There is only 1 L.O.D and all others are just imposters. RIP Hawk & Animal

trueblujr2 said:

I'm assuming This will be addressed over the course of this year, one would think.

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If you have faith in the Republican congress’ ability to accomplish things, then yes.

If you think the republicans are going to **** around, increase defense spending, then lose the slim majority in the house (through resignations or lefty shenanigans) before getting tax reform done like I do, then no.

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ImTheVillageIdiot said:

This! Billy G also inherited Jodie Meeks, Derrick Jasper, Ramel Bradley, Perry Stevenson, Joe Crawford etc. That guy is out of his mind to put it nicely.

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I believe the question was what if next season was like this season and we struggled not do I think it will be, he’s done a good job and has had some great wins, also some bad losses. There needs to be some improvement on a year to year basis, and that shouldn’t be hard for pope with the transfer portal. Seems like you just attack anyone who doesn’t think pope walks on water and unless they say he’s the greatest thing to ever happen to Uk they’re awful and terrible fans. You’re not a better fan than anyone else as much as you like to think so

Disappointed Cat said:

Yeah, but how do you explain our record against the bad teams??

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What bad teams have we struggled against?

I don’t see any losses to UNC-Wilmington, Evansville, or Gardner Webb on our record this year.

I think everyone who has beaten us has a top 50 NET ranking.

And our only losses have been to P5 teams.

And most of those were while dealing with injuries.

WayneDougan said:

I am calling bullshit on this. Whenever we seem to cut taxes more people buy shit made overseas, which is then used by China and other countries to finance our debt (which grows it).

Until we structurally work to change our economy (increase manufacturing, taxing the f out of China) the debt isn't going NOWHERE.

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Then use tariffs on overseas goods instead of an income tax. Or reinstate DPAD or other domestic incentives. Middle class is already suffering the most from the inflation driven purely by government spending. Raising taxes on them because the government spends to much money, which has already killed them with inflation, is insane.

I don’t disagree with you regarding spending. It needs to be cut significantly. But holding the middle class hostage as we careen towards a cliff is not going to help anything.

Tip of the iceberg.

Dontworryboutit23 said:

They really need these 2 games upcoming and if hard to see them winning either one without him

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March more important than Feb.

One more thing; I do not think Pope is a coach that doesn't care about defense or can't teach defense. It's just really hard to guard a guy who's quicker than you.

Bluesnky said:

I think this means he will be going full speed against our defense.

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That was worthy of a chuckle.

L.O.D. said:

Hero lol. I was still in my 20s an being a dumbass when I started it . Actually it's pretty embarrassing looking back on it lol. But yall just wouldn't let it die

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L.O.D. said:

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L.O.D. said:

Hero lol. I was still in my 20s an being a dumbass when I started it . Actually it's pretty embarrassing looking back on it lol. But yall just wouldn't let it die

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Just want to say hello to you!

it is ALWAYS great to see your name come up, regardless most associate you with this thread which we all took part in so long ago, I was there in the tubby era, I was at the end for Cal, a part of LoD , unabashedly so and unashamedly so. You did us all a SERVICE and it was a GOOD one, to have begun this thread and given us a good way to express ourselves.

I salute you and you're at the top of a long list of old timers I feel a part of around here.

Next to "the Door" and "the list" "bump this thread when Indiana SUCKS" and , well, theres been a ton of great memorable posts and threads over the years .... THIS THREAD joins a short list of the most insanely cool, funny, and great threads that SHOULD Never DIE.

But I swear when i saw this thread bumped, I was thinking about this very thread and if someone, any numbnut would actually, in Coach pope's first season, with everything that has gone down since Cal left, if there would be ANYONe THAT WOULD HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SERIOUSLY TAKE UP AN LOD STANCE AND GIVE THE CLARION CALL TO MUSTER THE LEGION.... ????

OOPS sorry caps lock....

thank GOD this wasnt the case, but I know theres some idiots that probably are already (if not never been on board from the get go) ready to axe Pope.

Rock on, brother, come on back more often ! I miss seeing you chime in !

peace and harmony!

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ImTheVillageIdiot said:

If you have 5 Nate robinsons that are communicating and playing hard/smart, can you be a great defensive team? I’ll let you think about how foolish that notion is

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That is stupid. Of course you cover the 5 positions, or at least come close to covering the 5 positions, instead of 5 5'10 guys. Your analogy is like saying a football team made up of Mahomes, Brady, Manning bros, Favre, Marino ....

Gloria is very stunning with her mouth closed. Once she opens it, she sinks precipitously in my rating. She just never really did it for me.

Blue_2_the_bone said:

Explosiveness, speed and strength all help with defense but there’s not a big enough gap that our guys should be this bad. You can be lacking a be a good defender. A lot of guys are strong but poor defenders. Some are strong and quick but bad defender. Bruce Bowen wasn’t really muscular or quick but was an elite defender. Delladova did a great job on a faster Curry but he isn’t a physical specimen. You don’t have to be muscular to be physical and in the correct position. Watch our last game and watch the guys who fight through screens and those who let themselves be screened. Watch for the ones who are willing to jam cuts, who communicate, who move to their shell position when the ball is in the air, and who tries to find someone to block out when the shooter rises up, not when the ball is shot. You’ll see which ones have the tools to turn into good defenders. These are all things that don’t require athleticism that very few of our guys do, whether from poor instincts or poor instruction. But I do agree with you that athleticism makes it easier if you have the instincts to play.

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Absolutely correct! A lot of us keep saying this, but I don't think you're going to convince some of those that believe our defensive woes are almost exclusively a lack of athleticism. As I stated in another post, I watch a lot of basketball teams play that do not have any more athleticism than this team but are significantly better on the defensive end.

Believe it or not, I think a lot of it is mental. We talk about them being lazy/soft/lack of intensity etc. and I believe they may be willing but lack understanding. I don't think it comes natural to them except for Butler. They are only "reactive" and are slow at it. That is why numerous times this year on true 50/50 balls we seldom get them. Our players do put forth effort sometimes to go get them, but it is a split second after the opposing player has already instinctively reacted.
If this true it can be improved upon with emphasis, drills, and desire. I agree with what the UNC player said describing the things their coaching staff did.

May not become elite defensively but there is room for significant improvement in "team" defense.

I don't think we're sitting at like 100+ in Kenpom Defensive efficiency strictly from a lack of effort. I think there are plenty of times we're trying and just not very good on defense.

We certainly saw terrible effort in the 1st half vs Ole Miss.

But there are lots of games where guys have been engaged on defense and we just get cooked.

I think the athleticism, agility, foot speed whatever--I think we're limited in some spots.

And with Butler out--guys are having to shift over to guard guys they maybe wouldn't normally guard.

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ImTheVillageIdiot said:

Don’t let your fear of tomorrow swallow your joy of today.

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Very fair, I think once I get a full year of pope and his first full offseason I will get over the cal PTSD fully

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Cats192 said:

Dude said I was too soft to see the truth. He was insulting me. I think the argument was started on the other end. I certainly don't intend to debate you on this.

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You commented on my post with an argument just as you always do. Go back and look. I’d just assume have nothing to do with you as none of your interactions are ever civil.

P.S. - You are soft.

Bill Cosby said:

On January 1, 2026, if no legislation passes, you are getting a significant tax increase. That will be a disaster for the middle class.

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I'm assuming This will be addressed over the course of this year, one would think.

LineSkiCat14 said:

I'm just gonna count it as a loss now.

The key here is that we just need to get a few wins to make it into the tournament. Unpopular take, but I don't give a damn about the SECT with our health issues.

What I want most, and what I think is best for Pope to continue his success, is for us to get like a 5-6seed (or higher) and grab a Sweet16. If we can do that, this year was a huge success.

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Agree 100%.

Get us to the 2nd weekend. It'll be our 1st trip since 2019. From there, truly anything can happen. I'll root like hell for us to advance. And I think we can. But everything beyond a sweet 16 is gravy, and I won't be upset with Pope or the team if they can accomplish that.

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Girthang said:

 knowing that next year might not be a full roster of contributors as well?

We've seen what Coach Pope has done with a roster put together over just a few weeks, and that's been great up until the injuries started. However, it's possible we don't have a roster with 10 contributors going into next season as well, so 3 people injured might make things tough next year. How will yall handle it?

Of course we're still recruiting for the current class, and yes there will be free agency, but how do you put together a full roster able to withstand injuries without seeing what results such a roster can do this season? I thought it would be his 3rd season before he could show as a coach what his ceiling might be, then we got spoiled with that early season success (that more experienced players can give you). I didn't entirely abandon that mindset, so I didn't get as down as most here did over the last 7 games.

If we go through a stretch like this next year, are you giving up hope for Pope?

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oh no way, I'm all in for Coach Pope ! I love that man. He is a great human being. I couldn't be happier.

well ... if we were undefeated and no injuries and .. well .. you get it. lol