I honestly don't know if Mark Pope is the most optimistic man on the planet, or if he is just laughing to keep from crying.
On Thursday, just 48 hours after getting run out of the gym by Vanderbilt in a 25-point humiliation, Pope stepped to the podium to update the media. And despite the fact that his roster is currently falling apart at the seams in Year 2, he was... jovial. He was cracking jokes.
Maybe it’s a defense mechanism. Maybe it’s stress. But after listening to the actual medical updates he delivered, I promise you: We are not laughing.
The injury news that broke yesterday isn't just "bad." It is catastrophic. And it explains why this team looked so shell-shocked in Nashville.
Jaland Lowe's shoulder surgery went well
First, the relatively good news. Jaland Lowe underwent successful surgery on Wednesday. Pope said all went well, but joked that he would be out Saturday, but we will see on Tuesday. Then he confirmed that it "will be a six-month rehab." But hearing that the surgery went smoothly is encouraging for a long-term recovery.
The Jayden Quaintance nightmare
If the Lowe news was a punch to the gut, the update on Jayden Quaintance was a kick while we were down. The "swelling" in his knee hasn't gone away, and the update was frankly terrifying for anyone hoping to see him against Arkansas.
"Right now he's on full shutdown in terms of his on-court work," Pope admitted. "Every day he misses he loses some of the strength that they work so hard to develop... he will not play Saturday at Arkansas."
"Full shutdown" are two words you never want to hear heading into February. Pope tried to spin it by saying his long-term health is "going to be excellent," but that doesn't help BBN right now. We care about beating John Calipari on Saturday. I honestly believe it will be at least mid-February before Quaintance touches the practice floor in a meaningful way, and he may not touch a college floor again.
Miracles for Kam Williams?
And then there is Kam Williams. Pope tried to keep it light, saying, "I do believe in miracles," but the translation was clear: Don't hold your breath unless God intervenes. "There's maybe an outside, outside, outside chance that Kam could rejoin us at some point this season," Pope said.
That is coach-speak for "He's done, but I don't want to depress you."
Why is he laughing?
I get it. Injuries are part of the game. But watching Pope joke his way through a press conference while announcing three of his best players are out, and his star big man is in "full shutdown" felt surreal.
This team is limping into Fayetteville to face a vengeful Calipari with a depleted roster and a bruised ego.
Mark Pope might be finding ways to smile through the pain, but looking at this depth chart, the rest of BBN is in full-blown panic mode.