What were your absolute musts that needed to happen….

[Jamal Mercer]

In Popes 1st year? Entirely new team, no real recruiting class, etc…

I only had 3:

1. Beat Louisville. They started from scratch just like us. Definitely not a gimme.

2. Beat Ark and have an all around better season. (Better seed and go further in tourney)

3. 7 seed or better and win a game or two in the tournament.

Now….expectations have already changed a little. Let’s get #1 out of the way today!

 

[know1]

My only absolute must was that Cal would be gone.

 

[Ron Mehico]

1)Fun offensive style

2)More emphasis on player retention

3)Seem very committed to winning

4)Not be Cal


I really had no expectations seeing as how Pope not only had to form and entirely new team in a month, but also (and I feel like it’s not talked about enough) an entirely new COACHING STAFF as well. I mean that’s pretty much ridiculous TBH. The fact we’re in the top 5 in December is nothing short of amazing to me. I personally don’t think we have the talent this year and will get banged up A LOT in the SEC this year but I’m already blown away by Pope. I’m also really impressed with his recruiting for next year. Overall feel very optimistic about the direction of the program.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

In Popes 1st year? Entirely new team, no real recruiting class, etc…

I only had 3:

1. Beat Louisville. They started from scratch just like us. Definitely not a gimme.

2. Beat Ark and have an all around better season. (Better seed and go further in tourney)

3. 7 seed or better and win a game or two in the tournament.

Now….expectations have already changed a little. Let’s get #1 out of the way today!

My expectations were lower, esp. before he'd assembled the team: play hard opening tip to final horn, smart, unselfish, compete on every possession, protect the home-court, beat Arkansas (part of protecting home court, but moreso), top 5 finish in SEC (before I knew how good the SEC is this year), win at least 1 tournament game

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I predicted 23 and 8. Hard to project sec tourney or ncaa tourney without knowing matchups.

With the experience we have I'd ideally like to make it to the 2nd weekend of ncaa tourney. Its been 6 years since we did that come March 2025.

 

[Disappointed Cat]

My only absolute must was that Cal would be gone.

Yes

 

[anonymous_2011]

40-0
#9

Those are my expectations every year.

 

[Chief Paducah]

To get back to a winning and fun style of basketball while mixing in some experienced players with good, multi-year freshman. Some friggin continuity so I can get to know the players.

The rest will take care of itself. I wasn’t expecting to be this good this fast but I’m also a realist that knows this years SEC might smack us around a bit.

 

[ukcatz12]

40-0 and a title so this season is already a failure.

 

[Kybluedude]

I thought it would be like Pitino s first year. 500 season with a sense of great things in the future. Stabilize the program.