I’m happy

Ron Mehico · 2025-03-22T10:33:50-0400

I know this won’t be a popular opinion with a lot of you but I’m very happy with the season, even with a loss tomorrow. Before the season started I wanted to win one SEC tournament game and one NCAA game - basically an improvement over last year with little time to put together a team. If we were fully healthy I would’ve liked a sweet sixteen, but with us so banged up I’ll still be happy even with a loss and thank Pope for a great year. Future looks very promising.

cat tat2 · 2025-03-22T10:49:18-0400

I agree, but since we’ve come this far we might as well win another one. GO BIG BLUE!

yabbadabbadoo · 2025-03-22T10:50:16-0400

I feel good about where our program is
Haven’t been able to do that for a while

FitchandMurray29 · 2025-03-22T10:50:40-0400

Hard to argue with any of that.

If I could add the caveat of not laying an egg tomorrow I’d completely agree. Can’t have Bama SECT, OSU, or Ole Miss type performance imo. A loss is whatever. Never being competitive isn’t excusable.

CastleRubric · 2025-03-22T10:51:03-0400

Agree, Mr Vick

Think back to Coach P's second season
The optimism and clear indication of being on the right path

Thats how i feel about the pgm

Dead Cat Bounce · 2025-03-22T10:54:20-0400

If we lose tomorrow, I will be bummed, but not blamey. It’s been a very fun season. Still, I’d love to see Pope’s teams become more dominant over the next couple of years. It’ll will be interesting to see what off-season decisions Pope makes and whether he grows as a coach, pushing himself, his staff and-or his players past their weak spots.

Emarc · 2025-03-22T10:54:51-0400

BleedBlue13 · 2025-03-22T10:55:09-0400

I think most of us hoped the same as you… however once the season began and we saw what we were capable of the sky was the limit. Now with one injury after another it won’t phase me when/if we lose. I think we have seen enough to know we are back on track. Portal opens Monday let’s grab Dix and Obi to start and let the rosterbating begin! Chasingwildcat got a jumpstart on that he’s gonna be worn out before Monday even gets here lol

Seth_C · 2025-03-22T10:55:32-0400

I’m satisfied, but one more win would make me happy. I miss having that week to look forward to the Sweet 16. It’s so exciting.

TOMCATS1990 · 2025-03-22T10:57:51-0400

We are playing with HOUSE money go out and play loose and free, if they do I like us to advance to next week

Cawood86 · 2025-03-22T10:59:16-0400

Getting past this weekend would be a great accomplishment in his first season. Already had huge wins this year.

The_Answer1313 · 2025-03-22T11:00:09-0400

I would still be bummed. We should make the S16 as a 3 seed, even with the injuries.

That being said, it wouldn't change my opinion about the future of the program. I think we are heading in the right direction.

ck-2 · 2025-03-22T11:03:09-0400

I agree. Would love to see us win one more but not expecting it. Hoping for a team with more raw talent next year, better defensively, and better lineup/substitution combos from Pope.

LineSkiCat14 · 2025-03-22T11:08:35-0400

I'd really like to get a Sweet16. I think that extra win, and another week in the media cycle, would go a long ways in cementing Pope as a top coach and it would really Kickstart his future year if he's able to get a Sweet16 given everything we've had to deal with. Because despite that, a 2nd round loss as a 3-seed would still sting.

BIG BLUE GURU · 2025-03-22T11:12:18-0400

Me too. Don't expect this banged up team to win tomorrow but would be thrilled if they did. Pope has proven himself to me so far. Just need to see next year continue the step back to elite status.

Emarc · 2025-03-22T11:17:22-0400

Thanks Mark. Excited too see what’s to come. Now beat that Illini ass

kyrx · 2025-03-22T11:20:06-0400

Seth_C said:
I’m satisfied, but one more win would make me happy. I miss having that week to look forward to the Sweet 16. It’s so exciting.

Totally agree. I'm satisfied, but would be truly happy if we make it to next weekend.

The_Answer1313 · 2025-03-22T11:25:00-0400

I'm expecting to win tomorrow tho. We've been banged up all season long. We've beaten teams that are way better than Illinois without our full roster.

Festivus Miracle · 2025-03-22T11:30:04-0400

Totally agree with most in this thread. We have hope for the future. I haven't had that in a while.

Festivus Miracle · 2025-03-22T11:34:36-0400

And we did gain on Kansas. I wasn't expecting that. They were ranked at the top to start the season.

yoshukai · 2025-03-22T11:34:39-0400

Ron Mehico said:
I know this won’t be a popular opinion with a lot of you but I’m very happy with the season, even with a loss tomorrow. Before the season started I wanted to win one SEC tournament game and one NCAA game - basically an improvement over last year with little time to put together a team. If we were fully healthy I would’ve liked a sweet sixteen, but with us so banged up I’ll still be happy even with a loss and thank Pope for a great year. Future looks very promising.

Me too .

runt#69 · 2025-03-22T11:48:51-0400

The_Answer1313 said:
I'm expecting to win tomorrow tho. We've been banged up all season long. We've beaten teams that are way better than Illinois without our full roster.

I agree, and I'll just say I've been very satisfied with the season and love Coach Pope. I want that win against the Illini. I wanted last night for Coach to get his first NCAAT win, and now, I want the team go out and get one for themselves.

I believe in them. They are a battle hardened squad at this point. They understand the challenge and assignment.

Win or lose, it will have been a fine ride for this ole blue hair. Haven't been this rejuvenated and reinvigorated for Kentucky basketball in many years. I'm glad its back for me.

We got our mojo back this year, if you ask me. Beat Illinois, we're playing with house money anyways. Extend the season just a wee bit longer! We got this!

And our future is very bright, indeed. Very glad to see everyone here paying tribute for our Cats. Feels good.

Go Big Blue!

ManitouDan · 2025-03-22T11:52:02-0400

Ron Mehico said:
I know this won’t be a popular opinion with a lot of you but I’m very happy with the season, even with a loss tomorrow. Before the season started I wanted to win one SEC tournament game and one NCAA game - basically an improvement over last year with little time to put together a team. If we were fully healthy I would’ve liked a sweet sixteen, but with us so banged up I’ll still be happy even with a loss and thank Pope for a great year. Future looks very promising.

I’m OK with it no problems for me. The first half of the season was spectacular the second half was derailed by terrible injuries.

Son_Of_Saul · 2025-03-22T12:11:33-0400

Ron Mehico said:
I know this won’t be a popular opinion with a lot of you but I’m very happy with the season, even with a loss tomorrow. Before the season started I wanted to win one SEC tournament game and one NCAA game - basically an improvement over last year with little time to put together a team. If we were fully healthy I would’ve liked a sweet sixteen, but with us so banged up I’ll still be happy even with a loss and thank Pope for a great year. Future looks very promising.

I'm with you.

UK wins at least 23 games with a banged-up roster and we'll be bringing back 4 or 5 from the current core, including our All-SEC level player. Bring in a top 5 recruiting class and a high-level portal class.

I think Pope has maximized the talent level.

chroix · 2025-03-22T12:18:43-0400

Id love to see a miracle run but realistically I completely agree. This has been a season to remember and I’m super excited and optimistic about the future with Coach Pope. Hadn’t felt that way for half a decade plus. For that alone this season is one of my favorites.

Eagles_Ball · 2025-03-22T12:30:02-0400

Idk if “happy” is the right word but I sure as heck feel joy about UK hoops again. Been a hot minute since I could say that. I’m still in that cautiously optimistic state about Popes ability to get us to that elite level Pitino and Cal did. But year 1 sure has been a fun ride. The ebbs and flows were a lot like last season, except for different reasons and circumstances. Which makes all the difference in the world about how I feel about it. I’m just glad to have the fun and excitement back.

HogFan2012 · 2025-03-22T12:30:04-0400

Ron Mehico said:
I know this won’t be a popular opinion with a lot of you but I’m very happy with the season, even with a loss tomorrow. Before the season started I wanted to win one SEC tournament game and one NCAA game - basically an improvement over last year with little time to put together a team. If we were fully healthy I would’ve liked a sweet sixteen, but with us so banged up I’ll still be happy even with a loss and thank Pope for a great year. Future looks very promising.

That just doesn't sound right. Most teams had injuries, look at AR and we started the year a bit shorthanded because of a bad coach decision.

Why on earth would BBN be stratified with a single T win over Troy? Really Troy!

ManitouDan · 2025-03-22T12:31:02-0400

I just hope the Pope isn’t too nice a guy , sometimes ass ripping is needed .. ala Amari last night … bad back injury and all .

Blueworld_3.0 · 2025-03-22T12:31:13-0400

All my pre-season goals for this team have been achieved...one win in the SEC-T and one win in the NCAA-T. Why such low expectations? Because this team was hurriedly put together and has a few guys in starting roles that are obviously bench players. On top of that the injury bug really hit this bunch harder than I can ever remember any UK team. Obviously we didn't know injuries were going to be a problem before the season began but, it has been a critical factor in how the season has played out. Beating Dook, Gonzaga and sweeping UTeee have been major highlights. So, for me any wins from here on out are just gravy.

Having said all of that, next year the expectations really grow. With the portal and NIL there is no reason why UK should not be competitive for both a SEC title and at minimum be in the hunt for a trip to the Final Four.

ManitouDan · 2025-03-22T12:32:14-0400

HogFan2012 said:
That just doesn't sound right. Most teams had injuries, look at AR and we started the year a bit shorthanded because of a bad coach decision.

Why on earth would BBN be stratified with a single T win over Troy? Really Troy!

Take your Walmart view and your Walmart ass and your Walmart coach back to Walmart .

ManitouDan · 2025-03-22T12:33:05-0400

“ most teams have injures “ lol yeah like your best three guards all out for 1/2 the SEC season .. SMH

Blueworld_3.0 · 2025-03-22T12:33:49-0400

HogFan2012 said:
That just doesn't sound right. Most teams had injuries, look at AR and we started the year a bit shorthanded because of a bad coach decision.

Why on earth would BBN be stratified with a single T win over Troy? Really Troy!

Because your used car salesman of a coach left the cupboard totally bare...as in not a single player.
See my explanation on post #29

HogFan2012 · 2025-03-22T12:36:43-0400

Blueworld_3.0 said:
Because your used car salesman of a coach left the cupboard totally bare...as in not a single player.
See my explanation on post #29

You had time to buy players just needed to pony up the $$$$$$$.
You ended up with a decent team you might of got one or 2 better players but overall you can't really ride that dead horse anymore.

EDIT you know everything has and hasn't changed, no such thing as Blue Bloods anymore, and players usually follow the coach not the school. Same as when Cal left Memphis he took the players with him.

BBNinSC · 2025-03-22T12:38:18-0400

Illinois is not a S16 team. Kentucky is a S16 team. We are better than them with a much better coach.

specialkd24 · 2025-03-22T12:39:53-0400

Agreed 100%. Considering Robinson and Kerr are out (and Butler isn't 100% -- along with others) we have done about as good as we could have done, considering Pope had a few weeks to put a roster together.

I give him an A- right now (losses to Arkansas and a bad Ohio State team for the -) but with a win tomorrow it is a solid A (maybe even A+).

Hard to argue beating Duke, Louisville, UT (twice), Florida, etc. And giving us a chance in the NCAA is all we want -- it had been so long.

He will have an even better roster next year. He understands us. He will not mock us (Basketball Benny's). He is one of us.

HogFan2012 · 2025-03-22T12:41:11-0400

BBNinSC said:
Illinois is not a S16 team. Kentucky is a S16 team. We are better than them with a much better coach.

That is the BBN spirit, not I'm satisfied with a win over Troy.

AR is injured and was/is the dog in both games so far.

bigblueinsanity · 2025-03-22T12:48:39-0400

I am overall happy as well. This season exceeded my expectations.

I do have concerns. We will need better athletes to return to the top of the sec. That will help us counter when teams really press out hard on shooters and help us on defense.

That will cost us some shooting, and I don't know if they want that trade-off or if their system can absorb it.

chroix · 2025-03-22T12:48:48-0400

Go Johnnies!

will1976 · 2025-03-22T12:49:07-0400

Ron Mehico said:
I know this won’t be a popular opinion with a lot of you but I’m very happy with the season, even with a loss tomorrow. Before the season started I wanted to win one SEC tournament game and one NCAA game - basically an improvement over last year with little time to put together a team. If we were fully healthy I would’ve liked a sweet sixteen, but with us so banged up I’ll still be happy even with a loss and thank Pope for a great year. Future looks very promising.

Very much Agree!

ManitouDan · 2025-03-22T12:49:11-0400

HogFan2012 said:
That is the BBN spirit, not I'm satisfied with a win over Troy.

AR is injured and was/is the dog in both games so far.

Because we stuck you with a moron of a Coach ha ha

I’m happy

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