Pope needs to send players to nba to sell the program

[clevenger32]

I think players and their handlers are smart enough to realize that this is the first place Pope has coached at that is expected to produce NBA players. Also, the players are more worried about NIL and winning to worry about how many of his former players went to the NBA. It isn't that going to the NBA isn't important. Players realize today that they are most often on GMs' radar before they ever get to college. Minus a couple of players, Cal had very little to do with his players going to the NBA. For the most part, the NBA didn't hold under performance against Kentucky players because they realized they weren't getting good coaching. Heck, Reed made it to the NBA with all that Cal did to hide him.

Look how few NBA/ABA players UK PUT IN THE NBA YET we have the second most NCAA championships, NITs when they meant something, and Helmes Championships when they mattered… I will take the focus on winning for UK. If kids don’t want that, I don’t want them.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

Those players weren't discovered; they were developed. Many of Kentucky fans have forgotten about the role coaches should play in developing players. We are too used to getting 5-star players who would have made it to the NBA if they had never stepped foot on UK's campus.

No we haven't. You typically need a good mixture of both to give you the best chance.

 

[jeffky]

Look how few NBA/ABA players UK PUT IN THE NBA YET we have the second most NCAA championships, NITs when they meant something, and Helmes Championships when they mattered… I will take the focus on winning for UK. If kids don’t want that, I don’t want them.

This is not cal university or nba mini camp anymore nice try adjust and come back later

 

[ukjenning44]

Pope needs to continue doing what he’s doing. One and done does not work.

 

[Cats192]

Yeah, that worked out great for Cal. How many of the top players did he whiff on while chocking the NBA full of players?

This.

 

[clevenger32]

This is not cal university or nba mini camp anymore nice try adjust and come back later

What do you mean come back later? Comparatively speaking prior to Calapari we had relatively few NBA players over the years in the NBA, but
We have been arguably the greatest college basketball program over the last 95 years! I will take it and our focus on the prize is back under Pope

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Ehh.. who from Houston, Florida or Auburn will be a 1st rounder? Clayton, maybe one or two others?

I think if we recruit top 10 classes out of HS, were going to have talent that the NBA will want.

If anythinf, no draft picks this year really shows us just how limited this team was.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I just want successful college players.

Florida, Houston, and Auburn aren’t NBA factories.

UConn, Purdue, Bama, and NC State aren’t either.

That’s 7 of the 8 Final Four teams the past two seasons.

You don’t need an abundance of NBA talent to get to the Final Four and win titles.

You need the best college players and you need to keep them in your program for multiple years.

Player retention and player development.

If Pope produces a few NBA players along the way, that’s fine. It’s just not essential.

 

[jeffky]

What do you mean come back later? Comparatively speaking prior to Calapari we had relatively few NBA players over the years in the NBA, but
We have been arguably the greatest college basketball program over the last 95 years! I will take it and our focus on the prize is back under Pope

The focus is not on the nba the focus is to hang banners . If we can do that by getting some of our players to the nba then so be it .

 

[9N9]

Many players look at his resume, and find that he has coached no nba players. This may hinder our recruiting (both hs and portal).

We need one of Kobe Brea, Amari Williams, Andrew Carr, Jaxson Robinson to be drafted hopefully

Agree

 

[UKAlum84]

There is at least 2 ways to win with a team........recruit talent or......... finely craft the team with role players who are excellent at their role.

But realistically, we want both talent and coaching to create a finely tuned team.

 

[clevenger32]

The focus is not on the nba the focus is to hang banners . If we can do that by getting some of our players to the nba then so be it .

Absolutely. Winning for UK is it. If a benefit is putting guys in the NBA great…secondarily.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

Fun.

How many players have the current coaches in the title game sent to the nba that you can think of?

Oh

 

[Mike-D]

Many players look at his resume, and find that he has coached no nba players. This may hinder our recruiting (both hs and portal).

We need one of Kobe Brea, Amari Williams, Andrew Carr, Jaxson Robinson to be drafted hopefully

Duke is recruiting just fine with Scheyer. That mfer was handed the keys just like Pope was.

 

[warrior-cat]

UK doesn't make final fours or win national titles without high level talent. All anyone has to do is look at any title team or final four team the past 50 years.

Once we have that on the roster the odds of making the final four and winning it all will go up. Not rocket science.

That's good news because, if it were, I was out.

 

[warrior-cat]

As long as Pope gets quality talent that fits his system, we will be fine. Can't win it all every year but as long as we go deep in the dance regularly, we will get there. NBA type talent will definitely help, but as long as the talent is good or better, we will be in good shape.

I think moreover, Pope needs to make sure our coaching staff can work in strength/toughness training and defense to go with his offensive plan.

However, at this time in his coaching career at UK, it is still too early to tell how well he will do. A couple of more years will give a good gauge/reference as to how good we can be under Pope.

Until then, just sit back in the off season and watch the Reds (if you are a fan) ... No wait, scratch that... just go fishing.