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Cody Fueger "A ref grabbed me before our last home game and he's like, every kid is going to want to play in this style, this system."

This time last year who would have ever thought KY Basketball would (a) have a new head coach (b) our ex is at Arkansas (c) Mark Pope is our new Head Coach. I know one thing for sure I wear my KY Gear almost daily now and with a lot more PRIDE!!! It’s going to be a fun ride for years to come. GO CATS!!!
 
I hope they find the kids worthy of playing in this system. By that I mean kids who are talented/athletic players who are passionate about winning over all else. Otherwise, the freedom to shoot at will could be get abused.

These current players are on their last run. Winning is a way bigger deal to them than most one and done’s passing through on their way to the NBA. So, we have to get the top 25 kids who value winning and tradition. It will not be an easy task. We have the guy to do it though.
 
I hope they find the kids worthy of playing in this system. By that I mean kids who are talented/athletic players who are passionate about winning over all else. Otherwise, the freedom to shoot at will could be get abused.

These current players are on their last run. Winning is a way bigger deal to them than most one and done’s passing through on their way to the NBA. So, we have to get the top 25 kids who value winning and tradition. It will not be an easy task. We have the guy to do it though.
It's pretty evident that Pope prioritizes exactly this over the one and done players. He's made that clear since day one.
 
Mark Pope and his style of play is a breath of fresh air that this program and its fans so desperately needed. I and so many others, felt so suffocated by the previous regime. It's great that our players feel that the name on the front of the jersey is just as important, or maybe even more, than the name on the back.
 
Mark Pope and his style of play is a breath of fresh air that this program and its fans so desperately needed. I and so many others, felt so suffocated by the previous regime. It's great that our players feel that the name on the front of the jersey is just as important, or maybe even more, than the name on the back.
I actually think it was divine intervention that Hurley and Drew turned us down.
Pope was born to coach at Ky.
 
Jack Nicholson Yes GIF
 
Yep, I love hearing that! And I completely agree, no homer opinion needed on this one. Everyone has a green light. Everyone can shoot threes. The goal is to spread the wealth and get the best shot for whoever is open. If I'm a recruit or a transfer, I'm wanting to play in this system. It's fun to watch and I bet it's even more fun to play in. 👍
 
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Yep, I love hearing that! And I completely agree, no homer opinion needed on this one. Everyone has a green light. Everyone can shoot threes. The goal is to spread the wealth and get the best shot for whoever is open. If I'm a recruit or a transfer, I'm wanting to play in this system. It's fun to watch and I bet it's even more fun to play in. 👍
I have to believe Pope won't need to convince good players to come play at UK at this point. The product on the floor is a massive selling point.

If I'm a top 10 kid with confidence in my game, I'm licking my chops at the thought of playing in that offense. Good guards can slice and dice any defense that has to spread that far out to guard.

Centers can't be double teamed in the paint and if you're a center that can shoot, this is your perfect fit.
 
In my experience as a Jr. High and High School basketball and volleyball coach, I can tell you that pre-game conversations with refs are pretty awesome. Most of them are sports fans just like us, and many have really good stories to share.

Only a small percentage are asshats who like to poop in our chimney.
 
Big Z - he is Cal’s best shooter and has to play down low due to injuries. He made 6-7 from three the other night. Rest of team shot 25%
Big Z has gotten more opportunity with Aidoo too. So far he’s been happy but no doubt when the big games start he’ll have a short hook if a replacement is available
 
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In my experience as a Jr. High and High School basketball and volleyball coach, I can tell you that pre-game conversations with refs are pretty awesome. Most of them are sports fans just like us, and many have really good stories to share.

Only a small percentage are asshats who like to poop in our chimney.
I coached middle school football and I would talk to the ref on our sidelines during the game. Just chewing the fat type stuff. He would tell me that our # so and so is getting close to getting called for holding or tell the QB to let them get set or whatever. He would give us a clue about what's about to happen and give us a chance to correct it. There were some who were just like Rooferee and you couldn't look at them wrong, they were just looking for something.
 
I coached middle school football and I would talk to the ref on our sidelines during the game. Just chewing the fat type stuff. He would tell me that our # so and so is getting close to getting called for holding or tell the QB to let them get set or whatever. He would give us a clue about what's about to happen and give us a chance to correct it. There were some who were just like Rooferee and you couldn't look at them wrong, they were just looking for something.
Totally agree. Most refs are cool. But then you have the Pat Adams that wants to steal the show.
 
That's quite the change.

From having the referee fraternity cost Calipari tournament games out of spite to now having them compliment our coaching staff on the beauty of our system.

At this time of Thanksgiving, I am so thankful that Calipari is gone.
Man, I honestly hadn't thought about that since Cal left.

So many times, it felt like we were swimming up stream because the refs hated Calipari. We lost numerous games over the years because of it. Including that UNC Elite 8 game. And it just felt like, you always had to play extra great to overcome that. It felt so unfair. And why are these jerk refs so mad at Cal.

Well, Cal is kind of a tool. And when he was winning, we overlooked it.

But if NOTHING else, getting rid of Cal helps us immensely with the whistle.
 
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