ESPN names their top 15 Coach of the Year candidates and Pope probably isn't where you thought he would be....

[Creed Bratton]

He is 10th behind guys who coach teams that were picked in the preseason top 25 ahead of UK. All coaches with an asterik were ranked higher than UK in both the AP and Coaches Pre Season poll. A couple of those guys I get like DeVries, Gates and even Kelsey but Pearl, Scheyer and Oltzelberger who everyone thought should win and be ranked high?

Link here

1 Bruce Pearl *
2 Jon Scheyer *
3 Darian DeVries
4 Todd Golden *
5 Dennis Gates
6 Tom Izzo
7 Pat Kelsey
8 Brad Underwood
9 TJ Oltzelberger *
10 Mark Pope
11 Chris Jans
12 Penny Hardaway
13 Shaka Smart *
14 Rick Barnes *
15 Dusty May

 

[Wonky]

Ridiculous.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

🙄

 

[Seth_C]

I’m sorry but Tom Izzo doesn’t deserve squat for having a decent team in his 3000th season as the head coach.

 

[sambowieshin]

Parish is way more in line with reality.

Gary Parrish says Mark Pope would be his national coach of the year right now - Nation of Blue

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports named his top three candidates (as of right now) for national coach of the year in college basketball. Parrish said Kentucky’s Mark Pope would be his top choice right now. Bruce Pearl and Jon Scheyer joined Pope in Parrish’s top three. Who deserves Coach of the Year in...

www.nationofblue.com

 

[Blueisbest]

Unless the team falls flat, Mark Pope has to be one of the three top candidates for National Coach of the Year.

 

[jbne222]

I understand Pearl and Scheyer, but would probably have Pope 2nd behind Pearl right now. I think Pearl is a lock if Auburn gets the #1 overall seed with Johni Broome's injury, although Pope could still win it in that situation if we somehow end up with a 1 seed. Right now for me I'd have:

1. Pearl
2. Pope
3. Devries
4. Scheyer
5. Gates
6. Kelsey
7. Golden
8. Otzelberger
9. May
10. Izzo

 

[rick64]

Pope definitely deserves major consideration for NCOTY.

 

[YardCat]

If you have a generational talent that is a lock for Player of the Year and 2 other Top Draft picks, you should win games

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Pearl seems like the obvious pick so far. That may change though.

 

[B.B.H.]

I understand Pearl and Scheyer, but would probably have Pope 2nd behind Pearl right now. I think Pearl is a lock if Auburn gets the #1 overall seed with Johni Broome's injury, although Pope could still win it in that situation if we somehow end up with a 1 seed. Right now for me I'd have:

1. Pearl
2. Pope
3. Devries
4. Scheyer
5. Gates
6. Kelsey
7. Golden
8. Otzelberger
9. May
10. Izzo

Scheyer? He literally has enough talent to roll the ball out and beat 85-90% of his schedule….maybe my anti-Puke bias is kicking in but if he won the award I would lose all respect for the achievement

If the award was “coach most likely to have a maxed out World of Warcraft character” then yeah I’d understand it

 

[jeffky]

He is 10th behind guys who coach teams that were picked in the preseason top 25 ahead of UK. All coaches with an asterik were ranked higher than UK in both the AP and Coaches Pre Season poll. A couple of those guys I get like DeVries, Gates and even Kelsey but Pearl, Scheyer and Oltzelberger who everyone thought should win and be ranked high?

Link here

1 Bruce Pearl *
2 Jon Scheyer *
3 Darian DeVries
4 Todd Golden *
5 Dennis Gates
6 Tom Izzo
7 Pat Kelsey
8 Brad Underwood
9 TJ Oltzelberger *
10 Mark Pope
11 Chris Jans
12 Penny Hardaway
13 Shaka Smart *
14 Rick Barnes *
15 Dusty May

 

[jbne222]

Scheyer? He literally has enough talent to roll the ball out and beat 85-90% of his schedule….maybe my anti-Puke bias is kicking in but if he won the award I would lose all respect for the achievement

If the award was “coach most likely to have a maxed out World of Warcraft character” then yeah I’d understand it

I just think it often does end up going to guys who put up incredible seasons regardless of preseason expectations. Can't remember the last time coach of the year went to someone who wasn't at least a top 4 seed in the tourney if not higher than that. I don't disagree with you but if Duke wins out and gets the #1 overall seed he's gonna have a great shot to win it, especially with how rare it is to win with freshmen these days

 

[bballcat4]

I just think it often does end up going to guys who put up incredible seasons regardless of preseason expectations.

^^^ This award is usually awarded based on wins, and not exceeding expectations. Howbeit, Pope is doing both and should be in the top 5 if they voted today.

 

[ukcatz12]

I think a lot of coaches on this list kind of have to be there considering the teams they have this year. You'll always get coaches like Pearl and Scheyer on these lists just because their teams are so good.

But to me it would go to one of Pope, Kelsey, or May depending on how the season ends up.

 

[Short-Dawg-69]

Todd Golden sent photos of his wiener to young college girls….

But it’s not went to court.

 

[catzcan]

Pearl
Pope
Sheyer if he wins it all

Nobody else close imho

 

[TeoJ]

Surprised Scheyer not number 1 he had a bad recruiting class no one coming back his best player was only 17,he has done a lot with not much talent.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

He is 10th behind guys who coach teams that were picked in the preseason top 25 ahead of UK. All coaches with an asterik were ranked higher than UK in both the AP and Coaches Pre Season poll. A couple of those guys I get like DeVries, Gates and even Kelsey but Pearl, Scheyer and Oltzelberger who everyone thought should win and be ranked high?

Link here

1 Bruce Pearl *
2 Jon Scheyer *
3 Darian DeVries
4 Todd Golden *
5 Dennis Gates
6 Tom Izzo
7 Pat Kelsey
8 Brad Underwood
9 TJ Oltzelberger *
10 Mark Pope
11 Chris Jans
12 Penny Hardaway
13 Shaka Smart *
14 Rick Barnes *
15 Dusty May

16 Some other dude
17 Cooper Flagg

 

[Bkocats]

lol love these lists

 

[Ugoff]

Yeah, 10 is too low. On the other hand we have a coach who arrived late on the scene, got a team together, has 5 top 15 wins and is in the top 10 for COY. Suck on that, haters.

 

[ukfan1622]

I understand Pearl and Scheyer, but would probably have Pope 2nd behind Pearl right now. I think Pearl is a lock if Auburn gets the #1 overall seed with Johni Broome's injury, although Pope could still win it in that situation if we somehow end up with a 1 seed. Right now for me I'd have:

1. Pearl
2. Pope
3. Devries
4. Scheyer
5. Gates
6. Kelsey
7. Golden
8. Otzelberger
9. May
10. Izzo

I don't understand Scheyer. His once in a generation type player turned out to be that and the conference sucks without a single team besides Duke that could finish in the top 10 in the SEC and he has 2-3 other first round draft picks. He should get an award if he can't win big in those circumstances.

 

[jbne222]

I don't understand Scheyer. His once in a generation type player turned out to be that and the conference sucks without a single team besides Duke that could finish in the top 10 in the SEC and he has 2-3 other first round draft picks. He should get an award if he can't win big in those circumstances.

Yeah I think Duke would have to get the #1 overall seed for him to get it. I wouldn’t agree with it, but the argument will be that he did it with freshmen which is so rare in college basketball today

 

[ukypug]

They hate us cuz they anus! 🤷‍♂️

 

[fatguy87]

Pearl, Golden, and Kelsey would be fine choices outside of Pope for coach of the year. Pearl has an outstanding team at Auburn of all places while Golden and Kelsey have far exceeded expectations for their respective teams.

 

[Digger-Cat]

I’m sorry but Tom Izzo doesn’t deserve squat for having a decent team in his 3000th season as the head coach.

Not to mention, MSU hasn't played but 2 ranked teams and if the refs didn't help tgem last Sunday, they lose at home to Illinois.

This us the same Michigan state we see every year, only not as powerful.

 

[RondoBaller21]

Pearl and Scheyer on here is a joke. Nobody deserves this award but Pope. Followed a legend, brand new team all transfers, not ranked lol. Everyone knew Duke and Auburn would be good. Nobody picked UK.

 

[CGblue]

No doubt that they disrespect UK and Pope, naturally. I'm a little surprised Pitino isn't there somewhere, not even sure why I thought of that, but he is doing well up there I believe.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Jon Scheyer?

Anyone has the resources of Duke should have that kind of records

With the help of Nike, Ncaa organizations and a ton of powerful Duke alum, even a pig would be winning at Duke

If Pope coached duke team this year, would be a season without loss

 

[jbne222]

Pearl and Scheyer on here is a joke. Nobody deserves this award but Pope. Followed a legend, brand new team all transfers, not ranked lol. Everyone knew Duke and Auburn would be good. Nobody picked UK.

Disagree - look at the last few winners of the award. Almost always go to big winners, not necessarily teams that “drastically overachieved”. Pretty common to go to teams that may have been ranked top 10-15 preseason but finish 1st