Are you Concerned with Portal Recruiting?

[Farsight]

This is just a quick pulse check on the fanbase here. We’re in Year 2 with Coach Pope, and I know emotions are running high right now since we've only landed one portal player to replace our graduating seniors.

With portal recruiting still in full swing and the important April 7th deadline approaching due to rule changes, I’m curious how are you feeling right now about the direction we’re headed?

Vote below and feel free to explain your thoughts in the thread.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I’d say I’ve moved from category 1 to category 2. Just need to feel confident about a PG we are in on.

 

[kydmb99]

Would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

No. As an aging man with my fair share of life experiences I have a different outlook on things than a 13-year-old girl -- that is, the people who would check boxes three and four above.

 

[KY Long Rifle]

I would like to see one big name. Don’t need the whole team, but it would be good to see something drop that shows we’re headed in a positive direction. (2nd option)

But, it doesn’t matter what I want or think. It will be whatever it is. I will be there next season ready to go no matter who is on the roster. That’s just the way it is.

 

[Old_Head]

Not even a little bit. We have the right guy leading our program!

 

[BarefootBeach]

Shouldn't this poll take place after we're done recruiting the portal?

 

[Farsight]

I would like to see one big name. Don’t need the whole team, but it would be good to see something drop that shows we’re headed in a positive direction.

But, it doesn’t matter what I want or think. It will be whatever it is. I will be there next season ready to go no matter who is on the roster. That’s just the way it is.

If some how it does happen, I doubt it, but I think if we some how land Braden Smith, that would quell the fanbase a lot

 

[CastleRubric]

Zero concern and little/no desire to follow the drama

Wake me when we have a roster right before we scrimmage someone later this year

I don't need to know how the sausage is made

 

[Farsight]

Shouldn't this poll take place after we're done recruiting the portal?

It's called a pulse check. Its during the process. Yes, there should be a poll after we're done for sure.

 

[tf4fun]

I felt like last year we were 1 piece away from being really competitive. We had some top wins, but everybody had to be on their game! Hard to win 4-6 straight like that. But it looks like Pope doesn't see it the same way, and is approaching it like the end of last year. Not closing on a elite guy!

 

[Creed Bratton]

If nothing else this poll proves one thing...We have too many fans that need to either get meaningful relationships in their life or they need to find a hobby. They need something to occupy their time and mind because you stress too much over a sport that is out of your control.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I won’t start freaking out until Easter/420/WrestleMaina (whatever you choose to celebrate).

For now, not worried at all.

 

[Farsight]

If nothing else this poll proves one thing. We have too many fans that need to either get meaningful relationships in their life or find a hobby. You stress too much over a sport that is out of your control.

 

[Creed Bratton]

I felt like last year we were 1 piece away from being really competitive. We had some top wins, but everybody had to be on their game! Hard to win 4-6 straight like that. But it looks like Pope doesn't see it the same way, and is approaching it like the end of last year. Not closing on a elite guy!

I felt like we had the pieces but the problem was some were broken by the end of the year.

 

[bucsrule8872]

No concern. Got other things to be concerned about. Watching it all transpire is a good distraction from the real world. This is entertainment. This is not life or death.

 

[WeWant9]

Not at the moment. Season hasn’t even been over for a week. Lots of guys still mulling their decisions to stay or go.

 

[BlueSince92]

I didn't vote because I would literally have to vote every category.

—I have strong faith in Pope.
—But Pope needs something to work with.
—The portal is drying up. It doesn't matter what you believe about April 7th. Most players seem to believe that will be the end of serious NIL so they're planning accordingly, based on the number of top-talent players transferred through the portal so far and the number of top-talent players remaining in the portal, both as compared to this date last year.
—We still have yet to replace one single departing starter with a same-caliber player, portal or otherwise. (Kam Williams stats are close to Jaxson Robinson, I grant, which is certainly a good thing....but that's a young dude with all his proven work having come at a school that finished fourth in their weak conference.)

I'm not panicking or upset at all.

But I'd feel more confident if those last three points I listed weren't all true at the same time. Sue me.

 

[Eagles_Ball]

If some how it does happen, I doubt it, but I think if we some how land Braden Smith, that would quell the fanbase a lot

Ugh...I can't believe people STILL are repeating this stuff. Repeat after me.

Braden
Smith
Isn't
Coming
Here

Or anywhere other than West Lafayette. It's just ridiculous how much people will believe anything they see if it fits their narrative.

 

[bookerfan66]

Ugh...I can't believe people STILL are repeating this stuff. Repeat after me.

Braden
Smith
Isn't
Coming
Here

Or anywhere other than West Lafayette. It's just ridiculous how much people will believe anything they see if it fits their narrative.

Travis Graf said he's staying at Purdue.

 

[SemperFiCat]

I'm on alert, but not worried. I tend to figure it's more of 'they know things we don't' than 'we keep missing and it's panic time'.

Only truly worrisome thing so far is if we actually offered Mgbako.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I didn't vote because I would literally have to vote every category.

—I have strong faith in Pope.
—But Pope needs something to work with.
—The portal is drying up. It doesn't matter what you believe about April 7th. Most players seem to believe that will be the end of serious NIL so they're planning accordingly, based on the number of top-talent players transferred through the portal so far and the number of top-talent players remaining in the portal, both as compared to this date last year.
—We still have yet to replace one single starter with a same-caliber player, portal or otherwise. (Kam Williams stats are close to Jaxson Robinson, I grant, which is certainly a good thing....but that's a young dude with all his proven work having come at a school that finished fourth in their weak conference.)

I'm not panicking or upset at all.

But I'd feel more confident if those last three points I listed weren't all true at the same time. Sue me.

I wouldn’t say the portal is drying up. It doesn’t even close for 20 more days and four teams are still playing. More guys will enter every day. The top 20 guys right now could end up being top 70 guys by the time this is over.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I didn't vote because I would literally have to vote every category.

—I have strong faith in Pope.
—But Pope needs something to work with.
—The portal is drying up. It doesn't matter what you believe about April 7th. Most players seem to believe that will be the end of serious NIL so they're planning accordingly, based on the number of top-talent players transferred through the portal so far and the number of top-talent players remaining in the portal, both as compared to this date last year.
—We still have yet to replace one single departing starter with a same-caliber player, portal or otherwise. (Kam Williams stats are close to Jaxson Robinson, I grant, which is certainly a good thing....but that's a young dude with all his proven work having come at a school that finished fourth in their weak conference.)

I'm not panicking or upset at all.

But I'd feel more confident if those last three points I listed weren't all true at the same time. Sue me.

If this had been a choice, I’d have chosen it ^. You summed up how I feel pretty well. I’m a gung-ho Pope guy but I’m concerned about PG options drying up. I bet you we do great regardless everywhere else

 

[JwUKFan11]

Some of you are impatient which is leading to you being concerned. That’s a you problem.

 

[Wonky]

I’d feel better if Gwath hadn’t backpedaled, or if the Spaniard would go ahead and pull the trigger. Happy with Kam Williams as he should be an upgrade over Almonor.

 

[BlueSince92]

I wouldn’t say the portal is drying up. It doesn’t even close for 20 more days and four teams are still playing. More guys will enter every day. The top 20 guys right now could end up being top 70 guys by the time this is over.

But what I said wasn't spin. Nearly as many top-talent guys have already entered the portal and signed with a school and taken themselves out of the running already this year than did that all portal season last year. And it's because they are all treating April 7th like a deadline, which would mean by and large there are only 5 useful portal days remaining instead of 20. (Whether or not it will be any kind of hard deadline, most players are obviously treating it like it will be).

You can say "It doesn’t even close for 20 more days and four teams are still playing. More guys will enter every day. The top 20 guys right now could end up being top 70 guys by the time this is over." But I put specific points in my post why those hopes are unlikely. So if you aren't addressing my points why reply to me specifically?

 

[BlueSince92]

If this had been a choice, I’d have chosen it ^. You summed up how I feel pretty well. I’m a gung-ho Pope guy but I’m concerned about PG options drying up. I bet you we do great regardless everywhere else

Thank you, my blue brother. I'm not perfect and will probably get a ban from @DraftCat very soon. But occasionally a blind squirrel finds a nut.

 

[Eagles_Ball]

Travis Graf said he's staying at Purdue.

I don't need whoever a Travis Graf is to tell me that. Braden Smith leaving Purdue prior to his senior season would be like Travis Perry (if he develops into a player here) transferring from UK before his senior season. It's just laughable.

 

[jace2012]

This is what a lot of fans have been wanting, an older roster with Kentucky kids on it. You bring in a good player from the portal then there’s a good chance you will run someone off

 

[BMR_1987]

I'm more concerned that it seems like we're chasing pie-in-the-sky scenarios that were NEVER going to pan out and maybe letting more realistic and better fit options slip away. If we don't have the money, why are they flying all over the country meeting with guys who, more than likely, are mostly interested in a big pay day? Lock down guys that fit what you want to do and are affordable. An Alvaro in the hand is worth more than a Yaxel in the bush 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Zuma75]

Not worried specifically about anything that has happened since the portal opened. But let's face it, how Pope is going to be able to recruit at UK is still a bit of an unknown. Going to tune out for a few days and let it play out. There's so much we, as fans, don't about with the portal, and it moves so fast, that it's not a good idea to hang on every report. Unless you really enjoy then roller coaster ride I guess. But if it makes you unhappy, just ignore it.

 

[Farsight]

Ugh...I can't believe people STILL are repeating this stuff. Repeat after me.

Braden
Smith
Isn't
Coming
Here

Or anywhere other than West Lafayette. It's just ridiculous how much people will believe anything they see if it fits their narrative.

Repeat after me.

Learn
Reading
Comprehension

 

[W1LDCAT22]

Category 3 at the moment. However, if we get Yaxel or Pierre, my mind changes a bit. I'd probably leap back into Category 2 territory.

 

[IowaMuse]

Yes. Plugging guys in will not bring a title.

Who are the dudes on next years team that will help UK compete for a title? It’s gonna be a nice roster that Pope can once again scheme to maximize results. But gotta get some real difference makers man

 

[MrHotDice]

This is just a quick pulse check on the fanbase here. We’re in Year 2 with Coach Pope, and I know emotions are running high right now since we've only landed one portal player to replace our graduating seniors.

With portal recruiting still in full swing and the important April 7th deadline approaching due to rule changes, I’m curious how are you feeling right now about the direction we’re headed?

Vote below and feel free to explain your thoughts in the thread.

These so called polls are a waste IMHO. Then how well do you think Pope did? Then what player Pope recruited be a bust? when will it stop.q

 

[Eagles_Ball]

Repeat after me.

Learn
Reading
Comprehension

Sure boss...anyway you want to rationalize it.

It's about like me saying I could land Sophia Bush tonight too. I suppose a lot of things are possible, but I'm not waiting around for her.

 

[Farsight]

Sure boss...anyway you want to rationalize it.

It's about like me saying I could land Sophia Bush tonight too. I suppose a lot of things are possible, but I'm not waiting around for her.

Dude are you dumb?

I literally said I doubt it would happen just that it would calm fans down if it somehow did. Not sure how that turned into ‘believing anything I see

Learn what the word doubt means before you make your self look stupid again.

 

[Farsight]

These so called polls are a waste IMHO. Then how well do you think Pope did? Then what player Pope recruited be a bust? when will it stop.q

If it was a waste then why did you waste your time commenting on the post you're claiming is a waste of time? 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[fatguy87]

Not concerned at all. I rather enjoy following the melodrama about it on this board though.

 

[ukcatz12]

I felt like last year we were 1 piece away from being really competitive.

That may have been true, but if you look at this year it was extremely top heavy. The final four teams are clearly the top four teams in the country and it's by a pretty wide margin. Even with that, Florida has gotten a little lucky this tournament to get to the Final Four.

We beat Duke, albeit a while ago. We beat Florida, too. We were also missing a few key pieces down the stretch. There's another world where we were mostly healthy the entire year, get a 2 seed, lose a close Elite 8 game or make the Final Four and in that case no one is saying Pope needs to get more elite talent.

I think how far ahead of the rest of the pack teams like Duke and Auburn are this year is making people doubt Pope more than they should. If this turns into a multi year trend that's one thing, but now I don't see a reason to be concerned.