Torvik Preaseason
- Thread starter BookofMormon
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What’s crazier than that chart and rankings are the people on here who believe we’re going to have a really good team next season.
That is certainly a sobering list to look at right now. Hopefully, when everything is settled, SURELY we will be a TOP FORTY team ... at LEAST !!
I'm sure St. John's fans feel the same way ...
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That’s only 10 SEC schools above us, not bad. Even Mike White has Georgia in there.
Call me crazy, but preseason rankings are more worthless than wet toilet paper. Hell, that sorry bunch we had last year was preseason No. 9. Our NIT team in 2013 was preseason No. 1, same as our 2014 team that lost 13 regular season games (bit atoned for that in the tournament).
Seriously, go look back at preseason rankings the last decade. You’ll always find a team in the top 5-10 who barely makes or misses the tournament and some quality teams completely unranked.
This is not me excusing our roster for next season. On paper it’s not impressive.
This is me saying preseason polls in football and basketball are worthless and nothing more than a fan talking point. Honestly, the first basketball poll should come out in early December and the first football poll should come out after week 4 so there’s an actual body of work to judge and rank instead of paper rosters and “potential.”
Seriously, go look back at preseason rankings the last decade. You’ll always find a team in the top 5-10 who barely makes or misses the tournament and some quality teams completely unranked.
This is not me excusing our roster for next season. On paper it’s not impressive.
This is me saying preseason polls in football and basketball are worthless and nothing more than a fan talking point. Honestly, the first basketball poll should come out in early December and the first football poll should come out after week 4 so there’s an actual body of work to judge and rank instead of paper rosters and “potential.”
Bro, you keep posting the same ****. We get it. You’re not happy. None of us are. Have a snickers bar and chill out.
Truth hurts, there are some on here that believe we’re will have a top five backcourt…our BC won’t even be type five in the SEC let alone CBB.
In the pre NIL era I would have agreed with you but I know for a fact all four final four teams were in the top 25 preseason and I haven’t looked this up but I’d almost bet that all conference champions for the power 5 were also.
Just a few years ago UNC was pre season number 1 and didn’t make the tournament. So yea, pre season rankings can be wrong.
Yeah, these rankings are fun when you are in them, but I wouldn’t be making any bets based off these.
If we were on this list, nearly everyone posting above me would be saying "polls this early are meaningless".
Based on all the preseason rankings so far, it would take an extreme anomaly for Kentucky to be good next year. There's always a chance, but the odds are greatly stacked against us.
Top 15 in the SEC and Pope likely keeps his job.
Every post you make is the same negative “We suck- Pope sucks” blah blah blah. We heard ya the first hundred times bro. No need to keep reminding us. Nothing you say is going to make a difference anyway.
Just stop with the denial.
People who are not connected to UK one way or the other are staking their reputation on the fact that we will stink next year. I struggle to remember a time when we were outside top 40 preseason. Top 40????
If you can't see it, Mark Pope isn't the only problem you're dealing with.
People who are not connected to UK one way or the other are staking their reputation on the fact that we will stink next year. I struggle to remember a time when we were outside top 40 preseason. Top 40????
If you can't see it, Mark Pope isn't the only problem you're dealing with.
Wow, I’ve never said anything negative about Pope,
Ousmane doesn’t seem to be on our roster in his projection unless I missed something.
He projects Hawthorne, Mason Williams, and Wilkins to be worse than Jasper Johnson was this past season. Wilkins in particular is projected to be a terrible player.
He projects Hawthorne, Mason Williams, and Wilkins to be worse than Jasper Johnson was this past season. Wilkins in particular is projected to be a terrible player.
I don't think they honestly believe what they keep claiming. They appear to have an agenda to run PR for the UKAA here.
Yeah who knows what’ll happen?! Anything is possible! Ohtani may forget how to throw next week. Lamar Jackson might be slow next season — you never know!! Go BIG BLUE!!
Yes and no. If someone is ranked #20 and another #8, in preseason rankings, it doesn't mean much. If a perennial blue blood isn't even mentioned in the top 40, there are clear and demonstrable issues with that team.
The Cats currently sit at No. 45 in the country and No. 12 in the SEC. Arkansas (No. 5), Florida (No. 6), Texas (No. 12), Alabama (No. 18), Tennessee (No. 22), Vanderbilt (No. 23), Georgia (No. 29), Missouri (No. 37), Auburn (No. 39), Oklahoma (No. 40) and Texas A&M (No. 41) all rank ahead of the Wildcats in the way-too-early projections. Torvik just doesn’t see it for the Cats quite yet, grading them No. 44 nationally in offense and No. 50 in defense...
Unless I misread, Ousmane is not on our projected roster.
Wilkins, Mo Williams, and Hawthorne are each projected to be worse than Jasper Johnson was this past season. Wilkins is an objectively terrible player and getting 60% plus available minutes in the forecast.
We will outdo our projection if Ousmane and/or Wilkins are average players.
Wilkins, Mo Williams, and Hawthorne are each projected to be worse than Jasper Johnson was this past season. Wilkins is an objectively terrible player and getting 60% plus available minutes in the forecast.
We will outdo our projection if Ousmane and/or Wilkins are average players.
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Lets say they play 34 games this coming season (they played 36 last season including 2 SEC & 2 NCAA Tournament). Lets eliminate the 2 NCAA Tournament games this upcoming season because they will likely fail to make the tournament. So, if they play 34 games, I predict a final record of 14 wins & 20 losses...No Hope in Pope...
The latest torvik rankings arent close to having the rosters all updated.
That said we’re going to be pretty well outside the top 25 when they do update. We did not have a good offseason. i know it’s not done just yet but I feel pretty safe saying that Pope failed his first test going into what should be a make or break season.
I would not be opposed to moving on mid season and started the coaching search ealry, especially with Billy Donovan available, if things start off rough a second straight year.
That said we’re going to be pretty well outside the top 25 when they do update. We did not have a good offseason. i know it’s not done just yet but I feel pretty safe saying that Pope failed his first test going into what should be a make or break season.
I would not be opposed to moving on mid season and started the coaching search ealry, especially with Billy Donovan available, if things start off rough a second straight year.
Wilkins might be the best player next year. Any freshman that can put up the numbers he did can play. I’d be shocked if he is anywhere near as terrible as JJ was. IMO he’ll be better than Aberdeen. My issue is that I don’t see it from the rest of them. Momcilovic probably puts this team in the top 25 but does anyone actually believe he will come to UK? It’s just more of the same. A few good pieces with no star.
We will most likely be better in the frontcourt compared to last season.
Moreno should be better than last season. It’s not a high bar for any potential starting/backup big to be superior to Jelavic/BG. Moreno is positioned to be extremely productive. Some polish on ball security and/or making layups would put him the conversation for top center in the conference.
Comparing 2026 to 2027
2026 ……….. 2027 ….. + or -
1. Aberdeen - Zoom = upgrade
2. OO.……….. - …… Wilkins = same
3. Chandler. - Kam = definite Upgrade
…………….. Hawthorne = big upgrade
4. Jelly…………..
Mo D ………… - N’idaye = huge upgrade
……………………. McBride. = same
5. Moreno…… - ……….. Moreno = obvious upgrade
2026 -27 Team will be 3 to 4 games better.
2026 ……….. 2027 ….. + or -
1. Aberdeen - Zoom = upgrade
2. OO.……….. - …… Wilkins = same
3. Chandler. - Kam = definite Upgrade
…………….. Hawthorne = big upgrade
4. Jelly…………..
Mo D ………… - N’idaye = huge upgrade
……………………. McBride. = same
5. Moreno…… - ……….. Moreno = obvious upgrade
2026 -27 Team will be 3 to 4 games better.
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I mean they haven’t updated our roster but last season we sucked with a second team all SEC guard. What are we really gonna do with N'Diaye and McBride? I remain pessimistically hopeful.
there is no way we are number 50 in defense. The team doesn t have one player that plays good defense. Shooting is also going to be an issue and I am not sold based on what we have right now that we will be able to defend in the paint or pick and roll either.
so I think 44 and 50 are generous.
There is still time to improve the roster but as far as I see it we need 3 more starters (2, 3, 5 ) and one extra shooting guard from bench.
Proof is that Wilkins can play Point guard & is a team first player with big upside.
Is that your score prediction for the first half of the Kansas game?
I have seen none of the three play but I have seen Jasper play...so I'd bet my home none will be worse than Jasper was last year.