Vicky Graff Photo
So how did Kentucky give up an 11-0 run to Florida to start the game Saturday and then a 13-0 run later in the first half, especially after being blitzed by a 27-3 run at Texas A&M on Tuesday?
Kentucky coach Mark Pope had a lengthy explanation after Florida’s 84-77 win to cost UK a chance at a double bye in the SEC Tournament and instead force the Cats to open tourney play on Wednesday for the first time.
“We have done that sometimes to start games where we’ve been a little bit sticky and a little paralyzed. They went to the post two straight possessions. Their bigs really want to attack, come back to the baseline. We did a poor job on both those defensive possessions,” Pope said.
There was more.
“We just didn’t have any pace on the offensive end, so that was the start of the game. The run later in the half was really tough for us. We are just trying to figure out how to manage this … we make poor decisions when we are tired on the floor. We just do, we make poor decisions when we are tired on the floor,” the Kentucky coach said.
“We are trying to find out how to ameliorate that and fix it and that’s been a problem for us the last couple of games. We will perform better than that. That was really disappointing.”
Again, the fatigue excuse.
Arkansas had players play 45, 45, 44 and 39 minutes in an overtime win at Missouri. The host Tigers had a player go 43 minutes and another player stay in the game for 39 minutes. Yet Pope said his players were already fatigued late in the first half.
“We give up 18, 19 points in the first half in transition. Two things you have to do with Florida. You have to rebound the ball. You have to guard in transition. We did a poor job with that,” Pope said.
“Part of it was turnovers. Even though the turnover number in the first half wasn’t crazy. It was six. Part of it was just poor shot selection at the rim, which is what they do. As much as we tried to communicate that and teach that to our team, I did a poor job getting that messaging across because we continued to do it.
“That was part of it, also, we put ourselves in harm’s way during that run just by poor offensive decision-making and some turnovers.”
15 Responses
Word Salad
Kamala 2.0. I really am getting so tired of looking at and listening to Pope. Nothing ever changes. One of the the, one of many constants, with this Team is Pope's "makes no sense" substitution patterns recognized by the world. The others are no ability to work inside with efficiency, no lobs, not being able to defend the 3, trouble defending without fouling, no threat with 3 pt efficiency. Oweh has been the only constant "cart puller" all season. Moreno, Chandler, Jelly should all be 10 pt. minimum contributors. The season can not end soon enough!
Does this guy listen to what he is saying? Basically, he is saying that he doesn't have a clue about what makes this team tick and, even if he did, they don't listen to him…they do what they want to do and he can't change that.
I saw where he is looking to hire a player development guy? Isn't that what he is supposed to be doing? Pope is clearly in over his head. Dismiss him so he can go back to medical school and do something he understands.
I wonder that too Barry
Chandler is an enigma. A box store no show. If Garrison scores more than Chandler something isnt right. Unfortunately Oweh and Aberdeen combined had 6 assists. And being the 2 main ball handlers they had a combined 34 attempted shots to 6 assists. So.. these 2 guys can get off shots for themselves but incorporating or initiating the offense isnt great. Being the main scorer and also being the p.g. is a problem. Unfortunately they have no choice to do this.
Excuses are like arm pits. Everyone has one but some stink more than others.
If the new AD doesn’t Fire Pope then whoever he is will be viewed as a BAD choice just like Pope was! There is NO Reason NOT to Fire Pope! Pope needs to go even before Selection Sunday!
I've always considered Dick Vitale as a College basketball fan and apologist. But to hear him say for 22 million this roster should be better is quite telling. He's not saying anything we dont see or know but him merely saying it is very condemning. It takes alot for Vitale to be critical of coaches and universities. Pope either needs to be relieved of his duties or they need a g.m. asap. No more dicking around.
I doubt if Rupp put up with guys being "a little bit sticky."
He was good at "ameliorating" things.
If you’re blaming fatigue for giving up a 13-0 run with just under nine minutes left in the first half, something is seriously wrong with your conditioning program and your mental toughness.
Preach it Brown Dog
Pope HAS TO GO! IT’S WAY PAST TIME! H-E DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS!!! This is The University of Kentucky the windiness college basketball teams of all time! If the Heads that be can’t do any better then this then the whole Dang thing should be shut down! Shut the Doors on Rupp and everyone go home! Put a tombstone at the front door!! Long live Kentucky Basketball!
Correction: LONG LIVED Kentucky Basketball
Very concerned about the immediate future of the CATS men bball. It is very clear that Pope and his staff are way over their heads. Do a poor game prep, allow the same problems exist the whole season, which is unheard of in this day and time. Poor recruitment, keeping a team healthy and in condition. He continues to run his fatigue crutch into ground. Larry pointed that out and don't think Pope answered the question. I like Mark as a person but he cannot coach in the SEC. Fox could not coach in the SEC. That tells you a lot right there. Pope needs to be replaced now otherwise we may not see a top 10 ranking maybe for 3 to 5 years. GO CATS.
Reasons to be worried Steve