How many do we need?

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,821
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everyone GIF
 

philstat

Heisman
Jan 3, 2004
11,006
10,658
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Based on everyone’s calculations, how many portal/freshman players do we need? I’m assuming we go after starters first and then bench with what’s left over.
Eight, has to be, given these kids are porcelain figures now these days, we need 7-8 additional players, to include 3-4 starters, if KW is our starting SF, stick a fork in Pope.
 

FitchandMurray29

All-American
Dec 11, 2021
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I figured 2 more PG, 2SG, 1SF, 2PF, 1-2C
Agree with this.

A dumb way of putting it with only 2 of our top 8 on the roster. We need 6 guys we have an “Oh?” reaction when they commit. Then a couple or few “oh” guys to help fill the end of the bench with Noah/Potter/Williams/Hawthorne depending on who actually sticks.
 
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CatBearPig

All-Conference
Apr 26, 2024
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Need;
A stud Stretch 4
A Stud PG
A Stud wing (one of the two wing or PG has to be a shooter)
A very good 3 and D combo guard (PG/2G)
A very good combo 4/5
A good 3 and D combo wing (2G/SF)
A good rim protector
 
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PastorofMuppets82

All-Conference
Mar 4, 2025
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Only using players not listed in the portal already and probably expected to return. We will need 8 players. But most importantly, we'll need 3 starters minimum a the PG, SG, and PF and that's if we run out K. Williams as our starting SF (instead of Stokes if we somehow lucked into him at this point). One thing the staff can promise in recruiting from the portal this year, playing time. Cause the cupboard is empty. Now getting backups for depth of any serviceable talent level will probably be near impossible to fill out the back end of the roster with where the "hope to spend this year" money sits. That could help us by trimming the rotation to 8 or 9 and only spending money on those and filling the rest of the bench with happy to be here, play me if someone breaks something dudes.

PG - Portal, Portal, M. Williams
SG - Portal, Portal
SF - K. Williams, B. Hawthorne, Noah
PF - Portal, Portal
C - Moreno, Potter, Portal
 
Mar 16, 2022
256
542
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PG1 vacant PG2 M Williams
SG1 vacant SG2 vacant
SF1 vacant SF2 Noah SF3 Hawthorne
PF1 vacant PF2 K Williams
C1 Moreno C2 Potter

Can M Williams and Potter play backup minutes?
 

JonathanW2

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2025
661
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Based on everyone’s calculations, how many portal/freshman players do we need? I’m assuming we go after starters first and then bench with what’s left over.
We have (or will have) Moreno, K.Williams, Hawthorne, Potter, & FR D.Williams. That's 5. I don't think we want Potter in a 8-9 man rotation, and maybe not one or both of Hawthorne or D.Williams (I'm optimistic on Hawthorne though). So that means if you assume Hawthorne is #9, the top 8 we have Moreno & Kam, so we need 6 guys. Not all 6 will be studs (that's not a reasonable expectation anywhere). But I think we need 3 studs, and then 3 quality contributing players. My preference for the studs would be at PG, PF, and SG (although would be ok if SF who shoots 3's well). But we very well may get 7 (w/ a 4th quality contributor).
 
Jan 10, 2015
19,510
33,466
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Whatever $20 million will buy.
Does this look about correct especially since Pope has to close the deal....
3rd string PG
3rd string SG
3rd string PF
Some questionable overseas prospect
Hurt Center that will only play a few games and cost about 2 million

I feel a repeat from this last season with a worse W/L record at the end....
 
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Tri-Countycat

All-Conference
Jul 1, 2025
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Apparently I’m not even sure if UK is even looking at very many of the top 10 guys. It’s like Pope thinks he is still at Utah State.
 

rick64

Heisman
Jan 25, 2007
25,357
35,696
113
I'd say 7 to 8 players. 4-5 of them need to be big time ball players. The rest needs to be better than average.
 

Wildcat_in_DC

All-Conference
Nov 25, 2025
1,472
2,570
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PG1: TBD PG2: TBD PG3: Mason
SG1: TBD SG2: Hawthorne
SF1: TBD SF2: Williams
PF1: TBD PF2: TBD
C1: Moreno C2: TBD

7 guys, 4 starters assuming we can get Hawthorne minutes at the 2 which would be a stretch but it would save us money
 

theBlues

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2025
2,094
4,726
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Folks should bear in mind that if we have a lot of options at each position...Pope might want to play them all.
 
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