Mark Pope, Kentucky in holding pattern until House settlement on April 7

[CuttingNets]

Per KSR
In the current Wild Wild West of recruiting, transparency and guardrails are coming — assuming the settlement is approved, as expected. Until then, though, Mark Pope feels his hands are tied in some areas no matter how strong a feel he has for what’s coming.
That’s impacting a lot of his day-to-day in terms of roster management and the NIL hurdles that pop up in every discussion. We’ll start big-picture and Pope’s desire to add a general manager, the way other high-profile programs have to navigate what has become free agency in college basketball with incoming and outgoing pieces while battling the draft and high school targets.
They’re recruiting now, but much-needed clarity is potentially a week away.

“We were deep in the portal last week, we will be this week and for the next weeks and months to come,” he said. “There’s even more chaos because this settlement is pending out there and that’ll change the way we’re allowed to work in the portal. There’s chaos and uncertainty and all the things.

Mark Pope, Kentucky in holding pattern until House settlement on April 7

The landscape of college sports could change in the next week. Until then, Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are in a holding pattern

www.on3.com

 

[crxohio]

Why aren't other schools in holding pattern? Sounds like "damage control" to me.

 

[TFCats11]

That’s strange! Every other program seems to be doing the exact opposite! Maybe when the ruling comes down that players have a “cap” of some sort to abide by, that will entice the real portal “superstars” to enter! Yeah, that’s what they are waiting for, a chance to potentially make less money!

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Shouldn’t be in a holding pattern, should be “balls to the walls do whatever it takes right now because there is no tomorrow” mentality. What am I missing here? Gotta get in and get yours while the getting’ good Mark. Now is not the time to play Mister Roger and attempt to follow a set of rules that doesn’t exist yet.

Edit - after actually reading the article, I would say there isn’t really a concern with Mark holding on portal adds, but only discussing what the future will look like after 4/7. My fault for reacting to a headline a writer wrote looking for exactly what I did. Not sure if he’s the idiot or I am. Probably a little of both.

 

[PastorofMuppets34]

Why aren't other schools in holding pattern? Sounds like "damage control" to me.

What other schools exactly? There isn't a team in the final four who has added a player yet, and I saw a graffic that said only 7 teams from the sweet 16 added 1 player. The actual good teams seem to be in a holding pattern as well.

If you are referencing UofL, sure, they're spending money trying to be relevant. Doesn't mean the players are a good fit or worth what they are paying.

 

[kywildcat41035]

Just another excuse man I just wish we would get an AD and coach in here that would have a set!!!!! These excuse makers are just getting old to be honest!

 

[coachcombs57]

Shouldn’t be in a holding pattern, should be “balls to the walls do whatever it takes right now because there is no tomorrow” mentality. What am I missing here? Gotta get in and get yours while the getting’ good Mark. Now is not the time to play Mister Roger and attempt to follow a set of rules that doesn’t exist yet.

From the sounds of it, the compliance dept is the issue here not mark

 

[PhattyJ4UK]

Why aren't other schools in holding pattern? Sounds like "damage control" to me.

More KSR writer attempt at damage control by taking what he said out of context to write a headline.

He didn’t say we were in a holding pattern as far as adding new players. He said it as far as adding a GM and having more defined job roles.

 

[TFCats11]

Whoever prematurely started that thread early last season, “Boys, it’s going to be a long season!”, should keep it on standby in cold storage… They might just be able to bring it back out in about 7-8 months!

 

[davtay]

More KSR writer attempt at damage control by taking what he said out of context to write a headline.

He didn’t say we were in a holding pattern as far as adding new players. He said it as far as adding a GM and having more defined job roles.

Exactly. These chicken littles have no reading comprehension. Just glance at a headline and start pounding on the keyboard.

 

[rivercatinfl]

Surely there is more to the story than this. We cant hamstring ourselves. Especially when other programs are deep into their portal offers.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

I’m somewhat of an expert on “spin” and this is spin.

Whether you or I like it or not you have to control the narrative and yes things like “optics” matter.

It’s too early for anyone to go crazy and shout doom and gloom but there are concerning things developing and a negative narrative is developing.

 

[crxohio]

What other schools exactly? There isn't a team in the final four who has added a player yet, and I saw a graffic that said only 7 teams from the sweet 16 added 1 player. The actual good teams seem to be in a holding pattern as well.

If you are referencing UofL, sure, they're spending money trying to be relevant. Doesn't mean the players are a good fit or worth what they are paying.

Your playing in the final 4, your trying to win it for your school and themselves. Last thing needed is portal distraction. Purpose of a GM. Why the heck we waiting for a chicken to lay 2 eggs at one time. When we are guaranteed 1.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Just another excuse man I just wish we would get an AD and coach in here that would have a set!!!!! These excuse makers are just getting old to be honest!

You’re ready to fire Pope for not having a portal set this soon? I understand portal concerns but I’m a little surprised by this!

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Oh shit, we're adding a GM? Thats the exact stuff I want to hear. Use school money to staff some positions to to build the program. GMs, NIL directors, idc, whatever it takes. Lord knows there's enough fluff admin positions in every university anyways.

 

[crxohio]

I read the article as wait n see, right?

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

Here’s something scary and sobering for all of us to realize where we are at now and what it’s going to take to be competitive nationally

The Dark Money Behind Duke Basketball — The Wall Street Journal

The Blue Devils have a Final Four roster that takes millions of dollars to assemble, but exactly who is paying for it remains a mystery. That’s no accident.

apple.news

 

[kywildcat41035]

You’re ready to fire Pope for not having a portal set this soon? I understand portal concerns but I’m a little surprised by this!

No honestly I don't want to fire Pope. To be honest I do want to fire Mitch and have for a long long time!

 

[JwUKFan11]

The article if free guys, for those who can read I suggest you read it.

We are not in a recruiting holding pattern.

 

[SemperFiCat]

I'M FREAKING OUT!!!! I NEED MY ROSTER FILLED TODAY!!!!

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

No honestly I don't want to fire Pope. To be honest I do want to fire Mitch and have for a long long time!

The sooner people realize that MB works for and has the full faith and support of the BOT the better for your mental health it will be.

 

[TFCats11]

Exactly. These chicken littles have no reading comprehension. Just glance at a headline and start pounding on the keyboard.

By all means, please elaborate on these new studs UK has brought in during this portal cycle to replace the ones that are out of eligibility!

Just a quick player by player breakdown, and how they are going to build upon the foundation that has been laid, and we should all start feeling better once we see your analysis.

Oh, wait…

 

[ukcatz12]

Y'all need some media literacy. There's a huge difference between an opinion piece and a fact based news article. This is an opinion piece with Pilgrim's thoughts on Pope quotes. Headlines also get you to click on an article, they are often misleading or flat out untrue.

The "holding pattern" phrase is something the editor chose to use as the headline. Nowhere in the quotes from Pope were those words used. This does not mean that we won't be signing any more portal guys until after the settlement. We already have one signed, if the program was truly in a holding pattern that wouldn't have happened.

What the holding pattern was referring to was:

• If and when to bring a GM type role into the program
• How many scholarships teams will be allowed to have next year
• If walk ons will be used in the future.

Anything other than that was just BS added by Pilgrim to make the article as long as possible.

 

[crxohio]

Stop trying to say the article wasn't wait n see. He clearly says it. Next week, weeks, and months,

 

[SemperFiCat]

By all means, please elaborate on these new studs UK has brought in during this portal cycle to replace the ones that are out of eligibility!

Just a quick player by player breakdown, and how they are going to build upon the foundation that has been laid, and we should all start feeling better once we see your analysis.

Oh, wait…

Chill, friend. Trust that these people might actually know more than us. We have zero clue how many guys are waiting til after the 7th to even enter the portal. These agents are good at what they do. Plenty of stud players are waiting for the right time. A lot of these players might actually have been told to get in early and get paid now before the big fish hit the portal.

 

[PastorofMuppets34]

By all means, please elaborate on these new studs UK has brought in during this portal cycle to replace the ones that are out of eligibility!

Just a quick player by player breakdown, and how they are going to build upon the foundation that has been laid, and we should all start feeling better once we see your analysis.

Oh, wait…

Please provide a detailed list of all the portal studs Auburn, Florida, Houston and Duke have coming in to replace everyone they are losing at the end of the year.

Just a quick player by player breakdown, and how they are going to build upon the foundation that has been laid, and we should all start feeling better once we see your analysis.

Oh, wait...

Wish Pope could bench you from these boards...

 

[crxohio]

Opinion or not. That's were we are. Until a recruit picks us this week. Pattern is a pretty solid definition.

 

[JwUKFan11]

Stop trying to say the article wasn't wait n see. He clearly says it. Next week, weeks, and months,

For recruiting? Because is that’s what you got out of it you actually can’t read.

 

[crxohio]

Chill, friend. Trust that these people might actually know more than us. We have zero clue how many guys are waiting til after the 7th to even enter the portal. These agents are good at what they do. Plenty of stud players are waiting for the right time. A lot of these players might actually have been told to get in early and get paid now before the big fish hit the portal.

Best case scenario. Still doesn't mean they coming to ky.

 

[ukcatz12]

Stop trying to say the article wasn't wait n see. He clearly says it. Next week, weeks, and months,

Find me a quote from Pope that says they won't sign anyone or do any more work in the portal until the ruling comes down. If you can't do that, then yes, the article was conjecture and opinion and spin.

 

[crxohio]

For recruiting? Because is that’s what you got out of it you actually can’t read.

Or I don't skip over things. That dont fit my agenda, over on a another opinion based platform.

 

[bthaunert]

Stop trying to say the article wasn't wait n see. He clearly says it. Next week, weeks, and months,

There is a wait n see about some things (roster limit, revenue sharing, GM position), but it's not impacting them being deep in the portal and offering guys from the portal.

 

[davtay]

By all means, please elaborate on these new studs UK has brought in during this portal cycle to replace the ones that are out of eligibility!

Just a quick player by player breakdown, and how they are going to build upon the foundation that has been laid, and we should all start feeling better once we see your analysis.

Oh, wait…

Nope. There will be players. We will have a team. We will compete. It just started.

But you go ahead a post the same thing in every thread you open. Doesn't matter. Your post history shows you as the troll you are.

 

[UKSanders]

By all means, please elaborate on these new studs UK has brought in during this portal cycle to replace the ones that are out of eligibility!

Just a quick player by player breakdown, and how they are going to build upon the foundation that has been laid, and we should all start feeling better once we see your analysis.

Oh, wait…

Honest question... if Pope were to get commits from PG Pierre (Jax St), PF Lendeborg (UAB), PF Fulgueiras (RMU), and a yet to be named C, would you think that's a good portal cycle?

If yes, then that's why people are saying it may be premature to be losing our minds over who has & hasn't committed. There ARE still good players available.

Is it a little concerning so far? Sure, some, but not freak out level like many on this board are doing. I really hate that Gwath decided to stay at SDSU b/c he was one of my favorite potential portal additions, but I understand his deciding to stay where he was.

 

[permdaddy]

We should not be in a holding pattern when so many of the players we want are trying to get a deal done before the ruling. We are doing the exact opposite of what we should be doing.

If this isn't spin someone needs to explain exactly what the hell is going on.

 

[crxohio]

There is a wait n see about some things (roster limit, revenue sharing, GM position), but it's not impacting them being deep in the portal and offering guys from the portal.

We are deep I'm the portal, cause we whiffed, whiffed, and whiffed. Show me the pudding, which you are. Now show me the proof. ????

 

[JwUKFan11]

Or I don't skip over things. Tnat dont fit my agenda on another opinion based platform.

“We were deep in the portal last week, we will be this week and for the next weeks and months to come,” he said. “There’s even more chaos because this settlement is pending out there and that’ll change the way we’re allowed to work in the portal. There’s chaos and uncertainty and all the things. It’s an incredible opportunity for all of our guys to figure out where they want to be and what their next step is. It’s very rarely a one-off conversation — kind of daily conversations.”

Man you aren’t smart.

 

[JwUKFan11]

We should not be in a holding pattern when so many of the players we want are trying to get a deal done before the ruling. We are doing the exact opposite of what we should be doing.

If this isn't spin someone needs to explain exactly what the hell is going on.

Start by reading the article

 

[Cowtown Cat]

From the sounds of it, the compliance dept is the issue here not mark

Ugh! The UK compliance department! It’s just like a built in cock block!

 

[SemperFiCat]

Best case scenario. Still doesn't mean they coming to ky.

You're probably right. A couple posters here are. We'll probably not have enough players to field a team next season. Gonna have to Hickory this thing and play with four.

Let me remind some folks that Pope put together a fine roster in the 11th hour, after all the 'studs' were gone. And he limped that roster to a Sweet 16. Did y'all learn nothing??