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BB: UK gets the win, What are people saying?

UKGrad24

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
3,157
7,972
100
MidseasonTweak said:
He makes millions, he should get criticism for poor play. Hope he is not getting threats against him.
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The whole thing is bizarre to me. First thing we hear from him is about social media. I don’t think people realize how ridiculous some of this is because we’ve been living in it for 13+ years now. If you’re an athlete and have a shot at making big D1 money playing at UK and then the NBA…..

Why the hell are you wasting time on that cesspool anyway? To me heads already in the wrong place. It’s a bunch of words written by the idiots of America 2026. It’s all meaningless. And Bo Bobby Bigby sayin he’s gonna slaughter you in your sleep isn’t a threat it’s an invitation to announce how stupid all of this even is.

Ball, court, game, focus…. It just makes me wonder what yokel these guys have been working with the last 5 years.
 
Bungalow Bill

Bungalow Bill

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2007
2,061
3,929
113
Zoom can't get around his defender as easily as I thought. Going to need to figure out how to play that is best for the team. Wilkins needs to realize he's not playing AAU games. This is the big time, He's very talented and should explode once (if) he matures. Williams is an outstanding baller. Does all the little things and is clutch. Whatever it takes to win he'll try to do. Love him. Mom is good so far but I expect him to settle in and make everything when he's open. Moreno is coming along nicely. Hawthorne is the X factor. If he can claim the 3/4 spot with Mom it would make us a lot better because Ousi and McBride haven't been what I hoped yet. Overall we seem to have a wide gap between worst case and best. Physicality is going to be a problem and the guards cannot turn it over for run outs or we're cooked. If Stein and his staff were coaching this team you'd see such a difference in intensity. I love that guy and his assistants. Balls to the wall 100% of the time. Come on Pope. Get some fire.
 
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T

TheResistance

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
4,306
9,200
113
SEC Exhibition Standings:
Kentucky 3-0 (#19 Texas Tech, UCF, Little Rock)
Alabama 3-0 (Furman, Ole Miss, Auburn)
Arkansas 2-0 (#15 Gonzaga, Memphis)
South Carolina 2-0 (Wake Forest, Campbell)
Missouri 1-0 (Kansas State)
Vanderbilt 2-1 (#9 Virginia, UAB, L #14 Miami)
Georgia 2-1 (Ga State, Charlotte, L Clemson)
LSU 2-1 (McNeese State, UCF, L Florida State)
Florida 1-1 (Stetson, L Baylor)
Ole Miss 1-1 (UAB, L #20 Alabama)
Oklahoma (2-0 Puerto Rico National Teams)
Texas A&M 0-1 (SMU) Texas 0-1 (#13 St Johns)
Miss State 0-2 (NC State, Memphis)
Auburn 0-2 (#20 Alabama, Florida State)
Tennessee 0-2 (Xavier, #2 Duke by 39)
 
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TFCat11

TFCat11

Heisman
Mar 25, 2019
6,433
12,010
108
legalbeagle123 said:
Mason Williams should be starting next game. Coaching malpractice if he isn't.
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I see a lot of Mason Williams in Darius Acuff, and vice versa! Going strictly by rankings, he’s probably the most underrated guard I can remember, and should easily have been a top 10 ranked 5 star!

Pope should have known better than to tie up so much NIL in a PG1 from a losing team that had a lottery pick on it, but it’s Pope's signature move the past couple of seasons… That and injury prone players.
 
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Bill_the_cat

Senior
Nov 17, 2025
392
530
87
Said it previously and some took offense to it, but I still do not like the guards. Williams has been a better than advertised add, but Wilkins/Diallo are who they are. They will each have some really good games but as a whole, better guard play is needed.
 
L

Lameguy

Senior
Mar 20, 2026
445
922
93
ala_kat2 said:
Maybe it depends on who he is out there with.
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That sounds reasonable so I went back and watched the first half just focusing on him. He was in there with the bench guys and looked ok, when the starters came back in he got lost on defense multiple times which resulted in wide open threes, he also got blown by giving up a layup to Doir Johnson. After the lead went from 13 to 5 he got pulled out. He‘ll get better but right now he’s about a 10-12 minute player at most.
 
T

TheResistance

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
4,306
9,200
113
WHAT AI SAYS -

Kentucky finished exhibition play 3-0 with wins over Little Rock (69-49), No. 19 Texas Tech (76-65), and UCF (90-76 in OT). The results look solid on paper (especially the ranked win and a double-digit final margin against a Big 12 team), but the performances were mixed and highlighted both clear strengths and areas that need cleaning up before the regular season starts Nov. 3 vs. Manhattan.

sportingnews.com
The Good
  • Standout individual performances and emerging contributors: Freshman Mason Williams was the breakout star across all three games—efficient scoring (roughly 42 points total on high shooting percentages, including 18 on 7-of-10 vs. UCF), physicality, composure, and low turnovers. He earned praise for playing beyond his years. Milan Momcilovic provided consistent scoring and shooting (led the team or near the top most nights, including 19 vs. UCF with key OT baskets; strong from three early). Malachi Moreno grew into a two-way force, highlighted by a near triple-double (16 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists) vs. UCF, plus solid contributions against Texas Tech. Alex Wilkins delivered clutch plays (buzzer-beater floater to force OT vs. UCF; timely scoring and assists vs. Texas Tech) and showed defensive progress.

    kentucky.com
  • Defense and length: Strong team defense overall. Held Little Rock to 31% shooting and 10% from three (plus steals/blocks). Limited Texas Tech to 40.6% overall and 26.6% from three. Length bothered opponents without excessive fouling. Braydon Hawthorne showed flashes of elite length/impact (blocks and activity, especially vs. UCF).

    on3.com
  • Ball movement improvements and free throws (selectively): Progress on turnovers after a rough start (19 vs. Little Rock → better against tougher foes, culminating in 23 assists to 12 turnovers vs. UCF). Excellent free-throw shooting in the Texas Tech game (19-of-22). Resilience and ability to close strongly (OT dominance vs. UCF after a late scare; second-half control vs. Texas Tech).

    on3.com
  • Other positives: Balanced scoring in spots (five in double figures vs. Texas Tech). Depth flashes and leadership moments (e.g., Moreno in OT huddle). Positive injury updates (e.g., Kam Williams progressing).
The Bad
  • Offensive inconsistency and execution: Clunky at times, especially early. Only 69 points on modest efficiency vs. weaker Little Rock competition, with the ball sticking and limited creativity (by design in a simplified scheme). Scoring droughts and settling for jumpers (noted vs. UCF). Zoom Diallo (and the starting backcourt more broadly) was uneven—mixed shooting, decision-making, and early turnovers.

    on3.com
  • Turnovers and free throws: High turnovers vs. Little Rock (19) hurt flow. Free-throw issues resurfaced at times (poor vs. Little Rock; 9-of-17 in regulation vs. UCF, including key late misses by Hawthorne that forced the Wilkins heroics).

    sportingnews.com
  • Late-game control and secondary issues: Blew a double-digit lead and nearly lost in regulation to UCF (outscored significantly in stretches of the second half). Allowed too many offensive rebounds/second-chance points in spots (notably vs. Texas Tech). Rotation tightened in tougher games; some role players had limited impact or inconsistency.
  • Overall feel: Wins were not always dominant or polished. The UCF game in particular felt closer than the final score, exposing execution gaps that stronger regular-season opponents could punish.

    sportingnews.com
Bottom line: Encouraging foundation with talent (especially Williams, Momcilovic, Moreno, and Wilkins’ clutch gene), defensive length, and 3-0 results against varying competition. But offensive fluidity, consistency under pressure, free throws, and limiting turnovers/second chances remain works in progress. These exhibitions did their job by exposing issues for Mark Pope’s staff to address.
 
Artlaibesghost

Artlaibesghost

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2022
1,483
3,074
113
I've never u.derstood the almost pathological need of our fan base to pick a player each year to trash and scapegoat. This year it appears to be Zoom. This despite the fact that the regular season HASN'T even started yet. He is trying to run a new system at a new school and you clowns are already writing him off and we haven't even played a real game. He looked rough in first 2 exhibition games and hasn't shot well in any of them. He had 6 assists last night a good start. I don't know if he will play well this season or not but to write him off and trash him after 3 exhibition games is just ridiculous.
 
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Bowfreak.

All-Conference
Mar 26, 2009
1,839
3,132
66
Artlaibesghost said:
I've never u.derstood the almost pathological need of our fan base to pick a player each year to trash and scapegoat. This year it appears to be Zoom. This despite the fact that the regular season HASN'T even started yet. He is trying to run a new system at a new school and you clowns are already writing him off and we haven't even played a real game. He looked rough in first 2 exhibition games and hasn't shot well in any of them. He had 6 assists last night a good start. I don't know if he will play well this season or not but to write him off and trash him after 3 exhibition games is just ridiculous.
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These guys are professional athletes now. They are paid big money to play basketball. When they don't perform they should hear it. They are no longer student athletes. They are simply on campus to play basketball and nothing else. The facade of student athlete is no longer there. It is up to them to perform. If I don't perform at my job I will hear about it. I have no issue with Zoom or anyone else hearing about it when they are not performing at an acceptable level.
 
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K

KYFOSSIL

Heisman
Jan 13, 2005
8,802
12,225
62
TFCat11 said:
I see a lot of Mason Williams in Darius Acuff, and vice versa! Going strictly by rankings, he’s probably the most underrated guard I can remember, and should easily have been a top 10 ranked 5 star!

Pope should have known better than to tie up so much NIL in a PG1 from a losing team that had a lottery pick on it, but it’s Pope's signature move the past couple of seasons… That and injury prone players.
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So you're complaining about Zoom about not giving him any credit for getting Williams?
 
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Artlaibesghost

Artlaibesghost

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2022
1,483
3,074
113
Bowfreak. said:
These guys are professional athletes now. They are paid big money to play basketball. When they don't perform they should hear it. They are no longer student athletes. They are simply on campus to play basketball and nothing else. The facade of student athlete is no longer there. It is up to them to perform. If I don't perform at my job I will hear about it. I have no issue with Zoom or anyone else hearing about it when they are not performing at an acceptable level.
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Spare me your LAME excuse to trash our players a segment of our fan base was doing this LONG before pay had anything to do with it. I've noticed that some fans lately have used the " their getting paid now" as an excuse to act like bookish a$$holes. You wanna trash players go watch the NBA, some of us UK fans DESPISE your attitude toward our team and players.
 
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L

Lameguy

Senior
Mar 20, 2026
445
922
93
KYFOSSIL said:
Well, if you actually watched the game, you'll see all the positive he did regardless what the stats say
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And if you watch it deeper then you’ll see his defense negated the positives that he did. Multiple times getting lost on defense or not switching when he was suppose to. Even the block he made on the 3pt shot was him having to recover because he was lost on defense, a taller player and he doesn‘t get the block. There’s a reason that his +/- has been low in all 3 games.
 
A

Anon1768287303

Sophomore
Jan 13, 2026
95
127
33
SenseMaker_Cats said:
I would not have given Diallo or Wilkins those grades.
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While I certainly don't think this team has lived up to expectations yet, I also don't think anyone should be "grading them" before the season even starts. Especially anyone that can't back it up by outplaying any one of them on the court. It's like a teacher grading someone after only seeing answers to three sample questions before even knowing what the answers to the rest of the test are.
And this is NOT a knock on SenseMaker. Everyone has a right to their opinion.
 
BigBluefoot

BigBluefoot

All-American
Jul 4, 2025
2,265
7,802
113
TheResistance said:
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We will see. He was playing a much smaller team last night. Can he consistently score against a defender his size, esp when bodied up? I have my doubts. He still plays like he lacks a lot of arm.and hand strength. Reminds me of Nick Richards his first two years here.
 
B

Bowfreak.

All-Conference
Mar 26, 2009
1,839
3,132
66
Artlaibesghost said:
Spare me your LAME excuse to trash our players a segment of our fan base was doing this LONG before pay had anything to do with it. I've noticed that some fans lately have used the " their getting paid now" as an excuse to act like bookish a$$holes. You wanna trash players go watch the NBA, some of us UK fans DESPISE your attitude toward our team and players.
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How is it trashing players to say a guy has been bad when he has been bad? Also, don’t give me your sanctimonious drivel about “our players” or these kids. They are nothing but hired guns, yearly free agents who are going where they can get paid . These kids are getting high 6 figure if not 7 figure NIl. What a horrible sacrifice to make when for Zoom. Deleting social media while cashing in for $3-$4 million per Google.
 
Artlaibesghost

Artlaibesghost

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2022
1,483
3,074
113
Bowfreak. said:
How is it trashing players to say a guy has been bad when he has been bad? Also, don’t give me your sanctimonious drivel about “our players” or these kids. They are nothing but hired guns, yearly free agents who are going where they can get paid . These kids are getting high 6 figure if not 7 figure NIl. What a horrible sacrifice to make when for Zoom. Deleting social media while cashing in for $3-$4 million per Google.
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Jealous aren't you
 
A

Anon161453

Redshirt
Oct 28, 2026
19
14
3
Artlaibesghost said:
I've never u.derstood the almost pathological need of our fan base to pick a player each year to trash and scapegoat. This year it appears to be Zoom. This despite the fact that the regular season HASN'T even started yet. He is trying to run a new system at a new school and you clowns are already writing him off and we haven't even played a real game. He looked rough in first 2 exhibition games and hasn't shot well in any of them. He had 6 assists last night a good start. I don't know if he will play well this season or not but to write him off and trash him after 3 exhibition games is just ridiculous.
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Have you met some of these fans? They're just awful people
 
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Bowfreak.

All-Conference
Mar 26, 2009
1,839
3,132
66
Artlaibesghost said:
Jealous aren't you
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Great response. The kid is not getting it done and is being paid like a superstar. Play well or put on your big boy pants and deal with it. Since we shouldn't hold UK players to a standard it would be a lot easier to just bring in Alice Lloyd's roster and pay them like we are paying the current roster. At least we would be helping a bunch of KY boys and giving them life changing money.
Anon161453 said:
I'm surprised many players want to put up with moronic portion of this fanbase

He doesn't make millionS....good grief
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Maybe not but Google believes he does.
 

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