What in tarnation is going on with these preseason rankings?!

[Cowtown Cat]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

 

[BluPappi81]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

What I don't do, at least w any depth, is study the makeup and prospects of the other teams. That said, if there are 10 teams who will be better than this roster under coach and his staff it’s gonna be a helluva cbb season.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

What I don't do, at least w any depth, is study the makeup and prospects of the other teams. That said, if there are 10 teams who will be better than this roster under coach and his staff it’s gonna be a helluva season.

Yeah, I’m not entirely sure of what ALL these other teams have in terms of pieces. However, like you said, if there’s 10 teams better than this UK team, it should be a historically great college basketball season.

 

[sk73]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

With the exception of Quaintance, we do have the go to player. We have many good players with each one capable of having a great game but again, no sure go to player. There is still some doubt about the Quaintance recovery time. I personally think Moreno and Johnson are going to surprise people. Hawthorne may be very good but several players play that position, including Noah. I pull for Noah.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

I don’t know, but they are a bunch of rackin, frackin, varmints!

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

With the exception of Quaintance, we do have the go to player. We have many good players with each one capable of having a great game but again, no sure go to player. There is still some doubt about the Quaintance recovery time. I personally think Moreno and Johnson are going to surprise people. Hawthorne may be very good but several players play that position, including Noah. I pull for Noah.

Oweh will be the go to guy on this team. JQ, Lowe, Jasper, and Kam all could develop into go to guys. I think Garrison and Chandler both break out this year. Also a senior Aberdeen looks like he’s ready to lead a team as well. He really played great when Florida needed him to start last year.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

With the exception of Quaintance, we do have the go to player. We have many good players with each one capable of having a great game but again, no sure go to player. There is still some doubt about the Quaintance recovery time. I personally think Moreno and Johnson are going to surprise people. Hawthorne may be very good but several players play that position, including Noah. I pull for Noah.

Hawthorne is just now rising and with his frame and skill set he could be way better than many project. He may not play much early on but I could see him being a matchup nightmare if he adjust to college and keeps on his trend of improvement. He will be a dude his sophomore or junior year. I hope we can hold onto him a couple years.

 

[JPFisher]

With the exception of Quaintance, we do have the go to player. We have many good players with each one capable of having a great game but again, no sure go to player.

Folks said the same thing last year. When we were healthy, we were a FF team.

There is still some doubt about the Quaintance recovery time.

I don't think the season hinges on JQ, tbh. We'll enjoy his rebounding and shot blocking, but F/C is our team strength even without JQ.

I personally think Moreno and Johnson are going to surprise people. Hawthorne may be very good but several players play that position, including Noah. I pull for Noah.

Ditto.
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As far as crap pre-season rankings, these outlets are putting us so low because it riles us up like a mower going over a yellow jacket nest. They're farming clicks and getting ad revenue off of horrifically bad takes because we reward them for doing so.

UK fans react, click, engage, get their posts more views which leads to opposing fan bases dunking on each other... It's a racket. If I had my druthers and if it was even remotely feasible (it isn't), I'd make it a crime to rage bait and engagement farm. The internet is a sh*thole nowadays.

What's more, these experts are qualifying their horrible rankings by saying we have a ton of new pieces. Pope took one of the most unathletic teams in 2023-24 and made them a top 25 crew. A marginally more athletic team, riddled with injuries, and who had never worked together before last year (in the best conference, btw) was a top 10 team.

We more or less maintained our skill level, improved our defensive presence and rebounding, returned our best player, and substantially improved athleticism. It is inexcusable to have us so low. So yeah, Occam's Razor points to engagement farming.

I wouldn't take it personally. It's gonna happen when livelihoods live and die by creating controversy.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

With the exception of Quaintance, we do have the go to player. We have many good players with each one capable of having a great game but again, no sure go to player. There is still some doubt about the Quaintance recovery time. I personally think Moreno and Johnson are going to surprise people. Hawthorne may be very good but several players play that position, including Noah. I pull for Noah.

We have Oweh, which was quite clutch last season. IMO, another player, outside of JQ, will emerge as a go to guy. I love the potential of Kam Williams.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Folks said the same thing last year. When we were healthy, we were a FF team.

I don't think the season hinges on JQ, tbh. We'll enjoy his rebounding and shot blocking, but F/C is our team strength even without JQ.


Ditto.
-------
As far as crap pre-season rankings, these outlets are putting us so low because it riles us up like a mower going over a yellow jacket nest. They're farming clicks and getting ad revenue off of horrifically bad takes because we reward them for doing so.

UK fans react, click, engage, get their posts more views which leads to opposing fan bases dunking on each other... It's a racket. If I had my druthers and if it was even remotely feasible (it isn't), I'd make it a crime to rage bait and engagement farm. The internet is a sh*thole nowadays.

What's more, these experts are qualifying their horrible rankings by saying we have a ton of new pieces. Pope took one of the most unathletic teams in 2023-24 and made them a top 25 crew. A marginally more athletic team, riddled with injuries, and who had never worked together before last year (in the best conference, btw) was a top 10 team.

We more or less maintained our skill level, improved our defensive presence and rebounding, returned our best player, and substantially improved athleticism. It is inexcusable to have us so low. So yeah, Occam's Razor points to engagement farming.

I wouldn't take it personally. It's gonna happen when livelihoods live and die by creating controversy.

What an excellent post! Bravo!

 

[deputy assistant]

UK is going to be very strong this year. In fact, had there not been so many injuries last year I’m not so sure they wouldn’t have been in the mix with UF and Auburn to dominate the SEC and make a deep tournament run. I’m not even a UK fan, I’m a Gator, but I feel you all were as good as anyone last year when healthy.

 

[TortElvisII]

They have hated us for years.

 

[Digger-Cat]

Some outlets have us top 5 - 7, which seems about right imo.

 

[BBNinSC_rivals62411]

Most of these rankings are based on last season’s success. If a team had a great season, like Houston, Purdue, Texas Tech and then retained a couple of starters, they are being ranked in the top 10. This doesn't take into account the nuances and chemistry of the new roster. I’ve seen Arkansas ranked in the top 10 after almost missing the NCAA tournament last season and there is no way they’ve replaced the talent lost equally.
This will be the preseason polls until we see that teams like Houston just aren’t as good as last season.

 

[Titpwhami2014]

I think the pundits are sleeping on Lowe. He’s going to look great in Pope’s offense.

 

[senonesy]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

I’ve seen very few that have UK outside the top 10. Majority have UK in the 7-9 range.

 

[noncomposmentis]

Bonus points for use of "tarnation." Is the premise true - do most polls have us 11-20? I've only seen a handful, and they were all between a high of 7 (Sports Illustrated) and a low of I think 12 (can't remember who). Most had us right around 10 I thought.

No matter, they will all be wrong! (and not just about UK)

 

[Trinity45]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

A lot of it is a bias by those who vote on this, especially some writers.

 

[sk73]

We have Oweh, which was quite clutch last season. IMO, another player, outside of JQ, will emerge as a go to guy. I love the potential of Kam Williams.

My fault, I didn't mention Oweh, He was for the most part, our go to guy last season. I stand corrected.

 

[BBUK_anon]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

You "ain't" Uncle Jed.... (Thread title improper...)

@jedwar

Ban him UJ.....

Oh Baby...

 

[BBUK_anon]

What an excellent post! Bravo!

I didn't "feel" a thing....

 

[UKWildcats1987]

A lot of it is a bias by those who vote on this, especially some writers.

And we know this board isn't biased too lol.

I don't pay attention enough to other teams but based on our overall roster we seem like a top 5 level team with a good chance at a final four.

Preseason is meaningless anyways and always has been. Not much else to talk about n June though so I get it.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

@Cowtown Cat , just remember one important fact: most of us on this message board know our own team better than the media does. They simply don't spend that much time digging into the analytics as we do.

That said, the guys I trust at Field of 68 have us anywhere between #3-#8, and Dauster said we might be #1. As far as the other big voices, Norlander is always cautious and usually gives weight to teams with retention. Parrish sucks, so I don't take him seriously.

Most of all, we have Mr. Measured Mark Pope himself talking about this team's potential in terms of being outstanding. He wouldn't do that if he felt like he had a so-so team on the horizon. I mean, at the presser, he basically said we have a Final Four contender without using those precise words. Coaches typically don't talk like that unless they know they're loaded for bear.

There's no better balanced team in the nation this side of Houston. Not even Purdue can make the argument for being able to do what this UK team will do defensively. Think about it, UK goes from about a 9/10 shooting wise to a 7/10, but defensively they move from about a 5/10 to a potential 8/10 defensively with the additions of Aberdeen, JQ, and Mo-D.

Depth goes from a 5/10 (due to injuries last year) to a 10/10.

Rebounding goes from about a 6/10 to a potential 9/10 with Mo-D and JQ.

We get overall upgrades at two positions (the 5 and the 4) with an additional overall upgrade at point guard (loved Butler, but Lowe/Aberdeen collectively will give us more). Oweh being back is an upgrade on Oweh last year as well. So collectively, that's four upgrades.

Then you throw in the limitless depth and this UK team is objectively a top 5 team.


Think about it. What other teams boast having SIX rotation pieces that made at least the Sweet Sixteen in their careers (Aberdeen, Mo-D, Chandler, Garrison, Noah, Oweh); plus a top 5 recruiting class; and a top 3 portal class?

Not very many.

The only question mark is whether or not shooting guard is an upgrade, but we should be good to go with a collective of Aberdeen, Chandler, Williams, and Johnson. When the dust clears, shooting guard might turn out to be our most dominant position of strength due to the depth and also the potential.

 

[uk78_rivals88018]

I was listening to Stephen A. Smith on Howard Stern. He made some excellent points about why despite the Knicks going as far as they did their weakness was their depth was never utilized. He also pointed out the final two teams see all their depth used for considerable times divided. I don't believe there has ever been a team with as much talent from top to bottom (whomever that may be) even with the 2015 team. If Pope uses this huge advantage and extends a lot of on ball pressure defense, this is a National Championship level team. If he reverts to Cal with 7 men and plays some favorites more than justified we will have a nice season but not much more.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I think the coolest thing about this roster is that MOST of these guys will likely be back. Pope can build a real program where he isn't dependent on incoming freshmen.

Potential returners for '26-27:

C - Garrison - Senior
C - Moreno - Sophomore
C - Potter - Senior
F - Mo D - Senior
F - Jelavic - Sophomore
F - Hawthorne - Sophomore
F - Williams - Junior
F - Noah - Junior
G - Johnson - Sophomore
G - Chandler - Junior
G - Lowe - Senior

That's eleven potential returners. Even if you get 8 of those guys back, you're loaded for bear going into '26-27 as well. I mean, Pope might only have to bring in two guys if that whole unit returns.

 

[UKmatt1]

UK is going to be very strong this year. In fact, had there not been so many injuries last year I’m not so sure they wouldn’t have been in the mix with UF and Auburn to dominate the SEC and make a deep tournament run. I’m not even a UK fan, I’m a Gator, but I feel you all were as good as anyone last year when healthy.

IMO the UK-Florida game was the game of the year, and that’s not because we won. That game was incredible. Also, irregardless of what people say about Todd Golden I have been a huge fan for a long time, I knew early on at San Fran that he was a star in the making

 

[docholiday51]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

If we had on Duke uniforms it would be the greatest team ever assembled, let them under estimate us to their
hearts content. If Pope can re-create the chemistry on this year's team that they had last season we may be
in for a really fun ride. Several new faces in key roles but more big time experience than last year

 

[MidseasonTweaks]

Went from like 23rd to the top 10 in a week after the season started. These rankings are only fuel. The kids see them and they'll take it personally too.

 

[OmahaCats]

Where are you seeing close to 20th? I’m seeing anywhere between 7th and 11th. Which I don’t see anything wrong with that

 

[JPFisher]

Where are you seeing close to 20th? I’m seeing anywhere between 7th and 11th. Which I don’t see anything wrong with that

There was a graphic consolidating a lot of major rankings. UK was at 7 in a couple, but quite a few rank us outside the top 10, which is ridiculous. I'll post if I come across the graphic again.

 

[deputy assistant]

IMO the UK-Florida game was the game of the year, and that’s not because we won. That game was incredible. Also, irregardless of what people say about Todd Golden I have been a huge fan for a long time, I knew early on at San Fran that he was a star in the making

Yeah, it was a great game. Me and my fellow Gators were salty that the longstanding home and home series with UK was disrupted last year. We wanted our chance to defend home turf. That said, I wasn’t surprised at all at the loss to UK at Rupp. These two teams battle every time they meet. It’s going to be nuts next year with the Aberdeen storyline.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

With the exception of Quaintance, we do have the go to player. We have many good players with each one capable of having a great game but again, no sure go to player. There is still some doubt about the Quaintance recovery time. I personally think Moreno and Johnson are going to surprise people. Hawthorne may be very good but several players play that position, including Noah. I pull for Noah.

OK says hi to Oweh as far as not having to go to player

 

[UK’98UK’00]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

Think about this. Mark Pope had Ky beating the best teams in basketball last year with a group of entirely new players. They were doing awesome until injuries put a big kink in things. Relax, enjoy your summer. Think of all the great preseason rankings during cow’s time that resulted in jack.

 

[bucsrule8872]

This time last year, we were barely top 25 and finished in the top 12 (seeding wise).

This year they have us top 15, maybe we finish top four or five.

I think they underestimate Pope because of his inexperience in the NCAA’s.

 

[Runt#1969]

Personally, I like the fact that there are haters out there that are going to rank us that low. We began at #23 last year. I think it helped light a fire underneath that team to begin the season.

Same thing for next year. Maybe not ranked as low as last year's squad, but low for what they should be, if given any respect at all. (which we don't get)

I think we're legit #3 behind Houston and Purdue, when you look at every other roster out there. (preseason) But that's just my thinking.

Anyone that has Kentucky outside of the top ten preseason next year either is a hater, a troll, or completely stupid and doesn't know a thing about college basketball. Let them sleep on us. It won't take long (like last season) where they come around REAL quick. Just remember who they are and what outlets they are with. They are going to look really stupid when the end of the season gets there and Kentucky is one of the very last left standing...... especially in the light of the regular season these guys are going to have....

I like Kentucky when we're flying under the radar like this.

Why ?

Beacause ...... we're ALREADY BACK ! (as if we went anywhere ?) And everyone else .... slept on us. I'd rather have them sleeping on us than opening their mouths, running BBN (and UK) down or disrespecting us by mentioning every other team before even paying any lip service to the greatest program in college basketball. Screw them all.

Go Big Blue !

 

[bucsrule8872]

I think the coolest thing about this roster is that MOST of these guys will likely be back. Pope can build a real program where he isn't dependent on incoming freshmen.

Potential returners for '26-27:

C - Garrison - Senior
C - Moreno - Sophomore
C - Potter - Senior
F - Mo D - Senior
F - Jelavic - Sophomore
F - Hawthorne - Sophomore
F - Williams - Junior
F - Noah - Junior
G - Johnson - Sophomore
G - Chandler - Junior
G - Lowe - Senior

That's eleven potential returners. Even if you get 8 of those guys back, you're loaded for bear going into '26-27 as well. I mean, Pope might only have to bring in two guys if that whole unit returns.

Yep.

I think we get 9 or 10 back, depending on what Garrison decides and how Jelavic adjusts to the college game. I think at least 8 will be back. I think that’s a fair expectation.

 

[jeffky]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

"Tarnation" nice real nice

 

[akaukswoosh]

We have Oweh, which was quite clutch last season. IMO, another player, outside of JQ, will emerge as a go to guy. I love the potential of Kam Williams.

Fans seem to forget sbout Williams. He can be outstanding.

 

[TFCat11]

I agree with Aaron Torres, this UK squad is a top 5 team!

 

[CatsFan4Evr]

With the exception of Quaintance, we do have the go to player. We have many good players with each one capable of having a great game but again, no sure go to player. There is still some doubt about the Quaintance recovery time. I personally think Moreno and Johnson are going to surprise people. Hawthorne may be very good but several players play that position, including Noah. I pull for Noah.

Um…Oweh?