It was not a breath of fresh air. It was getting our Kentucky basketball program back if you only followed Kentucky basketball when the former coach was running things and you never had Kentucky basketball under Coach Rupp, Coach Hall, coach Sutton, Coach Pitino or Coach Smith, then you don’t know what Kentucky basketball is all about. It’s about winning and it’s about playing team basketball
Yeah the Calipari injury bug is already in full swing down in Arky. They only have like 9 players too.
I’d have to think if any top kids watched that game they would like playing that style.
@BlueWorldOrder deserves mucho grande cheers.
This I just can't imagine a stud high school player who wants to play on the big stage in a free flowing offense not wanting to come and play for Coach Pope. If they come they will make the NBA. They don't have to play for Cal which is a myth. 95% of those guys were going to the NBA regardless of where they played college ball at.
Calipari was about winning when he came and had a great balance between both goals. After 2015 it became more and more about his own legacy of helping NBA players and not about the school or his own record. I don’t know why but it was evident. After that 2018-2019 season it went all downhill.
I have a question about Rick’s coaching style, as I was still very young when he left the program. In terms of his interview style/motivational approach, was he complimentary and uplifting of his players the way Pope seems to be? Or more “old school” like Cal where he usually found something to critique?
And first play of the second half, a backdoor lob to Oweh for the lay-in. Easy buckets to start each half. Fun to know that as the season goes on and they get more plays ironed out we’ll see more of that.
Pitino was exceptional at motivation and game preparation, especially in March when it mattered most. He usually had the opponent scouted so well, UK took away most everything the other team was good at. His weakness, I think was in game adjustments, when things didn’t go as planned. He always talked about things they needed to get better at, like most coaches. I noticed what your saying about Pope only talking about the positives and I would guess that players do love that!
Kids will play for money. They are professionals now. The sis-boom-bah school spirit days are over. Well, they were over long ago, but the body is underground and the leftovers from the wake have been thrown out.
Great answer, teams hated to play UK when Pitino was coaching and Pope looks like he may just bring that back.
Yes. Strategy was used. Thats smart and key to winning.
It felt like the 90s again. One of the best feelings.
The players under Pope plays so loose & free. It's like we've had an elephant sitting on our chest for the last 20 years. Now the UK players & the BBN can finally take a deep breath of refreshing air. UK basketball is fun again.
As much as I love his passion (his fuel), I value his intellect for the game, understanding BBN and his authentic devotion to deliver what he knows BBN desires above all else ... winning at a high level.
