I know today is the first official day the portal opens. Just wondering if there is some place to get a complete list of outgoing and incoming players for UK?

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Had a good FR year

How many times does a situation like the one with Stoops happen? Coach has peaked and is on downhill slide. Pretty much everyone sees it, but the coach won't do the right thing and step down. So, what is it that prevents him from doing the right thing? Is it purely greed; he doesn't want to give up the money. Is it ego; he can't admit he just isn't getting it done anymore. Is it over-confidence; he believes he can fix it. Is it just the competitive spirit; he still wants to try to win. Is it some combination, or something different? Most of these characteristics are beneficial to a coach. But, they aren't good when the coach is at the end of the road and refuses to admit it.

What specifically is it with Stoops? I have a hard time believing that he still thinks he can do anything else to elevate the football program at UK. So is he simply just wanting to hang on to the money? Does he really believe he can get this train back on the track? Is there no one in his inner circle with the balls to tell him it is time to step down?

I love the UK Wildcats. I will never root for them to lose. And, I don't dislike Mark Stoops. I appreciate all he has done for UK. But, I hate to see him drive the program back down to the same depth it was when he took it over.

Just a simple overview for the board here. I am not saying this is the staff's view of it. This is just how I see it looking at the roster.

Here's what you could argue they need:

QB1 - Whether it's Cutter next year or not, you have to bring in someone to at least compete. The question is how much NIL can be committed to such a coveted position when you have so many other portal needs.

RB1 - Wilcox could be the guy if he stays but I don't think you can go into next year without adding someone else in the hopes he can elevate the rooom.

WR1 - Maclin may be a great WR1 next year and Gilmore is promising. Realistically, you probably won't get one of the top couple of most coveted guys, but maybe another guy like Maclin the previous year.

Other WR - The room has thinned out so much, you have to bring in someone who has size and can compete to play right away.

TE - Several transfers have thinned the room. There's early evidence they have interest in adding some help there, maybe a guy or two.

3 OL - Have to bring in at least three OL and maybe four. A couple of tackles and an interior guy. This is a coveted position. The top guys are so hard to get, will have to really evaluate well.

On defense I think it's a little harder to say because there are more younger guys who have played snaps and could be more ready to assume greater responsibilities, in the staff's eyes. What do you think about the offense and defense needs to feel good about having a healthy depth chart next season?

It is sometimes mind boggling for me to say 'old guys' about men in their early 20s....BUT...

Can you imagine a team full of freshen and young sophomores to be in a game like Gonzaga and hear the coach tell you to go in 1-3-1 / matchup/ man/ morph defense and just go 'yeah, let's go coach'????
You'd probably gave seen bodies all over the floor and guys tripping on each other.
The ability of these young (old) guys and their basketball IQ is really something I've seldom seen ANYWHERE. And at 67 years old I've watched a lot of college basketball.

That the SEC should play 10 games against league opponents. I have one question for Nick. Texas was probably the only SEC contender who didn't play 4 or more teams rated in the top 20 - how did that work out for the SEC yesterday Nick? I think it was actually not that unfair - except the byes and home team pairings. Hopefully they will keep the conference winners with bids - but not give them bye games for winning in a weak conference. Those teams deserve a chance - but if a team was not even ranked wins its conference championship - I can not see how you give them a bye and a potential easy chance to make the semi finals.

I can't understand that the Big boys didn't take into consideration that many conference season leaders could get beat in the conference championship games - it happened in the SEC too! Everyone kept saying that a regular season league champion who had a good year should not lose a bid to the playoffs if they lose the Championship game. That's why the 16 team playoff makes even more sense. Its funny, the same people who complained about doing a playoff of more than 4 teams are now mad about not getting selected in a 12 game playoff - lol! I think the playoffs will be a huge hit with fans when its all said and done!

After the conference championship games are over - then seed the teams as to where their records suggest. Let the top 8 host - that's the easy thing to do!

I'm not a South Carolina fan - but they should have made the playoffs! Yes, over Alabama! or Old Miss! It was a body of work and South Carolina was playing great at end of year and they were definitely officiated for one of the 3 losses - even the SEC office admitted it. The SEC office is complaining about having only 3 teams in the playoffs. A 16 team is the correct way to go. I've said that from when they started talking about expansion - I think this year actually proves it. The SEC would have had 5 or maybe even 6 teams in if it had been a 16 team field also!

Go Big Blue!

I loved this one. So well done.

The ending...... Classic IMHO

SEC Shorts CFP War Games

Minnesota vs. IU for the IU sucks thread

I was always kind of skeptical about bringing him on board. Looking at his 2024 stats (41% comp, 3 TDs, 4 Ints, 3.7 YPC), he performed pretty much exactly how he was expected to, based on his two years at Rutgers. He was misused pretty consistently, but other than the one great pass he'd complete every so often, he just didn't look like an SEC QB to me. Still don't understand the constant rotation in for QB keeper play for much of the season - that could not have helped his stats, for sure. He's a good athlete but not quick/shifty enough running to put a lot of pressure on the defense and way too inconsistent throwing the ball to believe he's capable of driving the team down the field from the pocket. I also wasn't blown away at his ability to make the correct read on the RPO.

Being a KY kid, I hope he finds the right spot but I would speculate that he's bound for FCS. He's had 3 years in P4 conferences and hasn't given much indication that he's going to be much more than an average backup at this level. Best of luck to him. Hamdan didn't do him any favors but, ultimately, I don't believe he's good enough to start.

Hello HOB. I'll be following along with the CMP Show tonight and sharing all the main talking points here for those of you who may not be able to listen along live. Show is underway here at 6 ET. Stay tuned...

* Disappointed for Kerr needing surgery, but what a great film moment for our team to see what he did after breaking a bone in his foot, getting back on D and challenging a shot. Expect him back “sooner than later.” Says Kerr also gave a legendary pregame speech in the locker room, one of the best he’s ever heard. Can’t repeat most of it. 😂

* Jaxson Robinson was fantastic sliding into that backup PG role. Found it to be harder than expected, especially the defensive aspect, but did a nice job with it.

* Asked about whether the team needs a "go-to" bucket man or if the system creates the buckets... Pope says there are times in the game you'd like to put the ball in player A, B, or C's hands and let them go to work -- and we have actions for that -- but bottom line is we've got everything we need to get to where we need to go.

* Tom hasn't asked about Lamont Butler, unless I just completely missed it. (UPDATE: Butler topic comes up later. Tom says Lamont is doing better, but has not returned to the practice floor yet. But sounded upbeat about his progress.)

* Caller says he needs a dictionary to keep up with everything they're talking about through 9 games. Pope laughs. Says he's thought about having a moment during each show to discuss some of their terminology and explain them to the fans. "I'm gonna have the radio crew put out a glossary." Tom offers one: What's the "Pop Rule." It's from NBA legendary coach Popavich. You have 1.5 seconds to decide what you're doing when the ball hits your hands. It's inherent to what we do. It gets you actively thinking ahead during the game, anticipating their next move.

* On the Louisville rivalry... Can't recall much about those games they played back then, but he can remember what the arenas were like, the energy. Said he remembers competing against Samaki Walker... Says they love playing in games like these. They're really special, but we try to prepare the same way for every game. They're hoping to play their best game of the year on Wednesday against Colgate. Then they'll treat UofL the same way. We have to stay consistent in that all year long. I know that's boring and cliche to fans, but it's also true for a winning team.

* Shared a story about Bill Keightley when Pitino first arrived at UK. Said before they went out on the floor, Pitino couldn't find Mr. Wildcat. Was wondering what happened to him. Went back in the locker room, and he was sitting in the shower, on the floor in his suit, almost in tears, with a bottle of bourbon trying to take the stress off. It was at that point that Pitino learned how big this game was. LOL

* SEC has been "insanity." There's only a couple of teams that aren't receiving votes for the Top 25. It's going to be a beautiful year to go out and compete. Every game will be an absolute war.

no surprise

We drop to #5. Duke moves in front us with two losses and we beat them 🤣 🤣


Clemson # 16

Wild stuff to even think anout !!

The third matchup is between the number six seed, Elf, and the fourteen seed, The Grinch.

Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.

In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).

Sorry if this has been discussed but I think he was paying Coach Pope a tremendous compliment.

I was fortunate to play on a state championship high school football team. Our coaching staff was outstanding. Players knew that even if the other team could match or slightly beat our talent, our staff would make in game and halftime adjustments. This gives players great confidence in the system.

Pope is so analytical. He understands not only the assignment, but how to correct his work before the assignment is due.

We don't need starter level minutes, but we need one of these guys to give us 10 minutes a game. Otherwise we're looking at all of Butler, Oweh, Chandler, and Brea playing 30mpg, or trying to get minutes from Almonor at the 3. We'd be really thin if we have any foul trouble. I'd rest Butler this Wednesday against Colgate and let Perry and Chandler back up Robinson, Oweh, and Brea. Give the freshmen all the minutes we can afford to and get them used to playing extended stretches in real competition.

How many drummers we have on here? Other than me and Bonzo.

What kit(s) do you have?

Self-taught or grew up playing/lessons?

Favorite styles to play?

My acoustic kit is on permanent loan to rudd's band (The Astronauts), because I can't really play them at my house (just too loud without a basement)

I was looking at some Roland e-drum kits, but the new Alesis Nitro Max mesh kit was a fraction of the price, and it came with a 12 inch snare, kick drum pad (and pedal) and it's expandable to 4 cymbals and another tom (in addition to the three toms that came with it) The module has bluetooth which is nice and upgraded drum sounds etc.

If you play, check in...

Holy cow. Some of these numbers are a step past eye-popping. Our offense and defense is absolutely legit (I'd argue elite) and that's WITH not being able to buy 3 for four straight games which we know ain't lasting. And so early into a season with none of these guys knowing eachother or the system!

Andrew Carr is a quietly a total force of nature on offense despite a sometimes limited role. Like, a 138 Offensive rating is just hilarious, especially at such a seemingly limited role. He makes the right play and is mega efficient. Brea at 140 is just ridiculous. Even with a small shooting slump, his effect on the floor is huge.

Butler and Oweh are identical and both elite on both ends. Elite. Oweh to me is a surprisingly good improviser driving to the rim and I think we can use more of that vs the SEC. Don't listen to Matt Jones obsessing about us not having anyone who can break their man down, Butler and Oweh are those dudes.

You can see what Amari brings us, just elite defense although I would argue his one on one defense in the post can be strangely bad sometimes. Just an elite defender still though and great rebounder. Dissapointed in his motor and attitude occasionally, he can be so much better in those spots.

You can see Kriisa is kind of glaringly our worst rotation player but still helps our offense generally. Chandler is kinda unplayable right now tbh. Like real bad.

Robinson actually is 2nd worst in the main rotation, if you can believe that. Surprised at the 16 PER. He started slow and is clearly positively trending however, IMO.

Garrison is a great defender, our 2nd best. Offensively some work to do (he's clearly learning on the fly with a much different play style, takes some getting comfortable time). I love the guy, personally.

What's left to win a title?
-Williams and Garrison improving their offensive impact
-Robinson giving us a little more
-Simply making just a few more open/good 3s.

But make no mistake, this team is absolutely a top team. There's nothing fake about it, it's real. These numbers THIS early into the gelling process, has to have opposing coaches terrified. Just tons of 20+ PERs and 10+ BPM ratings. Elite stuff up and down this roster. Like, even Almonor who is kind of an after-thought Is just mastering his small role. Kyler Wiltjer off the bench March 2012.

These exact stats btw are what our staff uses in their decision making.

Marshall's head coach is off to Southern Miss and now Kentucky is looking at Marshall linebacker Landyn Watson.

I'll add this to the portal thread but will also introduce new targets.

Watson confirmed to CI that Kentucky has shown interest through the proper channels.

He's a Texan who played on the TCU team that reached the national championship game in 2022.

Watson had 65 tackles, 4 TFL, and a pick this year for Marshall. He was their fourth leading tackler.

6'1, 239. Graded 62.8 on PFF playing all season as Marshall's WLB. Solid in pass rush and coverage, tackling was up and down.

Asked Watson if Kentucky is an option he would have interest in and he replied "most definitely".

UCONN, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, and SMU are also interested.

With this schedule---> 2025 Schedule