Calamari ??

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Talk on the KY board was wondering if any current BYU players would follow the coach. Here is one response:

their best is probably off to the NBA, 2nd rd pick and some of the other projected starters still have missions.

Mormon missions would foil some from transferring? You can't make this stuff up.
 
Pope bring to KY what Cal did not have...an understanding of the love of the game and the sweet taste of victory and championship from a player perspective. He is known for running a wide open and dynamic offense. He will definitely need to improve his defensive schemes. There will be fans and outsiders who will see this as a cop out while others, like me, sees it as an opportunity for success. Already 2 donors have pledged $4 million to KY's NIL fund with more to follow. Time will tell if this was a good hire or a flop. People are reportedly upset for Barnhart not going after Pearl or others, but what have they done to bring the trophy home? Getting recruits to buy into what he's selling will be key, as well as surrounding himself with a solid staff.
 
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I watched Pope as a player and hope he can coach up to the level. We will have to see. After 4-5 years he can't do it then UK will just have to look again.

It's being reported since Pope came in certain people have coughed up another $6 million for the UK NIL fund which is now reported to be in the $25-30 million range.
 
Pope bring to KY what Cal did not have...an understanding of the love of the game and the sweet taste of victory and championship from a player perspective. He is known for running a wide open and dynamic offense. He will definitely need to improve his defensive schemes. There will be fans and outsiders who will see this as a cop out while others, like me, sees it as an opportunity for success. Already 2 donors have pledged $4 million to KY's NIL fund with more to follow. Time will tell if this was a good hire or a flop. People are reportedly upset for Barnhart not going after Pearl or others, but what have they done to bring the trophy home? Getting recruits to buy into what he's selling will be key, as well as surrounding himself with a solid staff.
Kelly Harper won 2 or 3 championships as a Lady Vol player and you see how her 5 year run just ended. Just because you can play doesn't mean you can coach but as you said time will tell.

Part 2 bold…what has Pope done to do that? I don't follow it too closely but as far as I know he hasn't won a trophy as a coach. Just playing devils advocate here.
 
Kelly Harper won 2 or 3 championships as a Lady Vol player and you see how her 5 year run just ended. Just because you can play doesn't mean you can coach but as you said time will tell.

Part 2 bold…what has Pope done to do that? I don't follow it too closely but as far as I know he hasn't won a trophy as a coach. Just playing devils advocate here.
No conference championships and no big dance appearances.
 
He could be the second coming of Adolph Rupp but I think that Big Blue Nation just realized they aren't as bright and shiny as they thought they were. Pope may knock it out of the park, time will tell.
 
Where's the Kentucky fans? What is your reaction to this? It seems the ones I know all wanted Callipari gone but don't think they thought this splashless type hire would happen. He may turn out great but not impressive with all the names that I had read.
You didn't hear me say I wanted Calipari gone. Was I happy with the last few years, heck no. But like I told a lot of people, who would replace him of that caliber he brought his first decade there? I hope Pope can do good. He doesn't have an outstanding coaching record, but maybe this is his shot to make a big name for himself. He's got my support. I'm not jumping in head strong like a lot of the Vols did when Butch and then Preutt were gonna win NC after NC as soon as they stepped in, but I'm pulling for him.
 
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You didn't hear me say I wanted Calipari gone. Was I happy with the last few years, heck no. But like I told a lot of people, who would replace him of that caliber he brought his first decade there? I hope Pope can do good. He doesn't have an outstanding coaching record, but maybe this is his shot to make a big name for himself. He's got my support. I'm not jumping in head strong like a lot of the Vols did when Butch and then Preutt were gonna win NC after NC as soon as they stepped in, but I'm pulling for him.
I feel the same way. On Facebook and UK BB forums, people called me a "hater" along with several hundred others all because we wanted UK to do better. I'm giving Pope a chance.
 
Who has a better record next year Ark or UK?
It will not matter, what matters is who has a better record over the next 5 years.

Once Cal won the NC in 2012 he just never again cared. Every year the "new" guys came in and were shooting lights out from the 3 range at the start of the season, by the time Feb got here they couldn't make 1/3 their 3s. Cal ALWAYS had them back off and do the dribble drive. This season at the Midnight Madness John Wal told Cal to let them play and boy did they. One of the best 3 point shooting team in the country. Come Feb here we are AGAIN not shooting 3s. Team after team was like that. Dribble drive is designed to not only make a basket but to draw fouls. The problem is Cal never had them practice much free throws as he should have.
 
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Last year was the first year BYU joined the Big 12 and ended the season with a 23-10 record. They beat Kansas at Kansas, beat Baylor, Iowa State, and NC State, Cincinnati, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma. They lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
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Pope may very well be a decent coach, if given the time. But, there is no way that he was Barnhart's first choice.

One TN writer made a very good point when he asked what was the hurry, because Pope would have crawled over glass to be the coach two weeks from now?

Ky fans are about to find out even more that, with NIL, the playing field has been leveled.
 
20,000+ was in attendance at Rupp Arena for the press conference introducing Pope as the new BB Coach. Another 3-5000 were turned away. Former players from the last 50-60 years was bussed in for the event. Don't tell me UK fans aren't a level above the rest in terms of their love for the sport and THEIR Kentucky Wildcats!. The question of whether he can recruit the talent needed to win a championship remains.
 

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