I also think we need to pump the brakes on saying this will be Popes “worst team”. This is a damn good team, and if the past 15 years has taught me anything it’s to enjoy a good team when we’ve got it
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It's crazy to me how important our big is at the top of the key to running the offense. Those curl cuts / fake ball hand off and screens are lethal when Amari and Garrison are working with these guards. Such a breath of fresh air.
Speaking of fresh air, when asked about Lipscombs zone, coach rattled off how often they use it and its current PPP allowed. That's insane to retain that knowledge so well. It was obviously an emphasis for the staff.
Speaking of fresh air, when asked about Lipscombs zone, coach rattled off how often they use it and its current PPP allowed. That's insane to retain that knowledge so well. It was obviously an emphasis for the staff.
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Jones..."I'd like to meet the person who wanted Cal out and Mark Pope was their guy, because that person didn't exist"
Krazy G*ddamn Kats, that's who.
Krazy G*ddamn Kats, that's who.
Lol, they went in a little extended 2-3 and boom, 2 passes, for a wide open shooter in the corner. It's that easy.
This team doesn't really give two f*cks when someone switches defenses on them. You can literally SEE them adjust immediately.
You might call that coaching or something or other.
You might call that coaching or something or other.
Fun Fact: Through 4 games, Garrison is 2nd on the team in assists with 11 (2 turnovers).
One of my main complaints with Cal’s teams was that you could almost hear the gears grinding with everything they did - especially offensively. That rarely happens now and seems to immediately get corrected.
It’s a bit ironic that Pope runs a much more NBA-like offense than the guy known for prepping players for the league. I have a feeling it is already getting noticed by recruits. Who wouldn’t want to play in this system?
It’s a bit ironic that Pope runs a much more NBA-like offense than the guy known for prepping players for the league. I have a feeling it is already getting noticed by recruits. Who wouldn’t want to play in this system?
I didn't get to watch the game last night so take this with a grain of salt, but getting tired of you Pollyannas out here tugging on Pope's nuts. Meanwhile, old man Dougan is speaking truth to power right now and blowing up my text messages with straight facts about how our assists were down and we missed a few open teammates who were wide open on the wing. Sounds like somebody needs to remind these guys that there is no I in TEAM.
It is amazing (and probably objectively unhealthy) how much this affects my outlook on the world.
A mere 8 months ago I was more depressed than I'd ever been as a UK fan. We were caught on a treadmill of mediocrity, underachievement and frustration, and the worst part, there was no hope in sight.
Thank goodness for the sheer will of BBN, which cares enough to have wrought this change; thank goodness for Pope; thank goodness for other coaches saying no; and thank goodness for the portal.
Before now, it would have taken 3 years to build this kind of roster. Complete roster turnover, built from scratch, and we're already at, or close to, a level where we can play with anybody in the country.
I happy. Quite happy.
Do the CBB talking heads still hate us or is that changing? I'm really curious to see how recruiting goes when you have one of the most fun offenses to sell and a guy that seemingly doesn't give you a lot to neg recruit against.
It's changing. Quickly.
If Field of 68 is any judge, they are rapidly falling in love with Pope and laughing their asses off at Calipari.
Because reality always wins eventually.
- Travis Ford was good. I thought that was a young Fran Fraschilla for a second!
- I don't think Cal had intentions of running the program into the ground, but my goodness. What other conclusion can be drawn at this point? Smart basketball fan (not just UK fan) is preaching this right now. OK, enough about him. I'm better than that.
- One more thing: it's amazing how much less I am irritated by guys like Goodman, Dauster, and other CBB "journalists" this year. I think I know why that is, but I'm not bringing that up any more.
- Over/Under on the number of years Cal stays at Arkansas? 1.5
I wouldn't be surprised if that dude doesn't bail or is forced to bail to a TV studio after this season. That's where he can endear himself to The People once again. He's already a shell of his former self. I really don't want to see him go out like this. But enough about him . . .
- I don't think Cal had intentions of running the program into the ground, but my goodness. What other conclusion can be drawn at this point? Smart basketball fan (not just UK fan) is preaching this right now. OK, enough about him. I'm better than that.
- One more thing: it's amazing how much less I am irritated by guys like Goodman, Dauster, and other CBB "journalists" this year. I think I know why that is, but I'm not bringing that up any more.
- Over/Under on the number of years Cal stays at Arkansas? 1.5
I wouldn't be surprised if that dude doesn't bail or is forced to bail to a TV studio after this season. That's where he can endear himself to The People once again. He's already a shell of his former self. I really don't want to see him go out like this. But enough about him . . .
Why you mad at God, my bruh?
I don’t know what basketball vlog it is as I now watch them constantly for the first time in my life because I can’t get enough bball(honestly it might’ve been in this thread) , but a couple guys were jizzing all over Pope (after shitting on the hire this summer) and talking about how he has the X and Os of Hurley but was immensely more likeable and positive and how they’d love to play for him. I mean I’m just not used to people gushing over UK like that. There is just no way Pope could have a better start to his UK career.
I'm nearly positive those are the sleepers media guys. The main dude was trashing UK fans for being optimistic about pope and this team all summer and has made about 4 straight videos eating crow. Obviously a savvy media decision to irritate (and then court) UK fans.
Was Cal prepping guys for the league, or was he just great at identifying players (guards especially), that could get their own shot in an offense that was laughably easy to scout and defend?
Let a guy like Fox or SGA spend an entire season figuring out how to score against defenses that know exactly what’s coming, and they’re probably going to be close to NBA ready when they leave.
Which was code for “I can’t scheme around your weaknesses”.
Word. How is it even possible for autocorrect to get worse over the years? But it does!
(Meanwhile Wayne's idiot ass is convinced AI will remove all jobs from America in the next 18 months.)
In retrospect, UK was probably pretty close to losing an entire generation of fans had he returned after ruining what was(could have been) one of the most fun teams of all time. Many of us were at indifference toward the program. I can't imagine what attendance would've looked like after losing to Duke again. Thank God we got bailed out and hit the off ramp on that timeline. Don't know if this was Mitch's actual plan, or a complete reactionary pick when he got snubbed by his boy, but it couldn't have gone any better.It is amazing (and probably objectively unhealthy) how much this affects my outlook on the world.
A mere 8 months ago I was more depressed than I'd ever been as a UK fan. We were caught on a treadmill of mediocrity, underachievement and frustration, and the worst part, there was no hope in sight.
Thank goodness for the sheer will of BBN, which cares enough to have wrought this change; thank goodness for Pope; thank goodness for other coaches saying no; and thank goodness for the portal.
Before now, it would have taken 3 years to build this kind of roster. Complete roster turnover, built from scratch, and we're already at, or close to, a level where we can play with anybody in the country.
I happy. Quite happy.
It's unbelievable. Maybe because so many people annoying voice to text. Shit drives me nuts, but I'm gonna have to turn swipe off, and just thumb type. I get all antsy and hit send before reviewing, adhd tick I can't break.
Cal’s “prepping” of guys for the NBA consisted of recruiting the best players that were already destined to be pros. He didn’t have much to do with their success in the NBA no matter how much he preached about it.
Give me AD, Kat, Book, Bam etc and I could have made them pro’s and I’m nothing more than your average basketball Benny.
Give me AD, Kat, Book, Bam etc and I could have made them pro’s and I’m nothing more than your average basketball Benny.
You know how league executives are rumored to grade Duke players on a scale because of K? If that's true you know they were licking their chops any time they saw a productive guard make it through Cals antiquated ass system.
What a joke.
What a joke.
Both voice text and autocorrect really have gotten so much exponentially worse. I remember an update or two back when it was really noticeable, and I was asking myself, “Are they just F****** with us at this point?” 🤦🏻♂️
I do this shit for a living and I'm terrified. Y'all should be too.
I was shocked by - but not mad at - the Pope hire for one simple reason: he’s going to be the smartest guy in the room 99 out of 100 times. He also seems to be an incredibly empathetic person, which is probably not the norm in this sport.
In our super secret group chat, Anth makes krazykats look like Shakespeare 💯. It's remarkable, really.
He starts talking about "I can't kill these kids dreams" I'm asking for the check.
Imagine Pope and Cal taking notes watching the same game film and then reviewing said notes. Pope has multiple diagrams, algorithms, attack plans, potential defensive matchups, etc., while Cal has drawn a bowl of lasagna in crayon.
One small thing from last night that I enjoyed was when Garrison hit that jump hook in the lane in the second half. It received the normal applause, but one teammate rose from the bench and clapped as he bent over like a coach. It was Amari Williams.
As we all know, Williams had second thoughts when Garrison committed until Pope reassured him of his role and position on the team. Now Williams seems to be Garrison's biggest fan. I might be reading too much into that small instance, but it was good to see nonetheless.
As we all know, Williams had second thoughts when Garrison committed until Pope reassured him of his role and position on the team. Now Williams seems to be Garrison's biggest fan. I might be reading too much into that small instance, but it was good to see nonetheless.
How serendipitous was it that Cal's hubris got him hired away from our program without us having to pay him a dime and has led to us hiring the absolute perfect brilliant young coach to fill his spot?
From the Calipari desert to the Pope oasis. We Kentucky fans are so fortunate, but also given our passion so deserving.
From the Calipari desert to the Pope oasis. We Kentucky fans are so fortunate, but also given our passion so deserving.
- First game in-person in 5-6 years. The renovations are interesting. I'm not high fallutin' enough to get into the Lexus Lounge or the super secret Dean's club or whatever, but I was able to enjoy the Wildcat Whisky Lounge and all it had to offer. Not bad, but I kind of miss the concrete-walled hospitality room under the stands and seeing Rupp's innards on the way in.
- Posted June, 2023:
- Oweh with a casual 14 and 4 in 15 minutes.
- Didn't see them together a lot last night because of some foul issues, but for opposing guards, going up against Oweh and Butler all night has to be a nightmare.
- This team/coach/program now clearly prioritizes winning. What a refreshing change.
- Having 9-10 experienced guys who know how to play basketball and a coach who is willing and able to deploy them effectively >>>>>>>>>> having a "dude who can get you buckets"
- Posted June, 2023:
Seems like we have an astute coach!
- Oweh with a casual 14 and 4 in 15 minutes.
- Didn't see them together a lot last night because of some foul issues, but for opposing guards, going up against Oweh and Butler all night has to be a nightmare.
- This team/coach/program now clearly prioritizes winning. What a refreshing change.
- Having 9-10 experienced guys who know how to play basketball and a coach who is willing and able to deploy them effectively >>>>>>>>>> having a "dude who can get you buckets"
I personally like to think when Scott Drew's wife prayed to God and he told her it was a horrible idea, that the fans are heathens who will bully your kids it God's way of saying " Forget it, Toots. I've got something a lot more special in mind for my greatest college basketball program"
Brea's step back three caused me to pour a second night cap.
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