Just as it says.
Mark Popes First Full Offseason is Done.
How did he do?
Mark Popes First Full Offseason is Done.
How did he do?
Offseason Complete- Grade Mark Pope
- Thread starter bbnkat02
- Start date
Couldn't have done much better. The only remaining question moving forward is how successful will he be with the top high school recruits. This year, he had the benefit of two big-timers that had Kentucky ties.
Still, given his personality, communication ability, and work ethic, I think we'll always have good talent.
Still, given his personality, communication ability, and work ethic, I think we'll always have good talent.
At least an A. The sheer talent we brought in mandates nothing less.
The only quibble I have is that I wish the talent was more balanced between the frontcourt and backcourt. We almost have too many bigs, but only one real point guard. Which leaves us only one injury away from falling into the same “no point” predicament that plagued us last season.
The only quibble I have is that I wish the talent was more balanced between the frontcourt and backcourt. We almost have too many bigs, but only one real point guard. Which leaves us only one injury away from falling into the same “no point” predicament that plagued us last season.
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This. I don’t think it’s for lack of trying though. We went after several true PGs and they just went elsewhere.
I think it’s gonna be that way going forward though. PGs are gonna be in high demand and very few are gonna want to be the backup anywhere.
If you gave him a C I would really like to hear the reasoning on that one. I honestly don’t get a B either, but a C is puzzling to me. My opinion is that he really couldn’t have done better with the portal and freshmen. I do think it’s a valid point we will have to see how he does in future seasons with high schoolers, although I think there’s ample evidence he will be fine there. Also, with the portal it’s just much less important than in years past.
Pope absolutely crushed the offseason. To be fair, with a massive NIL budget, he should have.
The main question going into this season and moving forward until it changes is the lack of multiple stars, instead focusing on immense quality depth.
As we compare to other top teams going into the season, how important is it that we have considerably better guys 9-end of bench? As far as like the top 8 on the roster we’re just in a huge cluster of the top 12-15 teams. Our edge is depth, which I think really keeps the floor of this team super high but might be widely ignored in preseason rankings.
The main question going into this season and moving forward until it changes is the lack of multiple stars, instead focusing on immense quality depth.
As we compare to other top teams going into the season, how important is it that we have considerably better guys 9-end of bench? As far as like the top 8 on the roster we’re just in a huge cluster of the top 12-15 teams. Our edge is depth, which I think really keeps the floor of this team super high but might be widely ignored in preseason rankings.
I gave an A- because of Wilkerson. If he had landed the stud shooter would have been an A.
I view it as a Lewis & Wilkerson or Aberdeen & Hawthorne, I think the latter gives you a little more versatility and upside with about equal talent.
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I gave him an A, but really think we need better shooting. Other than Kam, I don't really see it.
A-
He lost out on Magoon. I already had a youtube channel created that was gonna focus on his highlights next season called "The Goon Session"
He lost out on Magoon. I already had a youtube channel created that was gonna focus on his highlights next season called "The Goon Session"
With the improved athleticism and rebounding presence, shooting shouldn't be a problem. Nobody will be able to sit on our guys at the perimeter because we'll have so many threats to cut and drive. If we miss a three because our guys are "only" averaging 35%, we mop it up off the glass and get another possession.
I think shooting will be as good as last year. We just won't have a Brea that teams double on the perimeter.
I put him in S tier.
Would have been really nice to have included one serious established sharpshooter to take full advantage of all the mayhem our deep, long, skilled, and scrappy roster will be causing on offense. But Pope has to operate in the real world at a time when sharpshooters are basically the premier role (that power forwards were twenty years ago) and schools like BYU are dropping 5 mil on individual players. In my opinion Pope also has really had to do it all with far, far less than the twenty million many are claiming he had.
Considering what he was up against, what Pope delivered was easily S tier in my book.
Would have been really nice to have included one serious established sharpshooter to take full advantage of all the mayhem our deep, long, skilled, and scrappy roster will be causing on offense. But Pope has to operate in the real world at a time when sharpshooters are basically the premier role (that power forwards were twenty years ago) and schools like BYU are dropping 5 mil on individual players. In my opinion Pope also has really had to do it all with far, far less than the twenty million many are claiming he had.
Considering what he was up against, what Pope delivered was easily S tier in my book.
I gave an A. If JQ gets healthy and plays it becomes S tier for me.
Anything below an A and you're nothing but a gd hater.
That was me. Honestly if we have no guys taken in the lottery of the NBA draft what's the point of all of this? No lottery picks equals an awful offseason in my opinion. How are we supposed to generate hype around the program when UK isn't front and center on draft night?Someone gave him a C? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
A-. The only other thing I wanted was a big scorer at the 2. I really like Aberdeen but not sure he will be a big scorer.
I've seen speculation about Kentucky's NIL budget, but nothing substantiated.
Doing big things. We should play fast paste next year for sure.
My only concern is keeping all the players happy, but it’s a great problem to have.
My only concern is keeping all the players happy, but it’s a great problem to have.
Kam shot 2% lower from 3 than Kobe did this year. He shot 3% better from 3 than Clayton Jr who was the best shooter for Florida at 38%. To me looking strictly at the percentage a guy shoots can be short sighted and misleading. Going 6-6 against mid majors and 0-6 against top teams looks like you are a 50% shooter but you aren't getting it done when your team needs you the most. If you didn't know his percentage you would say Clayton Jr was a dead eye shooter because he did it in big games and with the game on the line. That to me is the mark of a good shooter more so than shooting in the high 40's but a lot are against inferior opponents.
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I still have him an A. I think Kam is a stud shooter but I would have liked another real scoring machine. That or a generational freshman would have put him in A+/S territory but I’m still thrilled with the recruiting/portal haul along with returning talent.
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I gave him an F.
For F***ing crushing it.
For F***ing crushing it.
Pope has probably never gotten lower than an A his whole life. Why start now?
Not to mention, Bama was only 93rd (35.3%) in the country at 3P% and still had the 4th best offense in the country. This board's tunnel vision around 3 point shooting percentage continues.
Ladders do provide a lot of versatility to be sure, and they are indeed talented. DIY projects, wrestling matches, but they're especially good when it's time to cut some nets.
A
Addressed some issues with defense and rebounding from last year with the portal. Shooting might not be a good as last year, but I can live with that looking at our possible defensive ability next season.
Brought in talented freshmen, some that might stick around for a couple years.
Pretty much retained the needed players from last year for some continuity.
Addressed some issues with defense and rebounding from last year with the portal. Shooting might not be a good as last year, but I can live with that looking at our possible defensive ability next season.
Brought in talented freshmen, some that might stick around for a couple years.
Pretty much retained the needed players from last year for some continuity.
A+
Brought in high end talent (that address deficiencies from year 1) and more of it than I would expect the recruits themselves to tolerate in terms of minutes splits. Re-connected with former players from the Cal years that fans still love and want around. Did long form interviews with local and national media. Made some exciting scheduling moves. No gaffes. NIL clearly continues to roll. Retained the entire staff. Only lost one player he wanted to keep and realistically Perry would’ve been approximately the 12th man. Is there anything to dislike?
Brought in high end talent (that address deficiencies from year 1) and more of it than I would expect the recruits themselves to tolerate in terms of minutes splits. Re-connected with former players from the Cal years that fans still love and want around. Did long form interviews with local and national media. Made some exciting scheduling moves. No gaffes. NIL clearly continues to roll. Retained the entire staff. Only lost one player he wanted to keep and realistically Perry would’ve been approximately the 12th man. Is there anything to dislike?
The "only one true point guard" is probably going to be our achilles heel. I do trust that Jasper Johnson can shift over to play PG, but with Perry transferring, that leaves just Jasper, maybe Aberdeen and a bit of Chandler if needed. Lowe's health will be crucial, and I think you strongly have to think about limiting his minutes while also getting PG reps for Johnson and others. Because if Lowe goes down, this team goes from a title contender to 2nd or 3rd round loss.
I gave him an A+
The reason he didn't get another PG, in my opinion, is because people know Jaland Lowe is gonna be the starter and nobody is likely taking that job away from him. We do have some people on the roster who can back him up in a pinch, Collin Chandler being the most likely. Aberdeen and Oweh can both run point if needed, but I bet Chandler will be the first one who gets work at that position.
But if you look at the talent, and experience, this team is bringing, the shooting, the rebounding, the pure talent, there's no denying this team has the potential to make a Final Four and possibly win it all. Pope has done a great job!
The reason he didn't get another PG, in my opinion, is because people know Jaland Lowe is gonna be the starter and nobody is likely taking that job away from him. We do have some people on the roster who can back him up in a pinch, Collin Chandler being the most likely. Aberdeen and Oweh can both run point if needed, but I bet Chandler will be the first one who gets work at that position.
But if you look at the talent, and experience, this team is bringing, the shooting, the rebounding, the pure talent, there's no denying this team has the potential to make a Final Four and possibly win it all. Pope has done a great job!
I'm feeling a little stingy today so I gave an A.
My preferred construction would be to have another natural point guard and I'd love it if we had been able to add another proven sniper to the mix but that piece is closer to greed than need but I do wish Lewis stuck with the program, he would be perfect to pair with Lowe and then Aberdeen, Jasper, and Collin would provide supreme depth rather than be the only answers if Lowe is out or just has foul problems.
My preferred construction would be to have another natural point guard and I'd love it if we had been able to add another proven sniper to the mix but that piece is closer to greed than need but I do wish Lewis stuck with the program, he would be perfect to pair with Lowe and then Aberdeen, Jasper, and Collin would provide supreme depth rather than be the only answers if Lowe is out or just has foul problems.
Big danger in that after last season though. An injury to Lowe and it will be tough so I really wish Lewis had stuck around.
A.
As others have said we are one true point guard away from being absolutely great. I get nervous about Lowe getting injured. Foul trouble for a few games is no biggie, but Lewis leaving really messed us up (potentially). No injury....we're cruising and Lewis can suck it.
As others have said we are one true point guard away from being absolutely great. I get nervous about Lowe getting injured. Foul trouble for a few games is no biggie, but Lewis leaving really messed us up (potentially). No injury....we're cruising and Lewis can suck it.
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