Nope. I have fairly low expectations for year one, but great optimism for the longer term. I'm just glad we aren't a laughingstock NBA farm team anymore.
Anyone else concerned?
- Thread starter SouthernINcat
- Start date
Too many still stuck in the Cal mode of we have to sign the top 5 guys available or else. Like they're obligated to come here. We're done with that. we are now in finding the best players to fit the team and Popes style. Patience is a virtue.
Two days on the job and the coach postings don't come down until tomorrow
no need to panic
no need to panic
Let’s all wring our hands and grind our teeth to the roots!
We are doomed and there’s nothing we can do.
Feel better?
😫😝
We are doomed and there’s nothing we can do.
Feel better?
😫😝
I just do not get this point of view. The roster will be with guys who want playing time and NIL money. To think differently, to me, blows my mind. We are just changing who the 1year rentals are... from 1st year high school kids who are probably more individually talented to NIL rentals, who are probably not as highly thougt of by the NBA folks. Still- to me it's probably technically the same.
No, this off-season has been awesome. Just think some of you guys wanted Billy D, let's say we pursued him we would've still been without coach right now and probably no players. The dominos will continue to fall
the only difference is that everyone is switching to one year rentals. now that the purpose is explicit, people will be more focused with their time at kentucky. since it is ubiquitous, there is no arbitrage that Cal holds over the process (as he did with one-and-dones). College basketball is over, this is semi-pro sports under a college brand.
May be, but we no longer have a coach that is beholden to those players “handlers” to a point where actually WINNING GAMES is secondary to NBA Draft status!!!
Starting positions and playing time WON’T be a given to the top NBA prospects over those that are ACTUALLY better!!
Can’t wait to see it again!!! It’s been a while.
But that's only year one, because Cal left our cupboard almost completely empty. The hope is to see more 3 and 4 year players going forward that want the development and college experience along with NIL.
It’s been said here before recently but look at Mark Pope and then look at Mark Pope’s wife. If you think that’s not a man who can recruit at a high level you’re fooling yourself.
Seems a bit early to be concerned. I'm actually enjoying the process but I'm a roster construction junkie lol.
Oh for F’s sake. On the job two days…what in the hell did you all expect? UK will be fine, but it’s not going to happen over night.
Looks like he outkicked his coverage to me. 😉
The same people concerned were probably also mad that we didn’t wait another 3 weeks to hear Donovan say no and really being behind.
Have to ask yourself what those guys wanted with Kentucky. I think it speaks volumes.
some seem tp forget when UK hired Cal
he brought all his recruits that mattered except XH
You’re like the 10th “new poster” I’ve had to put on ignore the past few days. You guys need to try harder.
I love Pope. I think he will do a good job. I am concerned about getting players for sure. He is a relatively unknown coach in recruiting circles. He has spent a lot of time in Utah. He really needs a dialed in recruiter.
sigh.....Especially when they found out about a week ago that Cal shifted to Arkansas. Of course a lot of them are going to follow them. Why? Because they believe he is the only path to the NBA. So, if that's their belief, we don't need them here.
Hindsight but really the only coach who was going to have any shot to keep half the class would've been Nate Oats. He offered/recruited Boogie Fland, Billy Richmond, and Travis Perry hard.
Boogie Fland did list UK and said he's communicating with them but he's going to open things up and see what future has for him. Fland/family have heard that Pope wants to recruit him.
Poor guy has been on the job for what, like 3 days? He has to assemble a staff, a roster, an deal with moving his family across the country. I mean, thats a LOT for anyone to have on their plate. I think I'll wait a week or so before I start freakin out. Shew wee, let's show him a lil grace and patience before we go all BBN on him lol 🤷🏻♀
I would suspect that Fland highly hinges on one Reed Shep returning or not.
I'm not expecting Reed Sheppard back at all. If it happens, pleasant surprise. I'd still want Boogie with him-would be best backcourt duo UK has had since Maxey/Quickley. Winning players who put winning ahead of stats.
Stranger things have happened. When it is all said and done we may end up with a better chance than we would staying pat.
Even Kentucky is not bigger than the game.
The whole sport is one year contracts (at best) now so we can only navigate the waters we are in.
I think we could see a better roster than we'd have had if Cal was still here. Fully believe that. That's more than possible. Again, my biggest concern as of now is getting the staff hired/announced ASAP so they can present a brand WITH Pope, not just rehash his PC all week, and have him doing everything. He needs the help.
Best thing and can't emphasize this enough is the NCAA changing the live evaluation period calendar. Coach Pope would've had to hit the road this past weekend by himself or with 1 other coach/intern, and then had to get a staff together this week, then head back out next weekend all while trying to build a roster that as of today has 2 players with 11 more open scholarships.
So being able to build his roster is nice--he can do this and then in late May start turning to the '25 class and no matter that it's the Portal era-you need your foundation to be made of a nice core of HS players. Doesn't mean 7/8 each year-but 3/4--sometimes 5 if it's a talented class is important because you will know them better/they are coming to play for you, and can instill the mindset for everyone else who visits/comes to play for UK.
Yes. Roster turnover is a thing everywhere now.
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Yes, very. If you are not then you have your head in the sand.
Here’s an example of what we are dealing with since Mitch hired a guy that none of these top players have ever even heard of: Javon Small is in the portal from Oklahoma State. CBS has him as like the #60 best prospect in the portal. He did put up good numbers this year though with 15ppg/5rbg/4apg and shooting splits of 44%/37%/87%. Word is he will come to UK if we give him one million dollars.
To be able to get the talent needed to win like UK should, we are going to have to overpay to get those guys to come here. I know it’s easy to say he’s not worth a million, and he’s clearly not, but we are in a position where we probably don’t have much of a choice. Had Barnhart hired someone like Pearl or Beard then players like Small would have came here for way less.
We better hope NIL gets a cap very soon because it’s not sustainable as it is. People aren’t/can’t keep giving this much money each year to something that doesn’t even guarantee success. The only way the current system can work long term is if they make it where the school can pay the players. UK makes $50M+ a year on tv rights alone. That’s who should be paying all theses players. Not Jim Bob who works at a sawmill doing his best to get by.
Here’s an example of what we are dealing with since Mitch hired a guy that none of these top players have ever even heard of: Javon Small is in the portal from Oklahoma State. CBS has him as like the #60 best prospect in the portal. He did put up good numbers this year though with 15ppg/5rbg/4apg and shooting splits of 44%/37%/87%. Word is he will come to UK if we give him one million dollars.
To be able to get the talent needed to win like UK should, we are going to have to overpay to get those guys to come here. I know it’s easy to say he’s not worth a million, and he’s clearly not, but we are in a position where we probably don’t have much of a choice. Had Barnhart hired someone like Pearl or Beard then players like Small would have came here for way less.
We better hope NIL gets a cap very soon because it’s not sustainable as it is. People aren’t/can’t keep giving this much money each year to something that doesn’t even guarantee success. The only way the current system can work long term is if they make it where the school can pay the players. UK makes $50M+ a year on tv rights alone. That’s who should be paying all theses players. Not Jim Bob who works at a sawmill doing his best to get by.
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