@SuperrNova38 Choosing a team defense is a weekly gamble, if you want to make defense matter and put skill behind it and go IDP. Drafting individual defensive players is the only pure way to make defense truly matter
When both programs hired new coaches a couple years ago it was obvious Pat Kelsey and Mark Pope would not only be judged by their own program standards and expectations, but also compared directly to one another.
Almost immediately both fan bases felt pretty good about their hires- year one for both coaches brought fun moments and a decent launching point, even if neither season ultimately met program expectations.
Both coaches then went to work on upgrading their rosters for year two. Pat Kelsey showed he could land five-star talent and make real splashes in the portal, while Pope appeared to put together one of the deeper teams in college basketball.
But neither second season met expectations (for a variety of reasons). In fact, both were a bit of a step back from year one, which I don’t think many people expected.
Now, heading into a make-or-break year three for both coaches and both programs the contrast is becoming glaring.
One coach continues to underwhelm while turning a proud program into something of a punchline behind the scenes. The other attacked the portal like his job depended on it and made it clear his only goal was to build the most talented roster possible.
UK fans have spent so much time comparing Pope to Cal, but Pope is getting outworked by more than just Arkansas. I'm not sure there's a rival where UK is currently in a better position.
Louisville fans are excited about the upcoming season. Kentucky fans are stuck in a near-constant state of frustration and meltdown.
Pat Kelsey was ready for the portal and the year three offseason. Mark Pope wasn't, and that's a major issue for Kentucky.
When Calipari was at Kentucky, the narrative of choking in the NCAAT with elite freshmen was pushed every year.
Duke has had the most talented roster multiple times, with multiple #1
picks, for the better part of a decade and have failed to capitalize.
Where is the same energy?
Worth remembering it has been 2 weeks since the 24 year AD of Kentucky has resigned from Kentucky and the current President has yet to make one public in-person comment or taken one question about it since
@Aaron_Torres Asking genuinely, when signed to and playing for a G-league team can that player not get "called up to the big league" should injuries arise on the NBA team? Where the euro league guys have to declare for the draft and be drafted to make it to the nba?
Tomorrow’s game against Purdue is a meaningless exhibition game that is not a good indicator of our season as our starting Point Guard is hurt
Unless we win….then we are the best team in the country
I’ve heard repeatedly from players and staff championship rings have become unwearable with how big they’ve gotten. The reasonably sized ring inside the pop top here is a great solution.
Strong words from Cam Ward
“I grew up watching my Dad wake up at 4:30 for a job he didnt like, so if I can’t wake up early and work hard at a job I do like, I shouldn’t be playing Football”
https://t.co/dHiH9w7Lgo