I’m not blaming him for anything. And we understand basketball. But you have no idea what future looks like. He has to do 2 things. First recruit athletic dudes that are hungry. Next he has to get them to play defense. We shall see but no one knows
Coach Mark Pope
- Thread starter Pharmboy007
- Start date
Hurley couldn’t handle the Kentucky job. He’s losing his mind in the middle of an average season at UConn. He needs to stay in Storrs where they care more about girls basketball anyway.
The SEC would chew his act up and spit him out. He'd be on some corner in Starkville talking to himself by year 2.
Probably means "hates the hire" and they are absolutely everywhere.
In fairness, this team has been decimated by injuries. We will obviously never know but if healthy all season I think we are competing for a one seed.
The challenge with this team is they are made up almost entirely of complimentary pieces. When you lose not one, but four of those pieces for good chunks of the season it created a depth issue. There isn't the same talent backing up those guys.
They sure have come out in full force, eh ? lol
I'm not sure there's another coach in the country, except maybe Rick Pitino, that could have gotten the results within the circumstances that Coach Pope had to face this year. Even Pitino would have been hard pressed to get the results Pope already has achieved, especially when the conference play began. The injuries just destroyed any continuity for the team.
Predictions for the long term future :
It's going to be looked back, in the future, that Coach Pope managed an unmanageable situation very well this year. Next year, Coach Pope will put together a team that will be ranked in the top 10 to start the season. We're going to count ourselves very lucky, fortunate, and blessed, that we've got Coach Pope. And we are still not done with this year yet.
Barnes may retire after this season, and what will happen to Tennessee when that happens? He's not going to be there much longer. I don't see Beard staying at Ole Miss, he will end up on the sidelines with IU against us next year when we play them. What happens to Ole Miss if he leaves? Golden will have other very interested teams offering, surely. But I think he will stay at Florida. Perhaps other SEC coaches will leave the league.
The SEC will be strong once again, but nowhere near this level of overall top to bottom strength.
Just keep the faith, I say. Same as it ever was here. I've probably been the most positive supporter here on the board for Coach Pope. And I like everyone "keeping him on his toes" with the critique and critical thinking. He wouldn't want it any other way, himself ! That stands in stark contrast to the attitude and ego of what we had here before.
When you stop to consider what has happened around here for the past 5, 6 years, ask yourself this :
Would you want to go back ?
I know what my answer is to that. Regardless how this season ends. It's been an incredible season to follow Pope's patchwork rollercoaster cats ! The ride is not over yet. It'll be bittersweet to see it end.
Go Big Blue (Trust in Coach Pope!)
Let’s clear up a couple things about OPs post. I don’t think ANYONE on here hates Pope. I’m also not terribly sure there were very many on here very excited about Drew. Hurley, sure. And for good reason. He just came off back to back nattys. Btw, one off year doesn’t change that. He’s clearly gotten too big for his britches, but he’s also really really good. That’s undeniable.
Back to the “hate” on Pope. It doesn’t exist. What does exist is a reasonable size faction of the fanbase that is cautiously optimistic about Pope and his ability to produce. No evidence exists that he can. It’s fair. I think those (myself included) recognize his career has been pretty mid to this point. I know I don’t find comfort in the praise that “he built this roster in a week” and “the injuries have derailed the season”. Those are both true statements, but I still don’t find comfort in it. I hope like hell it works because he’s what the majority of the fanbase wants and needs.
Back to the “hate” on Pope. It doesn’t exist. What does exist is a reasonable size faction of the fanbase that is cautiously optimistic about Pope and his ability to produce. No evidence exists that he can. It’s fair. I think those (myself included) recognize his career has been pretty mid to this point. I know I don’t find comfort in the praise that “he built this roster in a week” and “the injuries have derailed the season”. Those are both true statements, but I still don’t find comfort in it. I hope like hell it works because he’s what the majority of the fanbase wants and needs.
Losing 3 times to Bama guess its ok with you being beat by Bama at home early in the season when there was no injuries, dude.
He has shown he is brilliant Xs and Os coach. The question remains can he get equal talent compared to the top teams. Yes he wins championships - No top 20 teams at best.
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Why leave off Oats, Pearl from the list of coaches that were top notch choices in addition to Pope?
I'm fine with the year and injuries surely derailed a fuller evaluation...but
1. The defensive philosphy is very suspect going forward...we look like we want to just outscore teams
2. Toughness of the team is also suspect....defense as mentioned, rebounding, etc..
3. His approach to refs is pacifist.....more fire could help the team and some rogue ref behaviors.
