Pope gives me hope

[BBNWildcats4life]

Pope had no team. No staff. Nothing but a one-and-done factory with broken infrastructure when he took over.

Injuries all year long; 2 took out a starter for the tournaments and our back up PG (In DECEMBER!!). Multiple times this season we were playing our 4th options at PG.

--Sweet 16 first time in 6 years regardless lol

I don't expect anything out of the Tennessee game honestly, this is house money and its a miracle when you consider where we were last April when Pope took over.

The foundation he has set for the future is undeniable.

Man this feels good.....I've missed it

 

[BBNWildcats4life]

Pope has completely fixed the foundation Cal thoroughly poisoned, incredible

 

[cat tat2]

The right man for the job. The beginning of a legendary coaching career is happening before our eyes.

 

[WeWant9]

He will fight and crawl to get a title at UK.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

He deserves all of the credit in the world. A great motivator and had the Cats prepared for this game when many people weren't giving them a chance. The resiliency of this team to keep winning and fighting through adversity with all of the injuries this year is remarkable. Sweet 16 with a roster that did not come together until mid-April and the story isn't even finished yet. Let that sink in!!

 

[KyLegacy]

I’ll just put this here from a poster on another site.


Mark Pope in his first season at Kentucky:

• ⁠puts together a roster of 12 new players, 9 transfers, 2 freshmen, and 1 transfer freshman.
• ⁠multiple injuries to Carr, Butler, Robinson, and Kriisa, 2 of them out for the season.
• ⁠top 3 scoring offense in the country.
• ⁠12 Q1 wins (8 Q1A).
• ⁠8 wins vs AP top 15 opponents (school record).
• ⁠3 postseason wins at Kentucky for the first time since 2019.
• ⁠first sweet 16 appearance for Kentucky for the first time since 2019.

 

[BBNWildcats4life]

The right man for the job. The beginning of a legendary coaching career is happening before our eyes.

Never recruited a 5 star/McDonalds all-American. Check

Never won an NcaaT game before. Check

Last thing he has to prove is team and program continuity from season to season and he's hit literally everything out of the park. Oweh, Garrison, Kerr and the 3 freshmen is an incredible foundation to build around going forward. Pick up a couple of Portal players and we're cooking.

Everything was so broken when he took over and he never complained or made any excuses.

Injuries alone would have completely derailed most teams seasons

 

[bowfreak]

To put it into perspective as to how far we’ve fallen under Cal I feel like a sweet 16 berth is a massive event. For the majority of my life a sweet 16 berth was pretty much ho hum, talk to me when you get to the final four.

 

[BBNWildcats4life]

To put it into perspective as to how far we’ve fallen under Cal I feel like a sweet 16 berth is a massive event. For the majority of my life a sweet 16 berth was pretty much ho hum, talk to me when you get to the final four.

Actually going to actively avoid you lol

Can't imagine not being completely ecstatic right now, especially after the last 5 years.

Pope has righted the ship, regardless of what happens next weekend

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

Some folks just can’t take joy in the journey. It’s always what’s over the horizon that’s important. The end.

 

[darkshadesofblue]

This program is going to continue to blossom under Pope. We’re in good hands going forward..

 

[BBNWildcats4life]

He will fight and crawl to get a title at UK.

I fully believe in Pope and the fact he will do anything he can to get us 9.

Made zero excuses with all the injuries, just made adjustments and kept the team moving

 

[darkshadesofblue]

Pope has really put in the work for this program. Looking at him in some of his interviews, the dude has bags under his eyes. The guy would literally put his blood, sweat and tears for Kentucky basketball

 

[CNJ1966]

Happiest I’ve been as a UK basketball fan (just with the overall state of the program) since…2012?

 

[trueblujr2]

So as far as former UK players turned Coaches throughout history, where would we rank Pope at this point in his career. Pat Riley would obviously be the best, but his was all in the NBA. Probably have to put C.M. Newton up there at #2. Not sure where Dwayne Casey lands on the list, but again, primarily NBA. Ford and Pelphrey have been at it longer than Pope but are fairly mediocre. I think (hope) Pope will eventually surpass them. Are there some guys I’m missing? I’m sure there are. I’m not counting all those guys that have been meh at a bunch of mid-majors.

 

[BBNWildcats4life]

Happiest I’ve been as a UK basketball fan (just with the overall state of the program) since…2012?

Haven't felt this good after an NcaaT game in a long time, let alone two in a row.

Regardless of what happens next weekend Pope has earned my complete trust moving forward and has brought my joy back for my favorite hobby