief on Rafters,took a look earlier.