Mark Pope says he still wants more player in the roster

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a man in a red shirt is making a face
 

bucsrule8872

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Yep, most of us have been saying it for a while, the main roster is done and the only other pieces that will be added will be developmental pieces (and it sounds like they will be redshirted).

The only thing that might change that is like Coach said, some Senior really wants to wear the colors and go out as a Cat.
 

W1LDCAT22

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Exactly like I said yesterday when a few said he would go for the Washington decommit and Dame. Roster is complete just waiting on Oweh.
But what if you can upgrade one of the 12 rotational spots? You obviously take a kid that can give you that upgrade. In the landscape of CBB with the portal, recruiting NEVER stops. If a more talented kid falls into your lap, you obviously don't pass them up.
 
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hoopsdave

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He talked about adding a young redshirt that could develop for a year, or a one year senior maybe.

I wonder if that young redshirt role was discussed with Perry? He seems like a perfect fit for that and would then get 5 years in the UK program…seems like something a KY boy might go for.

Jeff Sheppard did this in 97 and went from 5 points a game as a junior on a crowded roster, to the final 4 MOP as a RS senior.
 
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BlueBomb

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If Pope does play 12 rotational players, he'll have trouble recruiting the following year. Players aren't going to want to come to play 15 minutes/game even if they are making a mil/year. They can get that elsewhere and not have to wait in line for playing time.
 
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chasingwildcat

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If Pope does play 12 rotational players, he'll have trouble recruiting the following year. Players aren't going to want to come to play 15 minutes/game even if they are making a mil/year. They can get that elsewhere and not have to wait in line for playing time.
This probably is just wishful thinking

We will probably only see 10 players in regular rotation in regular season
 

UKWildcats1987

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If Pope does play 12 rotational players, he'll have trouble recruiting the following year. Players aren't going to want to come to play 15 minutes/game even if they are making a mil/year. They can get that elsewhere and not have to wait in line for playing time.

12 won't happen. They might all check n each game but I doubt the guys 10 to 12 play much at all unless mass injuries or against ooc cupcakes.

Only 200 mins to go around and we need to play the best players a good chunk of games to win against stiff competition.
 
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rivercatinfl

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He talked about adding a young redshirt that could develop for a year or a one year senior maybe.

I wonder if that young redshirt role was discussed with Perry? He seems like a perfect fit for that and would then get 5 years in the UK program…seems like something a KY boy might go for.

Jeff Sheppard did this in 97 and went from 5 points a game as a junior on a crowded roster to the final 4 MOP as a RS senior.
100%. I think Perry didn't want to play that role but it's a head scratcher for me. Get paid a quarter mil a year to hone your craft and then be more ready to compete at a higher level. ALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY.

SMH
 

G-PIP

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Also says he wants to play all 12 players in rotation (I think it is impossible)
UK played 12 guys last season, with Travis Perry getting the least minutes at 10min/gm. At a minimum, Pope is going to play 10 guys a lot of minutes - near platoon like, I think. For players, agents, etc. smart enough to understand, it's a way to play that can make players' efficiency numbers look really good.
 

PoBilly

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Maybe he’s doubtful on Oweh returning.
Says he has his 12 guys for the minutes, that would be with Oweh. He wants a redshirt or a 1 year guy that wants to wear the jersey, not get minutes. He is wanting practice guys. One to develop and maybe one to be apart of KENTUCKY hoping to get #9.
 

PoBilly

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12 won't happen. They might all check n each game but I doubt the guys 10 to 12 play much at all unless mass injuries or against ooc cupcakes.

Only 200 mins to go around and we need to play the best players a good chunk of games to win against stiff competition.
If all 12 would get =minutes it would be almost 17 minutes per guy. Not that realistic. But 6 getting 20 or 24 and the other 6 getting 10 or less is very well likely. If all can produce. If guys do not produce in practice they will not play many minutes in a game. I suspect 9 guys get about 185 of the 200 minutes and the other 3 get about 5 minutes each. The couple he wants to add I do believe he is thinking about 2 or 3 guys right now. Hawthrone, mid major guard or an international player yet to be known.
 
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Panthur

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Exactly like I said yesterday when a few said he would go for the Washington decommit and Dame. Roster is complete just waiting on Oweh.
We wants 12 players in the rotation, genius. Noah and Moreno are not rotation players. You were up in people’s faces yesterday claiming exactly the opposite of what Pope just said and now you’re here talking trash about it because you’re that way.
 

Wildcats1st

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12 man rotation is crazy. I don’t see it being a thing for long. We have some guys who need to be on the floor the majority of the time like Oweh. Maybe others this season. I think he should be looking at redshirt for noah but if feel that could have run off Perry. So idk how you handle that.
 

NerlensCat

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What people fail to understand is that just because you are one of the 5 best on the team, does not mean you can be at your best when you are playing an up tempo game for 30 minutes. This is why Pope opted out of paying the ultra high NIL players. He knows his system works best with really good players in mass vs a Calipariesque approach of 6-7 elite HS/Top Dollar Transfers. It was working really well last year until we started getting multiple injuries.
 

UKSanders_rivals37733

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12 man rotation is crazy. I don’t see it being a thing for long. We have some guys who need to be on the floor the majority of the time like Oweh. Maybe others this season. I think he should be looking at redshirt for noah but if feel that could have run off Perry. So idk how you handle that.

Really wish he could have convinced Noah and Perry to redshirt and be those long term pieces.


Pope sounds pretty high on Noah. However, maybe Noah would be on board with redshirting as one of those developmental pieces.

I could see it because he definitely bleeds blue, and an extra year of strength/conditioning would greatly improve his chances of contributing down the road…I could see Noah having the long term view in mind.

If that happens, then it would allow Pope to go out and get a more immediate contributor for Noah’s spot in 25-26?

Not saying it will or even should happen…but I could see Noah potentially being the kind of guy to do it.
 
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NerlensCat

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Pope sounds pretty high on Noah. However, maybe Noah would be on board with redshirting as one of those developmental pieces.

I could see it because he definitely bleeds blue, and an extra year of strength/conditioning would greatly improve his chances of contributing down the road…I could see Noah having the long term view in mind.

If that happens, then it would allow Pope to go out and get a more immediate contributor for Noah’s spot in 25-26?

Not saying it will or even should happen…but I could see Noah potentially being the kind of guy to do it.
I agree. He stands to gain the most financially from a redshirt as well. The guy has everything you need to be successful other than explosion. If he had a slightly quicker first step or vertical, it would be huge for his success.
 
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PoBilly

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Watched the full video about 30 minutes or so. He gave some insight to how he goes after players, first is the analytics which is a good piece of the equation but then he gave out that they look at social media or social interaction (which I took all social interaction including social media), interview and such. That will be one of the tell tell signs as to why he might pay a guy like Lowe 2 mil but not Thomas 2 mil. Also loved what he said about the guys coming in, guys coming back and even Collin Chandler joined via Pope's phone. Spoke well of Noah as well. Did not get a chance to discuss Kam Williams or AJ (Croatia).
 

JwUKFan11

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We wants 12 players in the rotation, genius. Noah and Moreno are not rotation players. You were up in people’s faces yesterday claiming exactly the opposite of what Pope just said and now you’re here talking trash about it because you’re that way.
You just continue to make yourself look like an idiot if you think Noah and Moreno aren't in the rotation.

Did you miss this part? "The catch? They're long-term additions, potentially redshirts."
 
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*Fox2Monk*

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Imagine if Noah took a redshirt and happened to hit a 2-3 inch late growth spurt to end up in the 6’7 -6’9 range?

Scott Padgett, part deux?
I could see that. If he keeps improving his handle and stuff. Padgett was highly underrated as a player later in his career.
 

*Fox2Monk*

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If Pope does play 12 rotational players, he'll have trouble recruiting the following year. Players aren't going to want to come to play 15 minutes/game even if they are making a mil/year. They can get that elsewhere and not have to wait in line for playing time.
I think it’s a much easier sell now. If you are paying end of bench guys the kind of money they can’t get playing 20+ minutes elsewhere they will be happy. It’s a semi pro game now. Come and play when asked, do your job now.
 
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zoid1

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I think Pope is gonna TRY to do this as long as everyone stays healthy.

Start/backup
PG- Lowe/Jasper
SG- Aberdeen/Chandler
SF- Oweh/Kam
PF- Mo/Jelavic
C- Garrison/Jayden

Noah will come in based on situations and matchups at the SG/SF.
Moreno will come in based on situations and matchups at the PF/C.
Probably see Jasper, Aberdeen and Chandler as backup PG early with coach experiment different lineups.
Probably see Mo, Jelavic, Garrison and Jayden switch the PF/C spots to see who play better with who etc.

Either way we should never be in foul trouble or have depth issues with this many good players on the team. Anything we add from here on out is like icing on the cake imo. The teams that aren’t very deep are really going to struggle against us the last 10 minutes of the game.
 

Wildcats1st

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I think Pope is gonna TRY to do this as long as everyone stays healthy.

Start/backup
PG- Lowe/Jasper
SG- Aberdeen/Chandler
SF- Oweh/Kam
PF- Mo/Jelavic
C- Garrison/Jayden

Noah will come in based on situations and matchups at the SG/SF.
Moreno will come in based on situations and matchups at the PF/C.
Probably see Jasper, Aberdeen and Chandler as backup PG early with coach experiment different lineups.
Probably see Mo, Jelavic, Garrison and Jayden switch the PF/C spots to see who play better with who etc.

Either way we should never be in foul trouble or have depth issues with this many good players on the team. Anything we add from here on out is like icing on the cake imo. The teams that aren’t very deep are really going to struggle against us the last 10 minutes of the game.
Pope has said Aberdeen is a pg. probably back up to Lowe. Jasper and chandler probably battle for the 2g but possibly Aberdeen could play both.
 

true-blue1

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I think Pope is gonna TRY to do this as long as everyone stays healthy.

Start/backup
PG- Lowe/Jasper
SG- Aberdeen/Chandler
SF- Oweh/Kam
PF- Mo/Jelavic
C- Garrison/Jayden

Noah will come in based on situations and matchups at the SG/SF.
Moreno will come in based on situations and matchups at the PF/C.
Probably see Jasper, Aberdeen and Chandler as backup PG early with coach experiment different lineups.
Probably see Mo, Jelavic, Garrison and Jayden switch the PF/C spots to see who play better with who etc.

Either way we should never be in foul trouble or have depth issues with this many good players on the team. Anything we add from here on out is like icing on the cake imo. The teams that aren’t very deep are really going to struggle against us the last 10 minutes of the game.
I think Noah will see some playing time at the 4 this year.
 

BleedBlue13

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Just don’t see any of this working out, the kind of kids that are content playing 5mpg or less we don’t have. The transfers left previous schools playing 15mpg+ so they won’t stick around playing way less. Top freshmen like Jasper and Moreno you have to play them or lose them they aren’t waiting their turn. So if you do even all the minutes out then our best 5 aren’t on the floor nearly enough and it hurts our chances. To have any continuity when you get from like 11-15 only Noah/Max Green types even have a chance to stick around and that’s not even guaranteed anymore. Kids today don’t have to sit and rot on a bench, can get paid and get more minutes somewhere else. Was my concern with recruiting over Lewis and Moreno before they ever got here Jasper we will see. You don’t have to start them and rely on them like Cal did but you have to give them 15mpg or so if you can’t give them that then seems easier to grab a portal guy in less than a week rather than spending a year or more recruiting high school. I hope coach has a formula that will work but I feel we will lose 5 or so after this season. Most top freshmen from last year are either going pro or transferring even from top schools.
 

HogFan2012

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Just don’t see any of this working out, the kind of kids that are content playing 5mpg or less we don’t have. The transfers left previous schools playing 15mpg+ so they won’t stick around playing way less. Top freshmen like Jasper and Moreno you have to play them or lose them they aren’t waiting their turn. So if you do even all the minutes out then our best 5 aren’t on the floor nearly enough and it hurts our chances. To have any continuity when you get from like 11-15 only Noah/Max Green types even have a chance to stick around and that’s not even guaranteed anymore. Kids today don’t have to sit and rot on a bench, can get paid and get more minutes somewhere else. Was my concern with recruiting over Lewis and Moreno before they ever got here Jasper we will see. You don’t have to start them and rely on them like Cal did but you have to give them 15mpg or so if you can’t give them that then seems easier to grab a portal guy in less than a week rather than spending a year or more recruiting high school. I hope coach has a formula that will work but I feel we will lose 5 or so after this season. Most top freshmen from last year are either going pro or transferring even from top schools.
That is pretty much spot on if I'm not playing I'm leaving.
For JQ don't count on him playing till you see him on the floor. He's not going to play 80/90% healthy, not worth the risk for him.

Oweh should be back from all the mock drafts, but all it takes is one person from one team to really like him.