Quiet, sad day

[bbncal02]

Man it really does feel like someone died.

Not a lot of convo here, my street has been quiet today so far and there’s like nothing on TV.

Need a good pick me up.

 

[nssdigitalchumps]

You saw what Pope accomplished in a short amount of time.

Now, he has a great recruiting class coming in, he has so many choices in the portal, and best of all, he has time with them.

 

[SemperFiCat]

I don't know. I was over it by the time I woke up. We had a fine first season. Some really fun moments. Lots of hope and positive vibes. And, even healthy, we were pretty limited. Glad to have Kentucky basketball back and excited for the future.

Tennessee was a better team, plus we laid an egg. Is what it is.

 

[catlogic15]

Could be worse. I’m sitting here with a mid hangover and my wife has a Hallmark movie on.

 

[OneSpeedyBoi96]

Overall, good, fun season. What I'll probably miss the most though is Lamont's hustle and grit. But the future is bright for us, honestly. If we can make it to the S16 with this team injuries and all, imagine what we could do next year with a fully healthy squad and (hopefully) some returning players.

 

[ukfan1622]

I always feel similar every time Kentucky goes out of the tournament...

 

[Fox2monk]

Ready for the portal news now. It should heat up soon.

 

[nssdigitalchumps]

Could be worse. I’m sitting here with a mid hangover and my wife has a Hallmark movie on.

Not to spoil whatever you’re watching, but the two main characters will fall in love in the summer Christmas town.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I feel nothing. I didn’t think we would get past round two. Definitely wasn’t feeling good about the Sweet 16. I was very high on our guys all year but we simply were not going to win a title. I was just enjoying the ride. Sucks it is over but now the goal is to put together a roster that can truly contend.

 

[gbl97]

This is the least sad I've ever been at the end of the season. Pope got every last ounce out of this group. Finally the season ends not because of incompetent coaching, missed free throws, or other what-ifs. The opponent was just better than us in March.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I said yesterday, that last nights game was house money for me.

But.. that was under the assumption we'd come out hard, and maybe just have an off night shooting, or come up short, or get jobbed by the NCAA. Instead, it was our own undoing, which is kind of poetic as that was how we lost so many games this year: our own lack of focus and effort.

If we go out any other way, I'm fine with it. But last night was a dick punch and could have.. should have.. been avoided.

 

[UK90]

I don’t see today as a “sad day” at all. It was a fun successful season. Exceeded everybody’s pre-season expectations. The program’s future looks bright and in the right hands.

So why you being so mopey about it?

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I don’t see today as a “sad day” at all. It was a fun successful season. Exceeded everybody’s pre-season expectations. The program’s future looks bright and in the right hands.

So why you being so mopey about it?

Same way I see it

 

[TheBlueMist]

I am not sad. UK exceeded my expectations for what could be accomplished given the situation Pope inherited. I'm disappointed that we didn't play better and that I don't get to watch these guys play in blue any more, however.

That said, I am excited see who Pope brings in and how the team starts to come together and develop over the summer.

In the meantime, I am rooting for the Reds to be competitive.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I don’t see today as a “sad day” at all. It was a fun successful season. Exceeded everybody’s pre-season expectations. The program’s future looks bright and in the right hands.

So why you being so mopey about it?

Im a little concerned that Pope might be keeping things a little too loose. I don't think hes soft or doesn't care.. but, there are questions I have with how we came out last night. Just as I've had some thoughts during the year of "is this guy a little too 'nice' to be UK coach?". A lot of posters have questioned this during the year.

Look every coach (and player) in my mind has a madden like rating.. some things they do well, other things they don't do so well. I think Pope does great in so many areas, but i think something I want to see is next years team be much more focused. That might be his area that's lacking in the same way Rick Barnes is lacking on offense or Cal getting too tight at the end of games.

But otherwise I am excited for the future.

 

[bbncal02]

I don’t see today as a “sad day” at all. It was a fun successful season. Exceeded everybody’s pre-season expectations. The program’s future looks bright and in the right hands.

So why you being so mopey about it?

My favorite team lost to an obnoxious fan base and rival. Im allowed to be sad about it. Im not angry or rolling in ashes, but I’m no exactly glad we’re not playing anymore.

 

[saxonburgcat]

I feel nothing. I didn’t think we would get past round two. Definitely wasn’t feeling good about the Sweet 16. I was very high on our guys all year but we simply were not going to win a title. I was just enjoying the ride. Sucks it is over but now the goal is to put together a roster that can truly contend.

I would not say that I feel nothing but I turned the game off in the first half and just watched the score. That's how I keep my blood pressure down. I had zero confidence in beating UT a third time in the season.

I also enjoyed the ride. We had some incredible wins. Your last statement nailed it for me!

 

[Cats192]

I don’t see today as a “sad day” at all. It was a fun successful season. Exceeded everybody’s pre-season expectations. The program’s future looks bright and in the right hands.

So why you being so mopey about it?

100% this.

This is the best I've ever felt after a loss. Obviously, it hurts a little. I'm sad our season is over. I wish I had a game Sunday to look forward to. I wish I still had that sense of anticipation and hope that we find a way to get to the Final 4.

The last time we even made the Sweet 16 was 2019. Mark Pope did it year 1. You have to keep perspective. Bruce Pearl's 1st year at Auburn was a losing season. Rick Barnes 1st year at Tennessee was a losing season. Todd Golden's 1st year at Florida was a losing season.

Mark Pope's 1st season at Kentucky was not a losing season. Not only that, he made the NCAA tournament. Not only that, he got us back to the Sweet 16 for the 1st time in 6 seasons. Not only that, he tied a record for the most wins vs top 15 teams. We beat Duke, Tennessee twice, Louisville. We added to our lead over Kansas for the All-time wins record.

For the last 3 or 4 years leading up to this year: Every single game, I was frustrated with the coaching. I wondered why we didn't run better offense. I was frustrated with the line ups. I was frustrated with the lack of timeouts. I was frustrated with the lack of out of bounds plays. I couldn't get through a game without frustration over the coaching.

There's none of that. Mark Pope knows ball. The future is so vey bright.

 

[megablue]

Could be worse. I’m sitting here with a mid hangover and my wife has a Hallmark movie on.

Hilarious !!!!

 

[MonsterMash79]

Man it really does feel like someone died.

Not a lot of convo here, my street has been quiet today so far and there’s like nothing on TV.

Need a good pick me up.

You need a hobby bro! Damn lol, it’s just a game 👍

 

[darkshadesofblue]

Just depressing that we won’t get see more UK basketball until another 7 months. This is probably the most enjoyable season we had in almost a decade. Oh well

Kentucky baseball you’re up..

 

[bbncal02]

You need a hobby bro! Damn lol, it’s just a game 👍

Not in Kentucky it isn't bro. We have NO pro sports teams here bro. I'm not drowning in whisky today bro. Just a bit bummed basketball season is over bro.

 

[bbncal02]

100% this.

This is the best I've ever felt after a loss. Obviously, it hurts a little. I'm sad our season is over. I wish I had a game Sunday to look forward to. I wish I still had that sense of anticipation and hope that we find a way to get to the Final 4.

The last time we even made the Sweet 16 was 2019. Mark Pope did it year 1. You have to keep perspective. Bruce Pearl's 1st year at Auburn was a losing season. Rick Barnes 1st year at Tennessee was a losing season. Todd Golden's 1st year at Florida was a losing season.

Mark Pope's 1st season at Kentucky was not a losing season. Not only that, he made the NCAA tournament. Not only that, he got us back to the Sweet 16 for the 1st time in 6 seasons. Not only that, he tied a record for the most wins vs top 15 teams. We beat Duke, Tennessee twice, Louisville. We added to our lead over Kansas for the All-time wins record.

For the last 3 or 4 years leading up to this year: Every single game, I was frustrated with the coaching. I wondered why we didn't run better offense. I was frustrated with the line ups. I was frustrated with the lack of timeouts. I was frustrated with the lack of out of bounds plays. I couldn't get through a game without frustration over the coaching.

There's none of that. Mark Pope knows ball. The future is so vey bright.

This. I'm not drowning in tears. Just bummed. It's a bit of a sad day. Always is the day after basketball season is over.

 

[crestcat]

We weren’t knocked out by a 15 seed

 

[catzfanjim]

Man it really does feel like someone died.

Not a lot of convo here, my street has been quiet today so far and there’s like nothing on TV.

Need a good pick me up.

Get out of the house and go do something. We were playing with house money all year.

 

[drew_ukfan]

I’ve been at the vet all morning then came home and gave the pup a bath. Was going to go to the gym but just not feeling it, maybe a little down because of UK. Just gonna sit on the couch and watch baseball and some bball tonight

 

[W1LDCAT22]

You saw what Pope accomplished in a short amount of time.

Now, he has a great recruiting class coming in, he has so many choices in the portal, and best of all, he has time with them.

I would call our incoming class good, but not great. Jasper could very well be a big-time player next year, and Lewis could surprise some folks. I do not think that Moreno contributes a lot in his first season. The best scenario is that he develops into a solid role player off the bench. Now if we can get Moreno and Lewis to stay and develop, that's a different story. Now if we can get Ament to commit, that certainly changes a lot, it does turn this class into a great one. I just think we need a little more than "Kentucky kids" to make that claim. The portal will once again be very important for us.

 

[bbncal02]

I’ve been at the vet all morning then came home and gave the pup a bath. Was going to go to the gym but just not feeling it, maybe a little down because of UK. Just gonna sit on the couch and watch baseball and some bball tonight

This, just kind of a bummer of a day.

 

[thebluestripes]

like others, I got over it pretty quickly. We just didnt have the horses this year.

 

[MonsterMash79]

Not in Kentucky it isn't bro. We have NO pro sports teams here bro. I'm not drowning in whisky today bro. Just a bit bummed basketball season is over bro.

lol.. I gotcha 👍 just sounded like you were being a bitch and wanted to give you comfort. Not sure what your expectations were either..

 

[tntvol]

Pope seems like a good man. He will you guys rolling again.

 

[king of cali]

Im a little concerned that Pope might be keeping things a little too loose. I don't think hes soft or doesn't care.. but, there are questions I have with how we came out last night. Just as I've had some thoughts during the year of "is this guy a little too 'nice' to be UK coach?". A lot of posters have questioned this during the year.

Look every coach (and player) in my mind has a madden like rating.. some things they do well, other things they don't do so well. I think Pope does great in so many areas, but i think something I want to see is next years team be much more focused. That might be his area that's lacking in the same way Rick Barnes is lacking on offense or Cal getting too tight at the end of games.

But otherwise I am excited for the future.

I would agree with this. For the team to come out in a Sweet 16 game, against a rival no less, with the energy and focus of a mid December game against Coppin State is concerning imo. And it’s not the first time that they’ve come out and slept walked through the first several minutes or half.

We know Pope has the goods when it comes to offense . For UK to move to the next level the effort and attention to detail on defense have to improve dramatically.

 

[blue cincy]

Not sad at all today. Like others said. This year was an uphill battle over injuries. Ready for Pope and staff to bring in a solid group from the portal. Ready to start seeing guys show up on campus and building that chemistry that is so important to team.

 

[Soupbean]

Normally a day after losing like that to end the season would have an empty bitter feeling, but like OP said its more of a sad melancholy one. Think thats because of what coach and these guys did but more because we're gonna miss these guys. All were strangers to us coming in and all are one and dones, but they are leaving in a MUCH different way and a lot of that is just because of how they carried themselves with character and class and gave themselves completely to the program. Its funny how that worked out as I thought with a team of "rented" players there was no way for them to make a connection to us and us to them, and it may not have with another group of guys, but it did with this bunch and they are gonna be missed and thought fondly of for a long time.

I think thats the only way we could be just 24 hours from yesterday and still feel good about it all.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I didn't expect UK to make a final four or win a national title and haven't since 2019 team and honestly 2017 is last real legit title contender we had. 2019 was solid but idk. This team went as far as I thought it would.

 

[susan2361]

100% this.

This is the best I've ever felt after a loss. Obviously, it hurts a little. I'm sad our season is over. I wish I had a game Sunday to look forward to. I wish I still had that sense of anticipation and hope that we find a way to get to the Final 4.

The last time we even made the Sweet 16 was 2019. Mark Pope did it year 1. You have to keep perspective. Bruce Pearl's 1st year at Auburn was a losing season. Rick Barnes 1st year at Tennessee was a losing season. Todd Golden's 1st year at Florida was a losing season.

Mark Pope's 1st season at Kentucky was not a losing season. Not only that, he made the NCAA tournament. Not only that, he got us back to the Sweet 16 for the 1st time in 6 seasons. Not only that, he tied a record for the most wins vs top 15 teams. We beat Duke, Tennessee twice, Louisville. We added to our lead over Kansas for the All-time wins record.

For the last 3 or 4 years leading up to this year: Every single game, I was frustrated with the coaching. I wondered why we didn't run better offense. I was frustrated with the line ups. I was frustrated with the lack of timeouts. I was frustrated with the lack of out of bounds plays. I couldn't get through a game without frustration over the coaching.

There's none of that. Mark Pope knows ball. The future is so vey bright.

Great post.

 

[susan2361]

Not sad at all today. Like others said. This year was an uphill battle over injuries. Ready for Pope and staff to bring in a solid group from the portal. Ready to start seeing guys show up on campus and building that chemistry that is so important to team.

Yes I agree. I think Coach Pope has shown that he can put together a solid group of guys, especially considering Cal left us with nothing and Coach had such a VERY SHORT time to put together a team AND staff. AND we got to the Sweet 16! I imagine what he and his staff can do having MORE time to recruit than a couple of weeks! The future is looking great for UK basketball!!!!

I do have a question for anyone. Do we know who is coming back from this team? I know it's been discussed, but I just can't remember. Thanks for any info.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

Feel this way every time Kentucky's season ends and not in a championship. I love watching our Cats play. The sudden end to a season in a win or go home single-elimination Tournament does this to you. There will be plenty of time for reflection on the exciting wins we had this season. Right now, it just stings the first day after a loss.

 

[blue cincy]

Yes I agree. I think Coach Pope has shown that he can put together a solid group of guys, especially considering Cal left us with nothing and Coach had such a VERY SHORT time to put together a team AND staff. AND we got to the Sweet 16! I imagine what he and his staff can do having MORE time to recruit than a couple of weeks! The future is looking great for UK basketball!!!!

I do have a question for anyone. Do we know who is coming back from this team? I know it's been discussed, but I just can't remember. Thanks for any info.

No official announcements so far so we have to assume, Chandler, Noah, Perry, Oweh, Garrison. Online this weekend word is Oweh turned down Auburn and Louisville 2.2 and 2.5 Million NIL deal telling them KENTUCKY is home. UK supposedly has offerend 1.5 mil to Oweh.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Man it really does feel like someone died.

Not a lot of convo here, my street has been quiet today so far and there’s like nothing on TV.

Need a good pick me up.

How bout a laugh. When I got home after the game last night I was irritated and kinda sad. Upon entering my house I was carrying too much stuff and a 6 pack in a kroger bag slipped out of my hand and somehow landed perfect so the weight of all 6 beers landed dead center of my toe. Was wearing flip flops. Yelled out cusses like Christmas Story. I think my toes broke. Still thrombin pain.

Well I was then just ready to chill on the couch. Thought man it's stuffy in here, went to thermostat reads 75. Monkeyed with it, airs out. Just had the 7 year unit worked on last season by Jarboes, $500.

So down about the game i laid on my hot couch with my throbbing toe. Hope that helps 🤡