The latest intel on No. 1 overall recruit Tyran Stokes

[kyjeff1]

We are giving Pope credit. A 6th place SEC and S16 usually gets you an F at UK. WE're giving him a B because of the big wins and considering the hand he was dealt. Probably giving him more credit than he deserves, TBH, as it looks more and more like the comebacks and hot streaks in 2024 were more from Brea + Jax getting hot and being elite shooters and not from anything Pope did.

Who's "we"? You have a mouse in your pocket? The guy I'm debating with is not giving him a B. He's saying last year was a failure.

Sh*t, I give Pope a B too. He lost games he shouldn’t have, but he won games he shouldn’t have too. A B is fair.

This year, he gets a Z, if that's even a thing.

 

[BigBluefoot]

JMI requiring the players to sign over the rights to their outside NIL. Meaning a player can't go out an get other NIL opportunities outside of JMI collective and JMI gets ownership of that player's NIL once the player is paid. Seems to be a HUGE roadblock as no other team in the country is requiring that.

Good lord. How is Barnhart still employed?

 

[Anony Moose]

Again, UK had the much tougher schedule and Pope started with nothing.

Cal brought several players from UK, highly rated players and he also brought most of his highly rated recruiting class and Pope had, by far, the better season.

Go back through your posts, you're trying to tell us Arkansas, with 14 losses, did better than Pope did.

I get it, you don't like Pope as UK's coach, but you are weak minded if you can't even give him credit for what he did last year. It also tells me you have no clue hiw hard it is to do what he did.

UK had a harder schedule? How much harder?

Started from Nothing? How so? Was he not allowed to bring his own players, keep recruits or flip recruits?

Did Cal and BYUs coach not have to build their rosters, too?

By far the better season? How so?

I'm telling you they did exactly the same. Where did they both finish the season? What about BYU?

He had exactly the same outcome that BYU and Arkansas had. If I have to give Pope credit, then you have to give the other 2 the same credit. Which means it wasn't that special.

How hard it is to do what coaches all around the country are doing now yearly? OMG... how special!!

 

[Anony Moose]

Arkansas was a mess when Boogie was playing. He got hurt, they immediately started improving. He was/is a streetballer, which is why Florida is struggling right now.

But it's funny how you find the silver lining for Arkansas, but everything Pope did last year was garbage in your world.

Arkansas was a mess. However, if they immediately started getting better, how did they lose that game and their next 2, plus, like, 6 more without him. Pretty sure they lost more without him than they did with him.

So you're saying UF isn't as good as last year all because of Boogie Fland?

What silver lining for Arky. They weren't good either.

Why make **** up, bud?

 

[AllBall]

Pick any "loaded" roster you want in the country. Any. Who do you want? Purdue, Duke, Houston? Let me subtract 3 starters including their best player who is a top 5 draft candidate and their PG. Then telll me how they look dude

The staff knew JQ wasn't going to be an option until mid season likely, so how does that argument stand?

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

not currently, to my knowledge

Ouch, Pope has to go, I mean that is pathetic when that many top 150 guys are already committed.

 

[One2Three]

UK had a harder schedule? How much harder?

Started from Nothing? How so? Was he not allowed to bring his own players, keep recruits or flip recruits?

Did Cal and BYUs coach not have to build their rosters, too?

By far the better season? How so?

I'm telling you they did exactly the same. Where did they both finish the season? What about BYU?

He had exactly the same outcome that BYU and Arkansas had. If I have to give Pope credit, then you have to give the other 2 the same credit. Which means it wasn't that special.

How hard it is to do what coaches all around the country are doing now yearly? OMG... how special!!

Fans are coping. They just can’t see that while Kentucky is unranked and struggling, other teams with coaches brought in the same year as Pope are ranked and doing quite well: Michigan, BYU, Louisville, even Arkansas.

How long are they going to refuse to accept that we were pretty much given the short end of the stick and we’re probably going to be in the same BS looking for a new coach while these other teams succeed.

It’s not shocking. Leaving it to Mitch Barnhart to find a new coach was always going to end in disaster and now we might being looking at the worst case scenario: another losing season.

Possibly having 2 losing seasons in 5 years when before that we had like 2 in 100 years. Just insanity.

 

[UKCowboys]

The staff knew JQ wasn't going to be an option until mid season likely, so how does that argument stand?

The same way. Two other starters. Plus, considering MP knew JQ would be out till Jan, why not wait till the end of the season to see if youre making a fool out of yourself by calling for his head

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

The staff knew JQ wasn't going to be an option until mid season likely, so how does that argument stand?

Even worse, we paid undoubtedly huge nil to someone we knew would play at best half a season. We also knew he might not play at all.

We're one set back or dispute from just lighting money on fire.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

Good lord. How is Barnhart still employed?

Dont worry, we will be out of this atrocious deal in FIFTEEN YEARS.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Fans are coping. They just can’t see that while Kentucky is unranked and struggling, other teams with coaches brought in the same year as Pope are ranked and doing quite well: Michigan, BYU, Louisville, even Arkansas.

How long are they going to refuse to accept that we were pretty much given the short end of the stick and we’re probably going to be in the same BS looking for a new coach while these other teams succeed.

It’s not shocking. Leaving it to Mitch Barnhart to find a new coach was always going to end in disaster and now we might being looking at the worst case scenario: another losing season.

Possibly having 2 losing seasons in 5 years when before that we had like 2 in 100 years. Just insanity.

Unbelievable, Mitch should have been fired ages ago.

 

[Anony Moose]

Fans are coping. They just can’t see that while Kentucky is unranked and struggling, other teams with coaches brought in the same year as Pope are ranked and doing quite well: Michigan, BYU, Louisville, even Arkansas.

How long are they going to refuse to accept that we were pretty much given the short end of the stick and we’re probably going to be in the same BS looking for a new coach while these other teams succeed.

It’s not shocking. Leaving it to Mitch Barnhart to find a new coach was always going to end in disaster and now we might being looking at the worst case scenario: another losing season.

Possibly having 2 losing seasons in 5 years when before that we had like 2 in 100 years. Just insanity.

They'll just whine, "but we were going to the F4 of healthy!" We weren't, but they feel the need to rewrite history to protect their dear Coach Pope.

 

[mdluk1]

Even worse, we paid undoubtedly huge nil to someone we knew would play at best half a season. We also knew he might not play at all.

We're one set back or dispute from just lighting money on fire.

Yeah, that’s really hard to understand. Unless he took minimal nil? Doubt he did that.

 

[Joe Tipton]

does the fact that we might not have anyone in the 26' class signal anything about popes future

well you would like to think there will be some adjustments made moving forward

 

[Joe Tipton]

Joe, do you think we are basically tanked for the next 15 years if everything stays exactly the way it is now with JMI and their contract? Even assuming we change coaches. This is what it sounds like to me.

I think the vast majority of 5-star level recruits are not going to agree to the way the contracts are currently constructed with JMI.

but 4-star guys, guys ranked like 60th or whatever, have much less marketability so I could see them agreeing to it

 

[Joe Tipton]

So where does UK go from here and do you see it getting any better?

you focus on this year's team, winning more games, and improving. thats priority No.1

I wonder if JMI will be forced to be more flexible in their contracts due to the impact they're having on recruiting

 

[Joe Tipton]

Yes or no...Will UK get one of Collins and Stokes

a lot can change between now and when they might commit to a school, but at this particular moment in time -- no

 

[kyjeff1]

UK had a harder schedule? How much harder?

Started from Nothing? How so? Was he not allowed to bring his own players, keep recruits or flip recruits?

Did Cal and BYUs coach not have to build their rosters, too?

By far the better season? How so?

I'm telling you they did exactly the same. Where did they both finish the season? What about BYU?

He had exactly the same outcome that BYU and Arkansas had. If I have to give Pope credit, then you have to give the other 2 the same credit. Which means it wasn't that special.

How hard it is to do what coaches all around the country are doing now yearly? OMG... how special!!

Well, I'm not going to change your mind and you're not going to convince me that Pope did a poor job last year.

Like I said in a previous post, he gets a B for last year. He did some incredible things and laid some eggs. I believe you disagree with that and that's fine, but we're just going in circles right now.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

This guy just popped up a day or so ago to start crap.

 

[kyjeff1]

Arkansas was a mess. However, if they immediately started getting better, how did they lose that game and their next 2, plus, like, 6 more without him. Pretty sure they lost more without him than they did with him.

So you're saying UF isn't as good as last year all because of Boogie Fland?

What silver lining for Arky. They weren't good either.

Why make **** up, bud?

Where did I say anything about Florida not being as good as last year? I said they're struggling this year. They have a top 3 front court, but they're backcourt is mid. I never compared them to last years team.

Arkansas was a better TEAM without Fland last year. They don't make it to the NCAAT if he was running the pg spot. Now, that's not a fact, it can’t be, but Arkansas was better without him. That doesn't mean they can’t lose games.

 

[Uncle B.S.]

I think the vast majority of 5-star level recruits are not going to agree to the way the contracts are currently constructed with JMI.

but 4-star guys, guys ranked like 60th or whatever, have much less marketability so I could see them agreeing to it

So we probably wouldn’t have even gotten JJ or Moreno under the terms of the new JMI deal?

 

[kyjeff1]

Fans are coping. They just can’t see that while Kentucky is unranked and struggling, other teams with coaches brought in the same year as Pope are ranked and doing quite well: Michigan, BYU, Louisville, even Arkansas.

How long are they going to refuse to accept that we were pretty much given the short end of the stick and we’re probably going to be in the same BS looking for a new coach while these other teams succeed.

It’s not shocking. Leaving it to Mitch Barnhart to find a new coach was always going to end in disaster and now we might being looking at the worst case scenario: another losing season.

Possibly having 2 losing seasons in 5 years when before that we had like 2 in 100 years. Just insanity.

The conversation you responded to, is about last year. UK had a better season than all the teams you listed in your first paragraph. Louisville got smoked by Creighton in the first round of the tournament after playing a cream puff schedule all year. Michigan and BYU were okay, not any better than UK and Arkansas was an 11 seed for a reason.

As far as this year, we all agree, this is awful and all 4 of those programs are surging, we suck. If Pope doesn’t turn this around and fix the recruiting situation, we're going to have to eat one of our own and I hate that.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Yeah, that’s really hard to understand. Unless he took minimal nil? Doubt he did that.

I would have to imagine JQ didn’t want to come here either. Pope was desperate and probably the only coach in America that was like sure we will give you millions to come recover from injury.

If he starts playing in the next game or two I will say maybe it was worth it. If he don’t play or plays a couple games I hope I never see anybody speak on Cal and Sharpe again. I get it’s not the same situation.

 

[kyjeff1]

Even worse, we paid undoubtedly huge nil to someone we knew would play at best half a season. We also knew he might not play at all.

We're one set back or dispute from just lighting money on fire.

Do we know how much JQ was paid? I know it was negotiated and I know he's a big UK guy, so I don't believe it took all that much to get him to Lexington.
Also, if he gets on the court, say, next week, that's not the halfway point, most of the season is still ahead of us.
The other thing is, this team is just not performing to their capabilities, if they did, we wouldn't have 4 losses. We were all very happy with the roster before the season started, we all thought this was a FF capable team and quite honestly, they should be, but they aren't meshing well at all.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

I think the vast majority of 5-star level recruits are not going to agree to the way the contracts are currently constructed with JMI.

but 4-star guys, guys ranked like 60th or whatever, have much less marketability so I could see them agreeing to it

That really explains why most of Popes commitments in two years have been bench players. Not a single star.

 

[Farsight Clone]

I would estimate that 70% of this board is not behind Pope right now.

I would say that if Pope turns the season around and we make the tourney, that 70% becomes 50%.

If we go to an elite 8 or final four this year "somehow" then that 50% will become 20%.

If we land Stokes and/or Collins that 20% is quelled but still wants to see improvements in year 3. Also probably 5-10% still wouldn't back Pope

Essentially, Pope can regain equity with the fan based if he turns the season around and lands Stokes/Collins.

If he turns the season around but does not land Stokes and Collins, that 70% will turn to 50% with the caveat of, he's still on thin ice and if there is still consistent issues from year 1 and 2, BBN will want him gone no matter what. I think this will be the same estimated % wise if we do not turn the season around and we do land Stokes and Collins.

I know for a fact that estimated 70% of this board would want Pope gone after year 2 if he does not turn this season around and does not Land Stokes and/or Collins.

From all of the information out this past week, recruiting seems split between Pope can't close, doesn't know how to recruit in this current landscape and tunnel visioned thinking this is still 96 Kentucky. In addition, the other side of that 50% is JMI with their trash contracts and control with lack of transparency.

If you were a 5 star recruit or top 10 in the portal, why would you come to KY if JMI owns your NIL after you get paid? That's like saying, I wrote a successful book series and instead of licensing out my book series for a tv show, I allow the tv show to own my book rights and they can do whatever they want to that IP.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

I would estimate that 70% of this board is not behind Pope right now.

I would say that if Pope turns the season around and we make the tourney, that 70% becomes 50%.

If we go to an elite 8 or final four this year "somehow" then that 50% will become 20%.

If we land Stokes and/or Collins that 20% is quelled but still wants to see improvements in year 3. Also probably 5-10% still wouldn't back Pope

Essentially, Pope can regain equity with the fan based if he turns the season around and lands Stokes/Collins.

If he turns the season around but does not land Stokes and Collins, that 70% will turn to 50% with the caveat of, he's still on thin ice and if there is still consistent issues from year 1 and 2, BBN will want him gone no matter what. I think this will be the same estimated % wise if we do not turn the season around and we do land Stokes and Collins.

I know for a fact that estimated 70% of this board would want Pope gone after year 2 if he does not turn this season around and does not Land Stokes and/or Collins.

From all of the information out this past week, recruiting seems split between Pope can't close, doesn't know how to recruit in this current landscape and tunnel visioned thinking this is still 96 Kentucky. In addition, the other side of that 50% is JMI with their trash contracts and control with lack of transparency.

If you were a 5 star recruit or top 10 in the portal, why would you come to KY if JMI owns your NIL after you get paid? That's like saying, I wrote a successful book series and instead of licensing out my book series for a tv show, I allow the tv show to own my book rights and they can do whatever they want to that IP.

If we are just getting one then you take Stokes. Collins alone won’t calm many fans but I agree with basically everything you said.

 

[Joe Tipton]

So we probably wouldn’t have even gotten JJ or Moreno under the terms of the new JMI deal?

if they were cool with signing their rights over then it wouldn't have been a problem. its a player, family, and agent decision really

 

[Joe Tipton]

That really explains why most of Popes commitments in two years have been bench players. Not a single star.

this JMI deal didnt go into place until this past August I believe

 

[TFCat11]

If UK loses Stokes to Vanderbilt of all places... wooo boy. Even if Pope had zero fault in failing to land him, that one might break him entirely forever.

Vandy replaced UK “unofficially” as the 2nd Nike school because Pope thinks it’s still the mid 90’s… Doesn’t matter because once KU (Adidas) work out the particulars with Stokes (Nike), he will be headed there with Kinney.

Everyone remembers Kinney, don’t they? Mr. Emotional couldn’t even close him for Pete’s sake! Major red flags have been raised for some time now.

 

[TFCat11]

I don’t want guys with character issues. Why would any fan want that?

You are being funny, right?

 

[Farsight Clone]

If we are just getting one then you take Stokes. Collins alone won’t calm many fans but I agree with basically everything you said.

I agree, Stokes is the primary target and Collins is the icing on the cake.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Vandy replaced UK “unofficially” as the 2nd Nike school because Pope thinks it’s still the mid 90’s… Doesn’t matter because once KU (Adidas) work out the particulars with Stokes (Nike), he will be headed there with Kinney.

Everyone remembers Kinney, don’t they? Mr. Emotional couldn’t even close him for Pete’s sake! Major red flags have been raised for some time now.

And I’m not a big told you so guy but I’ve been saying on here since day one Stokes is Kansas bound. Most people were saying no way he signed a Nike deal. Those deals don’t mean much. These guys are millionaires no matter if they are with Nike adidas new balance…. Those companies don’t have as much pull these days. It’s almost 100% player driven they run things now.

 

[travisbickle]

This guy just popped up a day or so ago to start crap.

Do you mean Joe?

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Do you mean Joe?

I was wondering the same lol.

I was hoping he was talking about the guy that keeps being a hole to all my post for no reason.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

Do you mean Joe?

Any moose

 

[Anony Moose]

Where did I say anything about Florida not being as good as last year? I said they're struggling this year. They have a top 3 front court, but they're backcourt is mid. I never compared them to last years team.

Arkansas was a better TEAM without Fland last year. They don't make it to the NCAAT if he was running the pg spot. Now, that's not a fact, it can’t be, but Arkansas was better without him. That doesn't mean they can’t lose games.

Well, did they struggle last year? So, if they are struggling this year..what does that imply? Cmon.. you can figure this out!!!!

However, he is currently their best guard in terms of production and 3rd overall in PPG. He averages almost 2 steals per game, so that tells me he plays pretty good defense. 53% 2pg for a guard is pretty stout. He isn't a great 3pt shooter, but that's been known about him. So what do you think is so bad about him?

How was Arkansas better without him if they lost more games without him than they did with him?

Um..didn't they get to the sw16 with him playing PG? The same place as UK and BYU?

Did he bang your girl or something?

 

[Anony Moose]

Well, I'm not going to change your mind and you're not going to convince me that Pope did a poor job last year.

Like I said in a previous post, he gets a B for last year. He did some incredible things and laid some eggs. I believe you disagree with that and that's fine, but we're just going in circles right now.

There's really nothing to convince. I am providing facts and logic. You're basing yours off emotions and feelings.

 

[ala_kat2]

Geez, I came here to see the latest on Stokes and all I got was an argument between two other posters about JMI and Pope.

 

[megablue]

It has been impressive what many Freshmen have done this year, but I hope Pope can land some really good players from the portal.
He needs to find starters that were bigtime contributors and not settle for 6th men.
GO CATS !!