1 hour ago, DiamondGator23 said:

I agree with you. You think he gets it done?

If I had to answer today, I would say UK will be looking for a new coach at the end of next season. 

3 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

I agree he is coaching for his job. I don’t think Sweet 16 is required. How it looks season long is more important than a Sweet 16. How recruiting looks for 2027 will be very important. 

I agree. Tournament success, with its randomness, is a silly metric. It can put lipstick on a pig, but you can't hide finishing 5th and 9th in the SEC in consecutive seasons. 

5 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

If I had to answer today, I would say UK will be looking for a new coach at the end of next season. 

I tend to agree with you. Things are just too far askew in multiple ways.

For me, it primarily comes down to on court execution. I look at UK's half court offense against Iowa St. and it was the worst looking offense I can recall at UK. No movement. No picks. Individual dribble, dribble, dribble then drive to the paint and put up a shot in the middle of 3 defenders. The ball is passed and it sticks. It was abysmal. That is after a full season of practice and games. That is on the coach. 

Mark Pope is terrific human being. He is also a wonderful former Kentucky student athlete. What he is not, is the answer as head coach. It pains me to say this. I really want it to work out for Mark, but two years in it all looks like a deer in headlights. 

The high NIL payroll roster from this year had nothing but role players. The execution on the court was lacking regardless of the players in the locker room. The "Cardiac Cats" as I called them many times this year. 

It the opening two games Purdue is leading Texas at the half 39-35 and in the other game Nebraska leads Iowa 36-28 with 6 minutes left in the first half.

The Cornhuskers leading the Hawkeyes 46-43 at the half and the 2nd half is just begging for the Purdue and Texas game.

39-38 Purdue and we are in the middle of a long official review.  These long stoppages suck the fun out of it for me.  

Texas 53 Purdue 52 1241 in the 2nd.

Texas and Purdue are tied at 63 with 8 minutes remaining. Nebraska leads Iowa by 3 at 58-55 with 11:30 to play.

Texas and Purdue tied at 70 at the under 4 timeout with 3:56 to play. Nebraska leads Iowa 62-59 at the under 8 timeout.

Texas finally scores after a more than 3 minute drought. 73-72 Purdue with 1 minute left to play. 

Purdue leads Texas 73-72 with :58 seconds to play and it is Purdue's ball. Iowa has come back and taken the lead at 68-65 with just 1:40 to play.

My goodness Nebraska came out of a timeout and gave up a and one on the inbounds play because they came out with only 4 defenders on the floor Iowa now leads 76-68 with just :34 seconds remaining.

Iowa defeats Nebraska 77-71 outscoring Nebraska 34-25 in the 2nd half.

Iowa's first trip to the Elite Eight since 1987.