I’d love to see us put up 30 plus 3’s a game and run and press the entire game. Up tempo is the only way t cover up our deficiencies. We need to have games in the 80’s and up. Won’t win many playing in the 70’s or less
Popes team is lazy and soft !
- Thread starter Basil Cat
- Start date
Plus we usually bend over at the waist to pick up loose balls while the opponents hit the floor. It's pathetic.
These guys aren't good enough to not hustle their asses off playing for Kentucky. How does Jrob play top 3 mins have his size and usually rank 6-8th in rebs?
With Pope and this group i never thought effort would be a discussion. Noah deserves more m8ns for hustling. I'd rather have the hustle guys out there than the better player coasting.
Time for some tough love Pope. Can't be their buddy 247.
Not giving up on Pope yet I did expect to see multiple defenses - a occasional press - a scrappy tough team
We really don’t see any of that he seems to be more of psychologist than a Head Coach at this point
We really don’t see any of that he seems to be more of psychologist than a Head Coach at this point
Yeah that's what I'm saying we have to gimmick or something to cover up this Swiss cheese D. This ain't working.
Seems like our high out put “ get a ton of 3s up “ offense goes astray on the road , we slow down down to a turtles pace . Maddening .
Watch the last 4 mins of the game, and you will rethink your position.
Absolutely no effort, in all areas. Every turnover looked more like a direct pass, to the opposing team. We can't rebound, play defense and we look horrible on offense. Second level talent with no heart, nor passion. Got to get top tier talent, if we want, to be a great team.
Oh and I forgot, we did not do a shoot around today? Notorious for slow starts and no shoot around. Love Pope but gotta ask why?
"Lazy and soft" teams don't come back from 14 down at the half to up 7 on the road in the SEC. Problem is, without Carr we have nobody to score inside and/or get to the free throw line to close out the game. We had about six straight empty possessions within the last three minutes. With Carr, that did not happen against Duke and Gonzaga.
We all love him. But he’s essentially Mark Few East. As long as he’s here we will be a finesse team. Not saying we won’t win but it will be via finesse style.
Also another reason why I don’t want to add a lot of euro kids. I’ll take a kid from Jersey any day
Its like baseball 3 strikes and you are out unless Mitch gives him a lifetime contract
Effort is not mentioned in those stats. The dude has no motor at all. There was no reason for Williams or Butler to have been in the game with 5 mins to go. That lineup got us beat.
When we came back and played our best bsll Williams & Butler were on the bench. Why were they both on the floor the last 5 mins. Vandy is not a big team. You can play small and get the 5 that on the floor that can shoot and play hard. I put this loss on Pope
The lack of effort with our top 8 players was very easy to see when Noah was on the floor. Good for him. This team is all about effort, effort, effort. When they give it, we're pretty good. When they don't, we're pretty bad.
The offense generated at the top of the key by our 5 has got to go. It's churns out turnovers like a machine now that the SEC teams has it scouted. The refs are not going to call a foul on that handoff.
Brea needs to go watch film of Hero when he was here. He was sure not shy about working his tail off to get an open shot.
The offense generated at the top of the key by our 5 has got to go. It's churns out turnovers like a machine now that the SEC teams has it scouted. The refs are not going to call a foul on that handoff.
Brea needs to go watch film of Hero when he was here. He was sure not shy about working his tail off to get an open shot.
This entire thread is an abomination. Luckily, the lunatics are less than 1% of BBN.
We could put up that many 3's, but we don't have the guys who are willing to put in the work to do that. Amari giving out the one Christmas turkey at the high post is a no-go.
Exactly. The numbers lie.
Amari is a problem. Just watch him play.
He only gets the rebounds that fall into his hands. Then he’s likely to have it taken from him. The opponents go straight at him with no fear because he doesn’t guard.
You can see how every team is playing him that they have seen this on tape. Guards double down and take the ball from him because they have watched enough to know he will bring it down and hesitate. Has he ever thrown an outlet pass?
He’s bigger than Olivia Sarr but weaker.
He’s a project in his 5th year.
The real problem is that he is the best option. Pope really doesn’t have anyone better. Garrison shows flashes. But he’s not ready to man the post 30-35 mins a game.
Brea isn't a talented basketball player like Herro. Herro was a 1st round nba pick and took his UK team to the elite 8 and an OT away from a final four. He dates models and has made big shots to help the heat make a nba finals appearance and averages 20 to 21 a season n the NBA.
Brea will be playing in Israel or somewhere next season. Very good 3 point shooter but nothing else.
Williams is 6’10. And yes he plays soft sometimes but please you people need to quit saying he is 7’ or more.
All I got is, You Gotta Hope We Can Improve.
Past Cal Teams, were somewhat the same throughout the season.
Don't tell me, we've already hit our performance ceiling.
These guys have got to at least "think" we have a fighting chance to make it to the sec conf final round.
Past Cal Teams, were somewhat the same throughout the season.
Don't tell me, we've already hit our performance ceiling.
These guys have got to at least "think" we have a fighting chance to make it to the sec conf final round.
100%. This is why I would play Noah more minutes. He wants to win and plays with energy. At least he will fight. I know he's not ideal but for heavens sake the boy makes a difference when he's in the game. I also know I'm saying this based on 1 recent game but he's got heart and talent. Let him play!
Yeah I thought we were supposed to be relentless? Disappointed that it doesn’t seem like he has buy-in on that.
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Coach of Bama sat his star player Sears the 2nd half yday because of his performance- Pope needs to do the same
I think the kids do not understand SEC speed, grit, and heart. Look at most other teams, Ms St, FL, TX, TN, AL, MO, Vandy, and certainly Auburn, they put their everything in defense, loose balls, rebounding, and DESIRE TO WIN above individual stats. We are getting beat and look lazy because of our lack of athleticism, and speed. Lack of being athletic and quickness makes us look a lot more lazy than we actually are. Coach Pope is having to coach with these limitations. After 1 game, 19 games, or 30 games that issue can not be fixed. You can't change or fix those shortcomings with coaching. Recruiting is the ONLY way to address these deficiencies.
That's actually not true about Cal teams through March 2020. They generally improved throughout the season, which isn't surprising since more often than not we had big time freshmen involved and they had to adapt to college.
It was only when Cal started going more to the transfer portal and experience teams (since for whatever reason he wasn't getting the best freshmen anymore) that they stagnated more earlier on.
It's not surprising, given the way in which our team has played in the losses this year. Sure, I can agree that a certain amount of softness has been an issue. I knew everyone was going to come here and vent about that today, and I wanted to give a rebuttal for it, because I trust Coach Pope. I think the man can and will, find some answers for us. If not, ....
Just what, exactly, kind of expectations did YOU have heading into this season? Were you being very optimistic that we could lose only 8 or 9 games and get a #3 seed in the NCAAT like me ?
or
Were you doom and gloom and expecting the team and program to implode? And especially considering how insanely competitive and great the league is this year? Nobody saw that level of competition coming that THIS YEAR'S team would have to endure. ( as well as the fans).
Regardless, I am absolutely certain the buzz in the team's ear (from coaches to the players and everyone involved) is that many BBN fans are calling this team soft, and it's just wrong. PLAIN wrong.
They weren't soft coming back to beat dUKe or the Zags on neutral courts. They weren't soft coming back in yesterdays game, either, coming back from 14 in miserable gym. If they were as soft as everyone here claims they are, they would've folded and lost by 20+. Sure as hell wasn't soft beating a good Miss. State team in the HUMP. How soft were they in that exciting game against the Gators?
I'm not going into much detail about why you're wrong if you want to stubbornly hold onto that assessment. I'm not going to sugar coat or try to explain away by making excuses for anyone either.
I will say that without Kriisa, and Carr injured, Butler being banged up and hobbled ... we have taken the lions share of punishment that this incredible season for SEC basketball has given us.
In all the talk about how charmin soft everyone thinks we are, NOBODY, i mean NOBODY said a &%^damn word about being without Carr yesterday, not without Kriisa, and how the overtly physical nature of SEC basketball has taken a toll this year on us. Think about it. At least try to.
We lost the freaking game at Miserable Gymnasium by 5 freaking points. It's traditionally the toughest venue (alongside hardknoxville) to win in our league. So there sure as hell shouldn't have been much of a shock to lose there. I expected a loss in the game there pre-season, just thinking of it in purely historic terms, though I thought we would pull it out in the end and made my pick accordingly.
I have faith. By the sound of it, some of you seem to be in sore need of that.
But know that the team knows this, hears this. I expect them to come out here on out and show some fire and effort and hustle and play hardnosed for the rest of the season, regardless of injuries or who we're playing.
I'm not here dressing down this message board, that would be laughably foolish and futile, we eat our own here .... just giving my own honest 2 cents on why I think people might ought to reserve the harsher judgments until you see how the entirety of the season plays out before making universal preachments like this.
Like I said, earlier on it wasn't a problem. Now we're in league play, and if youve been watching for many years, then you oughtta know hard knocks are coming. That's exactly what we are seeing.
And sure, either they adapt and overcome, or lose.
Just try to keep a little more balance in your perspective, trust in Coach Pope, trusdt the team, let's get healthier and reset things.
It's still the regular season, last I checked, its just late January. Still plenty of time to correct the things Coach Pope has in mind.
If anything, trust my word on this....
If you give up some of your angst and anger, calm down, realize this process is a something to be enjoyed, rather than whined and cried about for every single loss ( especially these road losses, sweet Jesus .... it's always this way , just think about all those close road losses the final four team had with Brandon Knight and what happened by the end of that season. They sure as hell weren't soft in losing any of those games, and this team hasn't been blown out except the single time against Ohio State. I'm MORE than willing to give them a mulligan game THIS SEASON, for God's sake.)
But I was ready for giving our team a mulligan season from the get go, no matter how optimistic I may be, and I still am.
Bottom line :
You should too.
- end runt's rant #3,769
Go Big Blue
Just what, exactly, kind of expectations did YOU have heading into this season? Were you being very optimistic that we could lose only 8 or 9 games and get a #3 seed in the NCAAT like me ?
or
Were you doom and gloom and expecting the team and program to implode? And especially considering how insanely competitive and great the league is this year? Nobody saw that level of competition coming that THIS YEAR'S team would have to endure. ( as well as the fans).
Regardless, I am absolutely certain the buzz in the team's ear (from coaches to the players and everyone involved) is that many BBN fans are calling this team soft, and it's just wrong. PLAIN wrong.
They weren't soft coming back to beat dUKe or the Zags on neutral courts. They weren't soft coming back in yesterdays game, either, coming back from 14 in miserable gym. If they were as soft as everyone here claims they are, they would've folded and lost by 20+. Sure as hell wasn't soft beating a good Miss. State team in the HUMP. How soft were they in that exciting game against the Gators?
I'm not going into much detail about why you're wrong if you want to stubbornly hold onto that assessment. I'm not going to sugar coat or try to explain away by making excuses for anyone either.
I will say that without Kriisa, and Carr injured, Butler being banged up and hobbled ... we have taken the lions share of punishment that this incredible season for SEC basketball has given us.
In all the talk about how charmin soft everyone thinks we are, NOBODY, i mean NOBODY said a &%^damn word about being without Carr yesterday, not without Kriisa, and how the overtly physical nature of SEC basketball has taken a toll this year on us. Think about it. At least try to.
We lost the freaking game at Miserable Gymnasium by 5 freaking points. It's traditionally the toughest venue (alongside hardknoxville) to win in our league. So there sure as hell shouldn't have been much of a shock to lose there. I expected a loss in the game there pre-season, just thinking of it in purely historic terms, though I thought we would pull it out in the end and made my pick accordingly.
I have faith. By the sound of it, some of you seem to be in sore need of that.
But know that the team knows this, hears this. I expect them to come out here on out and show some fire and effort and hustle and play hardnosed for the rest of the season, regardless of injuries or who we're playing.
I'm not here dressing down this message board, that would be laughably foolish and futile, we eat our own here .... just giving my own honest 2 cents on why I think people might ought to reserve the harsher judgments until you see how the entirety of the season plays out before making universal preachments like this.
Like I said, earlier on it wasn't a problem. Now we're in league play, and if youve been watching for many years, then you oughtta know hard knocks are coming. That's exactly what we are seeing.
And sure, either they adapt and overcome, or lose.
Just try to keep a little more balance in your perspective, trust in Coach Pope, trusdt the team, let's get healthier and reset things.
It's still the regular season, last I checked, its just late January. Still plenty of time to correct the things Coach Pope has in mind.
If anything, trust my word on this....
If you give up some of your angst and anger, calm down, realize this process is a something to be enjoyed, rather than whined and cried about for every single loss ( especially these road losses, sweet Jesus .... it's always this way , just think about all those close road losses the final four team had with Brandon Knight and what happened by the end of that season. They sure as hell weren't soft in losing any of those games, and this team hasn't been blown out except the single time against Ohio State. I'm MORE than willing to give them a mulligan game THIS SEASON, for God's sake.)
But I was ready for giving our team a mulligan season from the get go, no matter how optimistic I may be, and I still am.
Bottom line :
You should too.
- end runt's rant #3,769
Go Big Blue
"lazy and soft" teams get down 14 at the half. Then when they start giving better effort against a team they should beat, they take the lead. After expending enough energy to get it that position, they fall back into what they have allowed themselves to become. That's on them and the coaching staff.
As another poster mentioned, the difference in effort exhibited by Noah when he came into the game was night and day different than what the other players brought.
The loss of Krissa is much more than any stat will tell. The effort and energy he brought was contagious and apparently the other players need someone to lead them in this.
I am surprises Pope does not change defenses with 3 or 4 minutes in the last couple games to confuse Vandy yesterday I can remember early in the season when we played Gonzaga he went to a zone and confused them and we won seemed like yesterday would have been a good time to tried that.
I wish he would too. But that wasn’t the problem yesterday.
We lost yesterday for one reason, turnovers. Some dumb decisions late too. But without all the turnovers the dumb decisions wouldn’t have mattered.
LOL, you don't come from 14 down at halftime on the road, to a good team, to take a 5 point lead if there's no dog in you. The turnovers and missing Carr was a killer. Krissa will also help a TON when Butler has a bad night.
There's lapses but as long as at least Carr is back, this team will AT a MINIMUM go to a sweet 16 in year 1.
There's lapses but as long as at least Carr is back, this team will AT a MINIMUM go to a sweet 16 in year 1.
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Well they were put together in 2 months after our last coach took last years team and our recruiting class with him. I think you guys got overhyped from the Duke, Gonzaga, Florida, A&M wins.
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