If I'm Pope, I take no chances, especially after this year. Get the best guys you can get at the guard positions especially.
Also, let's just face it, this program has devastating injuries seemingly every year, it's time to prepare for it.
Roster next year
- Thread starter JonathanW2
- Start date
Also, let's just face it, this program has devastating injuries seemingly every year, it's time to prepare for it.
I’ll never forget going to the Oxford Inn for the UK / Ole Miss game with my uncles group and walking by the courtyard and Gillispies door was wide open. Nothing but liquor bottles everywhere and I don’t mean 2 or 3. For the first time the players seemed like they were headed to funerals. Believe it was Liggins who told some female kids he’s not allowed to speak to them. Glenn Cyprian told us when we asked that Gillispie does not allow them to speak at all on game days.
Made a post here about it, and was called everything in the book. There’s been a problem here of backing coaches through any and everything for a long time. Probably will be worse this time since he played here.
Simple solution: scoreboard. It’s there or it isn’t.
Yes I actually want him to be the starting pg. I think he presents a unique opportunity to bring in another decent pg as well, if he’s willing to acknowledge he has injury risk. Also, I’m fully understanding of why fans don’t want him back. I think they are wrong, but I think it makes perfect sense to be done with him. Your post that said fans have about a 15-20% support for him doesnt shock me at all. A lot of those same fans are probably the same ones saying JQ is “overrated” and won’t be drafted in the first round. We struggle with compartmentalizing when things are bad.
Moreno and Chandler I would put as likely back. Noah next. Lowe, Kam, Mo, no idea.
The rest are gone. Including JJ.
The rest are gone. Including JJ.
I don’t believe there’s any chance JQ does not go into the draft. If he returns to college, I pray we are not stupid enough to pay what his price tag would be.
You know our fans get mocked a lot, but being here for over 20 years, I can easily say when this board is 80% on something they usually turn out right. I could seriously list tons of examples. The Bennie’s know.
I would say the majority would easily accept JQ could be round 1. He’s got the game and the mold, and the OAD rep since high school. Overrated is subjective, I could see the argument. Not sure I’d go along, depends on health and progress.
I would love Lowe back, as a backup. But I’ve already said he’s probably too good for a backup just not good enough for the Lead PG at a blue blood that’s coach is final four or bust. I think Saul is on the money here. Don’t see anything in his past that tells me that’s the road we need to go down - more so now than ever given the injury.
From what I’ve seen, the guys that sort of want Lowe are many of the guys that think it’s what Mark can pull off so they’re going to pump it. Again not all. Most of the more UK centered “super serious about winning”posters here from what I’ve seen are a no. I wouldn’t put you in that group, but I do think you’ll be disappointed if he comes out as our starting guard. And by UK centered I mean program before coaches because over the last 20’years here you just know. But not all.
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Yes. He can improve his offense. His defense is something that you can’t teach.
I'm not sure either. Ha. I've had 1 or 2 heated conversation's. But I'm cool.
Go Cats
Almost none of these guts will return.
Only reason Moreno might is because he’s a Ky guy. But I don’t know how strong that connection is.
Noah will be just because of that.
JJ is not only a Ky guy but he’s a legacy. Still, most I talk to say he’s already gone. Only argument is it UNC or UL.
My prediction is that we only have Noah among players getting minutes return. I could be wrong on Moreno and he returns.
Tow will stay if he can. Potter probably too.
The other walk ons if they can will stay.
Almost the whole team will have to be built from the portal.
Someone mentioned JQ. I saw today he’s still projected as the number 9 pick. He’s not returning. And even if by some miracle he did he’s not doing it here.
This is all predicated on Pope being the coach next year.
Only reason Moreno might is because he’s a Ky guy. But I don’t know how strong that connection is.
Noah will be just because of that.
JJ is not only a Ky guy but he’s a legacy. Still, most I talk to say he’s already gone. Only argument is it UNC or UL.
My prediction is that we only have Noah among players getting minutes return. I could be wrong on Moreno and he returns.
Tow will stay if he can. Potter probably too.
The other walk ons if they can will stay.
Almost the whole team will have to be built from the portal.
Someone mentioned JQ. I saw today he’s still projected as the number 9 pick. He’s not returning. And even if by some miracle he did he’s not doing it here.
This is all predicated on Pope being the coach next year.
Wheeler’s last year he had an eFG% of 46%. Lowe- in limited games is 39%.
Wheeler better assists but worse in turnovers. I don’t think Lowe should be our starter next year- BUT Pope will not recruit over him.
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We need a physical built PG more in the shape of butler who can play solid D and penetrate ,Lowe isn't cutout for SEC basketball in my opinion.
Johnson has only himsrlf to blame for his lack of playing time. If he doesn't understand that, then it's best he leaves.
No coach is going to let him just plat losing streetball, so he can improve at UK, or at a lesser program, it's his choice.
Youre a loser dude. I can't believe they let you post here. One of the most obvious trolls
I agree we need a PG/2G or and a wing who can beat his man consistently off the dribble . Ive been asking who that player is on both of Popes teams ,and it seams like he doesn't think he needs one of those guys and its essential when trying to get a team that can possibly win a chip! Late when the shot clock goes down to 3sec you gotta have a guy or two to break his man down off the dribble .
problem for uk will be for guys that will come back, they probably expect to be starters. i think C with moreno and SF with williams that is fine. but i dont know how good you could be with lowe and chander as your starting PG/SG and the likelihood of getting just ok backups if they stay.
we would largely have the team we have now. no go to guy. no one that can beat their man off the bounce. not a real physical team. no lights out shooter. you would need a starting PF and back up PG/SG/C. and probably another tweener that can play SF/PF.
we would largely have the team we have now. no go to guy. no one that can beat their man off the bounce. not a real physical team. no lights out shooter. you would need a starting PF and back up PG/SG/C. and probably another tweener that can play SF/PF.
Yeah, I'm so tired of seeing teams with nobody that can take their man off the bounce.
However, Pope has done well there. Butler, Robinson, Oweh, Brea, Lowe, Johnson and Chandler, can/could get to the rack.
But we need a pg that can take a beating and Lowe ain't that.
One guy I'm thrilled with though, is Kam. He's a guy that can take 3's and 4's off the bounce and we've seen Jelevic do it too. It would be nice to get those 2 back next year.
This is truth. Unless we get some top tier stud it’ll wash rinse and repeat. Pope isn’t getting the elusive stud unless he stops meddling in the NIL and pays out for someone.
I’d rather have a pass first, defensive stopper point guard. Let Lowe walk. I hope Jasper stays but boy does he have some growing up to do. Garrison can walk. Only guys I really want back are
Chandler
Moreno
Williams
Jasper
Mo
Jelavic
Noah
Hawthorne
Potter
Portal starting PG
Freshman PG
Freshman 4/5
Portal or freshman 2/3
Chandler
Moreno
Williams
Jasper
Mo
Jelavic
Noah
Hawthorne
Potter
Portal starting PG
Freshman PG
Freshman 4/5
Portal or freshman 2/3
Good ad hominen.
Yeah, I guess I'm just this message board's greatest double agent. Been posting since 2002. Had this account since 2007. More than 44,000 posts. Meanwhile, you showed up yesterday and you figured it all out, eh?
Learn how to form an argument. You stink at this.
I would be looking at some of the best NAIA and DII players out there. Given what is available in the high school rankings, the obvious dissatisfaction from current players, the lack of NIL that can be distributed out like last year for the portal, and Mark Pope and Co's lack of recruiting ability, NAIA and DII might be all that is available.
Doesn't change the facts. You just called a kid who is a very good player for the Cats who showed a ton of heart trying to play through injuries a loser. If you aren't a troll you are darn sure a jack***
So what's the definition of a winner? A kid who has never made the NCAA tournament? A kid who led his basketball team to a 17 - 15 record last season, and who was 8 - 12 in the ACC?
Dude was 39-26 in 2 years at Pittsburgh.
But you don't seem to have an issue with records like that since you've been one of Pope's biggest cheerleaders with all the 67% winning percentages that he's fallen in love with.
I dont know how you turn down a healthy JQ. He might not be a scorer, but Pope’s offense doesn’t really need a scorer at the 5. If he can work on his passing and be 75% what Amari was last year in that regard he’d be a really great guy to have if he wanted to return.
That said I’m guessing he’s gone.
Why have we seemingly forgotten guys can improve drastically from year to year. He might be easily replaceable now, but a year from now he could be a completely different player who loves Kentucky because it’s Kentucky, which is not easily replaceable.
I’ve been hearing for 15 years how we want players to stick around and play for the name on the front of the jersey, but now as soon as a guy isn’t a stud out of the gate it’s fine if he leaves?
JQ had surgery in march of last year. hasnt been a full year yet, he missed a full summer and season of individual development work and working in the system. not surprised he looked a bit "blah" in the moments he played. i would for sure take him back.
Don’t listen to a word that guy said. He’s been implicated in the murder of 19 people at a music festival and performs acupuncture with unsterilized needles giving people awful infections.
We're losing Oweh and Aberdeen, I assume we're losing Quaintance, and I'd let Dioubate and Garrison go. Garrison isn't worth the money and Dioubate isn't a good fit for Pope's system. Take the money from those 5 guys and go get the best scorer/shooter at the 2 you can get and go get the best stretch 4 you can get. Those need to be the best players on our team next year and the go to guys on offense. Next priority is a 2nd point guard (I'm keeping Lowe, instead of trying for THREE home runs in the portal) and then whatever's left gets us a backup center. Lowe as a facilitator with 2 stud transfers, Kam Williams, and Moreno starting can be pretty damn good. Chandler, Jasper if he'll return, Noah, Jelavic, Hawthorne, and the couple other transfers give us depth. Potter is there as an emergency depth piece.
Yes I saw the whole 96-99. JM was a beast. He resembles Magloire physically and has a nice sized mean streak like Magloire.
I thought that's what Garrison was gonna be. Too bad it hasn't happened yet.
Agree. I've seen enough of Garrison. I like the attitude and the fire and whatnot but he is what he is at this point. I don't think basketball is a big priority for him, especially with a baby at home and it's hard to imagine him getting much better. Let him walk for a starting gig somewhere else. Moreno is the guy next year. Maybe Potter can give 5-10 minutes a game after a year of development and be a shot-blocker off the bench. Find a diamond in the rough for cheap that can play backup PF/C then spend the money where it's really needed.
Dioubate and Johnson are the interesting ones. I think Mo's another guy who's reached his ceiling and we'd be better suited with a stretch 4 or an athletic 4 that can finish. Perhaps another team will dangle a large check with a promise of letting him develop as a 3 but I doubt it. He's an effective garbage man that needs a perfect roster built around him to maximize his abilities, imo.
I would imagine Johnson and his camp are going to be looking for guaranteed minutes and a big payday. Do we view him as the sure-fire starter at the 2 next year? Doubt it. Do we trust Pope can reel in a big fish to take over the 2? Ehhh.
The allure of returning home to finish his career will be tough for Chandler to turn down in the offseason. And BYU will be flushed with cash, especially with Dybantsa and Saunders off the payroll. Hope Pope can hold onto him.
We need a top ten player no excuses Duke has three already and Carolina is getting one this Tubby Smith recruiting is not gonna cut it!
His Dad is on record stating they expect to be "the" pg on a college roster.
Unfortunately, if he is Pope's preference then we need a viable backup that challenges to start.
Not sure how it shakes out, but if I were in Pope's shoes I'd refuse to be limited at the PG spot.
Two seasons with essentially 3 devastating injuries at that position alone. Gotta have a dynamo lead guard.