Talk about two wild games.  UK led for less than two minutes in both games combined, yet won both.  Crazy.

You do wonder if it gets in the psyche of some teams that at some point UK will make a run, and at any sign of distress they fold, believing the outcome is inevitable? 

1 hour ago, Jumper_Dad said:

Rick Barnes is considered if not the best one of the top 2 or 3 X and O coaches in the SEC. Just crazy the Pope is 3-1 against him...maybe just maybe Pope is a little better than his detractors would like to admit.

It’s awesome UK has found ways to win the last three games, and several other victories in the Pope era when trailing by double-digits. But I believe the results are still showing that Pope’s teams leave a lot to be desired. Again, continually getting down how they do is a long-term bad indicator. That’s either nine or ten of their games they’ve trailed at the half THIS season.

I do not think UK is as good as they were last year, but the SEC is without question a MUCH weaker conference than last season. That might be the Cats only saving grace.

49 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Non UK fan? Huh? I been on here for years and probably been one of the most positive UK fans on this site for years. I absolutely love that they came back to win today. My biggest issue is this is not sustainable with consistently getting down double digits to teams, and happened last year too. So you ask what the core issue is? I would say right now for the same issues two years in a row, is Pope. As something he is doing is clearly not translating to the start of games. 
 

We all want UK to be competing for titles. I know I defended Calipari when people acted like he was a horrible coach. Only because he had a resume to back him up that shows he won at a high level at UK and even before UK. It was definitely time to move on though. The question is though, was Pope the right hire. Which I'm more critical of Pope and not defending him like I did Cal when people said he sucked, because Pope doesn’t have a track record to back up that he can win at a high level to show that he will get it figured out. He didn’t have the resume even when he got this job, he only got it cause of being a former player. This is his 11th year as a head coach, and has had double digit losses in 8 years and on his way to a 9th. He has only won two NCAA tournament games in his career too. So he literally has zero track record to show he will get this team to win at the level expected here. Especially when his teams consistently have to fight back from down double digits all the time.  
 

I have zero idea what the reason is for the poor starts to games two years in a row. However, it has now been for the most part two completely different teams, but yet still same slow starts. Which to me then does fall on the coach. I don’t know if he has players over thinking things to start games like VOR said, to possibly being to nice and not demanding enough, to trying to play to many players. However, something clearly is not right when same issues two years in a row. I truly hope he gets it figured out and does show he can win at the level expected here. He is a great guy, he truly loves this team and easy to root for him. 

My bad then, must have you confused with someone else.

1 hour ago, futurecoach said:

The Cats have now won 6 of their last 7 when playing at Tennessee. 

Also Mark Pope has never lost in Tennessee as a player or a coach.

17 minutes ago, bugatti said:

It’s awesome UK has found ways to win the last three games, and several other victories in the Pope era when trailing by double-digits. But I believe the results are still showing that Pope’s teams leave a lot to be desired. Again, continually getting down how they do is a long-term bad indicator. That’s either nine or ten of their games they’ve trailed at the half THIS season.

I do not think UK is as good as they were last year, but the SEC is without question a MUCH weaker conference than last season. That might be the Cats only saving grace.

Not so sure about this team not being as good as last year’s and also not so sure about the SEC being better last year, time will tell the story.

2 hours ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

Great comeback. 

2 hours ago, Jumper_Dad said:

Rick Barnes is considered if not the best one of the top 2 or 3 X and O coaches in the SEC. Just crazy the Pope is 3-1 against him...maybe just maybe Pope is a little better than his detractors would like to admit.

I think today was one of the best games Pope has coached at UK. He broke the mold on several decisions. I thought his timeout after a basket when UK got it to 4 was awesome. When your team is making a comeback, I love calling a timeout when you get within double digits. I love calling a timeout when it looks like your momentum has stalled. That is what was happening when he called that timeout today with the 4 point lead. The teams traded baskets on 3 or 4 possessions in a row. Call the timeout. It changes the mentality of the team leading. Gives them time to look at the scoreboard and see they are in a battle - tightens them up a little, shakes their confidence.

2 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Not so sure about this team not being as good as last year’s and also not so sure about the SEC being better last year, time will tell the story.

Is this a bit? You seriously think the jury is still out on if the SEC is as strong as it was last year? By most metrics, last year’s SEC was historically great, if not the best ever.

6 hours ago, futurecoach said:

The Cats have now won 6 of their last 7 when playing at Tennessee. 

6-7?!

4 hours ago, bugatti said:

Is this a bit? You seriously think the jury is still out on if the SEC is as strong as it was last year? By most metrics, last year’s SEC was historically great, if not the best ever.

Jay Bilas said today that he thinks last years SEC was the best conference he can remember in many years. 

11 hours ago, Bluto said:

6-7?!

Not you too! Don't be Ohio, bruh.

15 hours ago, bugatti said:

Is this a bit? You seriously think the jury is still out on if the SEC is as strong as it was last year? By most metrics, last year’s SEC was historically great, if not the best ever.

Just saying that this will be answered later in the season, early to make such predictions before season actually plays out.

Despite all the struggles and ugly basketball, UK is tied for third in the SEC just one game behind leaders Florida and Texas A&M. Seven teams tie for third place.

 

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

Despite all the struggles and ugly basketball, UK is tied for third in the SEC just one game behind leaders Florida and Texas A&M. Seven teams tie for third place.

 

Looks to be pretty much like this all season, there is no stand out teams in the SEC at this point.