I sympathize with Pope

[bluecoon1]

He needs to learn how to teach defense!

He had to deal with what he could put together this year, our D will get better once he brings in some athletes which I think he will. Everyone knows where we’re hurting at on defense, especially with our bench. Overall he’s done a heck of a job with what he has, it’ll get better sooner than later.

 

[Fox2monk]

Pope’s a good coach with X’s and O’s, but his defensive coaching is suspect so far. He’ll have better talent next year and perhaps it’ll pay off 👍

I am guessing after this years gauntlet he will see he needs more athletes, and to teach defense hard most of the year.

 

[crxohio]

“IF” he can recruit and get quality players from the portal UK will be contending every year. Pope is the best Xs and Os UK coach since Pitino. Look what he has done with less than desirable athletic and skilled players. Cal couldn’t have won a single sec game with this team.

Cant hardly win with a much rounded team as is.

 

[UKfanINcoach]

Cant hardly win with a much rounded team as is.

You forget how well they played and the more talented teams they beat before the injuries.

 

[robertw1975]

I love Pope.
I think he’s a great coach and person.
I think he understands the job and will get it done.
I do hate the circumstances he’s having to deal with.
Injuries have killed this team.
We’ve won some games I thought weren’t possible to win under the circumstances.
Officials have literally raped us this season. I mean low down scum raped us.
Multiple teams have played games against us that they could only dream of.
I mean how many banked 30 footers can our opponents actually make?
Hell, 2 or 3 in a row at times.
I hate losing and get frustrated as hell, then I come to my senses and use my brain as to why.
These things are out of Pope’s control and it isn’t fair for people to keep slamming and bitching.
He put together a good group of guys in literally no time and we were heading in a good direction.
I know today stunk for 1000 reasons, but there is the best part of the season left.
Let’s see how we can finish out.
You never know what could happen.

I stand with Pope.
Give him time and support and I think we’ll all be happy!!!!!!!!

Excellent post ! I totally agree with you.

 

[wildcat_nation28]

I, guessing after this years gauntlet he will see he needs more athletes, and to teach defense hard most of the year.

let's hope

 

[king of cali]

He had to deal with what he could put together this year, our D will get better once he brings in some athletes which I think he will. Everyone knows where we’re hurting at on defense, especially with our bench. Overall he’s done a heck of a job with what he has, it’ll get better sooner than later.

I don’t see how anyone can say the defense will improve with better athletes. There’s no semblance of a defensive scheme. There’s no “we want to defend that action this way, or this action that way.”

Far more important than individual defense is team defense. Guys need to know where they’re supposed to be when we’re in rotation and the ball is in certain spots on the floor. This team is utterly clueless. And that’s the part that has me concerned, because his BYU teams were the exact same way. At this level you’re gonna have to defend and nothing in Pope’s coaching background shows that he’s been able to implement a competent defense.

 

[Mash 2.4]

My only criticism of Pope this season is that in my opinion this team even when at full strength was limited athletically. I think switching defenses often and in each game would have taken some pressure off of these kids. They’ve look mentally and physically worn out for a few weeks now.

 

[saxonburgcat]

I think it is too early to judge Pope. he had 2 great wins against Gonzaga and Duke, but some really bad losses in the SEC. I guess the SEC has exposed our lack of athleticism and injuries have definitely hurt us, but the team doesn't seem to be executing like they were earlier in the year. At the end of the day recruiting and the portal will decide how well Pope does at Kentucky, you simply need the players.

Don't you think the lack of execution recently is more due to having an injured star PG? Early on, our PG was healthy and having a banner year but the injury has wrecked havoc with our chemistry.

I think we will be fine moving forward because Pope is a good coach. He was given an impossible situation and has done well considering everything including no players from last year's team and the current injuries.

 

[AJG-15]

Just like every other coach he has strengths and weaknesses.

On + side:
- very positive
- likes to communicate
- loves the Kentucky Wildcats
- has enthusiasm
- use statistical data to develop his game strategy
- won a title at Kentucky and knows what it takes to win it all

On the - column:
- doesn’t have a previous winning record in NCAA tournament
- his team while plays good offense, dont play a very good defense.

 

[HagginHall1999]

He needs to learn how to teach defense!

No, he needs to learn how to teach players to be more athletic. The easiest thing to do is to improve natural, god given athletic ability. Pope knows that and isn't teaching it! Teach it Pope. Teach 'em how to be better athletes....god given...teach 'em.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

No, he needs to learn how to teach players to be more athletic. The easiest thing to do is to improve natural, god given athletic ability. Pope knows that and isn't teaching it! Teach it Pope. Teach 'em how to be better athletes....god given...teach 'em.

I keep screaming this at the tv. Why on Gods Green Earth is Mark not teaching them to be faster, jump higher, and just be longer? I don’t get it.

Also, Mark needs to rethink his substitution decisions being based on “max effort minutes.” We need our starters playing 32 minutes. Please Mark, see this.

 

[AJG-15]

Playing defense is first about attitude , effort and fundamentals….. those all can be improved if that’s the focus of the coaching staff.. same with the defensive schemes and intensity…
Athleticism comes second….

 

[Jamal Sunburn]

Nobody cared about adding any context to our play in previous years. Lets not start doing it now.

 

[BobCat6]

That’s true but it doesn’t explain why he’s subbing our starters four minutes into the game every game. We seem to get behind every game and have to play catch-up because of the weird substitution patterns.

It's maddening when he pulls Amari at the 17 minute mark after 3 points and 3 rebounds already!

 

[wkycatfan]

I'm still amazed how quickly Pope and staff threw the roster together and am impressed with their success given the strength of the SEC this year. Pope bleeds blue, and is very smart. I am behind him.

 

[Edgarman]

He needs to learn how to teach defense!

We all have a good understanding of horse racing. You can't teach a mule to win the Derby. You can't teach kids that do not have quickness to play man defense against kids that are much quicker. We will improve on defense by recruiting quicker kids. Pope did not have time to assemble a team and be selective as he would have liked. Give Pope 3 years to build a squad to compete wit the SEC kids that are in place at schools like Auburn, Bama, and FL.

 

[Wildskatfan]

I don’t know if any team in college ball has been hit harder with injuries than us. It’s truly tragic if you write it down.
Season starters.
Butler Pg. ( Playing with separated shoulder )
Robinson. Sg. ( Out for season )
Carr. Pf. ( Injured back playing hurt)
Williams. Healthy
Oweh Sf. Healthy.
First off bench
Krisa. ( out for season )
Two of five healthy with first off the bench out.
Damn.
Arkansas had been on a monster run. Thiero didn’t play today and they got destroyed by SC.
Just one is killer.

They down Fland, too. But yeah. injuries are a killer.

 

[CRZ4UK]

They down Fland, too. But yeah. injuries are a killer.

Ya I knew that but they began this monster run when Fland went out. Calipari just like always was trying to feature his star freshman. He made the team worse. He was just worried about his and his draft stock. Cal too.
They got better without Fland ball hogging. They scored 14 first half points without Adou.

 

[BarefootBeach]

I don’t see how anyone can say the defense will improve with better athletes. There’s no semblance of a defensive scheme. There’s no “we want to defend that action this way, or this action that way.”

Far more important than individual defense is team defense. Guys need to know where they’re supposed to be when we’re in rotation and the ball is in certain spots on the floor. This team is utterly clueless. And that’s the part that has me concerned, because his BYU teams were the exact same way. At this level you’re gonna have to defend and nothing in Pope’s coaching background shows that he’s been able to implement a competent defense.

Does Duke, gonzaga, Louisville, Tennessee agree with you?