That’s OK. UNC can have their 18-year-old kid as their starting 4, and we’ll go get a 22-year-old man from the portal to be ours.
Caleb Wilson picks Cheats
- Thread starter Rideordiewildcat
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I just don't know if veteran portal transfers cut it for me to be the entire makeup of the team. I think it's great for fill in pieces.. and I do think they deserve some of the NIL money.. but I think title teams and F4 teams really need a 1st round pick type of talent on their roster. Maybe we can find that in the portal, but it's tough.
I DO think our class next year will be a huge boost of talent. So if Pope can make things happen with some 4-stars and maybe a 5-star, I'm fine with that.
You just have to look at UKs history to know that's 100% true. All our post rupp title teams have had 2 or more first round picks on them.
I think the key is hitting on that one guy every season n the portal and in recruiting to get you there and then also hoping you retain a couple of guys multi years that Pope helps mold into first round picks.
It would have been nice to have him but I’m just not as affected when a 5
freshman decides to go elsewhere. There will be plenty of portal options at PF. Looking forward to see how Pope rounds out the roster for next year.
freshman decides to go elsewhere. There will be plenty of portal options at PF. Looking forward to see how Pope rounds out the roster for next year.Yep. Im fine with letting freshman going wherever. Very few are going to significantly move the needle in today's game.
Wonder how much his NIL deal worth. obviously, UNC outbid us. It's all about money with these kids- can't say I blame them.
It’s nice to be completely undaunted by something like this. I didn’t even realize he was committing last night.
What if Elliot Cudeau is a 1st round pick or if he puts his name in the portal . Wilson might not have that great of players around him, Like most of you I trust Pope and the staff to find a very good PF next year. When the portal open there are going to be a LOT of players to pick from.
Alot of drama surrounding this and felt like he led Pope and the staff on as well from previous posts, let him go and any 10-12 ppg and then declare while they go 17-13 again.
I do think we need a good mix of portal guys and freshman but the ‘25 class has been recruited for yrs so pope really had a lot of catching up to do in a short time. I think we have to wait and see ‘26 recruiting before we can see where the program is regarding this aspect.
I do think we need a good mix of portal guys and freshman but the ‘25 class has been recruited for yrs so pope really had a lot of catching up to do in a short time. I think we have to wait and see ‘26 recruiting before we can see where the program is regarding this aspect.
He doesn’t care how good UNC is next year. This decision was all about minutes, touches and shots.
I won’t lie, I wanted him, but losing out isn’t the end of the world. There will be a good replacement in the Portal.
Just my opinion, but Pope needs to not only get an experienced Portal transfer, but should also try to get a 4-star level Freshman that can be brought along slowly.
He needs to balance winning now with also winning big later by getting some dudes that will be here 3-4 years. Got to build the program and not just recruit from year to year based on immediate needs. Portal or HS, it doesn’t really matter if the kids are only going to play here for 1 year.
Look at Auburn, they have guys who are not only experienced, but experienced in the system and experienced at playing together. That’s why they have risen above the pack this season.
Just my opinion, but Pope needs to not only get an experienced Portal transfer, but should also try to get a 4-star level Freshman that can be brought along slowly.
He needs to balance winning now with also winning big later by getting some dudes that will be here 3-4 years. Got to build the program and not just recruit from year to year based on immediate needs. Portal or HS, it doesn’t really matter if the kids are only going to play here for 1 year.
Look at Auburn, they have guys who are not only experienced, but experienced in the system and experienced at playing together. That’s why they have risen above the pack this season.
Going all in on a 1 and doner, those days are over. Who cares.
This. I'm not overly interested in 18 year old recruits - at least not in the short term like for the next season. And if they think they are a one and done, then they can go elsewhere unless they are a truly transcendent player like Davis, Cousins, Wall, MKG.
We likely will miss on more high profile recruits now with Pope. Call Cal what you want, but the man could recruit and while I wish Cal’s players had more success towards the end of his time here, I can’t lie and say I don’t enjoy seeing the NBA flooded with UK guys that are killing it.
With Cal gone, the NIL, and the transfer portal, we won’t see nearly as many top 10 guys. We may get a couple here and there, but we aren’t going to have the top recruiting class every year.
We will see how the next few classes pan out, but I can see Pope relying more and more on the portal than anything else. Hopefully that translates to hanging as many banners as his predecessor in the first 6-7 years!
With Cal gone, the NIL, and the transfer portal, we won’t see nearly as many top 10 guys. We may get a couple here and there, but we aren’t going to have the top recruiting class every year.
We will see how the next few classes pan out, but I can see Pope relying more and more on the portal than anything else. Hopefully that translates to hanging as many banners as his predecessor in the first 6-7 years!
hard to say
Pope only was able to recruit guys from 25 class a little late. Also, entering into early signing period, we even had not played with Duke, so recruits may be uncertain about how pope would be going.
I think we will see significant improve in 26 class, where Pope has way more time to evaluate the talent and builds the relationship. He also has already proved his coaching ability
I think we can definitely get Taylen Kinney if Pope really wants him, this is already a five star. I believe we are also in good shape of Anthony Thompson, a top 10 wing shooter who has been unofficial visit us twice.
Again, expect 26 class is Taylen Kinney with 2-3 other five stars (including at least a top 10 guy)
I used to enjoy this a lot more when Kentucky actually won games in March.
My philosophy remains the same:
If you’re willing to pay top dollar and you have a huge playing time opportunity…you’ll get a good player. Once you’ve established those things it’s just a matter of when not if a good player commits. Also there’s a musical chairs component of all of this. As other teams get 4s that are locked into starting roles like Boozer, Wilson, etc. top portal guys/reclasses won’t consider those teams. (Not saying reclass is a desired option)
If you’re willing to pay top dollar and you have a huge playing time opportunity…you’ll get a good player. Once you’ve established those things it’s just a matter of when not if a good player commits. Also there’s a musical chairs component of all of this. As other teams get 4s that are locked into starting roles like Boozer, Wilson, etc. top portal guys/reclasses won’t consider those teams. (Not saying reclass is a desired option)
The end of Cal’s run here soured a lot of fans in terms of recruits and because of his lack of success, many have concluded that we don’t want or need one and done talent.It would have been nice to have him but I’m just not as affected when a 5
I don’t want a roster full of them, but I believe that it is important to have a couple on the team. It keeps the UK brand at the top and garners attention and I think that Pope will be able to get more out of these kids and get them playing at a much higher level than Cal was able to do at the end of his run. I think the majority of the best teams will be a nice mix of freshman, multi-year guys, and some transfers.
Yep…now it just makes us frustrated to see these guys turn into beasts and wonder where that was when they were here…
This bothers me so much less in the transfer portal era.
I mean Wilson would have been great but whatever, we'll get somebody.
I mean Wilson would have been great but whatever, we'll get somebody.
Pope is a guy who keeps evaluating his coaching in general. One advantage to this very tough sec is that he will see up close what players he needs to win here. He'll take that knowledge and apply it to his player choices. He'll have deeper and more talented rosters in the future, and it will be easier for Pope to coach the style he prefers.
I don't know that they outbid us! I'm hearing it's more of "playing time" issue. I'm ok with that, Pope should never promise x amount of playtime. It needs to be earned!
i have not seen kinney play but he is putting up great stats in the OTL. As good or better than JJ. He and lewis would make a great 2-headed monster, atleast I'm hoping so.
I think Caleb had led the Ky Staff to think he had given a verbal. Whether he did or not will not be known for a long time. They basically stopped recruiting other PF’s after his visit. Caleb I think wanted to be here. Then, the season started and the SEC started dominating other leagues, especially with their physical play and as good as he is, he is not physically strong or extremely athletic.
He and his agent decided that if they could get a better offer from UNC, that was the place for him where the competition would allow him to dominate UNC offensive possessions without taking a beating and getting manhandled. Their league is not nearly as physical or talented top to bottom as the SEC.
He and his agent decided that if they could get a better offer from UNC, that was the place for him where the competition would allow him to dominate UNC offensive possessions without taking a beating and getting manhandled. Their league is not nearly as physical or talented top to bottom as the SEC.
I wanted him obviously, but the days of putting our hope on freshman are over. Pope had about 5 seconds to put together a team last year and did just fine. I trust this staff will do what they need to do in the portal to put another good product on the floor next season.
i mean i am fine with other recruits choosing other schools, it is normal
But i am not fine with this drama king, just trolling BBN in the whole process. I do not like him
Caleb Wilson isn’t a big miss like it used to be when Cal was coaching.
Pope can win without elite talent. Cal needed the best of the best so this would’ve been a huge miss had Cal still been coaching.
I would like to see what Pope can do with elite talent and he will get his share. But with or without it we are going to be contenders.
Pope can win without elite talent. Cal needed the best of the best so this would’ve been a huge miss had Cal still been coaching.
I would like to see what Pope can do with elite talent and he will get his share. But with or without it we are going to be contenders.
Since the Sharpe incident, I don’t live or die with this recruits anymore. So many factors at play:
A. Will the 18 year old kid be exposed by more physical grown men? Will a mysterious injury pop up when draft stock is falling?
B. NIL has changed the game. Kids will go to BYU or Rutgers now.
C. The transfer portal makes freshman five stars less valuable than ever before. Unless they are transcendent talents.
Give me 2-4 freshman who can develop and not be counted on to lead.
A. Will the 18 year old kid be exposed by more physical grown men? Will a mysterious injury pop up when draft stock is falling?
B. NIL has changed the game. Kids will go to BYU or Rutgers now.
C. The transfer portal makes freshman five stars less valuable than ever before. Unless they are transcendent talents.
Give me 2-4 freshman who can develop and not be counted on to lead.
No chance Davis is fired.
They're not having a good season by their standards but a weak ACC will keep his record out of the range of being fired.
How well a school is doing the year before a recruit arrives is an extremely overrated aspect of why a kid chooses a school.
Whether they are #1 or have a losing record, the recruit is not part of that team.
How long have you been following recruiting?
Wilson recruitment was tame compared to some.
After his update a couple of weeks ago saying how he would like to play with the Cadeau and not anyone on Kentuckys team, it sure sounded like it was going to be them. I know he said early in the process he would like to play with Lewis and Johnson, but that talked wasn’t heard again, just wish he would have let Kentucky know then. I guess their recent cheating scandal didn’t matter to him. He now plays at a school with an asterisk by their name.
Looking at how the modern era is shaping up, it looks like the key to success is going to be :
#1 - Getting an exceptionally bright and charismatic coach that definitely knows the X's and O's of hoops thru and thru, and a guy that can surround himself with the kind of staff that can cover all the bases.
#2 - getting one or two, maybe 3 really good freshmen studs to come in that can contribute from day one, but not necessarily be looked at to run the show.
#3 - Bringing in experienced talent from the portal that rounds out the roster holes, meshes well with existing players, can provide leadership and a steadying factor when it comes tournament time.
#4 - Definitely having the monetary resources put towards getting that talent and making the needed improvements to facilities the team needs to be successful.
of course, none of that is really revelatory, but I think it does all come down to the intangibles that putting together all of that which will make for success today.
We have that with Coach Pope. I really like his instincts on what kind of player he wants and how to get him. This years team, put together in such an insanely short time, and the level of success it's having surely means we're in good hands for a LONG time.
Too bad we didn't get Wilson, but I did not like the vibe of getting a player that was using UK as a means to get better NIL money (although I cant blame him) but that's just NOT the kind of player we want and need here at Kentucky.
UNC*** ???
Yeah. Perfect fit. LOL
good luck to the young man
#1 - Getting an exceptionally bright and charismatic coach that definitely knows the X's and O's of hoops thru and thru, and a guy that can surround himself with the kind of staff that can cover all the bases.
#2 - getting one or two, maybe 3 really good freshmen studs to come in that can contribute from day one, but not necessarily be looked at to run the show.
#3 - Bringing in experienced talent from the portal that rounds out the roster holes, meshes well with existing players, can provide leadership and a steadying factor when it comes tournament time.
#4 - Definitely having the monetary resources put towards getting that talent and making the needed improvements to facilities the team needs to be successful.
of course, none of that is really revelatory, but I think it does all come down to the intangibles that putting together all of that which will make for success today.
We have that with Coach Pope. I really like his instincts on what kind of player he wants and how to get him. This years team, put together in such an insanely short time, and the level of success it's having surely means we're in good hands for a LONG time.
Too bad we didn't get Wilson, but I did not like the vibe of getting a player that was using UK as a means to get better NIL money (although I cant blame him) but that's just NOT the kind of player we want and need here at Kentucky.
UNC*** ???
Yeah. Perfect fit. LOL
good luck to the young man