I am highly impressed with how Pope is handling his rosters so far. Last year he got what was left and parts that fit. This year, got parts that fit while being choosey somewhat. Recruiting over kids is a tough business but so is getting to Finals Fours. Must be done. Moving as quiet an a ninja on the hunt. And he doesn't seem to be held hostage by players/recruits. I really dig that about him. I will fully admit I didn't know if he had that dog in him to be that guy on the recruiting trail. He seems to be that guy.
Pope and Recruiting/Roster Management
- Thread starter jedwar
- Start date
I like the fact that he most likely does not promise starting spots to five-star recruits or their fathers. And I also appreciate the fact that he doesn't try to push every player to the NBA as soon as possible.
He does seem to be very fluid and obviously know what he wants out of a roster. UK got a great hire.
Contrary to worldwide reporting, THE Pope is alive and well in the Commonwealth……
I thought year 3 was going to be his first true juggernaut. The jury is out obviously, but I'd be surprised if this team isn't at the very top of the polls next season.
As a former NBA player and a player who developed his game during his college years Coach Pope has been there and he is starting to show his passion to the world. He is a players coach but not the same as our old coach, he wants them to be ready. I am also impressed with his coaching, recruiting and representation of UK. I think we have found another long term coach.
His staff also seems to be kicking ass at the highest of levels. I’m almost done saying it but good lord what a night and day difference from the former guy.
The days of hiring a new Coach and taking 3,4 years to rebuilt are long gone.
Now it's finding the right players and judging their charter. One way to judge it is telling them right off the bat I can give you this much in NIL but for playing time you got to earn it. If their OK with that then it's the kind of player you need.
You don't need I players you need team.
You don't always need every player to shoot at a high %. Look at Dennis Rodman made a living in the NBA rebounding and shut down defense.
Pope looks like he has a good eye for the type of players he's looking for.
Now it's finding the right players and judging their charter. One way to judge it is telling them right off the bat I can give you this much in NIL but for playing time you got to earn it. If their OK with that then it's the kind of player you need.
You don't need I players you need team.
You don't always need every player to shoot at a high %. Look at Dennis Rodman made a living in the NBA rebounding and shut down defense.
Pope looks like he has a good eye for the type of players he's looking for.
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IF you look back at some of the players he recruited at BYU we should not be surprised by his recruiting . He played under a great coach and learned what it takes to put a team together. I was all in on Pope before he was picked to coach at UK. Watched a bunch of BYU games he coached and really liked the way he coached.
I thought Pope was a panic hire but turns out I was wrong so far.
I did too. On paper the hire was actually worse than Billy Gillispie. Seriously. I was having a conniption that night. Turns out there was a loooooooot more than meets the eye with this one though.
Recruiting was my concern as well. I was at ease when we hired ab3, who is probably the top recruiter in mbb.
Pope's doing an incredible job finding value for UK. We're spending money obviously but we are avoiding bidding wars and finding good fits.
Now we just need this house settlement to get finalized so there can be some degree of even playing field. That will just highlight our staff and opportunity even more.
I think you can clearly see (now) how steep of a learning curve and impact coaching in the SEC was for CMP this season. The kind of players we've got this year are more athletic and stronger, better defense and rebounding has been addressed, whereas last year, taking what he got, he was kind of pidgeonholed into the corner on some things, especially when the injuries struck. Which, conversely, was also another huge consideration for roster construction this year.
Looking at the overall athleticism and strength, quickness and accounting for needed improvement defensively as well as in rebounding, and this is what he has moved towards. Also, just look at the cross-position backups we have stockpiled now...
just in case.
Lessons well learned. It'll all pay dividends in years to come
Looking at the overall athleticism and strength, quickness and accounting for needed improvement defensively as well as in rebounding, and this is what he has moved towards. Also, just look at the cross-position backups we have stockpiled now...
just in case.
Lessons well learned. It'll all pay dividends in years to come
I could see this year being a lot like Pitino’s in 1995 where we probably could have won it all with the right breaks. Next year being his 1996 team depending on who stays and which elite freshman he can get/what portal studs enter next year. We could easily be only looking to fill 4 spots next year where we could spend a lot for top talent.
Yep, he was his own first developmental success.
He can truthfully say that he knows about maximizing ability because his was minimal (relatively speaking) and yet with macimum effort and determination he carved himself out a more than a half decade NBA career.
