Returners

[May98]

Malachi Moreno - Priority
Collin Chandler - Priority

Kam Williams - Keep
Braydon Hawthorne - Keep
Reece Potter - Keep (reserve)
Trent Noah - Keep (reserve)

Jasper Johnson - Maybe

Jaland Lowe - No
Mouhamed Dioubate - No
Andrija Jelavić - No
Brandon Garrison - No

Jayden Quaintance - Gone
Denzel Aberdeen - Gone
Otega Oweh - Gone

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

even if we kept everyone on that list down to Lowe, we would still need like 3 guys better than all those players to be a top 15 team

 

[WhatTypeOfBlood]

Drop an atom bomb. I don’t want the coach or any of the players.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

Jesus we are in trouble

 

[May98]

even if we kept everyone on that list down to Lowe, we would still need like 3 guys better than all those players to be a top 15 team

I'm over this season. I'm only watching now for individual growth/projection for next years team and to see how Pope adjusts. I'm only taking the top 5 + Jasper if he accepts a small role again. Everyone else needs to go and multiple elite starters need to be brought in with a focus on shooting/skills + length/athleticism.

 

[ORCAT]

Next year looks horrendous at the moment.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

Put Jasper in the no column and you’re batting 1.000 in my book

 

[Anon1770473266]

Chandler and Noah need to be the cornerstones

 

[champagnecat]

Chandler and Noah need to be the cornerstones

Noah is *** stop it

 

[MidseasonTweak]

I see Jasper transferring now

 

[GBB1992]

Malachi Moreno - Priority
Collin Chandler - Priority

Kam Williams - Keep
Braydon Hawthorne - Keep
Reece Potter -Keep

Jasper Johnson - Maybe

Jaland Lowe - No
Mouhamed Dioubate - No
Andrija Jelavić - No
Brandon Garrison - No

Jayden Quaintance - Gone
Denzel Aberdeen - Gone
Otega Oweh - Gone

They can all go including the coach

 

[Anon1770473266]

Noah is *** stop it

Noah knows what it means to put on the jersey. He's a good player and a Ky kid. We need players like him

 

[WildcatDJ]

Pope: No/Gone

 

[Tri-Countycat]

Noah doesn’t have the confidence to play here. He was a gun slinger when he got looks last year, he won’t shoot this year. It’s too big for him, or he has gotten way too comfortable living the life of a UK in state ball player.

 

[Anon1751592624]

I love the idea of Jasper, but the reality is he couldn't guard my grandmothers, and they have been dead for over a decade.

 

[May98]

Malachi Moreno - Priority
Collin Chandler - Priority

Kam Williams - Keep
Braydon Hawthorne - Keep
Reece Potter -Keep

Jasper Johnson - Maybe

Jaland Lowe - No
Mouhamed Dioubate - No
Andrija Jelavić - No
Brandon Garrison - No

Jayden Quaintance - Gone
Denzel Aberdeen - Gone
Otega Oweh - Gone

Chandler, Williams, Hathorne are the shooting/long wings. Need a good big to pair with Malachi + Potter.
-Elite starting PG
-Good backup PG
-Elite Starting SG (To pair with wings)
-Elite starting stretch PF
-Good backup C

 

[May98]

Noah doesn’t have the confidence to play here. He was a gun slinger when he got looks last year, he won’t shoot this year. It’s too big for him, or he has gotten way too comfortable living the life of a UK in state ball player.

Forgot about him lol I would say keep him and Potter as the KY reserves, if they agree.

 

[May98]

I love the idea of Jasper, but the reality is he couldn't guard my grandmothers, and they have been dead for over a decade.

Jasper is the most difficult one. I could definitely see him as a microwave scorer, but he has so many weaknesses. I'd take him as a talented backup.

 

[UKortho]

Chandler and Noah need to be the cornerstones

I thought you might be trolling. It’s now confirmed.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

Chandler, Williams, Hathorne are the shooting/long wings. Need a good big to pair with Malachi + Potter.
-Elite starting PG
-Good backup PG
-Elite Starting SG (To pair with wings)
-Elite starting stretch PF
-Good backup C

More than likely, you don’t find Elite in the portal. If you are Elite you are ready drafted. If you want Elite you have to get a stud Freshman top 5 one and done. You can get good and really good in the portal but not Elite. Oweh for example, very good at some things but terrible at others.

 

[May98]

Put Jasper in the no column and you’re batting 1.000 in my book

Yea but I can still see him being an elite scorer at some point. Could become one of the better backup guards in the country if he is okay with a smaller role but I don't think he's down for it.

 

[May98]

More than likely, you don’t find Elite in the portal. If you are Elite you are ready drafted. If you want Elite you have to get a stud Freshman top 5 one and done. You can get good and really good in the portal but not Elite. Oweh for example, very good at some things but terrible at others.

Agreed but elite in terms of available players/NIL. Top 5 portal players/freshmen at their position.

 

[UKCowboys]

Malachi Moreno - Priority
Collin Chandler - Priority

Kam Williams - Keep
Braydon Hawthorne - Keep
Reece Potter - Keep (reserve)
Trent Noah - Keep (reserve)

Jasper Johnson - Maybe

Jaland Lowe - No
Mouhamed Dioubate - No
Andrija Jelavić - No
Brandon Garrison - No

Jayden Quaintance - Gone
Denzel Aberdeen - Gone
Otega Oweh - Gone

Why do you have Noah as keep and Mo as a no? Do you not want Lowe because you think he will still be hurt? Do you not think Jasper can improve? He is only a freshman.

 

[UKCowboys]

Chandler and Noah need to be the cornerstones

Chandler and Noah shouldn't be in the same sentence

 

[Bill_the_cat]

Jasper’s problems being a SG in a PG frame. He doesn’t have the strength to play SG. And doesn’t have the court vision to be a PG.

 

[UKCowboys]

Noah knows what it means to put on the jersey. He's a good player and a Ky kid. We need players like him

I have no problem bringing him back, but right now, he is nearly unplayable because he won't shoot the ball and that is the only thing he does well

 

[Tri-Countycat]

This program is obviously under a microscope with Pope, if you were a big time portal player, why would you come to play for Pope. He hasn’t proven he can develop or get players drafted. He isn’t any threat to win a championship or even a conference. His reputation is so unproven. I have no idea how he got Brea last year.

 

[May98]

Why do you have Noah as keep and Mo as a no? Do you not want Lowe because you think he will still be hurt? Do you not think Jasper can improve? He is only a fresh

Noah - if he wants to accept the role of end of bench, KY kid who never plays but can come in and knock down a shot or two. Then there really is no reason to kick him off the team if there are 15 roster spots, same goes for Potter.

Dioubate - Doesn't fit the system, would rather consolidate the stretch 4 position into 1 elite player on both sides of the ball (makes Pope's substitutions simpler also, think Caleb Wilson, Yaxel, Nate Ament, etc. if possible)

Lowe - Injury concerns, not worth the risk IMO and would rather build around a taller, longer, more physical, 3-pt shooting PG if available.

Jasper- has a lot of potential but don't see him wanting a small role again. If he is okay with being a backup then I'd take him.

 

[TTTblue24]

Mo is the only big that doesn’t get scared and hustles, I’d love to see him back.

 

[UKCowboys]

Noah - if he wants to accept the role of end of bench, KY kid who never plays but can come in and knock down a shot or two. Then there really is no reason to kick him off the team if there are 15 roster spots, same goes for Potter.

Dioubate - Doesn't fit the system, would rather consolidate the stretch 4 position into 1 elite player on both sides of the ball (makes Pope's substitutions simpler also, think Caleb Wilson, Yaxel, Nate Ament, etc. if possible)

Lowe - Injury concerns, not worth the risk IMO and would rather build around a taller, longer, more physical, 3-pt shooting PG if available.

Jasper- has a lot of potential but don't see him wanting a small role again. If he is okay with being a backup then I'd take him.

I think Chandler and MM are the clear cornerstones of the team. I would keep Kam as well. I actually like Lowe, but because of the injuries, he couldn't be the only PG we carry. Mo is a warrior on the boards, would be a nice sub piece. Jasper and Noah can come back with no PT guarantees.

 

[May98]

Mo is the only big that doesn’t get scared and hustles, I’d love to see him back.

Mo does a lot well on one side of the ball. I don't really believe that's a good strategy for winning though. Having players who do 1 thing really well and 1 thing really poorly. It also enables Pope's substitution chaos. Pope needs guys who he knows he can keep on the floor the whole game.

 

[AJG-15]

When coaches leave only few players stick with program.

 

[Crazy4Blue]

Put Jasper in the no column and you’re batting 1.000 in my book

Add Williams to that list as well. Major inconsistent. Chandler is the only one worth having back. I had hopes for Moreno but he plays soft and inconsistent but he is just a freshman, but so is Boozer, Dybantsa, Wilson...

 

[WhatTypeOfBlood]

Add Williams to that list as well. Major inconsistent. Chandler is the only one worth having back. I had hopes for Moreno but he plays soft and inconsistent but he is just a freshman, but so is Boozer, Dybantsa, Wilson...

Those guys are all star material. Moreno could be 6th man of the year type of guy. Moreno is a good peice. But can’t be the star if we want a chip.

 

[SkyPrince]

A lot will depend on the strength of the portal class as a whole
There will be a ton of players but you have to sign some difference makers.
Seems like there were more misses than.hits in last years portal class with few(Yaxel, Wilkerson, Hall, Swain) real difference makers.
'25-'26 definitely the year of the freshman.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Noah - if he wants to accept the role of end of bench, KY kid who never plays but can come in and knock down a shot or two. Then there really is no reason to kick him off the team if there are 15 roster spots, same goes for Potter.

Dioubate - Doesn't fit the system, would rather consolidate the stretch 4 position into 1 elite player on both sides of the ball (makes Pope's substitutions simpler also, think Caleb Wilson, Yaxel, Nate Ament, etc. if possible)

Lowe - Injury concerns, not worth the risk IMO and would rather build around a taller, longer, more physical, 3-pt shooting PG if available.

Jasper- has a lot of potential but don't see him wanting a small role again. If he is okay with being a backup then I'd take him.

We can't sign those elite players. Even with all King Solomons fortune.

 

[TFCat11]

Meh, Moreno will not be a championship caliber 5 next season most likely, and honestly Chandler, Johnson, and Williams are UK level 6th/ 7th men…

No one else has any business being on the sidelines sans a practice player, and not a single high level portal transfer will choose Pope’s broken system over the likes of May, Golden, Hurley et al!

Making an early prediction… 15 losses year 3

 

[Artlaibesghost]

I think Chandler returns if we pay him enough. Alot of programs will pay for a guy who shoots like that. If Moreno talks about going pro someone should show him a replay of him being over powered in UGA game. I would take Mo back at reduced pay but I doubt he would accept that. If he wouldn't their will be better guys available in portal for what we are paying him now. I would also have JJ back but tell him he needs to spend every free moment in off-season in weight room. Bring back Williams and Noah as long as they understand they are role players. I bring back Lowe as long as he understands I am bringing in the absolute best point guard I can find to compete with him for the job. Potter and Hawthorne I have never seen play at UK so who knows. Need to replace Garrison and Jelavic. If we keep all those guys we have at least 5 open scollys. We need a center, a power forward a point guard a
wing and a SG. The problem as I see it is Chandler and maybe a healthy Lowe are the only top 15 type players on the team. Moreno might be if he hits the weight room and gets ALOT stronger. That means of the 5 guys we bring in 3 or 4 of them have to be really good, starter quality kind of players. Not sure Pope can pull that off. He whiffed badly on this years roster another whiff and he is toast at UK

 

[WhatTypeOfBlood]

I think Chandler returns if we pay him enough. Alot of programs will pay for a guy who shoots like that. If Moreno talks about going pro someone should show him a replay of him being over powered in UGA game. I would take Mo back at reduced pay but I doubt he would accept that. If he wouldn't their will be better guys available in portal for what we are paying him now. I would also have JJ back but tell him he needs to spend every free moment in off-season in weight room. Bring back Williams and Noah as long as they understand they are role players. I bring back Lowe as long as he understands I am bringing in the absolute best point guard I can find to compete with him for the job. Potter and Hawthorne I have never seen play at UK so who knows. Need to replace Garrison and Jelavic. If we keep all those guys we have at least 5 open scollys. We need a center, a power forward a point guard a
wing and a SG. The problem as I see it is Chandler and maybe a healthy Lowe are the only top 15 type players on the team. Moreno might be if he hits the weight room and gets ALOT stronger. That means of the 5 guys we bring in 3 or 4 of them have to be really good, starter quality kind of players. Not sure Pope can pull that off. He whiffed badly on this years roster another whiff and he is toast at UK

He had a pretty good portal haul year one. But there’s no 5th year seniors anymore.

 

[megablue]

even if we kept everyone on that list down to Lowe, we would still need like 3 guys better than all those players to be a top 15 team

10000000%!^^^^