I was always kind of skeptical about bringing him on board. Looking at his 2024 stats (41% comp, 3 TDs, 4 Ints, 3.7 YPC), he performed pretty much exactly how he was expected to, based on his two years at Rutgers. He was misused pretty consistently, but other than the one great pass he'd complete every so often, he just didn't look like an SEC QB to me. Still don't understand the constant rotation in for QB keeper play for much of the season - that could not have helped his stats, for sure. He's a good athlete but not quick/shifty enough running to put a lot of pressure on the defense and way too inconsistent throwing the ball to believe he's capable of driving the team down the field from the pocket. I also wasn't blown away at his ability to make the correct read on the RPO.

Being a KY kid, I hope he finds the right spot but I would speculate that he's bound for FCS. He's had 3 years in P4 conferences and hasn't given much indication that he's going to be much more than an average backup at this level. Best of luck to him. Hamdan didn't do him any favors but, ultimately, I don't believe he's good enough to start.

Hello HOB. I'll be following along with the CMP Show tonight and sharing all the main talking points here for those of you who may not be able to listen along live. Show is underway here at 6 ET. Stay tuned...

* Disappointed for Kerr needing surgery, but what a great film moment for our team to see what he did after breaking a bone in his foot, getting back on D and challenging a shot. Expect him back “sooner than later.” Says Kerr also gave a legendary pregame speech in the locker room, one of the best he’s ever heard. Can’t repeat most of it. 😂

* Jaxson Robinson was fantastic sliding into that backup PG role. Found it to be harder than expected, especially the defensive aspect, but did a nice job with it.

* Asked about whether the team needs a "go-to" bucket man or if the system creates the buckets... Pope says there are times in the game you'd like to put the ball in player A, B, or C's hands and let them go to work -- and we have actions for that -- but bottom line is we've got everything we need to get to where we need to go.

* Tom hasn't asked about Lamont Butler, unless I just completely missed it. (UPDATE: Butler topic comes up later. Tom says Lamont is doing better, but has not returned to the practice floor yet. But sounded upbeat about his progress.)

* Caller says he needs a dictionary to keep up with everything they're talking about through 9 games. Pope laughs. Says he's thought about having a moment during each show to discuss some of their terminology and explain them to the fans. "I'm gonna have the radio crew put out a glossary." Tom offers one: What's the "Pop Rule." It's from NBA legendary coach Popavich. You have 1.5 seconds to decide what you're doing when the ball hits your hands. It's inherent to what we do. It gets you actively thinking ahead during the game, anticipating their next move.

* On the Louisville rivalry... Can't recall much about those games they played back then, but he can remember what the arenas were like, the energy. Said he remembers competing against Samaki Walker... Says they love playing in games like these. They're really special, but we try to prepare the same way for every game. They're hoping to play their best game of the year on Wednesday against Colgate. Then they'll treat UofL the same way. We have to stay consistent in that all year long. I know that's boring and cliche to fans, but it's also true for a winning team.

* Shared a story about Bill Keightley when Pitino first arrived at UK. Said before they went out on the floor, Pitino couldn't find Mr. Wildcat. Was wondering what happened to him. Went back in the locker room, and he was sitting in the shower, on the floor in his suit, almost in tears, with a bottle of bourbon trying to take the stress off. It was at that point that Pitino learned how big this game was. LOL

* SEC has been "insanity." There's only a couple of teams that aren't receiving votes for the Top 25. It's going to be a beautiful year to go out and compete. Every game will be an absolute war.

no surprise

We drop to #5. Duke moves in front us with two losses and we beat them 🤣 🤣


Clemson # 16

Wild stuff to even think anout !!

The third matchup is between the number six seed, Elf, and the fourteen seed, The Grinch.

Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.

In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).

Sorry if this has been discussed but I think he was paying Coach Pope a tremendous compliment.

I was fortunate to play on a state championship high school football team. Our coaching staff was outstanding. Players knew that even if the other team could match or slightly beat our talent, our staff would make in game and halftime adjustments. This gives players great confidence in the system.

Pope is so analytical. He understands not only the assignment, but how to correct his work before the assignment is due.

We don't need starter level minutes, but we need one of these guys to give us 10 minutes a game. Otherwise we're looking at all of Butler, Oweh, Chandler, and Brea playing 30mpg, or trying to get minutes from Almonor at the 3. We'd be really thin if we have any foul trouble. I'd rest Butler this Wednesday against Colgate and let Perry and Chandler back up Robinson, Oweh, and Brea. Give the freshmen all the minutes we can afford to and get them used to playing extended stretches in real competition.

How many drummers we have on here? Other than me and Bonzo.

What kit(s) do you have?

Self-taught or grew up playing/lessons?

Favorite styles to play?

My acoustic kit is on permanent loan to rudd's band (The Astronauts), because I can't really play them at my house (just too loud without a basement)

I was looking at some Roland e-drum kits, but the new Alesis Nitro Max mesh kit was a fraction of the price, and it came with a 12 inch snare, kick drum pad (and pedal) and it's expandable to 4 cymbals and another tom (in addition to the three toms that came with it) The module has bluetooth which is nice and upgraded drum sounds etc.

If you play, check in...

Holy cow. Some of these numbers are a step past eye-popping. Our offense and defense is absolutely legit (I'd argue elite) and that's WITH not being able to buy 3 for four straight games which we know ain't lasting. And so early into a season with none of these guys knowing eachother or the system!

Andrew Carr is a quietly a total force of nature on offense despite a sometimes limited role. Like, a 138 Offensive rating is just hilarious, especially at such a seemingly limited role. He makes the right play and is mega efficient. Brea at 140 is just ridiculous. Even with a small shooting slump, his effect on the floor is huge.

Butler and Oweh are identical and both elite on both ends. Elite. Oweh to me is a surprisingly good improviser driving to the rim and I think we can use more of that vs the SEC. Don't listen to Matt Jones obsessing about us not having anyone who can break their man down, Butler and Oweh are those dudes.

You can see what Amari brings us, just elite defense although I would argue his one on one defense in the post can be strangely bad sometimes. Just an elite defender still though and great rebounder. Dissapointed in his motor and attitude occasionally, he can be so much better in those spots.

You can see Kriisa is kind of glaringly our worst rotation player but still helps our offense generally. Chandler is kinda unplayable right now tbh. Like real bad.

Robinson actually is 2nd worst in the main rotation, if you can believe that. Surprised at the 16 PER. He started slow and is clearly positively trending however, IMO.

Garrison is a great defender, our 2nd best. Offensively some work to do (he's clearly learning on the fly with a much different play style, takes some getting comfortable time). I love the guy, personally.

What's left to win a title?
-Williams and Garrison improving their offensive impact
-Robinson giving us a little more
-Simply making just a few more open/good 3s.

But make no mistake, this team is absolutely a top team. There's nothing fake about it, it's real. These numbers THIS early into the gelling process, has to have opposing coaches terrified. Just tons of 20+ PERs and 10+ BPM ratings. Elite stuff up and down this roster. Like, even Almonor who is kind of an after-thought Is just mastering his small role. Kyler Wiltjer off the bench March 2012.

These exact stats btw are what our staff uses in their decision making.

Marshall's head coach is off to Southern Miss and now Kentucky is looking at Marshall linebacker Landyn Watson.

I'll add this to the portal thread but will also introduce new targets.

Watson confirmed to CI that Kentucky has shown interest through the proper channels.

He's a Texan who played on the TCU team that reached the national championship game in 2022.

Watson had 65 tackles, 4 TFL, and a pick this year for Marshall. He was their fourth leading tackler.

6'1, 239. Graded 62.8 on PFF playing all season as Marshall's WLB. Solid in pass rush and coverage, tackling was up and down.

Asked Watson if Kentucky is an option he would have interest in and he replied "most definitely".

UCONN, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, and SMU are also interested.

With this schedule---> 2025 Schedule

I think we might have a nickname.

We are the Comeback Cats

Morning for our two gutsy comeback T5 wins but for the program seemingly coming back.

Now. I do have to get some work done 😂

We dodged a Barnhart bullet. I get why that was his first choice but Pope is exactly what this program needed after Cal.
So glad Drew's wife hated Lexington and Drew is scared of big boy basketball. 🤣

I know we play Colgate Wed but who cares; they have no shot v this Ky team esp in Rupp.

So lets talk Louisville.

I think we boat race them by 20

Say 85-65

I am usually one of the more optimistic UK fans on this message board.
But I am concerned about our 3pt shooting (35.9%).

We have only 1 "very good" 3pt shooter (Brea),
and 1 "good" 3pt shooter (Almonor),
and then everyone else is just an "ok" 3pt shooter (thought Kriisa would be "good" but he hasn't and now might not play again at least before Feb).

I know most of you were very high on Robinson (I wasn't), a career 34% shooter, and his best was last year at 35.4%. So his current 31.6% may improve some (1-5%).
Everyone else on the team (except Kriisa who will be out for awhile, and the 3 FR who have a small sample size) are shooting about where should be expected.

Words of wisdom LONG LIVE THE POPE

... as long as these coaches are retained. Stoops can't attract/retain quality assistant coaches and now with all the players hitting the portal, UK will soon resemble any given MAC team because that MAY be the only players UK can attract in the portal. Ironically, those are the teams that UK has historically scheduled to pad their W/L record in hopes of getting to 6 wins and bowl eligibility. Under Stoops, UK has become without question, the doormat of the SEC, a place once held by Vandy, but no more.

Bringing my mother to her first game ever and only my second game when we play Florida next month. Looking for suggestions on where to get UK gear while I'm there.

Played at Buffalo previously.

I've been to 20.