What exactly was Pope supposed to do? The team has limitations and Pope did the best he could putting the team together last minute.
Is it okay to admit we have things to work on now?
- Thread starter Jamal Mercer
- Start date
All of these issues, plus more, have finally caught up to us and have exposed this team. It will be interesting to see how this team, and Pope, respond.
If he runs Williams out there at the 5 to start the next game, then we have another coach who will stubbornly stick to his ways and flex in his ego against all reason and logic.
I mean there are obvious deficiencies with this team (toughness, sulking from a couple guys, inability to guard penetration to name a few) but FFS we are 10-2 and 3-2 vs the big non conference opponents. I’m sick from the ass whooping we took tonight, but It’s not all doom and gloom.
Going 4-22 from 3PT is NOT going to cut it. This offensive scheme with the shooters we were supposed to have will not win many games, if any at all, with shooting woes like this. With the lack of playmakers and kids that can create offense, it is very important that we at least out-shoot our opponents to have a chance.
Who was saying this team has nothing to work on? That would be ridiculous to think lol.
Me either. I do think this season could go either way considering how tough the SEC will be.
Coach Pope put this team together starting in April. They're still learning each other. Bumps we're bound to happen. The concern is the SEC is gonna be a grind like never before.
This loss wasn't about bumps. There is a major issue going on with this team that Mark has managed to hide. I read something around a week ago about Pope not liking or avoiding drama. I thought that subline was strange and didn't understand it. I think we are just starting to understand it.
I still can't believe some of the stupid passes this team was attempting when there was more than enough time for them to come back. It pains me to say it, but this team is starting to look way to familiar.
Only Heroes Hero thinks Kentucky is perfect and going to win it all ever year. His heart is in the right place but he is just a little bit delusional at times. Lol
1. Carr is down to 28% from 3pt land….we can’t be a three point dangerous shooting team without a stretch four that can keep the lane from clogging up..and our centers aren’t threat from deep either
2. Amari I csn live with some of the offensive shortcomings….but i expected a serious defense anchor back there….he’s been anything but that for these last five games…even in our wins. Bradshaw schools him, the Zags big man killed us, Clemson bigs owned the backboards, etc
3. Jaxon simply ain’t a sniper…he’s down to 30% from deep…he’s a guy who acts like he’s Steph Curry but ain’t. Giving him a green light to shoot contested threes off the dribble is not a good idea
This is the first truly terrible game from this team. But we’ve seen even in wins the holes in this team…snd how it could play out in sec play. I don’t have a problem discussing them
My main issue with the negative side is this is what you get from gluing up portal guys from scratch….getting in higher rated kids over the next few years should be a better guage of Pope
2. Amari I csn live with some of the offensive shortcomings….but i expected a serious defense anchor back there….he’s been anything but that for these last five games…even in our wins. Bradshaw schools him, the Zags big man killed us, Clemson bigs owned the backboards, etc
3. Jaxon simply ain’t a sniper…he’s down to 30% from deep…he’s a guy who acts like he’s Steph Curry but ain’t. Giving him a green light to shoot contested threes off the dribble is not a good idea
This is the first truly terrible game from this team. But we’ve seen even in wins the holes in this team…snd how it could play out in sec play. I don’t have a problem discussing them
My main issue with the negative side is this is what you get from gluing up portal guys from scratch….getting in higher rated kids over the next few years should be a better guage of Pope
We wanted them both. Robinson is what he is but he just didn’t have a great game.
The team/ effort/ attitude/ preparedness that showed up last night for this OSU team, coming in with the #4 ranking beside their name, won’t sniff 8 wins total in the SEC this season!
EVERY SEC team will smell blood after watching tape of this game! Pope better stop playing the Nice Uncle to these guys and light a fire under their asses, or things could get embarrassing!
And that’s coming from one of the biggest Homers on this forum.
EVERY SEC team will smell blood after watching tape of this game! Pope better stop playing the Nice Uncle to these guys and light a fire under their asses, or things could get embarrassing!
And that’s coming from one of the biggest Homers on this forum.
See, I think they actually did. At least for a half. This is the exact same team that was getting its doors blown off by the Zags in the first half. And the same team that was getting beat soundly by dUKe in the first half. Both opponents shot it horribly in the second half and dUKe had a player or two with cramps that hurt them. Even with the 20 pt blowout to an avg tOSU team, I think this group is in the best place they could be. This team isn’t horrible, but it sure as hell isn’t top 5 or 10. Probably fringe top 25. And there’s not a damned thing wrong with that given the circumstances. The dUKe and Gonzaga second half were the anomalies so far. I think when everyone realizes that, expectations will come back to Earth.
Bad opponents and situational luck. The “one of the best offenses in the country” was against some of the worst teams in the country. The offense hasn’t been good against quality opponents.
The lack of quality opponents had little to do with why we were able to hit wide open 3s. It might have been the reason why they were open but not why they hit the shot. Every major team in college basketball were playing cupcakes and they weren't hitting wide open 3s. There is something other than basketball going on with this team and it will eventually come to light.
How many “wide open 3s” have they hit lately? Book got out and the opponents athletes got better. Every team we play is playing us the same way. Jam the ball if a guard has it, Chase all shooters over screens, play off Garrison/Williams/Carr when the have the ball on the perimeter, and just in general be very physical. Oh yeah, and make the defense defend middle third ball screens. This team isnt getting wide open 3s anymore. At least not from the guys that were making them.
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I don’t see a lot of wide open threes….teams have a scouting report in Ky..
- chase Berea off three point line
- physical guarding Jaxon…he struggles with physicality and isn’t a great shooter
- when Amari dribble/post…stick to the shooter and make him score if he can
- Oweh…go under screeens on him…work to take away drive
- chase Berea off three point line
- physical guarding Jaxon…he struggles with physicality and isn’t a great shooter
- when Amari dribble/post…stick to the shooter and make him score if he can
- Oweh…go under screeens on him…work to take away drive
It’s possible. Robinson taking nearly 7 threes per game while only hitting 30% may not sit too well with everyone. Could be issues between Williams and Garrison too. Wasn’t one of them considering backing out of the transfer prior to the season?
My money is on Williams and Garrison. Garrison is obviously the better player which is realized by Garrison and his teammates. To paraphrase, Pope's comments about not being into drama was stated for a very specific reason and I believe it has something do with why this team is falling from 35,000 feet and will crash if the issue isn't corrected. Some of the passes last night looked like they were in response to if you want the ball down low you will get it even if we have to force it.
Don’t be a skewered little b$tch otherwise we send you to the red part of the state. Next thing you know you’ll be growing a jawline beard and talking all gangsta and shit and popping out babies in an Italian restaurant. 😂
When you have struggled the entire game and you finally cut the lead to 6, that isn't the time to make high-risk one-handed passes into the lane. Those types of silly passes look like someone trying to make a point. You want the ball down low? You will get it by any means necessary even if it results in turnovers. This team absolutely didn't value ball possession at all last night.
Not an effort issue? You clearly watched a different game than me. When your around 6’9” tall and stand under a bucket and watch someone drive to you and never put your hands up, that’s effort! Especially when you been a NDPOY before. You know how to play, you’re just not doing it.
In the last month or so, quite a few realistic UK fans questioned the effort and defense of the team. Only to get blasted by the portion of the fanbase that would just reply with “9-1” or “Far Pope”.
So….just asking those “true fans” if it’s ok to discuss the shortcomings yet.
For the record I love Mark Pope. I think this will be his worst season at UK. Which is awesome because he’s already accomplished way more than I expected.
