Torvik thinks UK has second most talented roster

[akaukswoosh]

Analytics believe Kentucky has the second most talented roster in college basketball

Mark Pope pressed every correct button when it comes to building a roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season, which is why the Kentucky Wildcats will be one of the

www.si.com

 

[Anon1751615784]

Pope continues to do an excellent job in an important area the last staff heavily neglected. Understand and applying analytics.

There use of that in roster building has been such a breath of fresh air.

 

[seccats04]

Pope continues to do an excellent job in an important area the last staff heavily neglected. Understand and applying analytics.

There use of that in roster building has been such a breath of fresh air.

Cal refused to listen to anyone about anything. Fans, heck, coaches would present analytics to him and he would thumb his nose at them. Remember the Bennie lineup? Fans were screaming for that lineup the whole year and he refused to do it until injuries hit again and he was forced to play that lineup. It worked wonders when we smoked Bama and Nate Oats even came out and said Cal should thank him for showing him the most effective lineup. We never saw it again. Glad that egotistical clown is gone.

 

[Wunky]

Cal refused to listen to anyone about anything. Fans, heck, coaches would present analytics to him and he would thumb his nose at them. Remember the Bennie lineup? Fans were screaming for that lineup the whole year and he refused to do it until injuries hit again and he was forced to play that lineup. It worked wonders when we smoked Bama and Nate Oats even came out and said Cal should thank him for showing him the most effective lineup. We never saw it again. Glad that egotistical clown is gone.

Yep. When it became apparent that Cal would rather lose his way than win somebody else’s way, he was no longer the coach for us. Kentucky basketball is about winning.

 

[BlueSince92]

I agree Duke probably has the more talented roster.

But our roster has more usable talent. Much rather have that than diaper dandies getting all the media play but folding or brain-farting games away at crunch time against top-tier veteran squads.

 

[Vek96]

I’m not concerned about talent. I think that Mark has a great eye for players that are just winners. We know having overwhelming talent means little. I would rather just have good basketball players, whose only priorities are team, and winning. Pope gets those guys.

 

[Dexterdru71]

Cal’s recruiting strategy turned into just getting the highest rated HS recruits, regardless of fit. He couldn’t get away from the one and done mentality. That works fine when you get the Wall’s, Cousins, Davis, KAT’s, etc, etc, etc. Not so well when you try and goulash non elite freshman.
Pope still has a lot to prove, but his approach is exactly what the fans were asking for the last few years of Cal’s tenure here.

 

[Anon1751545683]

Cal is the best coach in college basketball

He’s taken every school he’s coached to the FF.

Taking UMass to the FF is like taking a high school team there.

No one won there before or after. Cal completely rebuilt the Memphis program.

Then did the same at UK.

Pope has big shoes to fill. I think he’s up to it.

But that does not diminish what the coaches before him did.

 

[Anon1751615784]

Cal is the best coach in college basketball

He’s taken every school he’s coached to the FF.

Taking UMass to the FF is like taking a high school team there.

No one won there before or after. Cal completely rebuilt the Memphis program.

Then did the same at UK.

Pope has big shoes to fill. I think he’s up to it.

But that does not diminish what the coaches before him did.

Best coach in basketball is a fluid thing. Cal was on top at one point. but has not been for a very long time now. He’s accomplished very little of note for a decade now. Hes washed.

 

[MonsterMash79]

Cal is the best coach in college basketball

He’s taken every school he’s coached to the FF.

Taking UMass to the FF is like taking a high school team there.

No one won there before or after. Cal completely rebuilt the Memphis program.

Then did the same at UK.

Pope has big shoes to fill. I think he’s up to it.

But that does not diminish what the coaches before him did.

“ cocaine’s a helluva drug “

 

[flacat22]

Cal is the best coach in college basketball

He’s taken every school he’s coached to the FF.

Taking UMass to the FF is like taking a high school team there.

No one won there before or after. Cal completely rebuilt the Memphis program.

Then did the same at UK.

Pope has big shoes to fill. I think he’s up to it.

But that does not diminish what the coaches before him did.

In 2012-2015 this would’ve been true but you can’t seriously say that since 2016 he’s the best. He hasn’t taken anyone to the FF in 10 years.

 

[flacat22]

WAIT??!! You mean all of the whiny, chicken little “Pope better get this guy, HAS to get this, missed on this.guy, whiffed on that guy” idiots in April and May were wrong? Those that claimed CMP wasn’t doing anything didn’t know as much as him?

 

[UKCowboys]

IMO, this years squad is far superior to last year, more talented, deeper, and more versatile. They should also be way better defensively. Strong contender for a Final Four

 

[Vek96]

Cal is the best coach in college basketball

He’s taken every school he’s coached to the FF.

Taking UMass to the FF is like taking a high school team there.

No one won there before or after. Cal completely rebuilt the Memphis program.

Then did the same at UK.

Pope has big shoes to fill. I think he’s up to it.

But that does not diminish what the coaches before him did.

Are you a comedian? Or His lover?

John will be remembered as the coach who did less with more, than any coach in the history of sports. He’s also the most arrogant, egotistical, and narcissistic jerkoff in CBB history.

 

[Vek96]

He treated our State, our tradition, and our fans, with pure disdain. Screw him.

 

[Pygmy*Sasquatch]

"Many believe that once John Calipari left for Arkansas, Kentucky wouldn't have a lot of elite talent, but according to these numbers, Pope's roster is more talented than Calipari's. Arkansas's projected effective talent number is 79.9, so Pope has an edge."

 

[Skyguy27]

Cal is the best coach in college basketball

He’s taken every school he’s coached to the FF.

Taking UMass to the FF is like taking a high school team there.

No one won there before or after. Cal completely rebuilt the Memphis program.

Then did the same at UK.

Pope has big shoes to fill. I think he’s up to it.

But that does not diminish what the coaches before him did.

Nope, one could argue at one time Cal was the best recruiter, see your achievements, but he has never been the best X and O coach. If he couldn’t overwhelm the other teams he wasn’t gonna win consistently. Time has certainly past him by for any arguement as the best current coach.

 

[Jkr21790]

Cal refused to listen to anyone about anything. Fans, heck, coaches would present analytics to him and he would thumb his nose at them. Remember the Bennie lineup? Fans were screaming for that lineup the whole year and he refused to do it until injuries hit again and he was forced to play that lineup. It worked wonders when we smoked Bama and Nate Oats even came out and said Cal should thank him for showing him the most effective lineup. We never saw it again. Glad that egotistical clown is gone.

I mean. Bro. Yeah. I started hating Cal too. But he’s who we needed. The OAD was in the prime and he was landing the top talent. He brought us a title. But I have issues with a lot of things. He should’ve won at least 3 titles at UK. But the whole thing about not playing that sorry pos Sharpe. Who used UK. Stopping cheating. I mean come on lol. Cal wasn’t the pope early on. At least we didn’t get caught like UL or no bs. But he stopped getting 2-3 guys who didn’t even need coaching. But he saved our program from a couple clowns. BCG was a joke of a man and Tubby Smith won 1. His first year. And with Rick’s team.

 

[Jkr21790]

Cal refused to listen to anyone about anything. Fans, heck, coaches would present analytics to him and he would thumb his nose at them. Remember the Bennie lineup? Fans were screaming for that lineup the whole year and he refused to do it until injuries hit again and he was forced to play that lineup. It worked wonders when we smoked Bama and Nate Oats even came out and said Cal should thank him for showing him the most effective lineup. We never saw it again. Glad that egotistical clown is gone.

Cause imo. UK winning is more important than whatever it hurt Sharpe. I’ll always root against him in the NBA.

 

[Anon1751615784]

I mean. Bro. Yeah. I started hating Cal too. But he’s who we needed. The OAD was in the prime and he was landing the top talent. He brought us a title. But I have issues with a lot of things. He should’ve won at least 3 titles at UK. But the whole thing about not playing that sorry pos Sharpe. Who used UK. Stopping cheating. I mean come on lol. Cal wasn’t the pope early on. At least we didn’t get caught like UL or no bs. But he stopped getting 2-3 guys who didn’t even need coaching. But he saved our program from a couple clowns. BCG was a joke of a man and Tubby Smith won 1. His first year. And with Rick’s team.

Cal was the right hire when we hired him. No question. He lingered a few years longer than he should have. Personally I think he should have been gone after 2021. That season was a disaster and Covid should not have been a reasonable excuse since every program had to deal with it.

If not 2021 then 2022 for sure. Losing to St. peter’s in the first round with the PoY and a lotto pick guard sitting on the bench refusing to play while all our otuer guards played hurt…that should have been it for sure. But the pressure should have been ramped up after 2021. 2022 should have been win or leave.

 

[Jkr21790]

I agree Duke probably has the more talented roster.

But our roster has more usable talent. Much rather have that than diaper dandies getting all the media play but folding or brain-farting games away at crunch time against top-tier veteran squads.

We could be just as good. JQ can be better than Boozer on D and just as valuable all around. Lowe can be a top 10 PG. Oweh is gonna be a better version of last year. I think Jasper could become a big time player and scorer as the year goes. Kam is an WC but that kid could go stupid and even start at the 3. Aberdeen is gonna be a solid piece maybe more. Hope Jelevic gets here and is a stud but idk. MO-D is a physical rebounder and defender who’ll get us prolly like 9 and 8. Then we might get a surprise or 2 from 1-2 of Chandler. Noah. Moreno. Hawthorne

 

[BlueSince92]

We could be just as good. JQ can be better than Boozer on D and just as valuable all around. Lowe can be a top 10 PG. Oweh is gonna be a better version of last year. I think Jasper could become a big time player and scorer as the year goes. Kam is an WC but that kid could go stupid and even start at the 3. Aberdeen is gonna be a solid piece maybe more. Hope Jelevic gets here and is a stud but idk. MO-D is a physical rebounder and defender who’ll get us prolly like 9 and 8. Then we might get a surprise or 2 from 1-2 of Chandler. Noah. Moreno. Hawthorne

We are likely better is my point. Basketball is more than raw talent.

 

[Anon1751545683]

Nope, one could argue at one time Cal was the best recruiter, see your achievements, but he has never been the best X and O coach. If he couldn’t overwhelm the other teams he wasn’t gonna win consistently. Time has certainly past him by for any arguement as the best current coach.

He beat our ‘96 with one player and 4 ball boys.

I know innerweb mantra is that Cal is not a good x and 0 coach

but that doesn’t make it true.

there’s not a coach out there that doesn’t know how to draw up plays.

great coaching is not a flash in the pan or catching lightning in a bottle with a special group of players.

it’s sustained excellence over decades

 

[Anon1751615784]

He beat our ‘96 with one player and 4 ball boys.

I know innerweb mantra is that Cal is not a good x and 0 coach

but that doesn’t make it true.

there’s not a coach out there that doesn’t know how to draw up plays.

great coaching is not a flash in the pan or catching lightning in a bottle with a special group of players.

it’s sustained excellence over decades

Cal was very good for a long time. There’s no question. Umass was nothing before he got there and he turned them into a perennial top 10 team.

I will say his Memphis tenure was likely bolstered by the split of CUSA. Because he was very underwhelming there until Louisville, Marquette and Cincinnati all left. I doubt rhe goes on that run from 2006-2009 if that didn’t happen.

But it did, and he then ran off one of the best 10 year stretches in the modern era. from 2006-2015. He had 7 30 win seasons and 2 29 win seasons. He had 8 Elite 8’s in 10 years. 5 final fours. 3 title games appearances. and 1 ship. He also had 14 combined conference regular season and tournament championships out of 20. He was a 1 seed 5 times out of 10 years. He won 38 games, still the only coach to do that, 3 times!

I don’t think there’s a ton of debate that from 2006-2015 Cal was the best coach in the country. You can say whatever you want about HOW he did it, but results are all that matters.

For whatever reason, probably the same reasons, his career has followed the same trajectory as Denny Crums and Bobby Knights. And no one accused those guys of being the best coach in the country once their initial runs ended either.

 

[WallMash]

Cal is the best coach in college basketball

He’s taken every school he’s coached to the FF.

Taking UMass to the FF is like taking a high school team there.

No one won there before or after. Cal completely rebuilt the Memphis program.

Then did the same at UK.

Pope has big shoes to fill. I think he’s up to it.

But that does not diminish what the coaches before him did.

that first line will raise eyebrows. It is interesting that a coach who over-achieved at Mass and Memphis, and then hit a sweet spot with Kentucky his first 6 or so years, could be exposed for not being a very good coach and his magic can go away. Maybe his special sauce was in motivating his players when he was young and brash. But it most def went away the last ten years.

 

[Skyguy27]

He beat our ‘96 with one player and 4 ball boys.

I know innerweb mantra is that Cal is not a good x and 0 coach

but that doesn’t make it true.

there’s not a coach out there that doesn’t know how to draw up plays.

great coaching is not a flash in the pan or catching lightning in a bottle with a special group of players.

it’s sustained excellence over decades

So you gotta go back 30 years to get one example? lol. No, as much as you love him, in game coaching is about adjustments not just set plays, which he absolutely sucks at for better part of a decade now. Which is why you haven’t mentioned the last 10 years in all your examples. Facts or facts and he has stunk it up with the most loaded teams for a decade.

 

[Cats192]

I definitely think we have a top 5 roster.

If a sophomore was 3rd team All-ACC and went to Duke or Louisville this year, they'd be talking about how he's the next great ACC guard. He left the conference and instead he's trash.

Aberdeen has Final 4 and championship experience. Florida was counting on him to be a starter this year. He played behind two amazing guards in Walter Clayton Jr. and Alyjah Martin. Jeff Goodman the other day on Fo68 said "Let's not pretend he's Walter Clayton Jr." No one is pretending that. But he's an SEC experienced guard who has made winning plays on the biggest stage.

Oweh will be pre-season All-SEC and likely pre-season All-American.

Dioubate would have been one of Alabama's best players this year. He can defend 1-4. He just gets rebounds and buckets.

JQ was all-defensive team in the Big 12 last year. He JUST turned 18.

Jasper will be an explosive scorer off the bench.
Chandler started playing solid defense and making 3's late
Kam Williams is a 40% 3 point shooter with crazy athleticism, NBA lottery upside
Jelavic is a skilled big
BG would start for a lot of teams in the country.

Noah sounds like he's going to force his way onto the floor with his shooting. Great hustle/rebounding guy last year.

Moreno and Reese Potter give us silly depth in regards to bigs.

Hawthorne s probably a project guy, but that's your 13th or 14th man.

 

[Skyguy27]

No one is really mentioning Jelavic but he may be a big part assuming the NCAA does the right thing for once. He seems pretty skilled.

 

[phyrekat01]

Cal is the best coach in college basketball

He’s taken every school he’s coached to the FF.

Taking UMass to the FF is like taking a high school team there.

No one won there before or after. Cal completely rebuilt the Memphis program.

Then did the same at UK.

Pope has big shoes to fill. I think he’s up to it.

But that does not diminish what the coaches before him did.

You should probably remain anonymous.....

 

[rivercatinfl]

Are you a comedian? Or His lover?

John will be remembered as the coach who did less with more, than any coach in the history of sports. He’s also the most arrogant, egotistical, and narcissistic jerkoff in CBB history.

Hell to the yes!!

 

[rivercatinfl]

We could be just as good. JQ can be better than Boozer on D and just as valuable all around. Lowe can be a top 10 PG. Oweh is gonna be a better version of last year. I think Jasper could become a big time player and scorer as the year goes. Kam is an WC but that kid could go stupid and even start at the 3. Aberdeen is gonna be a solid piece maybe more. Hope Jelevic gets here and is a stud but idk. MO-D is a physical rebounder and defender who’ll get us prolly like 9 and 8. Then we might get a surprise or 2 from 1-2 of Chandler. Noah. Moreno. Hawthorne

Solid team unless Pope missed something and I don't think he did.
We could use this team plus 1 or 2 high level Frosh Next year and be really good. That's what I like about Pope's strategy.

This year will be lots of fun.

 

[Jkr21790]

We are likely better is my point. Basketball is more than raw talent.

I agree. And they have some 1st rounders who’ll be good NBA players. But I mean. Jasper. JQ. Kam have just as high ceilings imo. They could be 1st rounders and big time NBA players as well. Maybe Jelavic idk. But Lowe. Oweh. Mo D. Moreno. Maybe Noah will be 2nd rounders and at least play a min in the league. 1-2 might carve out a role as a solid role player/ backup. They aren’t more talented. People are drastically underestimating Jaspers future.

 

[un4getables]

WAIT??!! You mean all of the whiny, chicken little “Pope better get this guy, HAS to get this, missed on this.guy, whiffed on that guy” idiots in April and May were wrong? Those that claimed CMP wasn’t doing anything didn’t know as much as him?

This times a million... THAT is the reason I will never worry about recruiting and why POPE will win Championships here.

 

[JonathanW2]

I agree Duke probably has the more talented roster.

But our roster has more usable talent. Much rather have that than diaper dandies getting all the media play but folding or brain-farting games away at crunch time against top-tier veteran squads.

I actually don't get the Duke love this year. Other years, yes; this year, no. I looked at their 13 man roster yesterday. 2 really good FR (Cam. Boozer & Sarr), then a drop-off :
Brown a good defender, only adequate scorer, actually a lot like Quaintance)
Foster a disappointment for them last year, but he may return to FR form
Evans a very good 3pt shooter, but can he contribute in other ways
Cay. Boozer not as good as his twin, but may battle Foster for PG duties, if for no other reason to play w/ his twin
Ngongba showed some flashes last year in limited minutes, a quality backup for Brown
The other 6 are all either very end of the bench pieces from last year, transfers who didn't even start at their lessor-level teams, & a couple 4* FR.

By position comparison:
C = push, Brown & Ngongba vs Quaintance, Garrison & Moreno
PF = Duke, Boozer & other FR vs Dioubate & Jelavic (I think it might be closer than many think)
SF = Duke, Sarr & other FR vs K.Williams & Chandler & Noah & Hawthorne
SG = UK, Evans vs Oweh & Johnson (this one might not be close)
PG = UK, Foster & Boozer2 vs Lowe & Aberdeen (this one might not be close)

 

[nicky]

Cal is the best coach in college basketball

He’s taken every school he’s coached to the FF.

Taking UMass to the FF is like taking a high school team there.

No one won there before or after. Cal completely rebuilt the Memphis program.

Then did the same at UK.

Pope has big shoes to fill. I think he’s up to it.

But that does not diminish what the coaches before him did.

***Was

 

[BlueSince92]

They aren’t more talented.

Kam Williams was ranked outside Rivals’ top 300 coming out of high school. Far below Trent Noah. He had wonderful frosh stats but just possibly playing at Tulane had something to do with that.

Am I optimistic he can blow up to more than that? Of course I am.

But I don’t mistake my optimism for something I want to take into an argument with Bart Torvik. As if it’s a forgone conclusion and already proven. Frankly it seems a little needy to me to even want that. Why not take a more grateful approach and be happy we’ve just been pegged as “only” the second most talented team in all of Division I?

Especially when we have so much experience, depth, IQ, and complimentary physical attributes to make up for that little difference in raw talent. But you do you.

 

[Skyguy27]

Kam Williams was ranked outside Rivals’ top 300 coming out of high school. Far below Trent Noah. He had wonderful frosh stats but just possibly playing at Tulane had something to do with that.

Am I optimistic he can blow up to more than that? Of course I am.

But I don’t mistake my optimism for something I want to take into an argument with Bart Torvik. As if it’s a forgone conclusion and already proven. Frankly it seems a little needy to me to even want that. Why not take a more grateful approach and be happy we’ve just been pegged as “only” the second most talented team in all of Division I?

Especially when we have so much experience, depth, IQ, and complimentary physical attributes to make up for that little difference in raw talent. But you do you.

Someone already mentioned a draft board that has got him going 6. That means more than just UK fans think he is good, well at least one other person does.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Found it. Below site has Kam going #6 to the Nets. Other UK players listed JQ #16 to Orlando, and OO #60 to OKC. Not sure how reputable a site, but somebody likes Kam. ESPN has JQ going #6 and Kam at #46 for comparison.

NBA Mock Draft - NBADraft.net

Specializing in drafts with top players on the NBA horizon, player profiles, scouting reports, rankings and prospective international recruits.

www.nbadraft.net

 

[BlueSince92]

Someone already mentioned a draft board that has got him going 6. That means more than just UK fans think he is good, well at least one other person does.

Where in the Sam Hill did I say he wasn't good?

There's a long way between him being good and him having unquestionably more raw talent than one of Duke's top 3.

People won't stop arguing with me about what Bart Tovik said. Take it up with Bart. But I maintain it looks like a scarcity mindset.

 

[Skyguy27]

Where in the Sam Hill did I say he wasn't good?

There's a long way between him being good and him having unquestionably more raw talent than one of Duke's top 3.

People won't stop arguing with me about what Bart Tovik said. Take it up with Bart. But I maintain it looks like a scarcity mindset.

You seem misguided. I never mentioned him being top 3 and I have no clue what the Bart stuff is about although it seems to bother you. Maybe you need a snickers bro because you’re lashing out now at people not even involved. Go to desensitivity class or something.