Tongue in cheek comment.... and for the record I as well have never prayed for a recruit.
God has a plan for everyone whether *insert players* knows... but we can certainly debate more on Paddock if you start a thread there.
Branham on Jasper
- Thread starter Jamal Mercer
- Start date
Tongue in cheek comment.... and for the record I as well have never prayed for a recruit.
God has a plan for everyone whether *insert players* knows... but we can certainly debate more on Paddock if you start a thread there.
I assume we will get a new PG via transfer portal.
This does not make me feel like it’s in the bag lol
I think it will be a solid mixture.
4 to 5 freshmen.
4 to 5 returning players.
3 to 4 portal transfers.
My hope is after a couple years and continuity we will have 3 freshmen tops (unless of course there are absolute studs we’re getting). Just feel like they are such a toss up with how they perform. Remember how make and break we thought Wagner, one of the absolute can’t miss top HS players that was in the top 5 regardless of class for like 3 years was? Just feel like you actually know what you’re getting with transfers.
Joe Adams is trying to make it isn’t he. You would think he would give up, but he’s gonna try to fake it until he makes it.
All fair points. I'm with you. I like the idea of Johnson and Moreno at UK as supplemental pieces, with veterans doing most of the heavy hitting. Calipari did it the opposite way, and it didn't work.
That is a perfect mix to me, 4-5 guys with experience in the system who hopefully played or about to start. 4 to 5 talented Freshman who could be OAD talents and a couple who may return to form a nucleus for a couple years, and awesome transfers to plug holes and get go to scorers if needed.
Yes. I agree with this 100%, if Freshmen are expected to contribute immediately.
FWIW, Greg Waddell thinks it's done and it's UK. Sounds like Carter Elliott thinks it's UK as well. Polacheck thinks it's 50/50 and maybe slight edge to UK but not ready to make an official prediction yet.
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Definitely sounds like its moving in UKs direction.
This is the formula, or something similar to this.
And the Freshmen should be 1-2 OADs and 2-4 multi year guys. It can’t be 4-5 OAD guys every class or there will be very few returning players and most years we will have to rely heavily on the portal.
If we can get Oweh, Garrison, Chandler, Perrry, and Noah back next season. Add Moreno, Johnson, and three multi year guys in the ‘25 class. Then finish with three impact portal players.
Something like this maybe:
G Portal/Perry
G Johnson/Chandler/Recruit
G Oweh/Noah
F Portal/Portal/Recruit
F Garrison/Moreno/Recruit
That way we only have 1-2 Freshmen in the rotation. And if Johnson isn’t quite ready, we’ve got Chandler to pick up the slack.
This analysis is entertaining but futile. No one knows anything so, let it be and enjoy the ride.
It’s fun to discuss. It’s August, what else should we do?
I thought Waddell had an interesting point when he said that Jasper attending the TBT games just shows how much UK means to him and part of why he thinks he's picking UK. Otherwise, really no need for him to go to those games. Could mean nothing at all but, yeah, not much else to discuss right now.
Alabama writer Jordan Harper and Branham both just made crystal ball picks for Kentucky
Not sure if already posted but just watched this Torres video from earlier tonight and he makes it sound like Pope got more freedom this past weekend to bump up the NIL offer to Jasper and that could be part of why we've made up a lot of ground and now likely the favorites. Torres calls it 80-85% chance he picks UK.
But shooting is the number 1 skill imo
And it’s not even close.
That said, though i’m skeptical of the impact Jasper will be able to have as a freshman, i’m on board with whatever Pope decides until he gives me reason not to be.
I understand Jasper will probably be a streaky shooter but if you surround him with good to great shooter's his drive and kick game with a spaced out floor will be elite.
Aaron Gershon and Travis Branham Crystal ball for UK!
His uncle and dad both played at UK his whole family are UK fans, wow you would think Ky would be in the lead.
Exactly you would think UK would definitely be a no brainer. I’m sure family pressure is going to play a big role in this one.
With shooting being his best asset, it’s pretty likely he will make an immediate impact in this offense. If he doesn’t, he will gain experience and be back for another year or two.
If it happens:
G - Johnson
G - Perry
G - Chandler
F - Noah
F - Oweh
C - Garrison
C - Moreno
That's a heck of a pre-portal core that will probably include three McDonald's All-Americans, including one junior-to-be. Chandler has NBA potential. So does Oweh. Perry could develop as a high-level college scorer.
Fingers crossed on Jasper.
G - Johnson
G - Perry
G - Chandler
F - Noah
F - Oweh
C - Garrison
C - Moreno
That's a heck of a pre-portal core that will probably include three McDonald's All-Americans, including one junior-to-be. Chandler has NBA potential. So does Oweh. Perry could develop as a high-level college scorer.
Fingers crossed on Jasper.
Add three high end portal vets and three multi year recruits and that’s a strong squad.
And assuming we add a comparable talent level of portal players to this year (which we will), we'll have a team with multiple NBA guys who are perfectly made for Pope's system.
Imagine Pope's system at BYU with NBA-level guys running it. Dare I dream so high?
I love this uptick in legit talent in the bluegrass, and I love that we're landing most of these guys, if not all:
Sheppard - lottery
Perry - top 75
Noah - top 125
Moreno - top 20
Johnson - top 10
Kinney - top 25
Sheppard - lottery
Perry - top 75
Noah - top 125
Moreno - top 20
Johnson - top 10
Kinney - top 25
If shooting stays at a premium expect it to stay this way in the state. One thing a Kentucky boy can do is shoot the basketball
I look for more of these kids to stay at Kentucky longer now with Pope as coach. I also think we will win and have fun doing it. When we get 5-star players, they might leave after one year which is ok, but Popes teams will be made up of mostly players who have potential but need the experience college basketball gives them before they can realistically bolt for the NBA. Pope knows what he needs, and he will be successful here. Everything he needs is right here, the tradition, the fan base and the money.
its twitter so whether there is any truth to it or not is anyone's guess at this point
but someone who follows this posted that UK's NIL offer was 1.5X Bama's offer, family gave Bama a chance to match and they walked away.
Johnson family says it wouldn't come down to money, but if that report is true, it came down to money.
In the era of NIL, its always going to come down to money. and that is sad
but someone who follows this posted that UK's NIL offer was 1.5X Bama's offer, family gave Bama a chance to match and they walked away.
Johnson family says it wouldn't come down to money, but if that report is true, it came down to money.
In the era of NIL, its always going to come down to money. and that is sad
few more too
Gabe Weis + Jayden Johnson are two top 100 kids with P4 offers. And the #1 kid for 2026 is originally from KY - Tyran Stokes.
Being Gen-X, its hard for me to reconcile the whole "I'm here to win banners" along with all the other Kentucky superlatives they say to the camera knowing UK had to be the highest bidder for them to wear the uniform. Lets just see it for what it is.
UK paid me to be here to win championships
and lets not be afraid to hold them accountable for it.