Starting to think Pope did a purge with his players meetings

[UNIVKY]

The only players he has mentioned by name are Reed and Perry. I am not aware of him mentioning anyone else.

I'm still holding out hope for Thiero, but it is quickly fading.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Possible. May have told them AAU ball, no defense and guaranteed starting roles was ending.

 

[goten170]

None of Cal’s players or recruits, except Perry, were ever gonna be on the roster next season the moment Cal left. Why is this concept soooo hard for Kentucky fans to accept? Cal is gone, hallelujah!!! Let’s move on!

 

[THE_HOOK]

Very possible.

 

[track42]

No.Why wouldn't he want a guy like Z

 

[Bluegrassking]

No.Why wouldn't he want a guy like Z

Because when they finished their one on one he said good pitch but I'm going to Arkansas

 

[J-Ryan]

I would imagine when he spoke to them he didn’t guarantee them any minutes, he said this is about Kentucky basketball and he didn’t mention the nba. And they left.

 

[fatguy87]

A good number of the potential returning Cal guys weren't going to return if Cal were still coaching here lol

 

[KAB Cats]

The conversation is probably pretty simple.

If they are a fit: This is who I am. This is what Im doing. This is what I can offer. You're either in or out.

If they aren't a fit: Nice to meet you.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I mean other than Z idk who people think he's talked to that decided to go.

And to get the top transfer players you are gonna have to promise minutes so some minute promising will be made.

Z isn't proven enough to promise a starting spot too. Idk why he thinks cal will start him though.

 

[Fox2monk]

The only players he has mentioned by name are Reed and Perry. I am not aware of him mentioning anyone else.

I'm still holding out hope for Thiero, but it is quickly fading.

I would love Adou returning but after today I just don’t see it. Obviously every kid outside Reed and Perry don’t care about UK at all.

 

[JFCats22]

OMG if anyone really believes this…good Lord we are really reaching with this stuff

 

[DraftCat]

No telling how that meeting went.

End of day though these players came to UK to play for Cal.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Because when they finished their one on one he said good pitch but I'm going to Arkansas

Yes but did you read the title of the thread?OP is claiming it was Pope who sent him packing.

 

[lpkilla77]

. The players didn't take the recruiting from the recruiter. Pope tried.
This is why I didn't want a player coach. I don't wanna feel bad for Pope. He has only recruited mormons. He may be out of his league. He has never tried or landed 5 stars or elite talent. We gave the keys to a rookie. Gonna have to hope he gets better

 

[Kybluedude]

Burks seems like a kid we would want to keep!

 

[Bkocats]

Because when they finished their one on one he said good pitch but I'm going to Arkansas

Yes
Z had already decided to leave, I’m sure of it
Bet he got some promises

Oh well

 

[NociHTTP]

Because when they finished their one on one he said good pitch but I'm going to Arkansas

Because he was likely told something he didn't want to hear. Things like no guarantee for a starting spot, "you're slow and need to work on a bunch of things, and you need to muscle up", probably got his ego shattered.

 

[Mdnerd]

Cal players were never going to stay. Heck, most were going to leave even if Cal stayed, just like every season.

No one should be discouraged because Cal players are heading to the exit. That’s been the norm every offseason.

 

[NociHTTP]

. The players didn't take the recruiting from the recruiter. Pope tried.
This is why I didn't want a player coach. I don't wanna feel bad for Pope. He has only recruited mormons. He may be out of his league. He has never tried or landed 5 stars or elite talent. We gave the keys to a rookie. Gonna have to hope he gets better

Keep trolling.

 

[OneBadCat]

What about the 7 three footers? Never heard them mentioned after the first game!

 

[UNIVKY]

Yes but did you read the title of the thread?OP is claiming it was Pope who sent him packing.

Let's be clear. I didn't "claim" anything about any particular player. It is just my opinion based on the exodus today after the player meetings and the fact he could have mentioned any of remaining players yesterday and he did not, other than Sheppard.

And I doubt Reed will be back, though I would love for him to come back.

 

[Elliott Tim]

None of Cal’s players or recruits, except Perry, were ever gonna be on the roster next season the moment Cal left. Why is this concept soooo hard for Kentucky fans to accept? Cal is gone, hallelujah!!! Let’s move on!

Dead horses die slowly.

 

[ib4ky]

Hypothetical conversation from the Pope and Big-Z meeting:

Pope: Zvonimir, what do you want most out of your time here at Kentucky?

Z: To get to the NBA!

Pope: Good Luck in Arkansas. 🤝🤝

 

[DraftCat]

That Chicken Nugget $$$ is no joke.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I think like most said this was always gonna happen.

Tho I will say this we have like zero players now lol. We have to field a team lol. Pope got some major work to do.

 

[blackcat714]

No.Why wouldn't he want a guy like Z

Too slow he could not guard a fence post

 

[TheBlueDisciple]

Possible. May have told them AAU ball, no defense and guaranteed starting roles was ending.

Pope isn’t exactly known for coaching any defense.

 

[The_Answer1313]

It’s refreshing for a coach to put UK first after the entire Cal era.

That being said it has to be about both. You can’t go from one extreme to another here. No one will come.

UConn won back to back titles. They had guys between year 1 and 2 go to the draft. You absolutely need the talent

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

. The players didn't take the recruiting from the recruiter. Pope tried.
This is why I didn't want a player coach. I don't wanna feel bad for Pope. He has only recruited mormons. He may be out of his league. He has never tried or landed 5 stars or elite talent. We gave the keys to a rookie. Gonna have to hope he gets better

My goodness man get a dam grip.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Pope isn’t exactly known for coaching any defense.

Yeah, he has a lot to prove there as well.

 

[KentuckyMildCats]

not likely but its fine if he did, i want a roster he feels comfortable with! this offseason for me has been awesome lol. i love all the randomness - UGO to the draft has been the highlight so far I feel like we land a big time assistant tomorrow

 

[The_Answer1313]

TBF the offenses were up and down during his BYU time as well

7th
23rd
50th
103rd
14th

 

[DreadLox]

Pope isn’t exactly known for coaching any defense.

I've watched many BYU games. His guys play good defense. What is "known" is often wrong.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

It’s refreshing for a coach to put UK first after the entire Cal era.

That being said it has to be about both. You can’t go from one extreme to another here. No one will come.

UConn won back to back titles. They had guys between year 1 and 2 go to the draft. You absolutely need the talent

Who said he won’t t get talent? He’s been in the state just over 24 hours. Geez.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Who said he won’t t get talent? He’s been in the state just over 24 hours. Geez.

No one said he can’t. Just that he hasn’t previously.

The focus here has clearly shifted which is fine but we have to at least acknowledge the possibility that we’ve gone from one extreme to another.

 

[anonymous_2011]

With a new regime I am not gonna be to upset we aren't bringing back to many of the 5 stars that lost 10 games.

 

[jwphelps]

A good number of the potential returning Cal guys weren't going to return if Cal were still coaching here lol

This is true, Edwards, and Dilly were going pro no matter who was the coach, pretty sure Bradshaw was leaving even if Cal stayed.

 

[shaudyshaud]

This is true, Edwards, and Dilly were going pro no matter who was the coach, pretty sure Bradshaw was leaving even if Cal stayed.

Throw UGO in the category too . Sounds like he was going pro no matter what

 

[MissingWCC]

Keep trolling.

Yeah they were orgasmic the other day when the majority here were anti Pope. At least they're consistent.