I’ll take a Stud from the portal doesn’t have to be a 17 yo freshman.
Stokes- Rainer Beach in Washington
- Thread starter gonefishin
- Start date
Based on what? You listed three teams. Do you want to go back through all 41 teams again? We always get stuck doing the same thing expecting different results and it’s a shame. Talent absolutely matters but it isn’t the main thing and it hasn’t been in a really, really long time. If it were, why have zero teams won a title since 1985 without returning at least two starters? Plenty of super talented teams…heck we had plenty of super talented teams… but they don’t cut down the nets without continuity. Let me go further… only two teams in the last 40 champs had two returning starters. 2012 UK and 2015 Duke. Every other champion had at least 3 returnees in the starting lineup. Some of those teams were Uber talented. Plenty of them were chock full of 3 stars, 2 stars, 4 stars, etc. You gotta be great on both sides of the ball, have continuity and talent absolutely helps. Talent is not a cure-all
We have a defensive stud. He hasn’t checked into a game just yet but I agree
I just want solid players that can block out, make shots, and protect the ball.
The thing is it’s not us fans……Pope is the one recruiting these kids we are talking about. It’s not about if I want him or not. If he keeps recruiting guys and striking out then it’s simple…… he can’t recruit. This is NIL era. You either can or can’t.
I can see now if Pope starts being real average and sweet sixteen is his ceiling there will be fans fighting to give him time.
This is NIL era. No you can’t just buy a championship but you can buy some players that give you a much better chance to do so. I’m gonna let the season play out before I get on Popes case anymore. He has this year in my book. You don’t need 3-5 years in NIL era.
I can see now if Pope starts being real average and sweet sixteen is his ceiling there will be fans fighting to give him time.
This is NIL era. No you can’t just buy a championship but you can buy some players that give you a much better chance to do so. I’m gonna let the season play out before I get on Popes case anymore. He has this year in my book. You don’t need 3-5 years in NIL era.
Seriously? These guys cost a to be average. I still think this team has a chance to be very good. I admit that I am a little confused by some of Popes statements though.Yep gonna lose a recruiting battle to Oregonwhile duke unc continues to get studs will continue to get average college players
You better tell pope. He sure seems to disagree with you.
man I sometimes wonder why we pay our coaches so much. These dudes on rafters got it figured out and you can buy them for a ham sandwich.
Brother, you know that neither of our opinions mean
lol.we don’t know what Pope thinks about Stokes at this point…neither of us
Did you watch the UL game? We got beat by a stud. Did you watch us play last season? Sweet 16 was nice but it could have been better……but we needed a stud. We don’t need 5 burger boys like we used to. But it sure does help to have a stud who can go get a bucket when you need one.
I thought I was a bit of contrarian. But you have me beat
What do you mean by “beat by a stud”? 88 points wasn’t enough? We needed 89 and could only reach that with a “stud”?
Exactly. Was our d great? No. But if the D was the only issue then one of their other dudes would have went to 20. But they didn’t….because they couldn’t. They weren’t studly enough to do it even against our defense
Me too. But we havnt been landing those either. So at this point just give me a stud. Any stud. Any stud will do.
Take their stud off the team and our 88 points gives us a win while playing the same defense we played.
You’re being obtuse. It mattered.
Exactly. Wanting one star player isn’t close to saying start five freshman and have 5 back them up. Give me four senior transfers and a stud freshman. Not just by rankings… it’s not hard to judge who is a project and who will come in swinging. Get the physically ready stud from high school and run em with some experienced role players.
imagine Aberdeen doing what he did the other night and not being our best player.
And I’m gonna stop saying STUD. I’m laughing every time I say or read it. Gotta get a new word.
Correct. But only one of us is willing to give coach the benefit of the doubt. Actually I’d say popes actions speak volumes. He wants stokes and we probably should tooBrother, you know that neither of our opinions mean
we don’t know what Pope thinks about Stokes at this point…neither of us
So you have the correct opinion and the other ones are less valid? lol. Gimme a break.
We've got a lot of things to clean up.
Also, we probably both owe Mark Stoops money now.
Yikes. Losing a recruit to Oregon after seemingly having the momentum would be embarrassing
Me? No. I’ve never met the kid. I’ve actually never seen him play. But pope has met him, his family, his coaches. He’s spent time and money making him our top priority in the 2026 class. So if he wants him as his actions suggest, then I believe him and now I also want the kid. He he isn’t worried about the fit then I shouldn’t be worried. It’s his job to know. If he chooses to back off then I trust that too.
But how arrogant does one have to be to think they know more about the roster needs than the millionaire head coach?
There are no invalid opinions. Our opinions are our own. But it is of my opinion that your opinion is peculiar.
That’s fair.
Im making no character assessments of someone I don’t know.
All I said is we don’t need Stokes.
Who else said that? Why, Mark Pope himself said that before the BBM in the presser lol. So don’t shoot the messenger. Pope himself said we don’t need the #1 player.
I don’t remember that quote. I don’t doubt he said it. But it’s pretty clear he was talking to you and you listened. It will go a long way in softening the blow if we miss stokes. So pope may have gotten out front of this one.
But he’s sure singing a different song to stokes and his family. Because he’s telling them that we absolutely need the #1 player. I personally will examine his actions and ignore the coach speak
Hold on. So you just gaslighted me by saying I don’t really know what Pope is thinking? Then, I tell you exactly where you can find a quote of him saying that exact thing? Then, you reply saying that you’re sure that’s not what he’s really thinking? lol
So I’m sure that golden advice you had for me doesn’t apply to you in this scenario?
That’s correct. I believe Coach pope (and any other coach) will stand in front of a microphone and tell us the fans and media one thing……then go tell a recruit something different. 100 percent yes sir.
My suggestion: if you believe that coaches will say one thing and believe another (which I agree with)…maybe you shouldn’t tell other fans they don’t know what the coach thinks, when you yourself make prescriptions about what the coach thinks. Also, when people have an opinion that’s different than yours, perhaps it would be helpful if you knew that both of those opinions are subjective. Anywho, fun talk.
But see I DO believe I know what pope thinks and he doesn’t have to say a word. It’s his actions, like I said before. He has recruited the hell out of stokes and still is as it seems. Spent time and money making him the priority. That tells me all I need to know about where his heads at.
Actions speak louder than words yeah?
I’m still confused about the plan at the 3/4 spot for next year. We “project” to have a lot of guys back at those spots…but of course that’s where Pope is going first in recruiting. Make it make sense!
Noah
Williams
Hawthorne
Mo
Jelavic
Obviously no star there but everyone should be expecting minutes. Add Collins and/or Stokes who both also are strictly 3/4 types and it’s real crowded real fast.
An addition of Collins in particular screams same problems as 2025 in 2026. Lack of shooting, too many good players not enough great, how does Pope manage lineups/playing time, etc.
Stokes’ talent is at least to a level that he doesn’t just get lost in the cluster of names above.
Noah
Williams
Hawthorne
Mo
Jelavic
Obviously no star there but everyone should be expecting minutes. Add Collins and/or Stokes who both also are strictly 3/4 types and it’s real crowded real fast.
An addition of Collins in particular screams same problems as 2025 in 2026. Lack of shooting, too many good players not enough great, how does Pope manage lineups/playing time, etc.
Stokes’ talent is at least to a level that he doesn’t just get lost in the cluster of names above.
If the season goes well, this will not be problem, we just keep the lineup of 3/4 to ensure continuity.
If this season tanks, I believe we should update the roster and make multiple guys out (especially the "veterans"), prob except likes of Chandler, JJ, Moreno, all others transfer... And this will also not be problem anymore because we have a lot of spots to fill
I believe Collins will sign with us unless last minute changes, Collins already has more talent than anyone on current roster.
Lmao "character fit" this ain't the Finance Department at your 9 to 5 bro... it's basketball.