Trim. The. Fat.

[Kyhoward1]

I see no downside in keeping Trent. He didn’t shoot as well as he is capable of this season, but he did come up with some loose balls and other small things. It all depends on him wanting to be here in a limited role for limited NiL.
I think Jelly could get better. He actually showed some nice post moves. He needs to get stronger and tougher.
Mo, I’m split on. I love his hustle and grit. If he could develop a mid range jump shot, he’d be great. If not, he’s a bit of an offensive liability. It kind of depends on who else we could get to replace him with.
I think it was best for everyone that JJ and BG left. I wish them both well.

A team needs complimentary players. Some have all around skills - offense/ defense/intangibles. These are your top players and you need 2-3 of these types.

Others may be superb shooters, rebounders, ball handlers etc but average or below average in the other skills. While you would prefer multi-dimensional players, these guys can be your 2nd team guys that play in specific situations. Mo is one of these guys IMO - hard nosed, gets the loose ball and tough rebound, can contribute offensively if he is in the paint but needs to understand that he is a poor shooter. Trent has a good stroke and just needs to see some early success next year and he could be valuable as a complimentary player.

Many needs obviously but a version of Lamont Butler that can run the offense, nullify the opposing PG from penetrating at will and be enough of a threat offensively to demand some attention. I have not seen him play but the kid from San Diego State seems to be in this mold.

Also a big rugged power forward that wants to grab every rebound and can be physical defensively. We have not had this type in CMP’s 1st 2 seasons. This could also be a center that can play at times in tandem with Malachi. We were just too soft this season and Iowa State exploited our weakresses

 

[ZaytovenCat]

Link?

After the last game Pope said player retention would be his biggest priority.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

I’d love to have Trent and Jelly both back. Trent is a guy who has potential to provide value spot minutes without having the inflated ego of a Jasper Johnson thinking he should be getting 30mpg. As for Jelly, he’s going to be a very good player. Guarantee if he went to Illinois that he would be a key piece of their rotation.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

View attachment 1243385

Blow it up and start over.

I would really like to get the whole story of what went on this season.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

View attachment 1243385

Blow it up and start over.

Lol why would Lowe be excited? Hes in the portal too?

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

I would really like to get the whole story of what went on this season.

Probaby really involved someones girl. Or if Lowe and JQ were involved, let's be honest someones boy.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

After the last game Pope said player retention would be his biggest priority.

Ummmm yeah, I know that. I mean does he have proof that these specific players are players that Pope is wanting to keep?

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Is that text real? If so, can someone possibly provide context?

 

[ZaytovenCat]

Probaby really involved someones girl. Or if Lowe and JQ were involved, let's be honest someones boy.

No lies told. Lowe gives off that vibe quite a bit and JJ kinda does too. Much like TyTy…

 

[#1 cat fan]

I like Mo toughness but he can’t shoot, not a good FT shooter and can’t dribble to get to the basket very limited with ball handling.

Mo can't dribble? Did you actually watch uk play? Mo is an outstanding ball handler for a pf.
Definitely the 2nd best ball handler in our rotation

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

Is that text real? If so, can someone possibly provide context?

It was a Instagram DM that some lady posted on twitter between her son and JLo

 

[four_every_hour]

Seeing people in here calling Trent Noah a shooter is hilarious. The one thing he's supposed to be good at and he went 17/51 lol

 

[20MRoster]

Trent, Jelavic and Chandler know what it means to play for the name on the front of the jersey.

Apparently it means losing in embarrassing fashion to anyone with a pulse. Tennessee and Calipari excluded.

 

[20MRoster]

Seeing people in here calling Trent Noah a shooter is hilarious. The one thing he's supposed to be good at and he went 17/51 lol

Got many WIDE OPEN 3s. All bricks in any game that mattered. He was beyond useless this year.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Give me CC, Moreno, Kam, Trent and Hawthorne all accepting roles that should be and the rest can bounce.

Trent can go, he has shown absolutely no ability to help us in any way. Even knocking down shots he can’t do now.

 

[Hitman206]

I see no downside in keeping Trent. He didn’t shoot as well as he is capable of this season, but he did come up with some loose balls and other small things. It all depends on him wanting to be here in a limited role for limited NiL.
I think Jelly could get better. He actually showed some nice post moves. He needs to get stronger and tougher.
Mo, I’m split on. I love his hustle and grit. If he could develop a mid range jump shot, he’d be great. If not, he’s a bit of an offensive liability. It kind of depends on who else we could get to replace him with.
I think it was best for everyone that JJ and BG left. I wish them both well.

Trent needs to do what is best for his career. He can ride the bench like Chris Harrison or go to an Eastern Ky and be more featured. I'm sure him and his GF Lexie love the NIL money and taking summer vacations to Florida.

 

[Coach Ken Reeves]

I think UK should keep Jelly.

 

[TommyMansky]

Keep Moreno and Kam and get a new head coach.

Should probably keep Chandler and Jelavic too.

 

[Resignmarkpope]

Get Trent out and Jelly too

Mo! He’s a useless 4. Worst shooter in the sec

 

[Resignmarkpope]

Not sure about that. If they understand they can come in and get spot minutes to knock down threes, they would be valuable.

We can hopefully get 4-5 studs in the portal.
But we have to keep 4-5 as well.

I would keep my shooters if I was Pope and Maybe Diobates

Mo is a cancer

 

[Resignmarkpope]

My goodness man.

Trent reminds me of a lost puppy on the court

 

[Resignmarkpope]

Notice how everyone gets thrown under the bus except for the guy making the decisions?

Pope is the problem, but only for 1 more year. Fu pope

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Pope is the problem, but only for 1 more year. Fu pope

Dang. Lol. Tell us how you really feel. Couldn’t tell from your name and profile picture

 

[seccats04]

Pope is the problem, but only for 1 more year. Fu pope

I hope to be wrong but that's how I feel too. We'll have a mostly new team next year but I think you'll see similar issues as the first two years, players lost on defense, players not always giving full effort, poor game prep, lack of motivation to start the game, dumb substitution patterns, no good HS recruits want to play for Pope.

 

[Kyhoward1]

Well yeah. Jelly is Dirk Nowitzki compared to Trent

Trent is a 4 year player. There used to be a time in college basketball when a young man was allowed to mature both physically and mentally. Today if you are not showing up on NBA draft boards as a freshman, you are labeled a failure.

He is a rising Junior and did not hav a good year. But I look at the positives he brings: has good shot from deep (granted not this season), hunts rebounds, average defender, great team guy etc. Who might we get in the portal that is better at the same price point? CMP and staff are talking to these players on NIL, playing time, where they might fit on the depth chart and either offering a roster spot or not.

I hope Trent stays as he can contribute. Cameron Mills sat on the bench for 3 years even as Coach Pitino told him he would not play. Yet, we may not beat Duke in 1998 on the way to the National Championship. Trent is a Ky boy like Cam so if he understands the scenario laid out before him and wants to stay, I am all for it.

 

[Ukwazoo3]

If Noah and Jelavic are our shooters we are in for as bad a season next year. They were our shooter this year and Trent ended 5-27 in conference play and Jelly ended 7-32 in conference. 20 percent from our “shooters” on 60 attempts.

Jelly was 14-39 in conference (36%)

 

[UKnine]

Jelly was 14-39 in conference (36%)

He was a 27 percent season shooter and ended the season on a 7-32 run for under 22 percent including 1-10 in post season play.

 

[Ukwazoo3]

He was a 27 percent season shooter and ended the season on a 7-32 run for under 22 percent including 1-10 in post season play.

Yeah, he started and ended terribly, but was solid in conference play. Maybe he's just not great under pressure, which is also not good.

 

[Goingfor9]

Probaby really involved someones girl. Or if Lowe and JQ were involved, let's be honest someones boy.

Lowe fits the mold and if anyone was wondering about that injury. I would keep wondering. The surgery he had was elective and no one knows much more than what Lowe and his camp told folks. And if he goes to UL that would be the ultimate sign he hates UK

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Probaby really involved someones girl. Or if Lowe and JQ were involved, let's be honest someones boy.

Kam as well. Very zesty squad last year

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Trent is a 4 year player. There used to be a time in college basketball when a young man was allowed to mature both physically and mentally. Today if you are not showing up on NBA draft boards as a freshman, you are labeled a failure.

He is a rising Junior and did not hav a good year. But I look at the positives he brings: has good shot from deep (granted not this season), hunts rebounds, average defender, great team guy etc. Who might we get in the portal that is better at the same price point? CMP and staff are talking to these players on NIL, playing time, where they might fit on the depth chart and either offering a roster spot or not.

I hope Trent stays as he can contribute. Cameron Mills sat on the bench for 3 years even as Coach Pitino told him he would not play. Yet, we may not beat Duke in 1998 on the way to the National Championship. Trent is a Ky boy like Cam so if he understands the scenario laid out before him and wants to stay, I am all for it.

I agree with you in theory but I think Noah got worse in year 2. He was absolutely NOT an average defender. He was a liability on both ends of the floor. He is a strong rebounder for his size, I'll give him that.
But I got so tired of seeing him on the court this year. He wouldn't sniff the floor on a serious, competitive team. I'd be OK bringing him back in the Zach Tow role.

 

[Kyhoward1]

I agree with you in theory but I think Noah got worse in year 2. He was absolutely NOT an average defender. He was a liability on both ends of the floor. He is a strong rebounder for his size, I'll give him that.
But I got so tired of seeing him on the court this year. He wouldn't sniff the floor on a serious, competitive team. I'd be OK bringing him back in the Zach Tow role.

He was worse this year. But you’re not going to get a really good player if he gets 5 or less minutes a game. His shot, if it comes back, makes the defense account goer him on the offensive end and maybe opens up a teammate. He leaves and you replace him with a new guy with similar talent.