30 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Definitely agree there, this isn't a very good team. Which as mentioned, doesn't look good on Pope since he put this team together and used a lot of money to do it. With that said, when Cal had a few teams with Freshman that he just couldn't seem to get to gel to work together that struggled, people talked about how he just can't coach. Is it fair now to start questioning how good of a coach Pope is? Pope has guys who have been in college, and not just now learning the college game like freshman. So this still falls on him for not coaching them up better, not getting this team to gel, not making adjustments to things that clearly aren't working. 

Which it would be one thing if Pope had something to fall back on, like hey hey won at high levels before, this is just the exception not the rule. However, Pope doesn't even have winning at a high level to fall back on. That is what makes this so worrisome. There is nothing to fall back on to make us think that Pope will get it fixed even next year to win at the level that is expected, because he has never won at that level as a coach. 

My only positive going forward is that this was such an over-correction in roster building that we'll get a Goldilocks-just right deal next year. A lineup that can do all the things Pope wants. But what is most worrisome is not that the team is so flawed but that there have been no meaningful corrections either pregame or in-game.

25 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

My only positive going forward is that this was such an over-correction in roster building that we'll get a Goldilocks-just right deal next year. A lineup that can do all the things Pope wants. But what is most worrisome is not that the team is so flawed but that there have been no meaningful corrections either pregame or in-game.

I think next years roster could be a real problem unless he signs a couple of incoming freshmen soon. Good chance that only 3 or 4 guys are back from this years roster. 

39 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

My only positive going forward is that this was such an over-correction in roster building that we'll get a Goldilocks-just right deal next year. A lineup that can do all the things Pope wants. But what is most worrisome is not that the team is so flawed but that there have been no meaningful corrections either pregame or in-game.

Agreed, as this just hasn't been a good year for Pope at all. From his roster construction, but also just his coaching in general. He will survive this year, because he had a decent first year and is a former UK player. However, he has to get this back on track right away next year to show he can get this program to truly competing for a chance at titles. 

30 minutes ago, sportsfan41 said:

I think next years roster could be a real problem unless he signs a couple of incoming freshmen soon. Good chance that only 3 or 4 guys are back from this years roster. 

I'm not sure, other than Moreno, I want anyone back.

49 minutes ago, sportsfan41 said:

I think next years roster could be a real problem unless he signs a couple of incoming freshmen soon. Good chance that only 3 or 4 guys are back from this years roster. 

Quite honestly with how the transfer portal is, it really isn't a big deal if you lose your whole roster. Which possibly wouldn't be a bad thing with this group. As with the transfer portal you can build a new team and a very successful team right away. Now the question is more so in regards can Pope evaluate players well enough to put a team together that works well and can win at a high level, because he didn't do a good job at all with this roster. 

50 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Agreed, as this just hasn't been a good year for Pope at all. From his roster construction, but also just his coaching in general. He will survive this year, because he had a decent first year and is a former UK player. However, he has to get this back on track right away next year to show he can get this program to truly competing for a chance at titles. 

While I believe you are correct, if this thing craters (which is why Saturday is a must win game), it could force the hand of UK’s administration sooner rather than later. You’ve seen it in football this year where schools have less tolerance for poor performance. It’s important to note that while UK ended up as a three seed last year, they still finished in a three-way tie for sixth in the SEC. Unless the script is flipped, finishing in the bottom third of a much weaker SEC in year 2 is not ideal for job security at the supposed premier program of the conference. Let’s cross our fingers for an Arkansas-like turnaround, similar to what they had last year.

1 hour ago, bugatti said:

While I believe you are correct, if this thing craters (which is why Saturday is a must win game), it could force the hand of UK’s administration sooner rather than later. You’ve seen it in football this year where schools have less tolerance for poor performance. It’s important to note that while UK ended up as a three seed last year, they still finished in a three-way tie for sixth in the SEC. Unless the script is flipped, finishing in the bottom third of a much weaker SEC in year 2 is not ideal for job security at the supposed premier program of the conference. Let’s cross our fingers for an Arkansas-like turnaround, similar to what they had last year.

Agreed! 

5 hours ago, 4 Quarters said:

I'm not sure, other than Moreno, I want anyone back.

At this stage it is obvious that Moreno needs a ton of time in the weight room to mature and be competitive with the bangers he faces in the paint.  Currently weak hands leading to just too many control losses.  Great potential, but maturity should  come with work, diet and weight room.

13 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

At this stage it is obvious that Moreno needs a ton of time in the weight room to mature and be competitive with the bangers he faces in the paint.  Currently weak hands leading to just too many control losses.  Great potential, but maturity should  come with work, diet and weight room.

Which is why his coach shouldn't rely on him to make physical plays down the stretch vs a physical team with a projected top 10 draft pick man child sitting on the bench.

Pope took Lowe out which was presumably offense for defense...but didn't call a timeout in a crucial time to get him back in with a minute left...then ran his offense through Brandon Garrison...

You can find middle school coaches around the State smarter than that.

Why not try playing Jasper WITH Lowe?  UK lacks shot makers...Jasper can do that.

Noah is supposed to be a sharp shooter...Can we we get him 8-10 minutes so that when you need a 3 to tie a game he can be on the floor.

Jack Givens said that 2 players didn't do what they were supposed to do on the final play and that is why JL had to force the shot that he did.

Bottom line Pope is lost.  The players have "their money" and we are back to a changing Roster every year, without a Master recruiter.  

4 hours ago, okie1 said:

Which is why his coach shouldn't rely on him to make physical plays down the stretch vs a physical team with a projected top 10 draft pick man child sitting on the bench.

Pope took Lowe out which was presumably offense for defense...but didn't call a timeout in a crucial time to get him back in with a minute left...then ran his offense through Brandon Garrison...

You can find middle school coaches around the State smarter than that.

Why not try playing Jasper WITH Lowe?  UK lacks shot makers...Jasper can do that.

Noah is supposed to be a sharp shooter...Can we we get him 8-10 minutes so that when you need a 3 to tie a game he can be on the floor.

Jack Givens said that 2 players didn't do what they were supposed to do on the final play and that is why JL had to force the shot that he did.

Bottom line Pope is lost.  The players have "their money" and we are back to a changing Roster every year, without a Master recruiter.  

A lot of good points, Pope has to make changes.  Same oh, same oh is just not working, might as well play the walk-ons.