Might be one of the most important wins in years, maybe longer..?

[LineSkiCat14]

Not many opportunities to get a top5-ish win. Even great established coaches, it could take years. And Pope gets his first just 3 games in.

It was a rare win over Duke, we won the CC which also hasn't happened often in the last 6 or 7 years, and were going to move up to the top10 (or close to it). We also doused the Duke fire, and had they won the media would be going crazy for them and Flagg.

Looking a little more broadly.. this also gets Pope's name on everyone's radar that much quicker. Everyone in college ball took notice. And that includes future recruits and transfers. He proved that he has a system that benefits the players offensive abilities and it can win games.

I think this is one of the more important non-tournament wins we've had in years.. maybe even a decade. Pope has likely established himself as the next coach up and I think doing it this early, against Duke, on the biggest stage outside of the tournament (the CC, that is) is going to pay huge dividens.

Cheers BBN, we back up!

 

[Bluegrass79]

Very important to get this win so you can clear the cloud of Cowpeary over your head. The skies are clear and the sun is out and the bluegrass is growing again!

 

[jeffky]

Ranks up there one thing for sure we have a coach that knows what this means K E N T U C K Y

 

[UKfanINcoach]

Not many opportunities to get a top5-ish win. Even great established coaches, it could take years. And Pope gets his first just 3 games in.

It was a rare win over Duke, we won the CC which also hasn't happened often in the last 6 or 7 years, and were going to move up to the top10 (or close to it). We also doused the Duke fire, and had they won the media would be going crazy for them and Flagg.

Looking a little more broadly.. this also gets Pope's name on everyone's radar that much quicker. Everyone in college ball took notice. And that includes future recruits and transfers. He proved that he has a system that benefits the players offensive abilities and it can win games.

I think this is one of the more important non-tournament wins we've had in years.. maybe even a decade. Pope has likely established himself as the next coach up and I think doing it this early, against Duke, on the biggest stage outside of the tournament (the CC, that is) is going to pay huge dividens.

Cheers BBN, we back up!

Yeah i was thinking the same things. It’s a win for the season but a bigger win for the future.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

It certainly is a statement win and puts a stamp on the Mark Pope Era that Kentucky Basketball is back and a force to be reckoned with again in big games. No longer Cal's Kentucky teams!

 

[Lempface]

Should help any recruiting skepticism among players.

 

[*CatinIL*]

Pope and the Guys just put their BRAND on Kentucky Basketball.

 

[gharding07]

Sure is nice to win a game in this thing and not have to wait a whole month to play a decent team again!

 

[bbncal02]

Very important to get this win so you can clear the cloud of Cowpeary over your head. The skies are clear and the sun is out and the bluegrass is growing again!

This. Had we lost, it wouldn't be the end of the world. But questions would linger...."Did UK make the right call?" "Did fans run off Cal and make a mistake?"

Those questions have been answered for the most part. Lots of season left and games to be won, but this is a damn good start!

 

[UKSanders]

The biggest thing to me is the way this game was won puts a major signal out there to everyone that he is a complete coach, not just a "gimmicky offense guy"...a couple of major things:

1. While Pope is known as an "offensive" coach, this game was won on the defensive end.
2. It was won without hitting a ton of threes, so the offense was more balanced.

 

[RunninRichie]

Not many opportunities to get a top5-ish win. Even great established coaches, it could take years. And Pope gets his first just 3 games in.

It was a rare win over Duke, we won the CC which also hasn't happened often in the last 6 or 7 years, and were going to move up to the top10 (or close to it). We also doused the Duke fire, and had they won the media would be going crazy for them and Flagg.

Looking a little more broadly.. this also gets Pope's name on everyone's radar that much quicker. Everyone in college ball took notice. And that includes future recruits and transfers. He proved that he has a system that benefits the players offensive abilities and it can win games.

I think this is one of the more important non-tournament wins we've had in years.. maybe even a decade. Pope has likely established himself as the next coach up and I think doing it this early, against Duke, on the biggest stage outside of the tournament (the CC, that is) is going to pay huge dividens.

Cheers BBN, we back up!

Prevented Duke from tying the all time series.

 

[ChicagoCat1990]

is this bigger than the 2010 nba draft which was the greatest night in UK basketball history?

 

[bbncal02]

It's nice to have a Quad 1 win on Nov 12

 

[megablue]

Huge win, no doubt, but if we cannot beat a team that starts three Freshmen with the most experienced team in KY history, it will be a long year. We have six (6) players in their fifth year of college basketball. In “normal” years, they would not even be eligible to play. Enjoy this season and what great experience will provide. GO CATS !!!

 

[UKortho]

Pope didn’t look scared. No crazy jumping up and down with arms wailing. No way we win this game with CCC.

 

[WildcatSir]

Since the Wall team beating UNC.

 

[RunninRichie]

Pope didn’t look scared. No crazy jumping up and down with arms wailing. No way we win this game with CCC.

He looked Calm, cool, collected, and like he had a plan. Like Pitino.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

Statement win for Pope. Great for recruiting and advances the timeline for UK basketball's return to prominence. Revitalizes the fanbase and now we're all 100% fully behind Mark Pope. Lots of good things on the horizon!

 

[Fox2monk]

Not many opportunities to get a top5-ish win. Even great established coaches, it could take years. And Pope gets his first just 3 games in.

It was a rare win over Duke, we won the CC which also hasn't happened often in the last 6 or 7 years, and were going to move up to the top10 (or close to it). We also doused the Duke fire, and had they won the media would be going crazy for them and Flagg.

Looking a little more broadly.. this also gets Pope's name on everyone's radar that much quicker. Everyone in college ball took notice. And that includes future recruits and transfers. He proved that he has a system that benefits the players offensive abilities and it can win games.

I think this is one of the more important non-tournament wins we've had in years.. maybe even a decade. Pope has likely established himself as the next coach up and I think doing it this early, against Duke, on the biggest stage outside of the tournament (the CC, that is) is going to pay huge dividens.

Cheers BBN, we back up!

If Caleb Wilson watched this game and still goes to Arkansas then there is nothing we can do.

 

[bbncal02]

Statement win for Pope. Great for recruiting and advances the timeline for UK basketball's return to prominence. Revitalizes the fanbase and now we're all 100% fully behind Mark Pope. Lots of good things on the horizon!

Yep. We will still have some games where we are going to struggle, especially against physical teams (like EweTee) but we know at least we will have a plan.

 

[Fox2monk]

He looked Calm, cool, collected, and like he had a plan. Like Pitino.

He did, it felt amazing having a coach not look worried, the game on the line and he draws up a full court inbound and doesn’t look worried at all.

 

[bbncal02]

He did, it felt amazing having a coach not look worried, the game on the line and he draws up a full court inbound and doesn’t look worried at all.

Tbf, he's playing with house money. No pressure really. It's Year 1. Outside of completely tanking or some awful scandal, he will have our support.

 

[Mike-D]

Pope did a lot of great things down the stretch. The 2 that stick out the most werw calling for the refs to review that tip ball just inside the 2 minute mark, and that homerun ball to Butler, nearly under Duke's basket.

 

[megablue]

Tbf, he's playing with house money. No pressure really. It's Year 1. Outside of completely tanking or some awful scandal, he will have our support.

Pope is the hunter now, which is easier than being the hunted. He and the veterans have something to prove this season … tonight was a great start !!

 

[UKSanders]

Huge win, no doubt, but if we cannot beat a team that starts three Freshmen with the most experienced team in KY history, it will be a long year. We have six (6) players in their fifth year of college basketball. In “normal” years, they would not even be eligible to play. Enjoy this season and what great experience will provide. GO CATS !!!

They are experienced individuals, but they are an inexperienced "team".

They are still learning a new system with guys they've never played with... takes time to get a feel for reads, cuts, etc. Granted, Duke was both an inexperienced team AND played key inexperienced players, but as you said, this was still a great win.

 

[ukfan041]

Holy hell…what a win! So happy for the team! Pope coached a masterclass in the 2nd half

 

[bbncal02]

Pope is the hunter now, which is easier than being the hunted. He and the veterans have something to prove.

Yep, and like I said, no true pressure. It's brand new era, go out and see what happens. There's no cloud of decline or "Number One Class" or "Number 1 preseason rank" pressure. We're under the radar. I think Pope embraces that and shoot, why not us right now?

 

[sambowieshin]

Huge win, no doubt, but if we cannot beat a team that starts three Freshmen with the most experienced team in KY history, it will be a long year. We have six (6) players in their fifth year of college basketball. In “normal” years, they would not even be eligible to play. Enjoy this season and what great experience will provide. GO CATS !!!

Those freshmen are really good. Flagg is the real deal. Had 26 points tonight. Duke will get better .... But so will we.
This Ky team is not one anyone will want to face come March.

 

[sambowieshin]

Pope did a lot of great things down the stretch. The 2 that stick out the most werw calling for the refs to review that tip ball just inside the 2 minute mark, and that homerun ball to Butler, nearly under Duke's basket.

Coaching. Haven't seen that in a few years.

 

[catfan220]

Not many opportunities to get a top5-ish win. Even great established coaches, it could take years. And Pope gets his first just 3 games in.

It was a rare win over Duke, we won the CC which also hasn't happened often in the last 6 or 7 years, and were going to move up to the top10 (or close to it). We also doused the Duke fire, and had they won the media would be going crazy for them and Flagg.

Looking a little more broadly.. this also gets Pope's name on everyone's radar that much quicker. Everyone in college ball took notice. And that includes future recruits and transfers. He proved that he has a system that benefits the players offensive abilities and it can win games.

I think this is one of the more important non-tournament wins we've had in years.. maybe even a decade. Pope has likely established himself as the next coach up and I think doing it this early, against Duke, on the biggest stage outside of the tournament (the CC, that is) is going to pay huge dividens.

Cheers BBN, we back up!

It's probably the second best win anyone has this season after Gonzaga's win over Baylor, theirs being first because of the scale of the beating. But it doesn't get much bigger than UK-Duke, both teams ranked, throw in Flagg, the Champions Classic, and a new UK coach. Kansas over UNC is probably third, but they were at home and favored.

And I agree about getting Pope's name out there. People who follow CBB loosely probably saw the headlines when he got hired and were surprised we hired the BYU coach with no NCAA wins. Maybe they saw something about the big press conference. And that's about it. Now they know.