WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:08.679 It's time for Coffee and Company, fueled by Thornton's on Sports Talk seven nine 2 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:25.960 day. Now here's Nick Coffee. We have been busy this afternoon, which 3 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:29.440 means the show has completely flown by, but it is our number three here 4 00:00:29.480 --> 00:00:32.079 Coffee and Company hanging out with you. We are fueled by Thornton's. Make 5 00:00:32.119 --> 00:00:35.600 sure you sign up to become a member of the Thornton's Refreshman Awards program. 6 00:00:35.640 --> 00:00:39.679 There's a lot of perks and benefits that come with it, including saving money 7 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:44.960 every time you're at the gas pump. So just a quick catch up. 8 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:48.640 I would imagine that most people who have any level of interest in the Kentucky 9 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:52.079 coaching search are aware of how things have transpired today. But it started earlier 10 00:00:52.119 --> 00:00:58.280 this morning, around ten thirty eleven o'clock roughly that Scott Drew officially said no 11 00:00:58.600 --> 00:01:02.799 despite not being offered the job, which still think is hilarious. How that's 12 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:07.200 such a I mean, it's just again, it's insulting. Whatever intelligence level 13 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:12.239 someone like myself has to tell me that Scott Drew was told to strongly consider 14 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:17.120 the job, but that he wasn't offered. I mean, that's just that's 15 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:19.799 dumb. It's not. I mean, it's such a desperate attempt to try 16 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:23.599 to do whatever you can to make it look as if you didn't get rejected, 17 00:01:23.640 --> 00:01:27.120 which it happens. Rejection is you know, it sucks, but sometimes 18 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:30.799 it cannot be a compatible fit. They don't want to go there, and 19 00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:34.120 it doesn't mean that you're not a great program. I think Louisville Search, 20 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:38.680 as I've mentioned, had some rejections that you know, optics weren't great about 21 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:42.879 it, but overall it wasn't because Louisville sucks and they can't get this caliber 22 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:49.120 coach. So Drew said no. Danny Hurley I think has always been saying 23 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:53.480 no any chance he gets, but it hasn't been the direct no, because 24 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:57.159 Kentucky fans still at any time he's asked about his future, he pretty much 25 00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:01.400 says no. But they want like the direct find statement with you know, 26 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:08.120 a notarized what it was. People called who like notaride like is it a 27 00:02:08.159 --> 00:02:10.919 notary? Yeah? Yeah, they need a notary to make sure it was 28 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:14.960 officially from him with his signature, because if not that then they haven't actually 29 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:17.199 heard no. Because he said no many times, but out saying no, 30 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:20.800 I'm not going to Kentucky, which honestly, no coach ever says those kind 31 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:24.039 of things. That's just not practical anymore. But the latest came down about 32 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:29.639 two thirty from Matt Norlander, who broke both stories. By the way, 33 00:02:29.680 --> 00:02:32.840 broke the news about Scott Drew and now he has broke the news about Danny 34 00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:38.240 Hurley. I guess Kentucky fans still don't think that this is the official no, 35 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:40.360 but this is from Matt Norlander at two thirty. There was a little 36 00:02:40.439 --> 00:02:45.840 doubt. I'm sorry there was little doubt as is, but this is final. 37 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:49.439 Sources just told CBS Sports that there's a zero percent chance Dan Hurley will 38 00:02:49.479 --> 00:02:53.360 leave Yukon for Kentucky. It's not happening. Happening Hurley is staying in stores 39 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:57.120 with a deserved big pay bump coming for him and his staff. One source 40 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:00.639 tells them that Hurley to Kentucky quote, they could offer twenty million a year 41 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:06.159 and he wouldn't go. So maybe they still need the official no from him 42 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:12.879 directly and not through CBS Sports. But I'd advise you just move on if 43 00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:16.080 you're a Kentucky fan. And I still think the comparison I made earlier, 44 00:03:17.639 --> 00:03:22.599 the analogy is real, it's I mean, just because you got to make 45 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:24.479 them say no doesn't mean they like. Just because you say they have to 46 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:28.840 say no doesn't mean they're gonna say no. He could just ignore you, 47 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:30.520 right, Like he could not take Mitch Barnhardt's call. Right he could have 48 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:34.599 his agent just say look, we don't want to talk. That wouldn't be 49 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:37.560 telling you no, but that would just be clearly giving you the signs that 50 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:43.000 he's not interested. So what I said is like, Margo Roby, is 51 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:45.840 that her name? I keep feeling like Robie, Michael Robbie. I'm butchering 52 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:47.520 her name because I'm so nervous about the thought of getting a date with her. 53 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:52.520 And again, not really, I'm married. But if I was singled 54 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:57.319 in a different world, I'm just willing to tell you Margot Robbie would be 55 00:03:57.400 --> 00:04:00.840 someone that I would be interested in. Okay, I'd make her tell me 56 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:05.599 no, right, I want her. But you know, so the fact 57 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:12.680 that I would never possibly have any ability to converse with this human being to 58 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:16.439 get an answer on my request to maybe go on a date, I could 59 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:18.000 just you know, because of that, I can just say, well, 60 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:21.240 she hasn't told me no yet. She hasn't said no. She hasn't said 61 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:24.199 I mean yeah, I mean we haven't dated yet, but you know, 62 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:27.120 she hasn't said no like that. That's how silly it is to do the 63 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:31.160 whole got to make them say no when they've given you many, many polite 64 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:38.199 and respectful rejections, just automatically pivoting too. Got to make them say no 65 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:42.639 is sad. Really, so he has said no, it's not happening. 66 00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:46.560 And now Billy Donovan has emerged as the guy that Kentucky fans Kentucky media are 67 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:49.120 talking about more than anybody else. For a good reason. He's a damn 68 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:55.199 good coach. The situation's not ideal, though, meaning he's still coaching in 69 00:04:55.240 --> 00:04:58.560 the NBA, and if the Bulls keep winning, you may have to wait 70 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:00.680 until the end of April to get him, because if they win the playoff, 71 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:04.040 if they get they get if they're able to play into the playoffs essentially 72 00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:08.079 which starts next week, then they're in a seven game series, which again 73 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:11.240 would leave it to them, would make it to where you're talking about late 74 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:14.800 April, maybe early May, before you would be able to even get his 75 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:17.360 services. And he's not going to take the job privately. While still coaching 76 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:20.519 in the NBA, because the more success he has in the NBA playoffs, 77 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:25.600 the more likely he would want to stay with Chicago. So now it's like 78 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:30.360 the secondary list. I'm thinking Bruce Pearl, Chris Beard, maybe take another 79 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:36.839 run at Nate Oates, hell drum tang, Sean Miller. I just don't 80 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:42.240 think there's a whole lot. Sean Miller needs to do a little more before 81 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:46.040 he becomes I think, a big candidate at a big job again, but 82 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:49.000 he's apparently in the mix. And then the latest name is Mark Pope, 83 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:51.600 which has always been brought up because you know, Mark Pope is a good 84 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:57.279 coach at BYU. Hasn't accomplished a whole lot as a coach, but I 85 00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:00.000 don't think that that is because he's not a good one. It's just because 86 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.319 sort of where he is in his career. He got his start yeah Utah 87 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:08.319 Valley and was really good there, I mean, won twenty three games in 88 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:12.120 his second to last year, twenty five games in his last year. And 89 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:16.519 he's been really really good at BYU. I mean they won twenty four games 90 00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:19.319 in his first season, the year that they didn't have a tournament, they 91 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:24.439 made the tournament in twenty twenty one, going twenty and seven. Did make 92 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:27.959 the tournament in the last two years, but then this current year in the 93 00:06:27.959 --> 00:06:30.240 Big twelve they were ten and eight, twenty three and eleven had a good 94 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:33.360 seat. I believe, of course, got upset. But he's just he 95 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:36.040 would be as I mentioned at the end of the four o'clock hour, he 96 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:46.040 would be the higher that I wouldn't say is similar to Pat Kelcey, but 97 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:49.360 maybe he is. I mean, Mark Pope has never won a tournament game. 98 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:55.759 Neither's Pat Kelsey. Pat Kelsey's been to the tournament a few times. 99 00:06:55.839 --> 00:07:00.519 In fact, Pat Kelsey, I believe let me see here. I mean, 100 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:03.839 I may have overestimated what Mark Pope has done because again he had some 101 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:09.360 success at BYU. But again the you know, the he's coached in two 102 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:15.199 tournaments and hasn't won a game. Pat kelce has coached in four tournaments and 103 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:16.480 all losses in the round of sixty four, which, to be fair, 104 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:19.360 I think it's very understandable that you would not win a game in the tournament 105 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:21.839 when you're at Winthrop in Charleston, whereas it BYU. I don't know what 106 00:07:21.839 --> 00:07:25.279 the expectation is, but they are in the Big twelve now, So I 107 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:27.879 mean it would be kind of the same hire, would it not. The 108 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:30.000 only difference is that he's he's a player that played at Kentucky back in the 109 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:33.879 day. Yep. So I don't think this would mean that, Man, 110 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:36.920 our programs around here that we care about suck now and they're not going to 111 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:41.759 be any good because we had to resort to hiring mid major guys in Pope's 112 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:44.240 not a mid major, but you know, b y, you don't really 113 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:47.120 know what you where. You would throw them in in regards to like the 114 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:51.160 hierarchy of college basketball, a former mid major who's now in a power company, 115 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:55.839 Yes, I would say, yep. So it would just be, 116 00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:59.879 again, I think, just a sign of big program. Like every other 117 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:01.519 big job that has opened up. What we talk what do we talk about? 118 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:05.120 Right before Louisville really started their search, all the other big jobs that 119 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:11.040 had opened recently prior to that, it was all a guy they knew. 120 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:16.560 Hubert Davis stepping on up, John Shire stepping on up, Kyle Neptune. 121 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:20.920 Same thing with Villanova, Jay Wright. Look, there's another one I'm missing 122 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:24.439 Syracuse that's kind of different. Yeah, No, it's it's a little different, 123 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:30.639 but that was a long time assistant under Beaheim. But he also played 124 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:35.919 at at Syracuse, I believe Fred Autrey. So you know, when you 125 00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:39.480 can't go in that direction, you got to go to them in major out. 126 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:43.320 That's what Alabama did, and they look Alabama wasn't a blue blood or 127 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:45.840 I mean they still aren't, by the way, but like they went them 128 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:48.840 in major route, invested in natoates from out from Buffalo and he has been 129 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:52.679 a rock star broke through the shoot of the Final four, Danny Hurley. 130 00:08:54.519 --> 00:08:58.799 Yukon's not a not a mid major, and I don't know if you would 131 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:01.519 call them a blue blood prior to his arrival, but they damn sure are 132 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:11.320 now and they are the most successful program in this generation for sure, or 133 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:13.679 this century for sure. But I think even in my lifetime, who's done 134 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:18.600 more than Yukon. Nobody. But they did it by getting a guy from 135 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:22.600 the mid major path. He was at Rhode Island and he didn't do anything 136 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:28.279 at Yukon for four seasons. Yeah, and that's you know, that's that's 137 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:31.919 true. That's the weirdest part about all this. In the first four the 138 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:35.879 seasons, two miss tournaments, and then the next two seasons after that round 139 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:39.360 of sixty four exits and one of the round of sixty for exits when they 140 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:41.720 were they had a really good seat and lost in New Mexico State. That 141 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:45.759 was the year before they won the title, I believe the first one. 142 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:48.879 So you know, that's just the way people are going. And it doesn't 143 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:54.240 mean but in Louisville and Kentucky, what makes us, I think different than 144 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:58.080 a lot Maybe not everybody. I'm sure this is the case at Carolina and 145 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:01.120 Duke and you know, Kansas and whatnot, but we expect to have a 146 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:05.440 larger than live figure within the sport leading our program because we believe we are 147 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:11.000 that elite and we have results. I mean, Kentucky obviously has a lot 148 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:15.279 more as far as just the overall history of college basketball, but Louisville has 149 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:18.639 done enough in just the last I don't know, I mean just take away. 150 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:22.919 I mean even the Rick Betino era specifically was phenomenal in the grand scheme 151 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.840 of things. Not everything was great, But my point is this, like 152 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:30.639 we have i think probably a different perception of our own success than others, 153 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:37.279 because again we are fans, but that larger than life person is kind of 154 00:10:37.080 --> 00:10:41.480 non existent anymore, and you can maybe get somebody that becomes that, but 155 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:46.000 I don't even really know if that's the way it's going to be done moving 156 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:50.720 forward in college basketball, because it's a player's game now. Players have all 157 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:54.399 the control, every bit of it. Like it or not. You got 158 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:56.600 to kiss their ass as a coach, or maybe you don't have to do 159 00:10:56.639 --> 00:11:00.679 it, but somebody else does, because you got to be the baby in 160 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:03.399 them at times. Maybe not all the time, but like you got to 161 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:07.720 rerecruit them every year and make sure that they're getting paid or if not, 162 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:11.759 they're gonna leave. The guys who became these larger than life figures within the 163 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:15.279 sport, they didn't have to do that. It was a privilege to play 164 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:18.919 for them that you didn't want to mess up and ruin. And that can 165 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:24.279 still be said now, but like the players also will Yeah, should I 166 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:30.960 go play for this coach that won a few titles twenty years ago because he's 167 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.360 a great coach and I want to get better, or you know, I 168 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:37.480 can go play for another program that's top fifteen, that has a coach that's 169 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:41.879 successful, and at that school, I'm gonna be paid a lot more money, 170 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:46.799 like, it's just the game has evolved, and some would say it's 171 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:52.240 not it's for you know, it's for the worst. But I'm somebody that 172 00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:56.559 is so obsessed with college basketball that whatever happened, I don't know if there's 173 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:58.840 anything that could be done to the sport that's gonna make me like not like 174 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:05.559 it and say that it's not awesome. So Mark Pope is now being reported 175 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:09.279 as the guy who is maybe then, and look at I don't really know 176 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:11.200 what to believe. I think there's so many instances during these searches is where 177 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:16.559 where people get information that they know is coming from somebody that has given them 178 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:22.679 good information before. But you know, some of the stuff ends up just 179 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:28.200 not being the case. Maybe somebody lied along the way. But when you 180 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:31.000 see national folks kind of get some stuff wrong, and even local people who 181 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:33.759 I trust that I know would not put something out there unless they didn't get 182 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:37.639 it from somebody that has given them good information before. You know, it's 183 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:41.840 just incorrect. And that's really what coaching searches have kind of turned into. 184 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:48.399 And honestly, when it's not you know, your program in the fire, 185 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:52.200 it's just it's it's actually interesting and entertaining and pretty good for this business of 186 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:58.279 you know, just speculation. That's really what a lot of sports radio is. 187 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:03.639 So I doubt we get any kind of an update here soon. But 188 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:09.960 here's two things I think that happened. We get a long little drought where 189 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:13.840 there's no updates and it's just quite clear that they're zeroing in on Billy Donovan. 190 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:18.360 Or they move quickly and they hire Mark Pope. I bet if it's 191 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:22.120 Mark Pope, we hear something tomorrow. Yeah, And here's the thing, 192 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:30.200 Billy Donovan, I really just think he's ungettable because of the timing here. 193 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:33.480 I mean, but I guess, I mean, think about this. Earlier 194 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:35.159 in the year we talked about I came out. I think it was the 195 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:37.480 Bucks. They moved on from their NBA head coach in the middle of the 196 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:41.440 year, and I know this is kind of a different situation. But the 197 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:45.879 Bulls can continue on without Billy Donovan, can they not? You mean, 198 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:48.080 like right now? Yeah, I mean, I know it's the playoffs. 199 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:52.000 He would never walk away from his job. He's too much of a professional. 200 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:54.879 He's in the playoffs. I mean, you don't do that. You 201 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:58.080 don't leave your team in the postseason. In any sport. I mean that's 202 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:03.000 actually never been done before. Then that's even more unlikely that. Yeah, 203 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:05.399 I mean nobody's ever done that. I mean, that's just never happened. 204 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:07.320 Because again, like you're abandoning your job, which makes it to where you 205 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:11.600 are essentially blackballed from your industry. I mean, Bobby did it in the 206 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:15.320 NFL, and he'll never sniff the NFL again, But he didn't do it 207 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.759 in the postseason. He did it, like, you know, either I 208 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:20.120 think he did it early like maybe I don't, you know, it was 209 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:22.519 during the season or not, but either way, like, he just would 210 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:24.519 never do that, And if Kentucky asked him or expected him to do that, 211 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:30.360 he would probably slam the door in their face essentially because that's just not 212 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:33.639 something you could realistically ask someone. I mean, let's be real, Kentucky 213 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:37.159 basketball is a big deal in college basketball. Nobody would argue otherwise. But 214 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:41.440 you know what, the Chicago Bulls are a pretty big deal in the NBA. 215 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:43.879 It's not as if he's just looking to get away from that. If 216 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:46.960 he can keep succeeding in Chicago, why would he leave. So the thing, 217 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:50.240 if the NBA play in tournament doesn't start until next week. I think 218 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:52.879 it's the sixteenth or the nineteen I saw earlier. And then the week after 219 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:54.879 that is when the first round starts, which they could easily be playing in 220 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:58.720 Kentucky. Cannot they can't wait, That's what I'm saying. They can't wait. 221 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:03.279 It's just not realistic. And he's a dreamy name because of what he 222 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:05.960 did at Florida, and there's our there's somewhat of a connection because of his 223 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:09.960 attachment to Patino, But you just can't wait. And I know you think, 224 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:11.840 well, hey, what's what's it? You know, what's what's the 225 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:18.120 harm? And uh, what's the harm in waiting and potentially having a bad 226 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:22.080 year because you got the guy in long term you'll be great. You think 227 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:26.039 Kentucky fans are gonna be cool with that. They may say they'll they'll do 228 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:28.600 it, but they won't. And I don't even criticize him because that's just 229 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:37.279 not realistic. I mean, Billy Donovan is a perfect candidate, but circumstance 230 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:39.759 and timing makes it, in my opinion, just not doable. Like take 231 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:43.360 away his interest level. Take let's just say meaning like, let's just say 232 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:46.799 he is interested. Are you gonna be able to wait. I mean, 233 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:50.519 I don't think you can, but maybe they will. You never really know 234 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:54.960 how any of this stuff's gonna work out, but I do know that Kentucky 235 00:15:56.000 --> 00:16:04.600 fans seemingly aren't thrilled with thought of it being Mark Pope. I mean, 236 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:08.200 this is from Matt Jones, his personal wish list, and who would go 237 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:14.679 for if they don't get the main names mentioned. I guess Billy Donovan is 238 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:17.039 still on there. Then Bruce Pearl and Chris Beard. Chris Beard, I 239 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.759 think you know you could get and I think he'd be a really really good 240 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:23.360 coach. I just you know, would Mitch Barnhart go that route? I 241 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:26.840 don't think he would, but I don't know him for sure. I just 242 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:29.720 know his values and the fact that he's already interested in Mark Pope and not 243 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:37.879 Chris Beard tells me a lot. And then with with the let's see here. 244 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:42.639 So the response is to Rostein's tweet that came out about four point thirty 245 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:48.159 about Mark Pope being a candidate for the job. I'm just going to read 246 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:52.279 some of the Kentucky Oh I'm ready. No, just no, His record 247 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:56.039 and head coaching is not nearly enough to deserve a legit shot for the most 248 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:59.679 important opening for UK basketball in their history. Just stop. That's from Big 249 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:06.119 Wayne on Twitter. I mean, yeah, Jonathan Martin, this is where 250 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:12.319 Kentucky basketball is now. Wow, this would solidify Kentucky as a football school. 251 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:25.960 Chris says, please know, Uh no chance from BBN commenter, Uh, 252 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:30.599 let's see not a good fit. From JJ, Chris says, Lexington 253 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:37.400 will burn to the ground if that's the best Barnfart can do. I'm curious 254 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:41.519 how many of these people commenting know he's an alum. I would say they 255 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:45.640 probably. I'm sure. I'm sure most most of the average family's about Twitter, 256 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:48.160 though Twitter is a different animal. Twitter is. Twitter's a dump. 257 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:52.359 By the way, I tweeted six hours ago, Kentucky's going to end up 258 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:56.119 hiring Mark Pope and fans are going to lose it. This is the beginning 259 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:57.839 of it. I'm excited. I saw it coming, my man Calleen as 260 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:03.480 Dom. This is from the Skiddler on Twitter. Mitch Barnhart, get ready 261 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:10.279 to learn about unemployment. Sheldon says, Arkansas clearly won the trade UK has 262 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:14.119 done. If this is who we hire, I will say if this does 263 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:18.279 fail, this will be the end of Mitch Barnhart for sure. If it 264 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.599 fails, you know, if this fails, oh yeah, bitch, barb 265 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:22.640 Well, I think this is going to be the infor Mitch anyway. I 266 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:25.720 think he'll walk away within a few years. And I give him credit because 267 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:29.559 I do believe he could have left before, but he did not want a 268 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:37.559 new ad to have to deal with this exchange moving on from cal hiring someone 269 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:40.720 else. I mean, some Kentucky fans probably would say, if he's going 270 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:45.039 to hire Mark Pope, his ass should have left years ago. But I 271 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:51.720 think this is sort of his last effort to kind of solidify his legacy because 272 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:55.559 Barnhart, you know, I think all the sports that he has made hires 273 00:18:55.559 --> 00:19:00.000 in have have been better off by hires he's made. Football is certainly, 274 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:03.279 I mean, Mark Stoops was not a candidate anywhere and he and I still 275 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:06.839 don't think he's what Kentucky fans think he is. But clearly Kentucky football is 276 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:11.680 a different version of itself in a major way since Stoops was there. And 277 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:17.599 they're not elite, but but again, they used to be an absolute joke 278 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:21.960 in the hierarchy of football, and now they're respectable, and at times they 279 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:26.000 have occasionally a pretty good team, not often, but it happens. So 280 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:32.599 basketball is where Cala Perry was great. But as we discussed yesterday with Ken 281 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:37.160 Spencer from WHS eleven, Barnard didn't hire and didn't want him, and everybody 282 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:38.880 knows that, I guess, so like that's like something that like cal had 283 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:45.039 a great had a great run there, but like I think Barnhart knows that 284 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:48.960 it was also like not anything he was going to get credit for because he 285 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:52.279 didn't want to hire him. And basically the president of the school stepped in 286 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:55.720 and said, this is what we're doing. So if he ores a basketball 287 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:57.759 coach and it's rolling and things are in great shape in a couple of years, 288 00:19:57.759 --> 00:20:00.920 a few years, I think he'd walked that point and just retire. 289 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:11.279 But with that said, wouldn't you think he would be a little less involved 290 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:15.000 as far as like like the values he valued, you know what I'm saying, 291 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:18.279 Like it shouldn't be a moral thing. Now you don't want to go 292 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:21.160 hire a complete scumbag, a guy that you think would represent the program in 293 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:26.960 the university in a bad light. But like going from Scott Drew to Mark 294 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:30.240 Pope tells me that he just wants somebody that he knows is gonna, you 295 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:34.400 know, maybe be a choir boy, like just somebody that is gonna be 296 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:37.839 squeaky cleans almost like I dealt with Cala Perry for as long as I have. 297 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:41.680 I deserve this. Yeah, so we shall see. What we're gonna 298 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:45.160 do. On the other side is catch up with our man Rob Cassidy of 299 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:48.880 the Rivals Network in a while since we chatted with him, get his thoughts 300 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:52.079 on all this stuff. And of course he covers recruiting, but I know 301 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:56.440 a lot of the recruiting guys are now shifting to really extensive coverage of the 302 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:59.680 portal, which, hey, everybody's interested in that, right. Luva needs 303 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:03.240 players, Entucky's gonna need players in the Anays players. So we'll talk to 304 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.920 him. On the other side. Keep it locked right here. It is 305 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:07.680 Coffee and Company. Philbuth Thornton's on Sports Talk seven ninety. All right, 306 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:11.599 let's just get right to it. Let's welcome him to the party that is 307 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:15.079 Rob Cassidy of the Rivals Network. We've had a really good few weeks here 308 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:18.759 of just you know, speculation, which is a big part of sports talk 309 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:22.160 radio. Rob the Louisville Search that was that was something, and now Kentucky, 310 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:26.079 I don't think it's hit like a level of Shenanigan's. But they've been 311 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:27.759 rejected, whether they want to admit it or not. What do you make 312 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:32.240 of the Kentucky situation before we get to I guess their current situation. I 313 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:34.000 mean, imagine me a week ago telling you that John Caliperry would be at 314 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:38.960 Arkansas. Well, I mean it's just that, you know, as an 315 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:44.640 outsider, it's been incredible to witness for a number of reasons. We can 316 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:48.119 go back as far as the man decides to load up his dog into a 317 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:51.400 stroller and put on a Kentucky Blue hoodie. I mean, the whole week 318 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:53.359 is just that'll be that's an all time thing and this rivalry rob that is 319 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:56.400 something Cali Perry. The day it's come out that he's leaving him walking his 320 00:21:56.440 --> 00:22:00.279 dog down the busiest road maybe in Kentucky, be we'll remember that forever. 321 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:06.480 It's like, you know, people that choose to like and to put on 322 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:11.599 a Kentucky Blue hoodie, load up the stroller and go down a busy road 323 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:18.119 like he wanted somebody to stop and ask him about that. No doubt he 324 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:22.200 wanted somebody to He wanted somebody to probably beg him to stay because I do 325 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.279 think he got cold feed there at the end, and at that point it 326 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:27.400 was too late. Yeah, but we're gonna see what happens there. Like, 327 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:30.799 you know, I don't know how I'm not one of these people that's 328 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:33.359 going to be like, you know, this is a terrible choice of the 329 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:37.119 university because there's no way, especially now and we can talk more about this 330 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:41.079 when we get to talk about coach Kelsey. It's almost impossible to tell how 331 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:44.480 higher is going to go, sure, because there's so many moving parts with 332 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:48.000 you know, nam image, like this money and just you know how much 333 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:51.480 you can energize your booster base, and it's it's not like it was ten 334 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:56.160 years ago. It's it's kind of a pull of praise situation for everybody. 335 00:22:56.480 --> 00:23:00.079 But I'm wondering if there aren't some members of the Kentucky fan base right now 336 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:02.799 anyway before they make a hire that are wondered if maybe they should have held 337 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:04.960 on calum of a year or two. Yeah, I think if you'd have 338 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:11.079 told Kentucky fans two weeks ago that the scenario that would play out is that 339 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:15.799 he would leave for another job in the conference, a school that you kind 340 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:18.039 of considered a arrival and that you would maybe be hiring Mark Pope, who 341 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:22.400 I believe is a good coach. It's just so underwhelming for Kentucky fans because 342 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.599 they've never really been in this spot before. And I'm not saying it's going 343 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:26.799 to be Mark Pope, but you know, the Donovan thing, I just 344 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:30.240 think is just unrealistic, not because he would never do it, but because 345 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:33.720 of the timing here. This man is going to be coaching in the playoffs, 346 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:36.160 playing game. He might get to the playoffs in the first round, 347 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:40.160 and at that point you're looking at waiting until the beginning of May, potentially. 348 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.160 You know, you cover recruiting, and I know a big part of 349 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:45.079 that now is recruitment of players that are in the portal. I mean, 350 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:48.279 Kentucky. If anybody could pull off some last minute stuff with a guy like 351 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:51.079 Donovan, maybe it's them. But I just feel like he's not realistic just 352 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:55.519 because of the timing and circumstance. Yeah, you're pretty much punting on your 353 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:57.599 one if you do that, because by the time he gets in a lot 354 00:23:57.640 --> 00:24:00.680 of the time guys in the portal are going to be on. It's not 355 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:03.160 like he can recruit four or twenty twenty four because those kids are going to 356 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:07.160 be signed. You know, as good as the coach as he is, 357 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:10.279 it would be real hard to win in year one. And as you know, 358 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.000 if you don't win in year one at Kentucky, things can kind of 359 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:15.440 start spiral. So no, I don't. I don't think the time's great. 360 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:18.480 Is it impossible to make it work? No, of course not. 361 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:22.759 Anything's possible, but there are some timing issues there for sure. So let's 362 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:26.720 just say they get the no from Donovan or they just move on. And 363 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:30.640 you know, we know Hurley's not leaving Yukon Scott Drew decided to stay. 364 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:34.920 Put it Baylor, who would you say, in your opinion, would like 365 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:38.519 if they made a hire, not including any of those guys, who would 366 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:41.000 who could be the guy that they would get where you would say, all 367 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:45.720 right, they did the best they could. They're gonna be great now. 368 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:48.759 I don't think that they will hire Chris Beard for obvious reasons. I wouldn't. 369 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:51.960 Obviously, I think he's got the baggage, so I wouldn't want to 370 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:55.680 take on. But he is good basketball coach. I think that you CalPERS 371 00:24:55.720 --> 00:25:00.400 pearls he at least there's a track record of winning with Cope, you're kind 372 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:03.200 of taking a risk. Yes, he's done well at BYU. Yes there's 373 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.920 reason to like him, but are you know you as Kentucky it's the Blues, 374 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:08.160 the Blue buzz, as John Calipari said, willing to take that kind 375 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:11.960 of chance on this hire on a guy who with a sample size isn't exactly 376 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:15.480 huge of winning and recruiting on the highest level. It's a roll of the 377 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:21.000 dice that that, frankly, they didn't need to take. So I'd be 378 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:23.160 interested to see, but I would I would line up Bruce Pearl and see 379 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:26.880 what he says. At least you know there's a high floor there. You 380 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:30.319 know, you get Pearl in the floor on Bruce Pearl isn't going to be 381 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:33.759 at the complete disaster. You're not gonna get Kenny Payne, you know. 382 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:37.519 And he could thrive at Kentucky because he's thrived elsewhere in Kentucky is believed to 383 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:41.720 have, you know, an advantage over everybody when it comes to resources and 384 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:44.920 whatnot. So I just am surprised his name hasn't really generated any traction. 385 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:48.279 You're the second guest today that I've asked that question and the other guest said 386 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:51.319 the same thing, Bruce Pearl, and I just I don't know. Maybe 387 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:55.279 Barnhard is just against anybody that's had any n CUAA, you know issues in 388 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:57.319 the past. But I mean that was for that was for really silly stuff 389 00:25:57.359 --> 00:26:00.640 that's not illegal now. But I guess really what got him in trouble in 390 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:04.200 the big ways he lied about it, right, Yeah, that's exactly what 391 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:07.119 happened. But you know back then in the wild West, if you weren't 392 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:11.640 cheating the lion, you weren't trying. He just happened to get caught exactly 393 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:14.599 exactly like you know, it's not like he had a you know, do 394 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:17.720 messing violence thing on his record like Beard or anything like that. It's I 395 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:19.880 don't look at those NCAA violations in any kind of way. I think, 396 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.759 knowing what I know and covering the sport for as long as I've covered it, 397 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:26.799 you know, like everybody was lying and sheeting, dropping bags and everything 398 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:30.519 else. So you know that's kind of the record's white cleaning on that front 399 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:32.799 for me. For you know, Telvin Sampson's in the same way, people 400 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:34.559 are gonna devilify him for making too many phone calls. Could you have Maddin 401 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:38.599 that it's twenty twenty four. I mean, it's insane to think that that's 402 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:41.640 what led him to not be the coach in Bloomington. Who knows what would 403 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:45.079 Indiana would look like if that would have been, if he if he'd have 404 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:47.440 had, you know, a long run there. I say that, you 405 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:49.400 know, painfully, because my producer is an Indiana fan, and you know, 406 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:52.920 I mean they've had they've had not much success since that happened. So 407 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:56.400 anyways, let me ask you about Pat Kelsey because you and I were talking 408 00:26:56.480 --> 00:27:00.000 during Louisville search when it was clear that they were not going to get dust 409 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:03.359 he may and then at that point it kind of just turned to a handful 410 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:06.319 of guys from the mid major level, including Pat Kelsey. You know, 411 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:08.799 you told me you feel like he'd be the right guy among those types of 412 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:12.759 candidates. What impresses you the most about Pat Kelsey? Obviously, he's really 413 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:17.960 he's really ignited this fan base in a major way in the last couple of 414 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:22.160 weeks. I knew it would work, or it would be be exciting anyway, 415 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.759 I don't know if it can work. I shouldn't say that, but 416 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:29.359 I figured once they missed on their top candidates, Kelsey seemed to fit to 417 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:32.599 me because I knew he'd go in there and win the press conference. He'd 418 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:34.359 go in and kind of restart things and kind of united fan base that needs 419 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:38.079 He gave us a light of it bad and you know he's gonna work hard. 420 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:41.480 That's the one thing about it, Like he's this is not a guy 421 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:44.680 that is going to be at work. I know about him. He has 422 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:48.200 never had the resources that he will have with them, But you know, 423 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:49.400 the book on him. When you talk to people that know him, the 424 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:52.279 first thing they say is, you know he's one of these worked, you 425 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:57.079 know, one hundred and twenty hour week guys. It's that hard and you 426 00:27:57.079 --> 00:28:00.960 can recruit to a big conference. I think that there's some potential there. 427 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:03.559 I think the flour on him is extremely high to a little bit, maybe 428 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:07.279 not like a Bruce Curl. But I can't I mean, obviously it can't 429 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.720 be worse than the last guy. But you know, I don't think with 430 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:14.599 his reputation and his connections, especially the East Coast, I think there will 431 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:18.680 be mark improvement, you know, or may not, you know, compete 432 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:21.519 for a conference championship in year one. But I think, you know, 433 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:25.640 even from an ex's and oh standpoint alone, there should be a dramatic win 434 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:27.960 total increase. And maybe this is wishful thinking on my end, Rob, 435 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:33.400 but I feel like he's a really good salesman, a guy who again is 436 00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:36.039 is. I mean, in fact, he showed that right away as soon 437 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:37.880 as he took the podium here at Louisville. But I feel like he's kind 438 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:41.400 of a guy that could really utilize resources that a program like Louisville has that 439 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:45.720 he doesn't get at Winthrop or College at Charleston to where Yeah, he probably 440 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:48.920 hasn't landed elite recruits before or even big name transfers, but I feel like 441 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:52.319 he's got the personality to to to really you know, thrive with with more, 442 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:56.839 with better resources and really just a different logo on the polo. Yeah, 443 00:28:56.960 --> 00:29:00.680 you know, the most important thing is obviously money and right now, 444 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:03.440 I mean it just is, especially they like this, but you also have 445 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:06.680 to have energy. You know, you can have all the money you want, 446 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:10.359 and if you don't have the energy to go and recruit at a high 447 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:12.400 level, you know, it's it's a grind. It is variant's getting harder. 448 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:15.440 The recurring calendar isn't getting easier. It's you know, you better, 449 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:18.799 you better have the energy to do it. He does. I think it 450 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:21.680 will help him that he seems to kind of understand how to play social media 451 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:26.799 too, and he can play that that part of these weevil fans when things 452 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:29.200 are going well. When it is not going well, I can see how 453 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:32.720 that would be a little bit off putting. But for now, you know, 454 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:37.440 and and I understand how to play the game. Yeah, in this, 455 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:41.599 in this honeymoon phase, he's he's doing everything right, which you know 456 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:45.240 that could change if we get to the season and results are bad and whatnot. 457 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:48.079 I mean, we are we are one of the crazy fan bases that 458 00:29:48.119 --> 00:29:52.279 really we don't even know what patience really is for for basketball. And that's 459 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:55.079 probably a flaw, but it is. It's just it's just the way that 460 00:29:55.319 --> 00:30:00.799 the way that we are. So one more thing I wanted to ask you 461 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:06.079 you're there, Well you can goog down there in Kentucky is he's following Kenny 462 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:10.680 Payne and whoever Kentucky hires following John Style party. You never want to be 463 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:12.519 the guy after the guy. You want to be the guy after Kenny Payne, 464 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:17.119 sure, because you know, even if the improvement is I feel like 465 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:21.039 the vibes around Lewisville, if the records are equal, are going to be 466 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:25.720 sky high compared to what's happened at Kentucky. Is just because the expectation, 467 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:27.599 sure, no doubt different worlds. Really, as far as what's happened lately, 468 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:30.359 there is no doubt about that at all. And to know that Kentucky 469 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:36.119 I could potentially hire Mark Pope and Louisville would would end up be Louisll would 470 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:37.839 end up having the guy of the two new coaches at the two new schools 471 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:41.759 that has more tournament appearances than than than the Kentucky coach. It's just crazy 472 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:44.920 to think about. Doesn't mean it would fail because again, as you've said, 473 00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:47.920 and it can't be overstated, you never know how any higher is truly 474 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:51.119 going to work. And sometimes it's it's hard to remember that, but it's 475 00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:53.720 I mean, it's uh, it's the truth. So when it comes to 476 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:57.039 the Kentucky recruits that were signed to Kentucky, I mean, and if asked 477 00:30:57.039 --> 00:31:00.200 for a release of a letter of intent, I mean, is it just 478 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:02.880 a given that some of those guys are going to follow cal to Arkansas. 479 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:06.599 Do you think they'll wait to see who Kentucky ends up hiring. You know, 480 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:08.279 both teams looking for a lot of new players. But with Kentucky, 481 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:11.319 you know they do have some guys on the roster like DJ Wager that hasn't 482 00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:14.400 entered the draft or enter the portal yet. What are you hear in as 483 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:15.920 far as what that roster could look like. I know who the coaches is 484 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:18.480 a big factor in that, but you know, I expect it. Actually, 485 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:22.599 there'll be more guys to automatically hit the portal right away and follow cal 486 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:26.440 So on the portal front. I think I'm not as confident on what's going 487 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:29.319 on there with the portal guys, but I have talked to some of the 488 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:33.079 coaches of the current recruiting classes. You know, I think that Jaden Quainton's 489 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:37.680 and Carter Knox are near locks to land in Arkansas. I don't know so 490 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:40.400 much about Sarrell or what's going to go on with him. Maybe he's back, 491 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.599 I have no idea. I know he's in the portal, but I 492 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:44.640 have not talked to anybody around him. I've talked to some people Cooch to 493 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:48.359 Boogie Flan today who said they kind of want to wait it out, but 494 00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:51.240 if it takes too long, he may have to survey his options. So 495 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:53.400 I would expect if a hire's not made in the next couple of days bug 496 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:56.799 you to at least he commit. And maybe he commits back to Kentucky when 497 00:31:56.759 --> 00:32:00.960 the hire's made. But I could see him looking around. But the two 498 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:04.799 big ones that I'm sure, almost sure we'll land at Arkansas borrowing something unforeseen 499 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:07.960 or acquaintance and knocks. I think that was always the plan. All right, 500 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:12.119 last question? Who do you you know? We're all guessing at this 501 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:15.240 point, it's all speculation. Who who would who would you lay money on? 502 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:20.599 Is going to be hired in Lexing to take over for Kentucky. God 503 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:22.000 man, I you know, I don't you know. If you would have 504 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:24.480 asked me two days ago, I would have told you just Scott Drew before 505 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:29.839 that whole Also, you want to talk about funny. That was also funny, 506 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:30.799 but we can get into that the other time. I don't know, 507 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:34.200 I really don't you know. I think if I was making the higher it 508 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:36.799 would probably be Bruce Pearl, But I'm not making the higher. Yeah, 509 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:38.279 And they seem to be a little bit of smoke around Mark Pope. You 510 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:40.880 got to imagine quote will take it if it's offered to him. But of 511 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:44.519 course, you know with Kentucky in every school, they'll just tell you, 512 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.599 you know, we never offered We only offered the job to one person. 513 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:52.160 Nobody gets of course, yeah, we told him to strongly consider it and 514 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:53.720 then let us know. But just be clear, he wasn't offered the job. 515 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:57.559 That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. But that's how they're approaching the 516 00:32:57.559 --> 00:33:01.160 search. Also, are they hiding that from like and it's not just Kentucky 517 00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:05.599 this is it? Are they like? Who is that for? Though? 518 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:08.079 It's like everybody knows, So you know, what are we lying about? 519 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:12.160 Like everybody's laughing at you? Just be honest? Yeah, I think And 520 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:15.200 actually what makes people genuinely be able to laugh as the I guess the insecurity 521 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:17.920 to just acknowledge like it's okay, you got turned down, like it happens, 522 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:22.599 like it's it's it's never a fun thing, but like sometimes it's just 523 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:24.400 about compatibility fit. It's not because you were too ugly, right, they 524 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:28.799 didn't they didn't see your pictures on tender meet you in person and say see 525 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:30.039 you later. I mean, it's just you know, it's just not it's 526 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:34.440 not working, so pause. It's hard in this era of name, image 527 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:37.160 and likeness to really know what you're getting into as a coach. That's another 528 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:38.440 thing I talk to coaches about it. It's like, okay, so I 529 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:42.640 go to Kentucky. Especially if you want a successful coach like a Scott Drew 530 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:45.680 or Dan Hurley who are comfortable with a gainst in their current jobs. You 531 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:49.960 don't really know what you're walking into, especially in the in this era. 532 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:52.720 You know, everybody can make a lot of promises about how much money is 533 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:55.119 there and how much your budget's going to be. But that seems to change 534 00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:58.920 quickly as soon as you get on campus and maybe you miss on a guy, 535 00:33:59.079 --> 00:34:01.319 or maybe you know you get on the wrong side of the wrong person 536 00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:06.000 in the athletics department. It takes so much to get somebody to leave a 537 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:09.159 comfortable situation to go risk it in a place for the expectations or sky high. 538 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:12.960 It's harder than it looks, no doubt about it. Rob. I 539 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:15.440 appreciate the time is always great to catch up, but let's do it again 540 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:17.559 sooner. I brother absolutely nice here for me, Nick, all right, 541 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:22.760 take care. That's Rob Cassidy does a great job covering recruiting college basketball stuff 542 00:34:22.760 --> 00:34:23.719 for the Rivals Network. We got to get to a quick break. We'll 543 00:34:23.719 --> 00:34:27.440 come back on the other side and finish with a very little time. But 544 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:29.800 there is apparently I don't know if there's any truth to this, but I 545 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:34.280 could believe it. But maybe there's an added reason as to why Mark Pope's 546 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:40.519 name is gaining steam that might make Kentucky fans reconsider if they want him or 547 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:45.440 not. That's next right here on sport Stock seven ninety trying to guess who 548 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:52.320 this is. Don't tell me Easton Corvin correct. I have a buddy, 549 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:55.159 shout out, John Raymer, good friend of mine, Louisville fan. I 550 00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:57.920 think he listens to the show, or at least he used to. I 551 00:34:57.960 --> 00:35:02.360 don't know, maybe he doesn't anymore. But younger John Raymer, my buddy, 552 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:08.239 looked exactly like Eastern Corbyn. Did you know mid two thousands or you 553 00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:13.159 know two thousand and you know twelve or whatever, that that era identical. 554 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:16.360 I mean, you'd see pictures of Eastern Corbin on stage at a concert and 555 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:21.199 we thought it was him. Looked exactly like him. So anyways, let 556 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:22.960 me tell you guys about my friends at Elin and Eland. You probably know 557 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:25.159 all about them. I'm sure you've heard of him because they've been doing this 558 00:35:25.199 --> 00:35:30.599 a long time and that is being the absolute place to turn to when it 559 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:34.679 comes to real estate services buying and selling. Obviously, that's a big part 560 00:35:34.719 --> 00:35:37.559 of everybody's life and it's a big decision, it's a big process, and 561 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:39.559 they can help you throughout. They've been doing this since nineteen seventy six as 562 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:45.039 a full service residential real estate brokerage and they're going to help you save money 563 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:46.519 too. They're one percent listing. That's right. They will list your home 564 00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:51.440 for one percent. Obviously, that is cutting into a lot of the money 565 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:54.119 that is usually taken to both sides of the of the transaction when it comes 566 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:57.119 to the realtor. Well, they're going to do one percent, which helps 567 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:59.880 you save a lot of money, and that money can go towards a lot 568 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:05.039 of things rather it be you know, just costs to move things like that, 569 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:07.320 maybe things you need to buy when you move, you know, maybe 570 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:10.880 paying people to help you move, like money, you know, heck, 571 00:36:10.960 --> 00:36:15.400 maybe it's just something you could put aside for a vacation. So they're not 572 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:17.119 only going to make the process smooth for you, but again they're gonna help 573 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:19.960 you save money. And that's how they've been able to do this for as 574 00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:21.960 long as they have. So it's Elin and Eland. You can check them 575 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:23.719 out online Eland dot com or give them a call if I O two five 576 00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:28.480 nine nine twenty eight hundred. All right, So Mark Pope, I still 577 00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:30.840 just have a hard time thinking that that would be the guy. But you 578 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:35.119 know, within the last hour and a half, there's some momentum gaining for 579 00:36:35.159 --> 00:36:39.119 it, I suppose, and that has uh that has just still just doesn't 580 00:36:39.159 --> 00:36:42.920 seem realistic, but maybe that's the direction that they go. However, there 581 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:46.840 is one, uh, there is one I guess a component to this that 582 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:51.840 potentially could I think make fans go from being hell no, don't do it 583 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:54.599 to all right, I can. I can live with it. And that 584 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:59.960 is the fact that Reed Shepherd has apparently told people that he would come back 585 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:04.079 back to Kentucky if Mark Pope is hired. I think that may have got 586 00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:07.039 and started in like the Trilli discord, but that would be I mean, 587 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:12.039 is it worth it? I mean, Ree Shepherd's a once in a lifetime 588 00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:17.159 kind of player. I think in the State of Kentucky really good. And 589 00:37:17.239 --> 00:37:22.119 his dad played with Mark Pope at Kentucky. For those wondering about the connection, 590 00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:24.719 but we'll see real quick, John, we're out of time. Do 591 00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:28.000 we know who Kentucky's coach is? About the start of the show tomorrow? 592 00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:30.880 I bet during the show, Okay, that could be fun, right, 593 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:35.239 it could be all right. Everybody to have a good night.