This can't continue. This is how you become Indiana. Pope needs to have a hell of a season next year or we have to make a change.
Trying not to hit the PANIC button
- Thread starter bbncal02
- Start date
That’s pretty much where we are but it needs a full blown overhaul starting with Barney.
I agree with you but guys pump the brakes on the IU comparison. IU has missed the tourney 11 of the last 20 years and our current season is arguably better than any season they've had in the last decade.
This isn't me praising our current team, my post is only to say the IU comparison is ludicrous lol
This isn't me praising our current team, my post is only to say the IU comparison is ludicrous lol
I only laugh because of what happened at Louisville and how we all thought it was funny af when they were losing with their alum. Now youre talking about removing Pope after 2 seasons. The irony that would be.
Notice I said, "become" not that we are.
I'm not abandoning Pope by any means. But he's got to change some of his philosophies from BYU or he's gonna get eaten alive.
We fired BCG after two years. And that worked out damn fine. Granted, there was way worse stuff going on.
This is Kentucky. Win or get out. And Pope of all people KNOWS this. No crying on the yacht here. We have standards.
He's gonna get time to build a team and see what he can do. But you can't go 19-13 every season here and be good.
I agree. I'm giving him SOMEWHAT of a pass this year but I'm officially concerned. If it happens again next year when he's had the full amount of time to build the roster then the heat will really be on
Yes, but BCG had no ties to UK. Penny and Pope were former players. That's what made me laugh. Nothing to do with the drunkard.
I think Pope CAN do it. But he's got to change some stuff. And fixing his defensive philosophy is job number one. BBN can't take another season of screen door U. At this point I'd be glad to see one of our guys straight up elbow some dudes. At least it will show some toughness.
Those that supported Cal the longest are the first to turn on Pope.
He needs two years and then we evaluate.
He needs two years and then we evaluate.
we don't have a "point guard" were not going to win many if any games in this league without one ... Cal can't win with 5* point guards.
They have more tourney wins in the last 6 years than we do man. The comparison is not ridiculous at all
We were having a hell of a season before both our point guards went out.
Which is EXACTLY what I just said, was it not? And I'm NOT turning on him. Quote any message where I said he needs to go. I believe I said he needs a hell of a season NEXT YEAR or we need a change. You can't settle in this landscape for one, and two, this is KENTUCKY.
God, this country and society is nothing but extreme positions. If you are middle ground, you get instantly attacked.
We beat a T10 UT without our PGs. What's the excuse for Arky and Ole Miss?
we were lucky Tennessee miss a zillion wide open threes, they beat themselves
This has NOTHING to do with Cal. Why even mention him?
I'm focused on Pope and THIS team and OUR future. Eff Cal.
How can we forget that this team has as many Quad 1 wins as other elite teams in the country? Not to mention we have lost our 2 point guards to injury during the point in the season where the teams that begin to become “complete”.
In December this current roster with all its injuries would have beaten Arkansas, either won by 3-4 against Ole Miss, or lost by 3-4. This is far from what we’ve seen the past several years and am embarrassed that there are way too many “fans” already clamoring for a new coach when the guy hasn’t even had a chance to officially recruit anyone.
In December this current roster with all its injuries would have beaten Arkansas, either won by 3-4 against Ole Miss, or lost by 3-4. This is far from what we’ve seen the past several years and am embarrassed that there are way too many “fans” already clamoring for a new coach when the guy hasn’t even had a chance to officially recruit anyone.
Certainly feels that way. I'm not going to stop watching (unless we start going down 20+ in every first half because that just isn't enjoyable) but it feels like Pope has lost this squad, injuries or not.
We've now lost 3 games by FOURTY FIVE points. And I've been a fan since I could say the word basketball and a THIRD GENERATION UK fan. Kiss my fat butt.
Again, quote where I said he needs to go today? Good luck with that. Also, all those Q1 wins won't mean a giant RICHARD unless we can get into the tourney. We're looking at playing Wednesday in the SEC. WEDNESDAY.
Pope gets mostly a pass this season, but that doesn't mean he can't be criticized. If we can't do that, then we've just traded one cult leader for another.
Someone let me know when to use the “we have mid major talent” cause pretty sure we have guys from big time D1 schools and Amari is proving he is a force in the SEC from a mid major. So how does that affect our defensive mindset and intensity??? Is ole Miss getting the elite of the elite hs talent and bench of 5 stars???
And miss state, Hubbard has 3 open looks and just bricked all of them
I said this year was a complete mulligan in my eyes when we hired Pope.
It started beautifully, but then injuries hit and our season has been derailed in the last couple weeks. I hope these Cats respond and at least make the tournament, but wins are going to be hard to come by with this roster. Seeing how Pope responds to adversity is part of the evaluation process for me. I want Mark Pope to succeed in the worst way. We all do. But, when hiring an unproven coach, the rope is short.
If next year's team is worse and recruiting hasn't been going well for 2026, we should consider making a change. If next year results in positive steps forward, strong recruiting, better SEC finish and postseason wins, on to year 3.
It started beautifully, but then injuries hit and our season has been derailed in the last couple weeks. I hope these Cats respond and at least make the tournament, but wins are going to be hard to come by with this roster. Seeing how Pope responds to adversity is part of the evaluation process for me. I want Mark Pope to succeed in the worst way. We all do. But, when hiring an unproven coach, the rope is short.
If next year's team is worse and recruiting hasn't been going well for 2026, we should consider making a change. If next year results in positive steps forward, strong recruiting, better SEC finish and postseason wins, on to year 3.
the zags shot 22% from three and didn't pressure the ball like old miss. Gonzaga is not even ranked now, and Kerr played 26 min in that game
So we have to adjust. And I know not having Butler is hurting us bad. But he's not the reason we were down 20 odd points in the first half. No excuse for that.
Again, like I said, he needs to have a really good season next year. Two years is more than enough time to show you can lead a program these days with transfers and NIL.
I don’t know how many more times we have to do this song and dance, but here’s one more:
Oweh
Garrison
Perry
Noah
Chandler
Johnson
Lewis
Moreno
That’s 8 roster spots. All expect to play. Two (if Johnson is as advertised) are SEC caliber starters. Mark Pope will not have a hell of a season next year, regardless of what he finds in the portal.
Yeah but Indiana is Indiana because of two decades of mediocrity. Also that stat is false
I agree, that was a pathetic effort tonight.
