Forfeit this game!!

[LmdCat]

Maybe we should just forfeit this game to avoid more injuries and to give our guys time to rest and heal before the start of the big dance. The tongue-in-cheek comment isn't the thing to do, but it would be a way to avoid losing another player before the big dance. It seems that we can't string together more than 3 consecutive games without an injury to a critical player.

 

[wardlow]

Never. Alabama will not advance today.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

You patch together whatever you can at this point and bring back the five returners (Garrison, Oweh, and the three freshmen). Let Kriisa go somewhere where he can start.

Then you go all in on the NIL with an elite combo guard, stretch four, and big man.

Pope has proven he can win even when he's at a massive player deficit with all of these injuries.

I think he wins over 25 next season with an upgraded (and healthy) roster.

 

[sportspm]

We don’t forfeit. “You’ll have to kill us, to beat us” Mark Pope

 

[ukfan1622]

You patch together whatever you can at this point and bring back the five returners (Garrison, Oweh, and the three freshmen). Let Kriisa go somewhere where he can start.

Then you go all in on the NIL with an elite combo guard, stretch four, and big man.

Pope has proven he can win even when he's at a massive player deficit with all of these injuries.

I think he wins over 25 next season with an upgraded (and healthy) roster.

We're going to need a couple stretch fours; I'd be happy with a couple Carr clones.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

We're going to need a couple stretch fours; I'd be happy with a couple Carr clones.

I think if Pope wants to get to 30-35 3pt attempts, he’s going to need fours that shoot better than Carr. I love Carr but he’s definitely much better in the paint than outside it

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

We're going to need a couple stretch fours; I'd be happy with a couple Carr clones.

I agree.

I actually think Pope will be way more aggressive in the portal than people think. Ultimately, I think he adds at least five from the portal (assuming Ament goes elsewhere).

One portal big man
Two portal stretch fours
One combo guard

Possibly one more combo forward.

 

[CastleRubric]

OR -- announce that its student appreciation week at UK and put 6-7 frat bros on the floor

You still rest the starters, it's MUCH more entertaining -- AND you can claim the moral high ground -- all about the students!

 

[LmdCat]

We're going to need a couple stretch fours; I'd be happy with a couple Carr clones.

We need someone more athletic than Carr.

 

[Seth_C]

You joke, but if I were Pope and the game was being called like last night (say ignoring flagrant fouls) I’d tell the ref to call it fair or the entire team walks and he can explain to his bosses why they have dead air to fill for two hours. **** them. It’s all about money, so it’s all they will understand. Coaches start refusing to take tbe court and the refs will magically be able to call a fair game.

 

[runt#69]

Just go ahead and go out there and win with our bench. Garrison, Chandler, Perry, Noah, Uncle Almonor.
Pile up wins in the SEC tournament this year since Kansas has lost in theirs.
Bring home a SEC tournament trophy (again)
Get a 4 seed after running the SEC tournament table.
Watch other SEC teams get a much better seed
Watch Jamie Luckie and Doug Shows officiate our NCAA tournament games

there's lots to look forward to and be sarcastic about yet this year !

 

[Tprinceuk]

I think if Pope wants to get to 30-35 3pt attempts, he’s going to need fours that shoot better than Carr. I love Carr but he’s definitely much better in the paint than outside it

In my opinion Carr is the perfect build for a 5 in Pope's offense if we was a better defender.

 

[AJG-15]

I have been saying before the sec tournament, that the main goal is to stay healthy. Our seeding is not going to improve so what’s the point. I thought was foolish to push Butler.

The refs in sec don’t call enough fouls . There will be different story in ncaa tournament. Let Alabama advance and rest the guys and focus on some new plays, situational basketball against different time left on the clock, pressing and breaking press with different lineups , inbounding, so we are prepared for the big dance….

 

[ukfan1622]

We need someone more athletic than Carr.

I sure wouldn't mind it but a healthy Carr is a pretty good player.

 

[ftp000]

So, after all the years of Cal acting like SEC doesn't matter, we finally get coach who wants to win. And the OP wants Pope to throw in the towel? Solid take

 

[blue cincy]

Maybe we should just forfeit this game to avoid more injuries and to give our guys time to rest and heal before the start of the big dance. The tongue-and-cheek comment isn't the thing to do, but it would be a way to avoid losing another player before the big dance. It seems that we can't string together more than 3 consecutive games without an injury to a critical player.

I am pretty sure if any team in SEC was to do something like this in the Tourney there would be huge penalties for such a thing, probably including forfeiting the following season and $$$$. At that point you are breaking television contract and so forth.

That said, I do not care if we lose the entire team to the roof falling in on them, you play the game. No matter what.

 

[UKAlum84]

Oweh saved the game.

And just think he played for oklahoma before transferring and the odds of him deciding a game at UK against Oklahoma?

It's divine fortitude or whatever you call it.

 

[UKAlum84]

A friggin left handed layup attempt by Oweh, won the game....Maybe our strategy should be to release an onslaught of layups upon Alabama.

 

[ukfan1622]

Oweh saved the game.

And just think he played for oklahoma before transferring and the odds of him deciding a game at UK against Oklahoma?

It's divine fortitude or whatever you call it.

If Oweh had stayed at Ok him and Fears would have been an unstoppable combo. Ok might have been the best team this year if that had happened.

 

[BC_Wader]

We don’t forfeit. “You’ll have to kill us, to beat us” Mark Pope

Loved that comment post game. Pope's just getting started. The future is very bright.

 

[UKAlum84]

He's very talented, and athletic.......He made up for some of those careless looking dribbles he took where he turned it over....basically Oklahoma was trying to steal the ball but he could not handle that type of pressure very well.

 

[runt#69]

LMD, even the "tongue in cheek" comment in your original post is absolutely lost on some readers here with reading difficulty. My dad always used to talk about the "meaninglessness of the sec tournament" after they started it back and we started going in 79' regularly. God it was so different then.

But I like it. I heard the voice of my father. then he chuckled, nodded, and silently sat back, continuing to rock in his chair, smoking his pipe, like he always did, silently watching.

Kentucky's reward for winning this tournament is something they can't quantify. Pride. They're not looking or counting on that. Especially this year. Did anybody stay up to watch it even LAST NIGHT? I wonder. Damn sure Nashville area businesses are happy as hell Kentucky fans made it to at least a SECOND game. The last time Kentucky lost early in Nashville, they moaned and groaned about how unsuccessful it was hosting a SEC tournament with Kentucky fans absent from early on.

I like it. Make them overlook us some more. Butler is out. We know they're not feeling sorry for us. Screw them and the officiating. Just go out there and win it all and we will invoke the blue mist, like always.

At least CATSville business are rooting for us !

Go Big Blue !

 

[Rockfly78]

Maybe we should just forfeit this game to avoid more injuries and to give our guys time to rest and heal before the start of the big dance. The tongue-in-cheek comment isn't the thing to do, but it would be a way to avoid losing another player before the big dance. It seems that we can't string together more than 3 consecutive games without an injury to a critical player.

Can’t tell if serious. If you are serious then grow a set. Cal would sure approve your idea though. I hear he hates the tournament

 

[TX-Wildcat]

Nah, instead go pay Kerr $100,000 (or whatever) via NIL to waive his medical redshirt (and age 25 year of eligibility) to run point in the tournament! 😝

 

[BigRickWithTheBig___Suv]

here's what GROK said:

Why the Fan Might Be Incorrect:

The fan’s got a point about injuries—Kentucky’s been plagued by them. Lamont Butler’s shoulder has popped out multiple times, most recently last night against Oklahoma (he’s a game-time decision tonight). Jaxson Robinson’s wrist injury ended his season two weeks ago, Kerr Kriisa’s been out since January with a foot fracture, and Andrew Carr’s been nursing a back issue. That’s four key guys, and it’s fair to feel cursed. But forfeiting tonight? That’s where it falls apart.

Kentucky’s 22-10 (11-8 SEC), ranked 19th, and already a lock for the NCAA Tournament—probably a 3-seed, maybe a 2 with a deep SEC run. Tonight’s game against No. 5 Alabama (24-7, 13-5 SEC) isn’t do-or-die for their postseason ticket. However, it’s a chance to prove they can hang with the SEC’s elite, especially after Alabama swept them in the regular season (102-97 in Lexington, 96-83 in Tuscaloosa). A win could mean a semifinal shot at No. 2 Florida or No. 7 Missouri, boosting momentum and seeding. Resting now might kill that vibe—Mark Pope’s team has won five of six, showing grit even shorthanded.

The “three-game injury curse” feels exaggerated too. Yes, injuries have hit hard, but they’ve had healthy stretches—early season, they went six games before Carr’s back acted up. It’s less about a strict pattern and more about bad luck piling up. Forfeiting doesn’t fix that; Butler could tweak his shoulder in practice tomorrow. Plus, with a week until the NCAA Tournament, there’s recovery time after Nashville regardless.

Do I Agree?:

Nah, I don’t. The fan’s half-kidding, but the logic’s shaky. Kentucky’s depth—Oweh (27 points last night), Trent Noah, Collin Chandler—has kept them afloat. They’re not a broken squad; they’re 8-2 against Top-25 teams, tying a record. Alabama’s a beast—top offense in the country (91.2 PPG), fast as hell (No. 1 tempo per KenPom)—but Kentucky’s got fight. Both teams play loose defense (Alabama’s 35th, Kentucky’s 56th in adjusted D), so it’ll be a shootout. Forfeiting trades a winnable game for a vague health gamble. Pope’s first SEC Tournament win last night snapped a two-year drought—why stop now?

The fan’s heart’s in the right place—Big Blue Nation’s tired of the injury bug. But Kentucky’s tougher than that. They’ll lace up tonight, banged up or not, because that’s what March is about.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Alliteration aside, I think I'll take my chances in the tournament.

 

[crxohio]

Sounds like Cal is back. No games matter. Lol

 

[Fox2monk]

You patch together whatever you can at this point and bring back the five returners (Garrison, Oweh, and the three freshmen). Let Kriisa go somewhere where he can start.

Then you go all in on the NIL with an elite combo guard, stretch four, and big man.

Pope has proven he can win even when he's at a massive player deficit with all of these injuries.

I think he wins over 25 next season with an upgraded (and healthy) roster.

I’d like to grab 4 transfers honestly.

 

[Fox2monk]

You joke, but if I were Pope and the game was being called like last night (say ignoring flagrant fouls) I’d tell the ref to call it fair or the entire team walks and he can explain to his bosses why they have dead air to fill for two hours. **** them. It’s all about money, so it’s all they will understand. Coaches start refusing to take tbe court and the refs will magically be able to call a fair game.

I would too, they can enjoy a shit game if they won’t call it fair.

 

[Fox2monk]

here's what GROK said:

Why the Fan Might Be Incorrect:

The fan’s got a point about injuries—Kentucky’s been plagued by them. Lamont Butler’s shoulder has popped out multiple times, most recently last night against Oklahoma (he’s a game-time decision tonight). Jaxson Robinson’s wrist injury ended his season two weeks ago, Kerr Kriisa’s been out since January with a foot fracture, and Andrew Carr’s been nursing a back issue. That’s four key guys, and it’s fair to feel cursed. But forfeiting tonight? That’s where it falls apart.

Kentucky’s 22-10 (11-8 SEC), ranked 19th, and already a lock for the NCAA Tournament—probably a 3-seed, maybe a 2 with a deep SEC run. Tonight’s game against No. 5 Alabama (24-7, 13-5 SEC) isn’t do-or-die for their postseason ticket. However, it’s a chance to prove they can hang with the SEC’s elite, especially after Alabama swept them in the regular season (102-97 in Lexington, 96-83 in Tuscaloosa). A win could mean a semifinal shot at No. 2 Florida or No. 7 Missouri, boosting momentum and seeding. Resting now might kill that vibe—Mark Pope’s team has won five of six, showing grit even shorthanded.

The “three-game injury curse” feels exaggerated too. Yes, injuries have hit hard, but they’ve had healthy stretches—early season, they went six games before Carr’s back acted up. It’s less about a strict pattern and more about bad luck piling up. Forfeiting doesn’t fix that; Butler could tweak his shoulder in practice tomorrow. Plus, with a week until the NCAA Tournament, there’s recovery time after Nashville regardless.

Do I Agree?:

Nah, I don’t. The fan’s half-kidding, but the logic’s shaky. Kentucky’s depth—Oweh (27 points last night), Trent Noah, Collin Chandler—has kept them afloat. They’re not a broken squad; they’re 8-2 against Top-25 teams, tying a record. Alabama’s a beast—top offense in the country (91.2 PPG), fast as hell (No. 1 tempo per KenPom)—but Kentucky’s got fight. Both teams play loose defense (Alabama’s 35th, Kentucky’s 56th in adjusted D), so it’ll be a shootout. Forfeiting trades a winnable game for a vague health gamble. Pope’s first SEC Tournament win last night snapped a two-year drought—why stop now?

The fan’s heart’s in the right place—Big Blue Nation’s tired of the injury bug. But Kentucky’s tougher than that. They’ll lace up tonight, banged up or not, because that’s what March is about.

This still aren’t horrible defensive numbers for teams that feature such a great offense.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

The slickness of this floor is concerning.

 

[BIG BLUE GURU]

We are Kentucky. We don't storm the court. We don't forfeit games. I don't care if we have to play 5 walk-ons. We aren't scared of anyone. If we lose we will learn from it. If Pope even considered forfeiting then that is when I would quit supporting Pope. Glad he doesn’t think this way.

 

[Digger-Cat]

What the ever living F? Forfeit? What are we, a bunch of wussies?
What an absolutely awful look that would be.
Stupid take, really stupid.

 

[catlogic15]

What the ever living F? Forfeit? What are we, a bunch of wussies?
What an absolutely awful look that would be.
Stupid take, really stupid.

The OP’s post went right over your head.

 

[Swifterz]

just don't play basketball games because someone might get hurt and not be able to play in a basketball game. 😬

 

[Digger-Cat]

The OP’s post went right over your head.

Read it again.

 

[Seth_C]

I am pretty sure if any team in SEC was to do something like this in the Tourney there would be huge penalties for such a thing, probably including forfeiting the following season and $$$$. At that point you are breaking television contract and so forth.

That said, I do not care if we lose the entire team to the roof falling in on them, you play the game. No matter what.

And if you instruct your players to refuse to play defense and dribble the ball for a shot clock violation every possession? What will they do then?

 

[AJG-15]

Oweh got elbowed in the mouth. Carr back hurts again…. This is getting better and better…, seriously this season is ridiculous as far as injuries.