There are very few coaches players grow up wanting to play for. Maybe half a dozen. The coaches name, like the school name, is just what gets you in the front door. After that it is personality, and how the player sees himself fitting in to that coaches playing style and available minutes.Cool, recruits will still have to choose him over coaches they have grown up watching and wanting to play for. I don’t see it happening. Nobody knows who this guy is.
Cling to this if you want. If Pope goes 35-31 in his first 2 seasons he’ll be run out of town.In some fairness, two and a half years ago no one knew who Dan Hurley was unless they grew up in Jersey and heard about his dad. Even then, they won back to back.
I am very skeptical he can get any top recruits or transfers. If I am a recruit or transfer I would go elsewhere and I love UK bball as much as anyone.
No way Mitch would do this without donor support.I doubt Mitch did this without some input from NIL participants. He wouldn’t leave Pope out on an island. This may come together pretty well actually
You’re always such a contrarian. Not that I always disagree with you, but you just say everybody and everything is wrong. I don’t see how it’s so unbelievable. There’s donors out there ready to contribute and this is a program hire. This is what people have been asking for.I don’t believe it.
UK told MJ to play the game and not bash this hire (like he did last night on Twitter space) and they will let him back in the inner circle.
Nobody gave $4 million for the Pope hire, no way
Guess what: these same donors would've ponied up for Bruce Pearl or Billy Donovan as well.
Stop rationalizing this hire.
I’m not clinging and won’t be giving him much of a leash, just like I wouldn’t with either of the other coaches in their first year.Cling to this if you want. If Pope goes 35-31 in his first 2 seasons he’ll be run out of town.
I think Pope is, he got a 6 seed with 3 star players at BYU.I am sorry, but Pearl is not a great X and O coach. Not saying Pope is better but.....
That is because he is a troll. He randomly showed up after UK lost to Wisconsin in 2015, his posting pattern wreaked of a Duke fan, shocker they won the tournment that year.You’re always such a contrarian. Not that I always disagree with you, but you just say everybody and everything is wrong. I don’t see how it’s so unbelievable. There’s donors out there ready to contribute and this is a program hire. This is what people have been asking for.
Seriously think hiring Pope will go a long way towards keeping Reed Sheppard around for at least one more year.
Agree be nice to have a coach that actually loves the program and fans instead of making fun of themWhat have we got to lose? Let’s go baby! At least it’s not Cal!
Do you think everyone just forgot about Kentucky being a basketball program or what? The Sky is falling fans lately phew.Cool, recruits will still have to choose him over coaches they have grown up watching and wanting to play for. I don’t see it happening. Nobody knows who this guy is.
Yep - you caught my point. Nobody on our list was someone that recruits grew up wanting to play for with the possible exceptions of Drew, Pitino and Pearl. And I think only one of them was a viable candidate.Oates, Hurley, Golden, Lloyd...nobody knew them two years ago. Donovan, been out of college ball for 9 years. Pearl, yeah he's known I guess but he doesn't have much of a good reputation. Not sure where he's going with this.
I think Pope is, he got a 6 seed with 3 star players at BYU.
This board never ceases to amaze me. I’ve seen this from multiple people on here, so not picking on you. Castle was one of the top hs players in the country and all the others were 4 star recruits.Go look at UConns roster the last few years... Let me know how many 'top recruits' you see. 😆
But Matt Jones said he didn't consult with donors. Of course he has been wrong about everything else so who knows?I doubt Mitch did this without some input from NIL participants. He wouldn’t leave Pope out on an island. This may come together pretty well actually
Yes he will. What if he does a lot better than that.Cling to this if you want. If Pope goes 35-31 in his first 2 seasons he’ll be run out of town.
Reed could be such a portal draw. Played AAU with Bronny James at one point I think. Bronny under Cal here was a non starter, way too much going on there. Bronny isn’t gonna come play for Pope, but he might come to play with Reed. And Bronny under Pope and in Lexington makes him much less of a story, which would be good for Bronny as well. Best thing Bronny can do is understand he needs to stay in college and go to a program where he can develop and play against top talent.With that NIL and the potential of a Reed return we will be in good shape next year.
*IF* Reed stays because of Pope, we have the top recruit in America
Even if the coach loves the program.........there are plenty fools on this board to make fun of.......some of the posters on here are so delusional......Agree be nice to have a coach that actually loves the program and fans instead of making fun of them
But but Twitter said the donors hate this hire. 🤣"One donor has already pledged $4 million upfront for NIL to help build Pope's program."
He was known as Bobby Hurley's brother.In some fairness, two and a half years ago no one knew who Dan Hurley was unless they grew up in Jersey and heard about his dad. Even then, they won back to back.
I'm not turning down that juicy NILI am very skeptical he can get any top recruits or transfers. If I am a recruit or transfer I would go elsewhere and I love UK bball as much as anyone.
I think if, and that is a big if, Reed is staying around we hear it soon to help get fans onboard with Pope.With that NIL and the potential of a Reed return we will be in good shape next year.
*IF* Reed stays because of Pope, we have the top recruit in America
Why would you go elsewhere? It’s the team you love and their new coach likes to run up and down the court. Hard pass, huh?I am very skeptical he can get any top recruits or transfers. If I am a recruit or transfer I would go elsewhere and I love UK bball as much as anyone.
Apparently not very good coaching defense$6-8 Million. People just need to calm down. It was a shock hire to everyone....but he will have everything he needs to build a good roster....and he can COACH
Well if I didn't know or couldn't recollect that, kids probably won't.He was known as Bobby Hurley's brother.
He/she has cried so long the red has turned pink.You'd look great in red. Grunt.
I would think you announce that today or at his introductionI think if, and that is a big if, Reed is staying around we hear it soon to help get fans onboard with Pope.
They will...it's KENTUCKY!Cool, recruits will still have to choose him over coaches they have grown up watching and wanting to play for. I don’t see it happening. Nobody knows who this guy is.
This board never ceases to amaze me. I’ve seen this from multiple people on here, so not picking on you. Castle was one of the top hs players in the country and all the others were 4 star recruits.