Pope working miracles

[Jamal Mercer]

SEC is the best it’s ever been.

He has no real NBA talent

Working through injuries to key players.

Beat Duke, Louisville and Tennessee along with other massive wins.

The guy is coaching his ass off and doing a hell of a job.

 

[VAWildcat15]

Pope is better than I expected and I actually liked the hire. This will be his least talented Kentucky team for a long time. We’re going to have a lot of fun.

 

[aikenite4uk]

What would cow’s record be with the same exact team? . 500 at best

 

[Jamal Mercer]

What would cow’s record be with the same exact team? . 500 at best

At best…..it would be very similar to the Julius Mays team.

 

[chroix]

Pope is not just a super smart coach, he is able to get the players to listen and execute. He’s additive in a way that Cal rarely was. It’s been a real joy to watch. Game tonight was another special win in a season with a lot of special wins so far.

 

[chroix]

What would cow’s record be with the same exact team? . 500 at best

9-16. Or worse?

 

[JumperJack]

Watching him run and down the sideline. Worked his ass off. We have our weaknesses but he is a fine coach. Future should be bright.

 

[runt#69]

Another notch in the belt for Coach of the Year, if you ask me. I'm happy to wait until the final results for the year come in on that one, though.

Proof is in the pudding, folks.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

It's quite remarkable. I'm not even sure if that describes it.

In no world should a team without 3 of it's top7 players (and arguably it's most important player), be able to go on the road an beat a top10 team. Im telling you, that probably hasn't been done since like the 70s. I'd take it a step further.. ANY top25 team, home or away.. you can count on one hand how many times they lose to a team without 3 of it's best players.

It's pretty insane we were able to win tonight. And it's really because of Pope.

 

[crxohio]

Pope is not just a super smart coach, he is able to get the players to listen and execute. He’s additive in a way that Cal rarely was. It’s been a real joy to watch. Game tonight was another special win in a season with a lot of special wins so far.

They execute out of timeouts. Important.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Another notch in the belt for Coach of the Year, if you ask me. I'm happy to wait until the final results for the year come in on that one, though.

Proof is in the pudding, folks.

Oh for sure.. I'd dare anyone to say there was a better coaching performance this year.

 

[will1976]

It's quite remarkable. I'm not even sure if that describes it.

In no world should a team without 3 of it's top7 players (and arguably it's most important player), be able to go on the road an beat a top10 team. Im telling you, that probably hasn't been done since like the 70s. I'd take it a step further.. ANY top25 team, home or away.. you can count on one hand how many times they lose to a team without 3 of it's best players.

It's pretty insane we were able to win tonight. And it's really because of Pope.

Nice post!

 

[chroix]

They execute out of timeouts. Important.

No doubt. No squandered opportunities there. They get a little too loose with the ball still. If they cut down on those turnovers we get a lot better. Especially if Amari is pulling down boards like tonight.

 

[crxohio]

No doubt. No squandered opportunities there. They get a little too loose with the ball still. If they cut down on those turnovers we get a lot better. Especially if Amari is pulling down boards like tonight.

Amen!

 

[ORCAT10]

It's quite remarkable. I'm not even sure if that describes it.

In no world should a team without 3 of it's top7 players (and arguably it's most important player), be able to go on the road an beat a top10 team. Im telling you, that probably hasn't been done since like the 70s. I'd take it a step further.. ANY top25 team, home or away.. you can count on one hand how many times they lose to a team without 3 of it's best players.

It's pretty insane we were able to win tonight. And it's really because of Pope.

Could not have said it better.

 

[Ballin4nine]

Pope's only blunder tonight was playing Chandler, Noah, and Perry at the same time.

 

[ORCAT10]

Pray he retires here about 20 years down the road.

 

[G-PIP]

Pope is better than I expected and I actually liked the hire. This will be his least talented Kentucky team for a long time. We’re going to have a lot of fun.

Talent is great to build with, but I'll take the best CBB players to win now. The talent that doesn't develop into really good basketball players until in the NBA won't help much. So, grateful we have a coach that won't build dumb rosters like the last guy - probably because his goal is actually winning CBB games. Yep, you're right - we're going to have a lot of fun.

 

[kywildcat41035]

SEC is the best it’s ever been.

He has no real NBA talent

Working through injuries to key players.

Beat Duke, Louisville and Tennessee along with other massive wins.

The guy is coaching his ass off and doing a hell of a job.

Yes he has and he has to be coach of the year hands down!

 

[phyrekat]

It didn't hurt that UT couldn't throw the ball in the ocean. Just saw a graphic that 73% of UTs shots were uncontested.
I'm thrilled with another great win, and I do think that CMP is the one to lead this team, but hoping the other team misses their shots is not a recipe for March success.

 

[Stretch98]

Oh for sure.. I'd dare anyone to say there was a better coaching performance this year.

 

[DraftCat]

Pope turning water into wine? Or wait that was Jesus.

 

[Roe07]

What would cow’s record be with the same exact team? . 500 at best

8-13 (1-6)

 

[oldsports_]

Pope's only blunder tonight was playing Chandler, Noah, and Perry at the same time.

Fact

 

[michaeluk26]

I can't believe we've already reached the record for most wins over top 10 teams since the 2003 Suffocats. And we're gonna break out too.

 

[Ballin4nine]

Fact

He may have been forced to. I wasn't keeping up with fouls or when someone needed a breather.

 

[oldsports_]

He may have been forced to. I wasn't keeping up with fouls or when someone needed a breather.

Robinson had cramps was why he was forced to play Perry

 

[megablue]

It didn't hurt that UT couldn't throw the ball in the ocean. Just saw a graphic that 73% of UTs shots were uncontested.
I'm thrilled with another great win, and I do think that CMP is the one to lead this team, but hoping the other team misses their shots is not a recipe for March success.

If we didn’t beat Tenn tonight, shooting so poorly, we’ll never beat them. They were awful !!

 

[Bank Cat]

Dude got quality minutes from Noah and Chandler. They made mistakes but played with confidence. That is coaching.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

What would cow’s record be with the same exact team? . 500 at best

Cal is possible to not finish the season .500 with his own team of top 25 players , I think he'd only have wins against the mid majors with our roster.

 

[Ballin4nine]

It didn't hurt that UT couldn't throw the ball in the ocean. Just saw a graphic that 73% of UTs shots were uncontested.
I'm thrilled with another great win, and I do think that CMP is the one to lead this team, but hoping the other team misses their shots is not a recipe for March success.

Maybe it was designed that way. After all UT sucks at offense. Take away the paint and make them make long outside shots. Pope plays the percentages.

 

[EliteBlue]

Pray he retires here about 20 years down the road.

Second this.

If he’s here for 20 years then we’ve went to numerous final 4s and he has at least 2 titles

 

[NC Weasel]

Tonight was great. I think highly of Barnes but I don't know where his his was tonight.

Tennessee has to know they have 1 great shooter, yet they jack up 45 threes against an undermanned UK team. No doubt they were emotionally a bit flat after the Auburn loss, but all the more reason to pound the ball inside and make this a rock fight. They start 3 guys over 6'11"!!!!

Barnes has to own this one for the Vols. Cats did what they had to do, but the Vols didn't use any of their advantages at all. And honestly I am shocked.

 

[catben]

Dude knows the game AND how to get EVERY BIT of what he needs out of each player!!!!

Do we make some unforced mistakes form time to time, yes, but to have down what he has with a team thrown together in about 6 weeks is REALLY amazing!!

And I feel like we still have PLENTY of room to grow!!!!

Now let's kick Cal and Hogs Butts!!!!

 

[UKBB4Ever]

What would cow’s record be with the same exact team? . 500 at best

It wouldn't be this team. It would be Arkansas' team. And you see their record.

 

[L.O.D.]

Does Pope already gotten more top 15 wins in 1/2 season than Cal in 5?

 

[TOMCATS1990]

If this team will follow the game plan Pope and company prepare we are dangerous come March. Heck of a win by the K A T S!!

 

[phyrekat]

Maybe it was designed that way. After all UT sucks at offense. Take away the paint and make them make long outside shots. Pope plays the percentages.

good point

 

[Skyguyb27]

I really enjoy seeing the changes at half time he makes and those intense moments and out of bounds plays. He really is good at drawing things up. Very clever and unpredictable.

 

[bnewt]

They execute out of timeouts. Important.

that is so great to see a play designed and run, not to mention adjustments being made