Hawthorne or Ousmane

Who gets more minutes/starts/has the better season?

  • Ousmane da mane

    Votes: 17 45.9%
  • Hawthorne

    Votes: 7 18.9%
  • Neither, can’t wait for Kam Williams

    Votes: 13 35.1%

  • Total voters
    37

MY_POPE

Freshman
Jun 7, 2026
33
74
13
Creepy Dog GIF
 

BBNinSCar

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2013
1,767
3,238
81
I never understood the Hawthorne enthusiasm. He has never shown any ability to be an effective player for us and last night is even more proof that he’s just not Kentucky caliber.
He’s a perfect example of the phenomena where fans clamor for the unknown player on the bench.
 

MidseasonTweak

Heisman
Mar 1, 2020
11,177
19,981
113
I never understood the Hawthorne enthusiasm. He has never shown any ability to be an effective player for us and last night is even more proof that he’s just not Kentucky caliber.
He’s a perfect example of the phenomena where fans clamor for the unknown player on the bench.
His first game action. I saw flashes of what he can be. Ousmane was very underwhelming though.
 

MidseasonTweak

Heisman
Mar 1, 2020
11,177
19,981
113
I saw flashes from both. The poster to whom you respond probably posted “good riddance” when Bryce Hopkins transferred. Those people don’t really know basketball.
I mean, Ousmane had some nice plays too, but I expected more out of someone who played pro ball. This was Little Rock. He should have been able to dominate a bit more.
 

Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
43,718
66,535
113
I mean, Ousmane had some nice plays too, but I expected more out of someone who played pro ball. This was Little Rock. He should have been able to dominate a bit more.
I don’t know anything about how Little Rock will perform this year. We held them to 49 and won by 20. Was that good? IDK
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,933
6,626
82
I mean, Ousmane had some nice plays too, but I expected more out of someone who played pro ball. This was Little Rock. He should have been able to dominate a bit more.
I’d love to remember the poster that stated he’d be physical based on his playing Euro pro league. Goodness. Dude is rail thin and paper soft. He does seem to have some athleticism and skill. Just not sure he’s going to be much of a factor. He will just get abused physically.
I voted for Kam but really, I like both kids as well as McBride. I feel a lot better about our front court. I think Kam is going to open up some matchup problems for other teams whem he gets here
If Kam is healthy, I like him at some small ball 4. He can defend it well given past experiences doing so last season. Just worry about rebounding, but honestly he’s not going to be any worse of a rebounder than McBride or NDiaye. He’s a helluva lot more athletic than McBride and a helluva lot more physical than NDiaye. I don’t think the front court is that bad at all, especially if Kam is fully healthy. The backcourt has some work to do, and unfortunately this is a guard dominated game.
 

SenseMaker_Cats

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
2,319
6,735
113
I’d love to remember the poster that stated he’d be physical based on his playing Euro pro league. Goodness. Dude is rail thin and paper soft. He does seem to have some athleticism and skill. Just not sure he’s going to be much of a factor. He will just get abused physically.

If Kam is healthy, I like him at some small ball 4. He can defend it well given past experiences doing so last season. Just worry about rebounding, but honestly he’s not going to be any worse of a rebounder than McBride or NDiaye. He’s a helluva lot more athletic than McBride and a helluva lot more physical than NDiaye. I don’t think the front court is that bad at all, especially if Kam is fully healthy. The backcourt has some work to do, and unfortunately this is a guard dominated game.
I like Kam there too. I like Hawthorne but in “year or two” kinda way and who knows if he’ll still be here. Not as worried Wilkins. He took bad shots and missed them. I think that can be fixed.

I am concerned about Zoom however. Hoping he brings it on. Also a little concerned that Williams looked like our best guard last night.
 
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JHannibalSmith

All-American
Sep 28, 2006
2,532
7,738
98
I like Kam there too. I like Hawthorne but in “year or two” kinda way and who knows if he’ll still be here. Not as worried Wilkins. He took bad shots and missed them. I think that can be fixed.

I am concerned about Zoom however. Hoping he brings it on. Also a little concerned that Williams looked like our best guard last night.
Yeah, Zoom has been my biggest concern since he signed. He’s just not a good fit for what Pope wants to do, offensively. He’s closer to the antithesis of a prototypical zoom action PG. These last two classes have been puzzling to me bc so many guys just don’t fit the system. It’s an offense built on perimeter shooting, back cuts & quick ball movement & he recruits ball dominant guards who aren’t proven shooters & unskilled bigs who can’t pass from the high post. Makes no sense.

I’m hoping for the best but I have serious doubts about guard depth & production from the 4. I haven’t really gone in on Pope bc he does have some legit excuses & I’d love to have an ex player leading us, who wins & wants to be here for as long as we’ll have him. But, last night sure didn’t give me much confidence that this year will be any better than the first two. Yeah, I know it’s an exhibition. Even still, it was underwhelming, at best.
 

MY_POPE

Freshman
Jun 7, 2026
33
74
13
Yeah, Zoom has been my biggest concern since he signed. He’s just not a good fit for what Pope wants to do, offensively. He’s closer to the antithesis of a prototypical zoom action PG. These last two classes have been puzzling to me bc so many guys just don’t fit the system. It’s an offense built on perimeter shooting, back cuts & quick ball movement & he recruits ball dominant guards who aren’t proven shooters & unskilled bigs who can’t pass from the high post. Makes no sense.

I’m hoping for the best but I have serious doubts about guard depth & production from the 4. I haven’t really gone in on Pope bc he does have some legit excuses & I’d love to have an ex player leading us, who wins & wants to be here for as long as we’ll have him. But, last night sure didn’t give me much confidence that this year will be any better than the first two. Yeah, I know it’s an exhibition. Even still, it was underwhelming, at best.
Yeah, rankings these days are a little confusing with him so high and Mason Williams so low.

I just want to see him start the best 5 and not be scared to play Zoom 10 mins a game if thats how it shakes out. Zoom seems like a great option off the bench that could potentially backup 3 spots.

I'm with you though on Pope. I'd love it if the other half could at least hate him as a coach and not as a man. I want him to succeed here or elsewhere. Who knows if we're chasing #9 without him as a player. We don't need to throw him under the bus.
 

RedwoodHigh

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2025
943
1,434
93
Little Rock was better than advertised & I’ll wait till Mid January to judge both teams from last night’s match up.
i can see a lot of 3pt shots going up this year with our length & unselfish passing.

Mason Williams & the 2 MM’s are going to see a lot of action this year.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
48,097
88,377
113
I never understood the Hawthorne enthusiasm. He has never shown any ability to be an effective player for us and last night is even more proof that he’s just not Kentucky caliber.
He’s a perfect example of the phenomena where fans clamor for the unknown player on the bench.
He has potential for sure, seeing him miss than dunk gives me pause though. Still looks like a stiff wind could knock him out of the lane.
 

Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
43,718
66,535
113
He has potential for sure, seeing him miss than dunk gives me pause though. Still looks like a stiff wind could knock him out of the lane.
He is not as strong as he will be but stronger than he was. On that dunk he was grabbed up high and down low, I think. The athleticism he showed, however, was good to see. He is a tall man who has some smaller man skills.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
48,097
88,377
113
He is not as strong as he will be but stronger than he was. On that dunk he was grabbed up high and down low, I think. The athleticism he showed, however, was good to see. He is a tall man who has some smaller man skills.
He’s got potential, he made a nice 3. If his handle is decent and he gets stronger he would be a player. He will be a menace on defense.
 
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