This is all true but as a die hard UK fan I think I can speak for most that we don’t expect Pope to walk thru the door and drop us into the final four next year. Do we want that? Yes, but we also know he needs to build a foundation that Cal decided to forego nearly a decade ago. Transfer portal will help, but we need some stability first.
I agree. I'm a UK fan who lives in Arkansas though. But yeah, I'd love to see him win a championship in his first or second year. . . I don't expect it though. I like Mark Pope though, but not as the coach for UK. I wish Calipari would have stayed.
I wish he would have retired or at the least, gone to a different conference. Yes it’s a win for UK with Cal leaving but I feel for the Razorback fan base having to get hyped up early like we all did and get let down in the conference tourney and again in early March year after year. All he did was change school colors.
Agreed. We have to have patience. Poor coaching at the end of games drove me craazzzy with Cal. With 3 min left if we weren't up 10+ I wasn't sure he could coach a w. I'm hoping Pope can use timeouts appropriately and draw up plays in crunch time.
Pope is an incredible floor coach. The issue will be who he gets to play. When kiddos figure out they’re going to score the basketball, have incredible support and paid well-he’ll be fine.
If cal comes in like he did with us, Arkansas will be ecstatic. If you get the last 8 year version, youre gonna look at bbn and understand. Losing to a 15 and a 14 seed hurt my soul. I was in attendance for the 15 seed loss 💔
Kentucky was the most expensive AAU team in the country. Nothing more, nothing less. Collection of talented individuals that never learn how to play together as a team to win games.
Patrick thinks that Calipari "had to realize" that a) "I have to be a better coach", and b) "I have to be a better recruiter to get older players, seasoned players." As a UK alumnus and die-hard Cat fan, I can assure you that neither is going through Cal's mind right now. He is continuing his mission to be a "player's coach" and to benefit the families of players by getting them into the NBA. Arkansas fans can expect amazing recruiting classes, exciting raw potential, hot and cold performances by Cal's teams, and early exits in the conference and NCAA tournaments. Later on, Dan says, "If I'm a fan of Kentucky...I'd be turned off by that. Those guys are making a ton of money...we want to win championships." Hit the nail on the head right there, my man.
I mostly agree, though I don’t think he will have the same quality of recruiting classes that he did at UK. Prioi to UK he had some good recruits, but not 4-7 five star recruits each year. It went to another level with UK. I expect it to go back to pre-UK type recruiting classes. Honestly I have no idea why a 5 star recruit would ever choose to play for a guy that doesn’t develop his players and regularly has underachieving teams 🤷♂️
@@justinslaughter7287 Not so sure it's the same prescription as before for multiple reasons. Even if Cal stayed at KY, his MO would change, not in his caring for the players, but for his adding more older transfers in the mix. He did it a bit this past year, He will do it more now. And his promise to the older kids will be the same as before. Kids first.
I played against Memphis when Cal was the coach and when they had D rose in 2007-08. Hes a great coach and a great recruiter. The great ones always adjust and I think with the money backed by the billionaires from Arkansas for NIL and transfer portal I think he’ll be fine and get them back to the final four
@@DavidBagga Kentucky has multiple billionaires that stopped giving to the basketball program because of Cal. I’m not a fan of those families. I do agree with you that it probably is a wake up call. I don’t think he realized how frustrated Kentucky fans were with all the talent and little production since the pandemic. If Cal pulls in ultimate talent he’s fine but if he gets kinks in the armor he’s in trouble.
I agree with Dan 💯. Cal had worn out his welcome in Lex 4 years ago, and they were handcuffed by the stupid lifetime contract that some low IQ AD granted him! He’ll be a breath of fresh air for Arkansas, although I doubt he will ever even win the SEC there. Kentucky has given up the “here and now” for a longer term play that they’ve needed, with Coach Pope. I’d bet my money on Kentucky! Cal hasn’t really ever proven that he can “coach”, although has proven himself to be a great recruiter. He has only ever won games with obscene talent, and that doesn’t require a great coaching mind.
The national media just assumes Arkansas has no expectations. It’s not like Arkansas has never won a natty or been to elite 8s and sweet 16s in recent years. In the press conference, Cal is talking championships. That is the expectation. Cal is the second highest paid coach at the moment, come on man WPS 🐗
We got Big Z and about to take whomever Cal wants from your recruits to your transfers, enjoy Mormon Chad Morris! And keep acting like a jilted lil’ trick, suits you to “T”. 🤣
@@RUclips_can_ESAD you won't win shit keep in mind 8 banners to your 1 facts. Enjoy that sales pitch used UK Corvette. Tho if NBA draft picks were banners UK be set for life huh? Sry we have higher standards. Enjoy your first round exits to #15 #14 seeds .
Actually Cal had about 50 at his press conference and 7,000 at his welcome meeting. Not bad for a one day notice, pouring rain and 7:00 at night. Both events were very good.
One thing I disagree with is the comment that was made saying "Arkansas won't get the same guys UK did because of the name" and I believe that is absolutely false. Yes we're aware of the brand kentucky has and the history of that program but don't think for one second that the majority those kids for the last 15 years were committing purely to UK, no they were committing to Coach Cal. He himself is also a huge brand and players know he's always going to be player first. Just go watch videos of former players talk about Cal, they adore him to the moon and back. So yes, 100% disagree. Cal is going to get the nation's top talent at Arkansas just as he was at UK. That man can recruit any player to go anywhere, HE is the brand, the school is just the icing on the cake. Now on to Arkansas, kids aren't committing to Arkansas for the brand, even though they also have a pretty rich basketball history, they're committing to Cal. It's that simple.
Coach Cal had 5 Mcdonald's all americans prior to becoming the head coach of UK. I agree you are partially correct but the UK brand reaches further than Calipari.
Arkansas will get great players but they will not get all the players Cal would have gotten while at UK. Instead, they will go to the other blue bloods with better facilities and no matter what you say, the name on the front of the jersey matters to a certain extent. That's why programs like Duke and UNC can lose their coach and not skip a beat. Regardless, most UK fans will gladly trade these 5 stars for some wins. Look up how many 5 stars were in the championship game this year...I'll give you a hint, it was 1 total for both teams combined. Most UK fans are ready to move on from winning the recruiting class and NBA draft ever year and are ready to trade it for deep tourney runs.
@@justinslaughter7287 I don't disagree with that either. I think the UK brand will still reach far, but that will decline over time if Pope doesn't produce. I also do agree that it's a win-win. UK gets a new voice, which they needed and Arkansas gets a HOF coach that has been reinvigorated to go win a national championship. He may not outright say it yet but we all know that's his goal. He isn't going just to win games and "be competitive". As for Pope...he's talking a mighty big game for someone who doesn't have a NCAA tournament win. He's going to have to use that UK brand heavily to recruit, and it already aint looking the hottest with so many UK recruits and players decommitting and entering the transfer portal.
@@Jerms35 Arkansas's sports facilities are up there with some of the best, they may not have the same amount of banners as a UNC or Duke but the facilities are just as competitive, not to mention a basketball arena that holds 19,000+ at sold out capacity. I will also say to keep in mind that Cal is already on record saying he is going to change his strategy in roster construction because he finally realizes that the one and done formula does not work anymore. With the transfer portal he can go get older guys with loads of experience to complement his 5 star recruits when it comes to tournament time, which he did not do well at UK. I aint saying it's a lock that arkansas will win a national championship but they sure as hell will compete for one and make at least one final 4 run.
@@Wes1128 agreed. It is a win win for both parties. I cheer for all SEC schools with the exception of Tennessee (ha!). I just don’t believe you’re getting a prime Nolan in John Calapari. Not saying that’s what Arkansas want per se. But I think cals methods are getting lost in the changes of NCAA sports. If I remember correctly, there was only 1 5 star player In the last 2 NCAA championship games. It is a fair criticism that Cal has done less with more. He’s a great recruiter. He’s not a bad coach but he’s never been great at X’s and O’s or late game adjustments and that dates back to when UK beat UMASS in the tourney. He did a lot of great things for the state of Kentucky and I enjoyed the first 10 years we had him. He ostracized some of the wrong people and former alumni. That may work when you’re winning but not when you get bounced early 3 years in a row.
This move was long overdue. Calipari just went through the motions the last 5 years. All Cal cared about was one and done and hanging with rappers. He stated publicly he didn’t care about the SEC tournament. Once his assistant left that did all of his game planning his coaching was exposed.
Cal's leaving was way over due! We as Kentucky fans did not embrace the one and done with the players. Kentucky's a different breed, we want championships not who's going to wear that numbered jersey next year!
I lost all respect for John Calipari as a Coach after an interview Daaron Fox did in 2021. He outright said that Cal told them they HAD to leave after losing in 2017. And that they couldn't come back for a sophomore year, even if they wanted. But that they could call him if they needed "further help." And that Cal "doesn't give a damn about winning college basketball games." Fox said all of this in a humorous light, and as someone who loves Cal. So he had no reason to bury Cal with lies on this. He just unwittingly exposed him as an outright fraud of a Coach. He brings these guys in EXCLUSIVELY as a prep year for the NBA. Because its required of them. He has no serious intention of winning Championships. Its simply a "if it happens, it happens" for him. This is a pretty disgusting use of the schools and the fanbases to line his own pockets........knowing that winning for them isn't his priority. Even though he knows thats what hes being PAID to do. It makes you wonder. Are there illegal kickbacks this guy is getting from NBA agents??
As long as the coach isnt Calipari I dont care. Yea the lifetime contract was stupid we were backed in a corner thankfully Arkansas gave us the golden parachute as for the next 5 years no pressure for UK. Cal might get some pressure reduction ill appreciate 2012 but should of won more. This was long overdue. If im a #15 #14 seed im chomping at the bit if Cal makes the tournament.
I don’t like this for another SEC team. Especially Arkansas. The Razorback fan base will have to endure an era of one and dones with tons of talent and early exits like we have done for so long. Cal is all about the stepping stone and how many recruits he turns into nba players. I’ve been Cat fan all my life and I am more than tired of Cal’s style of play. I would love to see the 90’s fast play come back and see more and more seniors on the court. With the nil in play we can only wait and see. Best of luck to Coach Pope and the new era of UK Basketball. CATS!
The thing few will say is that Calipari simply isn’t a good coach at the collegiate level. Maybe the best recruiter ever, and a nice guy, but a subpar collegiate coach. Before you argue, please name one player that he ever made better. One player that was not already on the NBA radar, that Cal got there. He doesn’t exist. On the flip side, there’s a number of top 10 recruits that he hurt their NBA stock. He’s a big talker, great salesman, poor coach 🤷♂️
I loved Cal but he became a terrible politician the last few years..trying to sell the fans and the donors instead of being a coach and letting things play out..fans kinda ran im off yeah but when you've been the laughing stock of the NCAA 4 straight years the fans that backed him like myself just got really really tired of the same old excuses..Im man enough to wish him luck and success but if he keeps his same approach arkansas will to grow tired of it.
Cal could have had a dynasty at kentucky. He could have been the modern coach Wooden of today's game at kentucky. His disrespect for developing players costed him a lifetime of success as a coach.
Tyler Perry knows his best coaching days are behind him and he knew next year would be a disaster and he would look even worse that's why he left quickly like he did
Kentucky got the talent they did, because of Calipari, not because Kentucky are the blue bloods. And the evidence of this is out there. Kentucky’s basketball program now, has nothing going for them, that Arkansas doesn’t or won’t. People are so damn ignorant
Big Kentucky guy here. Don’t like the move for UK Don’t think the coach will handle things off the court. you know like the corruption and the boosters, etc. lol
Cal went to Arkansas because he can start up his NEW one and done system. No matter what Arkansas does he's going to look like a hero. When they lose he's going to blame it on having a new roster of young kids, needing time to grow. (And the sports world WILL fall for it). So typical of his smoke and mirrors act. He's in a win win situation right now. * that Cal, so slick. Master of Manipulation
First of all I like cal but I'm a Georgia fan especially when KY will never beat us in football last year I think it was 51-13 this year it could be 60-3
But Pope was their 5th choice ("KY with the win")...see if he can handle that insanely high-bar program (the jewel spot in college hoops). KY has already lost two to portal
Are you new to college basketball? Every single team has guys transferring. This is what the new transfer portal has become. Why would you think it would be any different. Also when coaches changes players leave. I feel like a lot of yall haven’t followed college basketball and are just talking to talk.
Most of UK fans were done with Cal. I don't care how well he does at Arky. I'm just glad he's gone because his teams were horrible to watch. Sports has to be fun and Cal made bball like watching dental surgery.
@@JK-br1mu You can win and still go pro though. You don't have to play boring bball to go pro. You can also develop talent instead of just exchanging it.
@@liberTvalance you don't have to worry about that cal will be in the tournament now KY might not be the 5 ⭐ at KY will be no more KY will be getting no 5 ⭐ the nil money at Arkansas will be more because you got more billionaires in Arkansas
Right now Kentucky has 1 recruit left and more than likely will only have 1 returning current player. I would say making the tournament next year would be overperforming.
Really , I mean as a Lexington guy, from east Ky, alum. Im retired now and I remember coaches and teams from the late sixties to the present so you know im not some idiot. I wont rant but rather say a cpl things. You were flirting with other teams during this season deep into the season rather than teaching defense or anything really other than how to burden the blame for failure due to the lack of coaching. You took advantage of the best team of talent in the last ten years at UK. I feel a little like you have been using our program to advance John Calapari’s legacy of draft picks. I dont recall seeing any of those guys in Rupp supporting the team that gave them their start. That being said I feel like you bought and sold the uniform for your own reasons and we all got punked! Im curious Cal , truth, were you coaching our team of stars to loose because you knew bbn would give you and out? Im not accusing you of it but looking back im concerned about it. Good day
Sold out? So ky fans paid to go to a press conference? For a guy that has won 0 ncaa tournament games in his entire career as a coach? Sounds about right.
Out of 351 schools, 7 active coaches have national titles. 3 have more than one (2). Of those 3, Hurley was just included a week ago. What would we say about Jay Wright if Kris Jenkins missed the buzzer beater? Would JW have any less credibility as a single championship coach? That is an insane standard that UK fans self impose and commentators then use the same lens to judge Kentucky coaches by. The double speak of 5 star freshmen can no longer ensure a championship to all of that talent should for sure win multiple championships is mind blowing.
You, and many others, miss the point on this. Its not just championships. Cal wouldn't have lost the majority of support from fans at UK if he was consistently making deep tourney runs...he wasn't. You can't be at a program like UK and have a 4 year stretch like Cal just had. Because of the historically bad 4 year stretch, his magic wore thin and his personality (that we used to love) became almost unbearable because he sounded like a broken record year after year.
@@Jerms35 I was referring to the “He only has one championship” soundbite. But since you mentioned a historic 4 year bad run, I would add that of the top 5 highest paid coaches, only 3 have championships. 2 of those (Bill Self & Tom Izzo) went 14 and 24 years (& counting for TI) between championships. Coach K went 18 years. No one ran them out of town b/c of that. We can discuss deep runs but Tubby went to the elite 8 & sweet 16 multiple times. With the exception of Pitino, every coach since Joe Hall has effectively been run out of town. Yes for good and bad reasons, but that’s just what it is. We will see what Pope does (likely/hopefully very well) but the culture of high pressure makes the head coaching job progressively less attractive to outsiders (IMHO).
@@gmcgaha again, im not talking about years between championships. Did Self or Coach K have a run where they lost to a 15 seed, went 9-16, lost 2nd round, lost to a 13 seed. This 4 year span also included very bad losses @ home including three straight losses at Rupp for the first time in decades. Lets look at Cal's resume since 2020-2021: 80-46 overall (58%) 47-24 in SEC play 1-4 in SEC tourney 1-3 in NCAA tourney 1 year with no tourney 0-4 in Championship Classic 11-16 vs top 25 0 SEC reg season titles 0 SEC championships 0 2nd weekend games You cant do that at UK...or any other Blue Blood program.
@@Jerms35 so I won’t make the indefensible argument that it’s good or okay to fold first or second round of the tournament consecutively. However, UCLA, UConn, Duke (w/ coach K), & UNC have all missed the tournament altogether in recent years. While the stats you show aren’t encouraging, if we look at the most recent season, it would seem a bit unfair to distill it down to the first loss of the tournament. A bad coach and team rarely finish a season with 20+ wins, top 10 in the country, 2nd in the 2nd toughest conference w/ a decisive victory over a top 5 team on a end of season road game (which earned a #3 seed). Yes, UK is the bluest of blue bloods. But all I’m saying is that when top tier coaches at other programs are turning down Godfather offers, that should be a wake up call. The good news is that we have a new coach and time to reflect.
Cal did NOT jump before he was pushed. HE WAS PUSHED!!!!!!! You think he woke up and said, “you know what I should do? Let’s leave $34 million on the table, go to the armpit of Arkansas to coach, & hell, let’s take a 20% pay cut.”
Well he breached his contract talking to Ohio St without anyone knowing in February and then to Arkansas so he could have been fired at will without any money!
@@Ghostdeath48 this isnt true if you read the actual contract. His contract lays out specific reasons he could be fired "for cause" and this wasnt one of them.
@@Ghostdeath48 Im talking about his contract actually stipulates what is grounds to be "fired for cause" and what he did wasnt one of those things. I know the part of his contract you are referencing, it is in there but it doesnt have an enforcement policy with it and isnt listed in the section of things he can be fired "for cause "for.
How was Cals press conference? I can't wait every 14, 15 seed salvating to play Arkansas. Hell I'm waiting Pope beat Arkansas at Rupp expose Calipari for a fraud even more.
This is all true but as a die hard UK fan I think I can speak for most that we don’t expect Pope to walk thru the door and drop us into the final four next year. Do we want that? Yes, but we also know he needs to build a foundation that Cal decided to forego nearly a decade ago. Transfer portal will help, but we need some stability first.
I agree. I'm a UK fan who lives in Arkansas though. But yeah, I'd love to see him win a championship in his first or second year. . . I don't expect it though. I like Mark Pope though, but not as the coach for UK. I wish Calipari would have stayed.
I wish he would have retired or at the least, gone to a different conference. Yes it’s a win for UK with Cal leaving but I feel for the Razorback fan base having to get hyped up early like we all did and get let down in the conference tourney and again in early March year after year. All he did was change school colors.
Agreed. We have to have patience. Poor coaching at the end of games drove me craazzzy with Cal. With 3 min left if we weren't up 10+ I wasn't sure he could coach a w. I'm hoping Pope can use timeouts appropriately and draw up plays in crunch time.
Pope is an incredible floor coach. The issue will be who he gets to play. When kiddos figure out they’re going to score the basketball, have incredible support and paid well-he’ll be fine.
@@BrandenL-bh1dvyou are 100% correct. I never saw Cal draw up a good crunch time play. Not once.
If cal comes in like he did with us, Arkansas will be ecstatic. If you get the last 8 year version, youre gonna look at bbn and understand. Losing to a 15 and a 14 seed hurt my soul. I was in attendance for the 15 seed loss 💔
Kentucky was the most expensive AAU team in the country. Nothing more, nothing less. Collection of talented individuals that never learn how to play together as a team to win games.
Patrick thinks that Calipari "had to realize" that a) "I have to be a better coach", and b) "I have to be a better recruiter to get older players, seasoned players." As a UK alumnus and die-hard Cat fan, I can assure you that neither is going through Cal's mind right now. He is continuing his mission to be a "player's coach" and to benefit the families of players by getting them into the NBA. Arkansas fans can expect amazing recruiting classes, exciting raw potential, hot and cold performances by Cal's teams, and early exits in the conference and NCAA tournaments. Later on, Dan says, "If I'm a fan of Kentucky...I'd be turned off by that. Those guys are making a ton of money...we want to win championships." Hit the nail on the head right there, my man.
I mostly agree, though I don’t think he will have the same quality of recruiting classes that he did at UK. Prioi to UK he had some good recruits, but not 4-7 five star recruits each year. It went to another level with UK. I expect it to go back to pre-UK type recruiting classes. Honestly I have no idea why a 5 star recruit would ever choose to play for a guy that doesn’t develop his players and regularly has underachieving teams 🤷♂️
@@ivanwesley8182 cal had 3 macdonalds all Americans at Memphis. 1 at UMASS and something like 47 at Kentucky.
@@justinslaughter7287 Not so sure it's the same prescription as before for multiple reasons. Even if Cal stayed at KY, his MO would change, not in his caring for the players, but for his adding more older transfers in the mix. He did it a bit this past year, He will do it more now. And his promise to the older kids will be the same as before. Kids first.
Definitely a win for Kentucky.
No, Cal isn’t going to change his philosophy. He’s stubborn and refuses to change. That’s why he’s coaching at Arkansas now and not Kentucky.
His resume entitles him to be that way
@@20Schmidt entitled is the correct word
He’s being left behind and refuses to change and his best X’s and O’s coach left him this offseason.
UK fan here… that’s the best take I’ve heard so far from a National sports commentator. Mike Wilbon could learn a thing or two from Dan Patrick
Hate that you’re a Kentucky fan but enjoy the username and giving respect to Dan. Go cards tho
I played against Memphis when Cal was the coach and when they had D rose in 2007-08.
Hes a great coach and a great recruiter. The great ones always adjust and I think with the money backed by the billionaires from Arkansas for NIL and transfer portal I think he’ll be fine and get them back to the final four
But he didnt adjust at UK...Thats why we has the last 5 years that were poor........
@@Pete391 true, but I think this was a wake up call for him in my opinion. We shall see though 🍿
@@DavidBagga Kentucky has multiple billionaires that stopped giving to the basketball program because of Cal. I’m not a fan of those families. I do agree with you that it probably is a wake up call. I don’t think he realized how frustrated Kentucky fans were with all the talent and little production since the pandemic. If Cal pulls in ultimate talent he’s fine but if he gets kinks in the armor he’s in trouble.
Dan Patrick, always on the mark
the best, imo
One and done ruined Kentucky Basketball for over a decade. The fans want Pitino style 90’s Kentucky Basketball back
I agree with Dan 💯. Cal had worn out his welcome in Lex 4 years ago, and they were handcuffed by the stupid lifetime contract that some low IQ AD granted him!
He’ll be a breath of fresh air for Arkansas, although I doubt he will ever even win the SEC there. Kentucky has given up the “here and now” for a longer term play that they’ve needed, with Coach Pope. I’d bet my money on Kentucky!
Cal hasn’t really ever proven that he can “coach”, although has proven himself to be a great recruiter. He has only ever won games with obscene talent, and that doesn’t require a great coaching mind.
The national media just assumes Arkansas has no expectations. It’s not like Arkansas has never won a natty or been to elite 8s and sweet 16s in recent years. In the press conference, Cal is talking championships. That is the expectation. Cal is the second highest paid coach at the moment, come on man WPS 🐗
@@SomebodyBanThatGuy I am sure UCLA says the same thing. Those were the days.
Cal had 1,500 at his press conference. Mark Pope had 30,000 😂😂😂
We got Big Z and about to take whomever Cal wants from your recruits to your transfers, enjoy Mormon Chad Morris! And keep acting like a jilted lil’ trick, suits you to “T”. 🤣
@@RUclips_can_ESAD you won't win shit keep in mind 8 banners to your 1 facts. Enjoy that sales pitch used UK Corvette. Tho if NBA draft picks were banners UK be set for life huh? Sry we have higher standards. Enjoy your first round exits to #15 #14 seeds .
Actually Cal had about 50 at his press conference and 7,000 at his welcome meeting. Not bad for a one day notice, pouring rain and 7:00 at night. Both events were very good.
Pole pope poke lol😂😂😂 5th won what lol😂😂😂
Cal only had one ring with all that talent. He is Chad Morris
Cal wont change THAT much. He will still promise the minutes to the NBA draft stock. whether they deserve it or not. he doesnt develop players.
One thing I disagree with is the comment that was made saying "Arkansas won't get the same guys UK did because of the name" and I believe that is absolutely false. Yes we're aware of the brand kentucky has and the history of that program but don't think for one second that the majority those kids for the last 15 years were committing purely to UK, no they were committing to Coach Cal. He himself is also a huge brand and players know he's always going to be player first. Just go watch videos of former players talk about Cal, they adore him to the moon and back. So yes, 100% disagree. Cal is going to get the nation's top talent at Arkansas just as he was at UK. That man can recruit any player to go anywhere, HE is the brand, the school is just the icing on the cake. Now on to Arkansas, kids aren't committing to Arkansas for the brand, even though they also have a pretty rich basketball history, they're committing to Cal. It's that simple.
Coach Cal had 5 Mcdonald's all americans prior to becoming the head coach of UK. I agree you are partially correct but the UK brand reaches further than Calipari.
Arkansas will get great players but they will not get all the players Cal would have gotten while at UK. Instead, they will go to the other blue bloods with better facilities and no matter what you say, the name on the front of the jersey matters to a certain extent. That's why programs like Duke and UNC can lose their coach and not skip a beat. Regardless, most UK fans will gladly trade these 5 stars for some wins. Look up how many 5 stars were in the championship game this year...I'll give you a hint, it was 1 total for both teams combined. Most UK fans are ready to move on from winning the recruiting class and NBA draft ever year and are ready to trade it for deep tourney runs.
@@justinslaughter7287 I don't disagree with that either. I think the UK brand will still reach far, but that will decline over time if Pope doesn't produce. I also do agree that it's a win-win. UK gets a new voice, which they needed and Arkansas gets a HOF coach that has been reinvigorated to go win a national championship. He may not outright say it yet but we all know that's his goal. He isn't going just to win games and "be competitive". As for Pope...he's talking a mighty big game for someone who doesn't have a NCAA tournament win. He's going to have to use that UK brand heavily to recruit, and it already aint looking the hottest with so many UK recruits and players decommitting and entering the transfer portal.
@@Jerms35 Arkansas's sports facilities are up there with some of the best, they may not have the same amount of banners as a UNC or Duke but the facilities are just as competitive, not to mention a basketball arena that holds 19,000+ at sold out capacity. I will also say to keep in mind that Cal is already on record saying he is going to change his strategy in roster construction because he finally realizes that the one and done formula does not work anymore. With the transfer portal he can go get older guys with loads of experience to complement his 5 star recruits when it comes to tournament time, which he did not do well at UK. I aint saying it's a lock that arkansas will win a national championship but they sure as hell will compete for one and make at least one final 4 run.
@@Wes1128 agreed. It is a win win for both parties. I cheer for all SEC schools with the exception of Tennessee (ha!). I just don’t believe you’re getting a prime Nolan in John Calapari. Not saying that’s what Arkansas want per se. But I think cals methods are getting lost in the changes of NCAA sports. If I remember correctly, there was only 1 5 star player In the last 2 NCAA championship games. It is a fair criticism that Cal has done less with more. He’s a great recruiter. He’s not a bad coach but he’s never been great at X’s and O’s or late game adjustments and that dates back to when UK beat UMASS in the tourney. He did a lot of great things for the state of Kentucky and I enjoyed the first 10 years we had him. He ostracized some of the wrong people and former alumni. That may work when you’re winning but not when you get bounced early 3 years in a row.
Yes Awesomeness
This move was long overdue. Calipari just went through the motions the last 5 years. All Cal cared about was one and done and hanging with rappers. He stated publicly he didn’t care about the SEC tournament. Once his assistant left that did all of his game planning his coaching was exposed.
Cal's leaving was way over due! We as Kentucky fans did not embrace the one and done with the players. Kentucky's a different breed, we want championships not who's going to wear that numbered jersey next year!
I lost all respect for John Calipari as a Coach after an interview Daaron Fox did in 2021. He outright said that Cal told them they HAD to leave after losing in 2017. And that they couldn't come back for a sophomore year, even if they wanted. But that they could call him if they needed "further help." And that Cal "doesn't give a damn about winning college basketball games." Fox said all of this in a humorous light, and as someone who loves Cal. So he had no reason to bury Cal with lies on this. He just unwittingly exposed him as an outright fraud of a Coach. He brings these guys in EXCLUSIVELY as a prep year for the NBA. Because its required of them. He has no serious intention of winning Championships. Its simply a "if it happens, it happens" for him. This is a pretty disgusting use of the schools and the fanbases to line his own pockets........knowing that winning for them isn't his priority. Even though he knows thats what hes being PAID to do. It makes you wonder. Are there illegal kickbacks this guy is getting from NBA agents??
amen brother, preach to the choir...
As long as the coach isnt Calipari I dont care. Yea the lifetime contract was stupid we were backed in a corner thankfully Arkansas gave us the golden parachute as for the next 5 years no pressure for UK. Cal might get some pressure reduction ill appreciate 2012 but should of won more. This was long overdue. If im a #15 #14 seed im chomping at the bit if Cal makes the tournament.
Kentucky
a team with players who have played together 2-3 years will beat a star laden squad who just showed up 3 month ago.
I don’t like this for another SEC team. Especially Arkansas. The Razorback fan base will have to endure an era of one and dones with tons of talent and early exits like we have done for so long. Cal is all about the stepping stone and how many recruits he turns into nba players. I’ve been Cat fan all my life and I am more than tired of Cal’s style of play. I would love to see the 90’s fast play come back and see more and more seniors on the court. With the nil in play we can only wait and see. Best of luck to Coach Pope and the new era of UK Basketball. CATS!
The thing few will say is that Calipari simply isn’t a good coach at the collegiate level. Maybe the best recruiter ever, and a nice guy, but a subpar collegiate coach. Before you argue, please name one player that he ever made better. One player that was not already on the NBA radar, that Cal got there. He doesn’t exist. On the flip side, there’s a number of top 10 recruits that he hurt their NBA stock. He’s a big talker, great salesman, poor coach 🤷♂️
He can start over and try to do a better job than the last couple of years.😊
I loved Cal but he became a terrible politician the last few years..trying to sell the fans and the donors instead of being a coach and letting things play out..fans kinda ran im off yeah but when you've been the laughing stock of the NCAA 4 straight years the fans that backed him like myself just got really really tired of the same old excuses..Im man enough to wish him luck and success but if he keeps his same approach arkansas will to grow tired of it.
He got out coached by Oakland. Everybody needs to quit saying he’s a great unbelievable coach.
Cal could have had a dynasty at kentucky. He could have been the modern coach Wooden of today's game at kentucky. His disrespect for developing players costed him a lifetime of success as a coach.
Calipari, 35+ years in college hoops, has recruited an embarrassing amount of talent, only ONE National title. LOL
Tyler Perry knows his best coaching days are behind him and he knew next year would be a disaster and he would look even worse that's why he left quickly like he did
Kentucky got the talent they did, because of Calipari, not because Kentucky are the blue bloods. And the evidence of this is out there. Kentucky’s basketball program now, has nothing going for them, that Arkansas doesn’t or won’t.
People are so damn ignorant
Actually, admission was free. But it was the same as a sold out crowd
Big Kentucky guy here. Don’t like the move for UK
Don’t think the coach will handle things off the court. you know like the corruption and the boosters, etc. lol
What corruption? Explain that one.
I think cal done what he needs to do mark pope isn’t a bad coach he’s gonna take few years before he gets everything in order
Cal went to Arkansas because he can start up his NEW one and done system. No matter what Arkansas does he's going to look like a hero.
When they lose he's going to blame it on having a new roster of young kids, needing time to grow. (And the sports world WILL fall for it). So typical of his smoke and mirrors act.
He's in a win win situation right now.
* that Cal, so slick. Master of Manipulation
Can’t tell me one and dones don’t get drafted anywhere else. They are already top talent could’ve got minutes most places
Kentucky 🎉
problem is, he's always good for a sound bite!!
The crowd got in free it was not a sell out. Hello
A”win win” is usually for both parties.
Dean Smith coach for 37 years had James Worthy , Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins and etc ….. only won two titles.
First of all I like cal but I'm a Georgia fan especially when KY will never beat us in football last year I think it was 51-13 this year it could be 60-3
All day 🎉
Louisville all day
@@captainspartan04 he’s a very smart man 👨
Time will tell
it was FREE!!! Not discounting the size of the crowd but there was no charge.
But Pope was their 5th choice ("KY with the win")...see if he can handle that insanely high-bar program (the jewel spot in college hoops).
KY has already lost two to portal
Are you new to college basketball? Every single team has guys transferring. This is what the new transfer portal has become. Why would you think it would be any different. Also when coaches changes players leave. I feel like a lot of yall haven’t followed college basketball and are just talking to talk.
Most of UK fans were done with Cal. I don't care how well he does at Arky. I'm just glad he's gone because his teams were horrible to watch. Sports has to be fun and Cal made bball like watching dental surgery.
Yah but dey go' play on da next levo.
What if pope goes 8&18 this coming season
@@JK-br1mu You can win and still go pro though. You don't have to play boring bball to go pro. You can also develop talent instead of just exchanging it.
@@chuckroutionGB2022 What if Cal doesn't win a ncaa tourney game this next year?
@@liberTvalance you don't have to worry about that cal will be in the tournament now KY might not be the 5 ⭐ at KY will be no more KY will be getting no 5 ⭐ the nil money at Arkansas will be more because you got more billionaires in Arkansas
I don't think Arkansas will mind Cal's one and done NBA farm team shenanigans nearly as much.
What happens if Kentucky underperforms next year and doesn’t make the tournament
Right now Kentucky has 1 recruit left and more than likely will only have 1 returning current player. I would say making the tournament next year would be overperforming.
@@Truth-s9m So basically what Arkansas didnt do this past year? Such high standards when Cal only had to raise the bar.
@@tystarnesare you stupid?
@@tystarnes With Cal the bar was 1st or 2nd round exit with no hope of that changing. At least now we have hope.
and he knows the assignment ...lol
Really , I mean as a Lexington guy, from east Ky, alum. Im retired now and I remember coaches and teams from the late sixties to the present so you know im not some idiot. I wont rant but rather say a cpl things. You were flirting with other teams during this season deep into the season rather than teaching defense or anything really other than how to burden the blame for failure due to the lack of coaching. You took advantage of the best team of talent in the last ten years at UK. I feel a little like you have been using our program to advance John Calapari’s legacy of draft picks. I dont recall seeing any of those guys in Rupp supporting the team that gave them their start. That being said I feel like you bought and sold the uniform for your own reasons and we all got punked! Im curious Cal , truth, were you coaching our team of stars to loose because you knew bbn would give you and out? Im not accusing you of it but looking back im concerned about it. Good day
Coach cal is not going to recruit kids who want to stay in college for 4yrs. He only wants lottery pics
Sold out? So ky fans paid to go to a press conference? For a guy that has won 0 ncaa tournament games in his entire career as a coach? Sounds about right.
standing room only and it was absolutely free. i didn't have to edit my comment.
@@jimmyjames6882 the video most definitely said "sold out". Ok that's it I'm done. Lol
@@charlesokelley2961you seriously don’t understand how seriously we take basketball in this state
Dan - don't take so much time off. Old news here.
Yeah hogs you will get most of the top recruites,but only one championship in 15 years is nothing to get excited about
all your getting is NBA recruits!
Out of 351 schools, 7 active coaches have national titles. 3 have more than one (2). Of those 3, Hurley was just included a week ago. What would we say about Jay Wright if Kris Jenkins missed the buzzer beater? Would JW have any less credibility as a single championship coach? That is an insane standard that UK fans self impose and commentators then use the same lens to judge Kentucky coaches by. The double speak of 5 star freshmen can no longer ensure a championship to all of that talent should for sure win multiple championships is mind blowing.
You, and many others, miss the point on this. Its not just championships. Cal wouldn't have lost the majority of support from fans at UK if he was consistently making deep tourney runs...he wasn't. You can't be at a program like UK and have a 4 year stretch like Cal just had. Because of the historically bad 4 year stretch, his magic wore thin and his personality (that we used to love) became almost unbearable because he sounded like a broken record year after year.
@@Jerms35 I was referring to the “He only has one championship” soundbite. But since you mentioned a historic 4 year bad run, I would add that of the top 5 highest paid coaches, only 3 have championships. 2 of those (Bill Self & Tom Izzo) went 14 and 24 years (& counting for TI) between championships. Coach K went 18 years. No one ran them out of town b/c of that. We can discuss deep runs but Tubby went to the elite 8 & sweet 16 multiple times. With the exception of Pitino, every coach since Joe Hall has effectively been run out of town. Yes for good and bad reasons, but that’s just what it is. We will see what Pope does (likely/hopefully very well) but the culture of high pressure makes the head coaching job progressively less attractive to outsiders (IMHO).
@@gmcgaha again, im not talking about years between championships. Did Self or Coach K have a run where they lost to a 15 seed, went 9-16, lost 2nd round, lost to a 13 seed. This 4 year span also included very bad losses @ home including three straight losses at Rupp for the first time in decades.
Lets look at Cal's resume since 2020-2021:
80-46 overall (58%)
47-24 in SEC play
1-4 in SEC tourney
1-3 in NCAA tourney
1 year with no tourney
0-4 in Championship Classic
11-16 vs top 25
0 SEC reg season titles
0 SEC championships
0 2nd weekend games
You cant do that at UK...or any other Blue Blood program.
@@Jerms35 so I won’t make the indefensible argument that it’s good or okay to fold first or second round of the tournament consecutively. However, UCLA, UConn, Duke (w/ coach K), & UNC have all missed the tournament altogether in recent years. While the stats you show aren’t encouraging, if we look at the most recent season, it would seem a bit unfair to distill it down to the first loss of the tournament. A bad coach and team rarely finish a season with 20+ wins, top 10 in the country, 2nd in the 2nd toughest conference w/ a decisive victory over a top 5 team on a end of season road game (which earned a #3 seed). Yes, UK is the bluest of blue bloods. But all I’m saying is that when top tier coaches at other programs are turning down Godfather offers, that should be a wake up call. The good news is that we have a new coach and time to reflect.
cal can recruit he cannot coach!!
Cal did NOT jump before he was pushed. HE WAS PUSHED!!!!!!! You think he woke up and said, “you know what I should do? Let’s leave $34 million on the table, go to the armpit of Arkansas to coach, & hell, let’s take a 20% pay cut.”
Well he breached his contract talking to Ohio St without anyone knowing in February and then to Arkansas so he could have been fired at will without any money!
@@Ghostdeath48 this isnt true if you read the actual contract. His contract lays out specific reasons he could be fired "for cause" and this wasnt one of them.
@@AlexMarks66 type in John Calipari breach of contract and it'll pull up exactly what he did was wrong so I don't know what you're talking about!
@@Ghostdeath48 Im talking about his contract actually stipulates what is grounds to be "fired for cause" and what he did wasnt one of those things. I know the part of his contract you are referencing, it is in there but it doesnt have an enforcement policy with it and isnt listed in the section of things he can be fired "for cause "for.
No, push would be fired.
They sold out the arena for a press conference bc there is nothing else to do in KY.
How was Cals press conference? I can't wait every 14, 15 seed salvating to play Arkansas. Hell I'm waiting Pope beat Arkansas at Rupp expose Calipari for a fraud even more.
There’s plenty to do, just yesterday I took a bite out of an apple and watched as it turn brown
Actually it was free.
Kentucky doesn't look at this dude if he isn't a former player. Not sure thats a win🤣
Incorrect. His team shot the second most amount of three's. Have you watched the NBA at all. It all they do
@@stevemiller1345 worked well for him against Duquesne
Win for Arkansas and a lost for uk
Kentucky won! He sucked
Kentucky 🎉