Mark Pope continues to say and do all the right things to impress UK fans and recruits like Ansley Almoner of Fairleigh Dickinson. (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky coach Mark Pope continues to make believers not only out of recruits but also the UK fan base.
Jack Bradley, a 1961 University of Kentucky graduate, knows he is “one of the few blue bleeders still alive” who watched the Fabulous Five at UK play in person. However, he’s “pumped” about what Pope is doing.
“I’ll admit to being a little nervous when Mark Pope was announced as UK’s new coach. I remember the 1996 team and Mark as a player, but was not really aware of his coaching ability,” Bradley said. “On reflection, I have complete confidence in Mitch Barnhart and the introduction of Mark to the Big Blue turnout at Rupp went a long way to bringing me on board.
“What we have seen Mark accomplish in the short time since that introduction has caused me to be sitting on pins and needles waiting for the Cats to take to the court this fall.”
Fairleigh Dickinson transfer Ansley Almoner, who averaged 16.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season, obviously is just as bullish on Pope. Here is what the 6-7 Almoner told Adam Zagoria of ZAGSBlog after signing with Kentucky:
“It was always a dream of mine. Growing up, I had a picture of the (Kentucky) logo in front of my bed as a goal. It’s just crazy to think that I’ve achieved that goal, but the job definitely isn’t finished. I have many more goals to accomplish, but achieving a big one like this means a lot. I will bring my shooting ability, toughness, willingness to work, and winning attitude to this program, just to name a few.”
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Can’t wait get the ball bouncing this fall. I like what Mark has accomplished. Go Cats!!
He continues to exceed expectations that were set on him a couple of weeks after he got here. When he signed 7 recruits in 8 days. I was sold. Let me say something that burns me up. Most people are saying we have a bunch of role players and we are one great player from being very good. I don’t buy into that. If we get Robinson or Poplar yes it will be good and I will be happy, but in my opinion we are very good with what we have. We will probably be one of the oldest teams in college basketball. Every player on this team was a 1st 2nd or at worst 3 options on their respected teams. Players don’t stay the second best player on the team every year, they get better. Players like Andrew Carr was the best all around player on his team. He will be even better here at Kentucky. Surprisingly he can drive to the basket better than most big men in any confrence. He’s absolutely sensational around the basket. He’s a below average athlete but he’s not terrible either. He has gotten considerably better every year in college. This is his last go around and he will do whatever it takes to win. I think he will have a monster season. Mark Pope is going to turn him into a NBA player. He’s a little above average at his outside shooting but I think he will be a gym rat and improve his 3 point % by 3 or 4 points. So your looking at 41-44% on the year.
Now on to Kerr Kriisa. I hear he’s turnover prone he’s very thuggish he’s a dirty player. Me myself I love these type of players because you never let anyone push you around at Kentucky your supposed to be the bully. But everyone’s assumption is wrong. He just loves basketball. He lets emotions control him and that’s who he is as a person. Let me repeat that HE LOVES BASKETBALL 😁. Kriisa is a senior his main goal is to win a championship. Kriisa will be the starting point guard. The main reason he had alot of turnovers last year is because of his cast of players. They were always in the wrong spot they crissed when they should have crossed. You have to be on the same page as your point guard and it helps when you have a little talent around you especially for a pass first point guard which he is which explains his ppg average. He didn’t take that many shots. He would rather get the team involved then he come down the court when a couple of players are hot and drills a 25 foot 3 pointer when the defense starts worrying about whoever’s on fire during the game. He’s very very intelligent. He will have a great year and be very loved during the season.Koby Brea will be very fun to watch. He will probably star at the 2. Just because he will always be ready to catch and shoot. With all the 3s he’s going to be shooting I think his 3 point shooting percentage will go down slightly maybe to 46-48% which will still be incredibile. Kriisa will be sliding through the paint so Brea better be ready to catch and fire. Oweh is a monster of a man. He has a frame like a outside linebacker in the NFL. He’s very powerful around the basket. To me its like your getting a better edition of Adou Thiero. I think Oweh is a better all around guy. Thiero has a couple inches on him but Oweh is much stronger. He also is surprisingly a little above average 3 point shooter. I think he improves a little from behind the arc.My fifth starter is Brandon Garrison. I think the former McDonalds All American is the reason Williams was gonna transfer. Garrison is a little raw on offense but he’s better than advertised. He almost averaged 8ppg in the best conference last year with 5 rpg in only 20 minutes a game. That’s a true freshman and with those numbers. Give him 27-29 mpg and he’s probably averaging 11ppg 8 rpg. Let me repeat in the best basketball conference last year. I think he will be better than Williams. Williams will be great on defense but his offense isn’t very good. 12 ppg 9 rpg as a starter on a small mid major team at 6’10" 245 pounds were as most centers in that conference are 6’7" 205 pounds.I’m not buying it. I’m not saying he’s going to be bad. He will be a 5th year senior I think he will be very valuable to this years team. We only have 3 big guys, and Carr is really 6’9". I think Garrison will be the starting center and I also think he takes a big step forward from his freshman year. He’s going to be a dunk machine. He also has a soft touch around the basket. I think Butler Alam and Williams are the first 3 off the bench. Butler is a winner with incredible defense. He scores most of his points off defense. Its a beautiful thing to have him on our team. We can put him on the best guard on the opposing team and he will shut them down. Alam…. I forgot how to spell his name the last transfer. He will be Carrs backup. How kuch better can it be. He’s a great scorer and with a big heart and gives it his all while also being a good shooter and he’s good at driving to the basket with contact. Having players like these on the bench is a wonderful thing to have. We will probably have the best second team in the nation. We really have a top10 team of starters and our bench is a top25 team. Chandler will be the first freshman taken off the bench. He electrifying. His dunks are so nice. He does it on a 2-3 zone defense.Dunking on peoples heads. Plus he has range he can knock down 3s from NBA range consistently. He’s also a great passer. Then you have Travis Perry who can shoot the lights out and is a great all around scorer. Then you have Trent Noah who’s living his dream so you know he’s going to take it to the next level. He has a college ready body he just needs to get stronger. He also has a nice stroke. I think Pope has put the right team together, to finally make a run at something other than the draft. Letsss Gooooooo BBN
By mid-December, I think Perry & Noah will be getting about 20 min per game, and may be starters.
I think the UK players are a well-balanced and really anticipate 10 players getting at least 10 min per game.
Fresh legs on defense and fresh legs adding accuracy to 3-point shooting will be the benefit of a DEEP bench with players wanting to WIN NOW and not just looking ahead to some future dreams.
It won’t be 2 platoons but I do expect to see some player combos (of 2 or 3 specific players) always being on the floor together. The passing game combined with purposeful player movement (set plays – thank you coach Pope!) is enhanced with player chemistry and that is increased by having certain player combos on the floor at the same time, game after game.
It’s been 27 years since UK had a coach who inspired our players to give 110% every game, and now we will have it again!!!
Who are they going to start over? A 5th year senior. No way and no way they get 20 mpg. Maybe 20 combined mpg but I doubt it.
Tj , you said same thing biut reed sheppard last year, you said he would b lucky see the floor. Maybe you where talking bout lottery pick floor??????
Thanks for a solid rebuttal.
Sheppard not only got minutes, but also has the best +/- of anyone in the team game after game.
Perry & Noah have an innate love for UK which trumps a lot of other aspects of BB. Those guys will remind us of Ford, Farmer, Pelphrey, Feldhaus, Miller, Sheppard & other former players who played FOR UK every minute!
You are pretty close to being spot on with this post. I like what Pope has done and think we will be the surprise team of 2024/25.
Mark my words: Mark Pope will take Kentucky to the Sweet 16 this year. His success will attract more and more talent to BBN, and he will win a national championship within three years. You watch and you’ll see.
Like the optimism Ralph. I am with you
I like it too.
I’ll call the S16…
and raise it to the FF.
3 years to a Title.
Hoping it’s 2…
but agree 3 is more reasonable
By year 3, we will definitely be Final 4 contenders. No. 9 won’t be far behind.
I have to admit, he has surprised me for what he has done his first year.
He is nothing if not refreshing compared to what’s-his-name. I guess I am so glad he is gone I would have been pleased with anyone who replaced him. He will be remembered as the one who done so little with so much. Mr Caliphony. It was always all about him getting his mug/name in the headlines. Funny thing is, it was his undoing with constant failure to succeed with so much talent and attention that was brought to the program. Just couldn’t coach, plain and simple.
what’s-his-name just…
couldn’t coach
couldn’t finish a complete sentence
couldn’t stop lying
Another spot on post.