Has this gotten enough attention?

[FurdTerguson]

In judging Mark Pope, you can't leave out that he put a team together in three weeks and taught them a new system in a season where his conference HAD ITS BEST SEASON in history, by far. Jay Bilas just compared the SEC to the ACC in the mid 80s, only much deeper.

If we're healthy come tourney time, the first two rounds could look like one of Pitino's runs here, or early Cal's.

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

I feel that it’s gotten plenty of attention. Many folks on this forum have made the same points multiple times. Personally, I’m amazed by what he’s done. Throwing together a coaching staff and roster in a matter of months and winning the games he has is incredible.

I have little doubt that in year 2 or 3 of his tenure, with time to carefully target players, he will have UK in the FF, or even in the championship game.

 

[BlueBomb]

I'm happy with Pope, but I'll wait until the post season plays out before heaping too much praise. If we lose a first round game in the SECT and a first or second round game in the NCAAT, then it will be hard to call the season a success regardless of how the next several games play out.

That said, I have super high hopes for the Pope tenure.

 

[cats#1again]

I'm happy with Pope, but I'll wait until the post season plays out before heaping too much praise. If we lose a first round game in the SECT and a first or second round game in the NCAAT, then it will be hard to call the season a success regardless of how the next several games play out.

That said, I have super high hopes for the Pope tenure.

In year one ? A 2nd Rd tournament game won't be a failure of a season.

 

[Skyguyb27]

In judging Mark Pope, you can't leave out that he put a team together in three weeks and taught them a new system in a season where his conference HAD ITS BEST SEASON in history, by far. Jay Bilas just compared the SEC to the ACC in the mid 80s, only much deeper.

If we're healthy come tourney time, the first two rounds could look like one of Pitino's runs here, or early Cal's.

Yeah we considered that. That’s why we don’t have for sale signs in his yard. 😂

I was thinking last night, what are the odds UK plays Arkansas in the tournament? I bet it’s pretty high.

 

[UKSanders]

I'm happy with Pope, but I'll wait until the post season plays out before heaping too much praise. If we lose a first round game in the SECT and a first or second round game in the NCAAT, then it will be hard to call the season a success regardless of how the next several games play out.

That said, I have super high hopes for the Pope tenure.

In year one ? A 2nd Rd tournament game won't be a failure of a season.

For me, context matters for both the SECT and NCAAT...

IF Butler, Jax, & Carr cannot recover to near 100% a week or 2 before those tournaments, then a loss is much more understandable...especially if the team defense continues to improve and they lose a close, hard fought game.

IF at least 2 of them make it back near 100%, then a loss to an underdog in those tournaments really just takes the excitement/shine off an otherwise good season. I would still call the season a success, but ending the season that way just tarnishes the amazing story of the season... wins in big-time games, overcoming injuries, etc.

With the way the SEC teams play, it wouldn't bother me as much to minimize playing time for anyone who has an injury IF the extra week would SIGNIFICANTLY improve their healing before the NCAAT. Not to say the SECT doesn't matter, but in the specific case of a player healing from injury for the NCAAT, I would understand being extra cautious...even if it meant sacrificing the SECT and losing one round earlier.

So, here's to hoping those guys can recover enough to carry this team to at least a S16 or EE in the NCAAT.

 

[littlecreek]

The SEC tournament is going to be tougher than the first 2 or 3 rounds of the NCAA tournament.

 

[Chief Paducah]

Yeah we considered that. That’s why we don’t have for sale signs in his yard. 😂

I was thinking last night, what are the odds UK plays Arkansas in the tournament? I bet it’s pretty high.

I feel like the higher probability would be the potential 4/5 match up with St. Johns. Mentor vs Mentee.

 

[jwphelps]

In judging Mark Pope, you can't leave out that he put a team together in three weeks and taught them a new system in a season where his conference HAD ITS BEST SEASON in history, by far. Jay Bilas just compared the SEC to the ACC in the mid 80s, only much deeper.

If we're healthy come tourney time, the first two rounds could look like one of Pitino's runs here, or early Cal's.

Considering I think Pope has done a great job, and I was around in the mid 80's Bilas wishes the ACC was ever this good.

 

[runt#69]

I'm happy with Pope, but I'll wait until the post season plays out before heaping too much praise. If we lose a first round game in the SECT and a first or second round game in the NCAAT, then it will be hard to call the season a success regardless of how the next several games play out.

That said, I have super high hopes for the Pope tenure.

I think that is fair. I think Coach Pope would agree. He would want the entire season to stand on its' own merits before making any pronouncement about himself. And therein lies the beauty of the man we now have as our head coach.

Lord knows I've been beating the drum that Coach Pope should be Coach of the Year. I see it as INCREDIBLE, that AT ALL PLACES AND TIMES, Coach Pope comes into the job at ...

KENTUCKY

and is getting this kind of season? It's been amazing, honestly. To do it here, in these circumstances, and the SEC is of HISTORIC greatness this year, I am just astounded. And that's a "so far ASTOUNDING" ASTUONDED.

I don't know how much more trying circumstances could be (unless maybe you want to put us on probation for some manufactured reason .... I won't go there.

Just looking at the results SO FAR is better than we EVER could have hoped for heading into the year.

When you throw in the injuries, the SEC how great it is, and our results? I mean, seriously the only two blemishes on the entire season in my eye are the loss to OSU and Arkansas. Arkansas played so far above their heads for Coach Cal, it made it look like he pulled some kind of miracle and could actually coach ! HA! I know the truth about that. The OSU game was a different kind of disappointment ... and it was in December. Take those two losses away and you put Kentucky in the group with Auburn, Bama' and Florida as your 4 number one seeds in the NCAA tournament this year for real at this point.

It's amazing, incredible, stupendous - what Coach Pope is DOING this year ! I mean, he is doing this here ! It's the most intense spotlight and under an electron microscope he sits ! He's held up fine. He's our man.

In the future, everyone will look back in amazement. Personally, I am glad I can see it HAPPEN and be grateful and enjoy seeing it while it goes down. That's what my perspective does for me.

And if this is my last season as a Kentucky fan, I can go out happy. But I want to see where it ends up, till the end. NO matter how long that takes. I will always bleed blue.

Go Big Blue !

 

[BlueBomb]

In year one ? A 2nd Rd tournament game won't be a failure of a season.

It would for me, given our opponent will be a very low seed.

 

[The_Answer1313]

The job that Pope has done in year 1 cannot be understated. To put together this team last second and be able to compete against the top teams has been impressive and it makes me even more eager for the future here and how he builds teams going forward.

Normally, .500 would not be good in the SEC. No one would accept that. We aren't a top SEC team this year. But we are still a pretty good team that when healthy can beat anyone.

As far as a tournament run, this team suffers many of the issues the previous year's team did. Our offense is great. If not the top offense in the nation pretty close to it right now. And this has been remarkably consistent despite the fact we've suffered through a number of key injuries.

Unfortunately, the defense isn't great. It's not even good. It's been better last two games but not quite at the level it needs to be to IMO make a deep run in the tournament.

Anything can happen. Maybe we get a good draw. Our resume would suggest we are going to get a better seed than the computer metrics. Maybe we take advantage of that. I just feel a bit uneasy about "one sided" teams come tournament time. Those tend to be the ones ripe for upset.

This is evident even during the regular season. Three of our seven losses came to Georgia, Vandy and Arkansas. Mind you these aren't terrible losses. Just that the top teams aren't losing to these teams.

 

[southvillecat]

Has it got enough attention?! It’s becoming a Willie Cauley Stein played wide receiver type of comment lol

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

Never fall for the "Conference Tournament will be much harder than......." line. That's total BS. First off-you have 0 safety net in the NCAA Tournament.....could be playing in a venue that 95% of the arena wants you to lose and influences a friendly whistle for CinderFELLA team and you end up losing.

It's really this simple when watching teams who can actually win in the NCAA tournament. Can you win away from home? Most CBB teams play 18-20 games at home and can look great. What do they do when away from home? We've seen Kentucky win games against elite (Duke) team or very hostile (Gonzaga) environment, and against some SEC teams. There are 4 SEC teams I can see making the Final Four--Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky and Florida. Rest of the league is very good which makes a strong conference but most play like d-heads away from home. So they are frauds. This could be a season where 3 SEC teams have a strong chance to be in the Elite 8--but they all have a scary component that could hold them back. With Alabama, it's TO's and FT shooting. With Auburn it's Pearl and his weird player rotations that keep his best lineup off the court. Kentucky it's injuries and rebounding issues. UF it's injuries and reliance on guards hitting 3's--they are off they have high upset probability.

Teams like Tennessee and A&M need a friendly whistle which for them is all about tight on the offensive end so they can get to FT line and score and defensively allowed to be physical as if it's a UFC match. Mississippi State lost Tolu Smith which means they have a chance to get a win--(he was so putrid in his 2 NCAA games it could be inferred he was tanking) but they rely so much on one guy to carry them. Ole Miss could win a game, maybe two but they don't have enough to deep IMO. Missouri is the team outside the top 4 I like the most for a run as they have versatility and 3 guys who could get hot and carry you. Rest of the Conference has some talent but fills the "SEC had a great year and are losing quickly in NCAA" category if they play on same day--the Texas, Arkansas, Vandy, UGA category. I could see Vanderbilt being the only team making it out of that group by end of year too-Texas is playing like ass but they have Tre Johnson so may get in just to let fans see him for 1/2 games and they are an NCAA "darling" University.

 

[Bill - Shy Cat]

In judging Mark Pope, you can't leave out that he put a team together in three weeks and taught them a new system in a season where his conference HAD ITS BEST SEASON in history, by far. Jay Bilas just compared the SEC to the ACC in the mid 80s, only much deeper.

If we're healthy come tourney time, the first two rounds could look like one of Pitino's runs here, or early Cal's.

Not nearly enough credit has been given for what Pope has done after Cal waited until the last second to leave. Pope had to throw this group together quickly with what few players were still available. In addition, the injury situation has been like no other year that I can recall.

 

[CastleRubric]

with the # of SEC teams bound for the big dance - we are likely playing a conference foe in rhe NCAAs no later than a (hypothetical) sweet 16 game I think

Possibly facing another SEC team as early as second round?

 

[FurdTerguson]

Considering I think Pope has done a great job, and I was around in the mid 80's Bilas wishes the ACC was ever this good.

Watching that 30 for 30 on the 83 NC State run, it's scary how stacked that conference was. UNC had Jordan and Perkins. UVA had a senior Ralph Sampson. Georgia Tech had Mark Price and John Salley. Maryland had Adrian Branch, Ben Coleman and Len Bias. Duke had Johnny Dawkins, Mark Alarie and Jay Bilas. Wake had five starters in double figures. And oh yeah NC State won the national title.

Not mentioned is the Big East in 85. Georgetown and St. John's were 1 and 2 all season long and both made the Final Four. Villanova was an eight seed but they won the title, as did Georgetown the year before.

Those conferences were better at the top, but like Bilas said the depth in this year's SEC is beyond belief. There's probably only a handful of conferences that Georgia, Vanderbilt and Arkansas couldn't win.

 

[jwphelps]

Watching that 30 for 30 on the 83 NC State run, it's scary how stacked that conference was. UNC had Jordan and Perkins. UVA had a senior Ralph Sampson. Georgia Tech had Mark Price and John Salley. Maryland had Adrian Branch, Ben Coleman and Len Bias. Duke had Johnny Dawkins, Mark Alarie and Jay Bilas. Wake had five starters in double figures. And oh yeah NC State won the national title.

Not mentioned is the Big East in 85. Georgetown and St. John's were 1 and 2 all season long and both made the Final Four. Villanova was an eight seed but they won the title, as did Georgetown the year before.

Those conferences were better at the top, but like Bilas said the depth in this year's SEC is beyond belief. There's probably only a handful of conferences that Georgia, Vanderbilt and Arkansas couldn't win.

But that was only 4 or 5 teams, the rest of that conference as you pointed out were dogs, hell the SEC has had a few seasons were the top 4 or 5 were beast but after that you had give me games. Look at Alabama's last 7 games in conference, all are ranked teams. I would say only that one year in the Big East could compare to the SEC this season.

 

[FurdTerguson]

But that was only 4 or 5 teams, the rest of that conference as you pointed out were dogs, hell the SEC has had a few seasons were the top 4 or 5 were beast but after that you had give me games. Look at Alabama's last 7 games in conference, all are ranked teams. I would say only that one year in the Big East could compare to the SEC this season.

Clemson was the only dog that year. I looked it up. There was only eight teams

Wasn't there a year where one conference got six into the Sweet 16 or am I imagining that? Also, strange but true, the year Syracuse won it (2003?), their last FIVE wins were all against Big 8 teams. Crazy.

 

[Soupbean]

In judging Mark Pope, you can't leave out that he put a team together in three weeks and taught them a new system in a season where his conference HAD ITS BEST SEASON in history, by far. Jay Bilas just compared the SEC to the ACC in the mid 80s, only much deeper.

If we're healthy come tourney time, the first two rounds could look like one of Pitino's runs here, or early Cal's.

Its funny in listening to Leach this morning I was thinking about just this and how I even forget what this program looked like just 6 months ago!!! It is more impressive all the time when you take yourself out of the moment of sometime frustration after a tough game and remember where we were with a completely blank roster. I think the ease at which he seemed to assemble it may have taken away from just how much of an achievement it is to be where we are today. JUST 6 MONTHS AGO!!!!

 

[kywildcat41035]

The SEC tournament is going to be tougher than the first 2 or 3 rounds of the NCAA tournament.

Yes and the NCAA 1st and 2nd round will feel like a cakewalk after the whole SEC slate!

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

Yes and the NCAA 1st and 2nd round will feel like a cakewalk after the whole SEC slate!

And that's what worries me. Seems like the team loses it's focus against teams who aren't considered as good

 

[jwphelps]

Clemson was the only dog that year. I looked it up. There was only eight teams

Wasn't there a year where one conference got six into the Sweet 16 or am I imagining that? Also, strange but true, the year Syracuse won it (2003?), their last FIVE wins were all against Big 8 teams. Crazy.

Not sure what you looked up but out of those 8 teams only 5 had winning records out of 16 teams in the SEC only one has a losing record and that 83 ACC only had 2 ranked teams.

 

[Catluv]

Watching that 30 for 30 on the 83 NC State run, it's scary how stacked that conference was. UNC had Jordan and Perkins. UVA had a senior Ralph Sampson. Georgia Tech had Mark Price and John Salley. Maryland had Adrian Branch, Ben Coleman and Len Bias. Duke had Johnny Dawkins, Mark Alarie and Jay Bilas. Wake had five starters in double figures. And oh yeah NC State won the national title.

Not mentioned is the Big East in 85. Georgetown and St. John's were 1 and 2 all season long and both made the Final Four. Villanova was an eight seed but they won the title, as did Georgetown the year before.

Those conferences were better at the top, but like Bilas said the depth in this year's SEC is beyond belief. There's probably only a handful of conferences that Georgia, Vanderbilt and Arkansas couldn't win.

85 was 38 years ago!! I got to go to those games. I think that was the last year the tourney was held at a teams home floor. I am not getting old you are!!

 

[littlecreek]

85 was 38 years ago!! I got to go to those games. I think that was the last year the tourney was held at a teams home floor. I am not getting old you are!!

The Final Four was in Rupp Arena in 85. I played in the state tournament that year and they were getting things ready for it while we were there.

 

[FurdTerguson]

Not sure what you looked up but out of those 8 teams only 5 had winning records out of 16 teams in the SEC only one has a losing record and that 83 ACC only had 2 ranked teams.

There was a year where one conference got six into the Sweet 16. It was the ACC in 2016. Would love to see us match that.