Building a Contender - The Final Pieces

[Eight_Banners]

Updated 4/30/2024 (Brandon Garrison Edition)

With the roster shaping up, here are the final pieces needed for Kentucky to build a contender in 2024-25. If you are familiar with some of my recent posts, I have been looking heavily at the metrics of portal players, examining them in light of high performers in 2023-24 (TRANSFER PORTAL BIG BOARD). Here, I will break down the roster pieces of the Final Four teams in 2024, the tournament #1 seeds, the tournament #2 seeds, Kentucky 2023-24, and the current roster for the 2023-24 Kentucky Wildcats. (NOTE: I cannot include Collin Chandler or Travis Perry because they have no measurable metrics in College Basketball). Roster numbers were used from players who played 450+ minutes for their respective teams.

The focus will be given to three categories: Player Efficiency Rating (PER) / Offensive Efficiency Rating (ORtg) / Defensive Efficiency Rating (DRtg). These are player statistics, not team statistics, but these individual statistics shed light on the high-performing teams of 2023-24.

Team Ranks by PER:
UCONN: 20.2
2024-25 Kentucky Wildcats: 19.8 --- Dropped 0.5 adding Garrison
KENTUCKY: 18.8
PURDUE: 18.7
HOUSTON: 18.7
ARIZONA: 18.6
IOWA STATE: 18.4
MARQUETTE: 18.1
ALABAMA: 17.7
TENNESSEE: 17.4
NORTH CAROLINA: 17.2
NC STATE: 17

Team Ranks by ORtg:
PURDUE: 125.5
UCONN: 125.3
ALABAMA: 123.5
KENTUCKY: 120.5
ARIZONA: 119.8
NORTH CAROLINA: 116.7
TENNESSEE: 116.5
HOUSTON: 116.1
MARQUETTE: 115.3
IOWA STATE: 114.7
NC STATE: 113
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 111.1 --- Dropped 0.7 adding Garrison

Team Ranks by DRtg:
HOUSTON: 89.3
IOWA STATE: 91.4
UCONN: 97.9
ARIZONA: 97.9
TENNESSEE: 97.9
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 99.0 --- Dropped 0.5 adding Garrison
NORTH CAROLINA: 100.7
MARQUETTE: 101.8
PURDUE: 102.8
NC STATE: 104.6
KENTUCKY: 108.6
ALABAMA: 111.9


Obviously, number don't tell the whole story. One thing that the two National Championship game teams had was a superstar on their roster, Zach Edey (Purdue) and Donovan Clingan (UCONN). Both of these players had extremely high PER numbers for the year (Edey 39.3; Clingan 34.8). Team chemistry also has potential to make or break a roster. We could get our new players suited up and they make each other better, raising up all these number totals and making them a cut above the rest of the teams. The opposite could also happen. Here are the portal players we are currently "recruiting" and the metric changes that would result from their commitments:



KENTUCKY 18.8 120.5 108.6
Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Brandon Garrison 17.8 108.6 101.2
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 19.8 / ORtg: 111.1 / DRtg: 99.0


Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Koby Brea 18.3 134.5 106.1
Brandon Garrison 17.8 108.6 101.2
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3
Team Averages: PER: 19.5 / ORtg: 115.0 / DRtg: 100.2

If we added Brea, it would put us in 2nd in PER behind UCONN, make us more competitive offensively, bringing us up from the bottom, and keep us in the middle defensively.


Player Additions:

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Kadary Richmond 23.5 108.7 98.6
Trazarian White 26.2 127.4 94.6
Great Osobor 25.5 116.5 98.4
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 22.3 / ORtg: 114.2 / DRtg: 97.9

This makes our team the highest PER, raises us offensively, and puts us very competitive defensively.


Player Additions:

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Chaz Lanier 24.6 129 110.7
Tyreek Smith 26.2 127.4 94.6
Aubin Gateretse 26.8 128.4 105.1
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 22.7 / ORtg: 118.8 / DRtg: 100.6

This lineup would put us significantly ahead in PER, top-6 offensively, and keep us mid-pack defensively.


I'm done for now. Let me know if there are players you would like to see added to the lineup, and the various metric combinations certain players might create. Right now, the need is definitely offensive weapons. I think Koby Brea and Great Osobor would be steps in the right direction for competing in 2024-25 for a National Championship.

 

[ruppsrunt66]

Your info is outstanding. DATA based and well organized. Much appreciated and please continue.

thank you

rr

 

[Eight_Banners]

With the roster shaping up, here are the final pieces needed for Kentucky to build a contender in 2024-25. If you are familiar with some of my recent posts, I have been looking heavily at the metrics of portal players, examining them in light of high performers in 2023-24 (TRANSFER PORTAL BIG BOARD). Here, I will break down the roster pieces of the Final Four teams in 2024, the tournament #1 seeds, the tournament #2 seeds, Kentucky 2023-24, and the current roster for the 2023-24 Kentucky Wildcats. (NOTE: I cannot include Collin Chandler or Travis Perry because they have no measurable metrics in College Basketball). Roster numbers were used from players who played 450+ minutes for their respective teams.

The focus will be given to three categories: Player Efficiency Rating (PER) / Offensive Efficiency Rating (ORtg) / Defensive Efficiency Rating (DRtg). These are player statistics, not team statistics, but these individual statistics shed light on the high-performing teams of 2023-24.

Team Ranks by PER:
2024-25 Kentucky Wildcats: 20.3 (Obviously this average could be lowered with additions to the roster)
UCONN: 20.2
KENTUCKY: 18.8
PURDUE: 18.7
HOUSTON: 18.7
ARIZONA: 18.6
IOWA STATE: 18.4
MARQUETTE: 18.1
ALABAMA: 17.7
TENNESSEE: 17.4
NORTH CAROLINA: 17.2
NC STATE: 17

Team Ranks by ORtg:
PURDUE: 125.5
UCONN: 125.3
ALABAMA: 123.5
KENTUCKY: 120.5
ARIZONA: 119.8
NORTH CAROLINA: 116.7
TENNESSEE: 116.5
HOUSTON: 116.1
MARQUETTE: 115.3
IOWA STATE: 114.7
NC STATE: 113
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 111.8

Team Ranks by DRtg:
HOUSTON: 89.3
IOWA STATE: 91.4
UCONN: 97.9
ARIZONA: 97.9
TENNESSEE: 97.9
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 98.5
NORTH CAROLINA: 100.7
MARQUETTE: 101.8
PURDUE: 102.8
NC STATE: 104.6
KENTUCKY: 108.6
ALABAMA: 111.9


Obviously, number don't tell the whole story. One thing that the two National Championship game teams had was a superstar on their roster, Zach Edey (Purdue) and Donovan Clingan (UCONN). Both of these players had extremely high PER numbers for the year (Edey 39.3; Clingan 34.8). Team chemistry also has potential to make or break a roster. We could get our new players suited up and they make each other better, raising up all these number totals and making them a cut above the rest of the teams. The opposite could also happen. Here are the portal players we are currently "recruiting" and the metric changes that would result from their commitments:



Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 20.3 / ORtg: 111.8 / DRtg: 98.5

Player Additions:
Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Koby Brea 18.3 134.5 106.1
Aidan Mahaney 13.6 112.8 98.6
Great Osobor 25.5 116.5 98.4
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 19.8 / ORtg: 115.8 / DRtg: 99.6

If we added Brea, Mahaney, and Osobor, it would put us in 2nd in PER behind UCONN, mid-pack offensively, bringing us up from the bottom, and keep us in the middle defensively.


Player Additions:

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Kadary Richmond 23.5 108.7 98.6
Trazarian White 26.2 127.4 94.6
Great Osobor 25.5 116.5 98.4
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 22.3 / ORtg: 114.2 / DRtg: 97.9

This makes our team the highest PER, raises us offensively, and puts us very competitive defensively.


Player Additions:

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Chaz Lanier 24.6 129 110.7
Tyreek Smith 26.2 127.4 94.6
Aubin Gateretse 26.8 128.4 105.1
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 22.7 / ORtg: 118.8 / DRtg: 100.6

This lineup would put us significantly ahead in PER, top-6 offensively, and keep us mid-pack defensively.


I'm done for now. Let me know if there are players you would like to see added to the lineup, and the various metric combinations certain players might create. Right now, the need is definitely offensive weapons. I think Koby Brea and Great Osobor would be steps in the right direction for competing in 2024-25 for a National Championship.

While the addition of Brea, Mahaney, and Osobor isn't the best possible lineup, based on numbers, that we could build, this is very likely, and I love the potential.

I would love to roll into the season with that seven from the portal, Chandler and Perry added as freshmen, and then anything else would be welcomed additions.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Good analysis. Thank you.

 

[H00SIER-Cat]

You should add another metric rating of Youtube highlight reels. You know like does the guy have "hops" or "mean mugging" an athletically overmatched 16 year old in some AAU tourney somewhere.

 

[Eight_Banners]

You should add another metric rating of Youtube highlight reels. You know like does the guy have "hops" or "mean mugging" an athletically overmatched 16 year old in some AAU tourney somewhere.

Well, if this were a thread about incoming freshmen, I could do that. These guys actually have college playing time, with real college statistics, and actual YouTube videos of them playing college basketball. I suppose I could like their Transfer Portal YouTube Highlight Reels.

 

[UKhoopCat]

I got goosebumps reading that..thank you!

Pope is possibly creating a monster right before our eyes.

 

[Eight_Banners]

I got goosebumps reading that..thank you!

Pope is possibly creating a monster right before our eyes.

Seriously, if we land Brea and Osobor, he truly is doing something incredible in such a short period of time. I mean, these number comparisons are with the top-10 teams in 2023-24. He's got a solid start to this rebuild in less than three weeks!

 

[catfan220]

With the roster shaping up, here are the final pieces needed for Kentucky to build a contender in 2024-25. If you are familiar with some of my recent posts, I have been looking heavily at the metrics of portal players, examining them in light of high performers in 2023-24 (TRANSFER PORTAL BIG BOARD). Here, I will break down the roster pieces of the Final Four teams in 2024, the tournament #1 seeds, the tournament #2 seeds, Kentucky 2023-24, and the current roster for the 2023-24 Kentucky Wildcats. (NOTE: I cannot include Collin Chandler or Travis Perry because they have no measurable metrics in College Basketball). Roster numbers were used from players who played 450+ minutes for their respective teams.

The focus will be given to three categories: Player Efficiency Rating (PER) / Offensive Efficiency Rating (ORtg) / Defensive Efficiency Rating (DRtg). These are player statistics, not team statistics, but these individual statistics shed light on the high-performing teams of 2023-24.

Team Ranks by PER:
2024-25 Kentucky Wildcats: 20.3 (Obviously this average could be lowered with additions to the roster)
UCONN: 20.2
KENTUCKY: 18.8
PURDUE: 18.7
HOUSTON: 18.7
ARIZONA: 18.6
IOWA STATE: 18.4
MARQUETTE: 18.1
ALABAMA: 17.7
TENNESSEE: 17.4
NORTH CAROLINA: 17.2
NC STATE: 17

Team Ranks by ORtg:
PURDUE: 125.5
UCONN: 125.3
ALABAMA: 123.5
KENTUCKY: 120.5
ARIZONA: 119.8
NORTH CAROLINA: 116.7
TENNESSEE: 116.5
HOUSTON: 116.1
MARQUETTE: 115.3
IOWA STATE: 114.7
NC STATE: 113
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 111.8

Team Ranks by DRtg:
HOUSTON: 89.3
IOWA STATE: 91.4
UCONN: 97.9
ARIZONA: 97.9
TENNESSEE: 97.9
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 98.5
NORTH CAROLINA: 100.7
MARQUETTE: 101.8
PURDUE: 102.8
NC STATE: 104.6
KENTUCKY: 108.6
ALABAMA: 111.9


Obviously, number don't tell the whole story. One thing that the two National Championship game teams had was a superstar on their roster, Zach Edey (Purdue) and Donovan Clingan (UCONN). Both of these players had extremely high PER numbers for the year (Edey 39.3; Clingan 34.8). Team chemistry also has potential to make or break a roster. We could get our new players suited up and they make each other better, raising up all these number totals and making them a cut above the rest of the teams. The opposite could also happen. Here are the portal players we are currently "recruiting" and the metric changes that would result from their commitments:



Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 20.3 / ORtg: 111.8 / DRtg: 98.5

Player Additions:
Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Koby Brea 18.3 134.5 106.1
Aidan Mahaney 13.6 112.8 98.6
Great Osobor 25.5 116.5 98.4
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 19.8 / ORtg: 115.8 / DRtg: 99.6

If we added Brea, Mahaney, and Osobor, it would put us in 2nd in PER behind UCONN, mid-pack offensively, bringing us up from the bottom, and keep us in the middle defensively.


Player Additions:

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Kadary Richmond 23.5 108.7 98.6
Trazarian White 26.2 127.4 94.6
Great Osobor 25.5 116.5 98.4
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 22.3 / ORtg: 114.2 / DRtg: 97.9

This makes our team the highest PER, raises us offensively, and puts us very competitive defensively.


Player Additions:

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Chaz Lanier 24.6 129 110.7
Tyreek Smith 26.2 127.4 94.6
Aubin Gateretse 26.8 128.4 105.1
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 22.7 / ORtg: 118.8 / DRtg: 100.6

This lineup would put us significantly ahead in PER, top-6 offensively, and keep us mid-pack defensively.


I'm done for now. Let me know if there are players you would like to see added to the lineup, and the various metric combinations certain players might create. Right now, the need is definitely offensive weapons. I think Koby Brea and Great Osobor would be steps in the right direction for competing in 2024-25 for a National Championship.

Appreciate the time and effort you're putting into your posts lately. Everyone is familiar with the NCAA tourney stat about nearly all recent champs being top 25 or so in offensive and defensive efficiency. In fact I think on average the champs have been top 10 in both categories. I think the roster we're building will put us in that range to be contenders in March, and if that's the case it will mean we should've put together a pretty good season in general. I wish we had an international trip this year to give us a basketball fix, can't wait for next season!

 

[Eight_Banners]

Appreciate the time and effort you're putting into your posts lately. Everyone is familiar with the NCAA tourney stat about nearly all recent champs being top 25 or so in offensive and defensive efficiency. In fact I think on average the champs have been top 10 in both categories. I think the roster we're building will put us in that range to be contenders in March, and if that's the case it will mean we should've put together a pretty good season in general. I wish we had an international trip this year to give us a basketball fix, can't wait for next season!

Thanks for the reply. We're just a couple of players away from a really solid team next year.

 

[NerlensCat]

With the roster shaping up, here are the final pieces needed for Kentucky to build a contender in 2024-25. If you are familiar with some of my recent posts, I have been looking heavily at the metrics of portal players, examining them in light of high performers in 2023-24 (TRANSFER PORTAL BIG BOARD). Here, I will break down the roster pieces of the Final Four teams in 2024, the tournament #1 seeds, the tournament #2 seeds, Kentucky 2023-24, and the current roster for the 2023-24 Kentucky Wildcats. (NOTE: I cannot include Collin Chandler or Travis Perry because they have no measurable metrics in College Basketball). Roster numbers were used from players who played 450+ minutes for their respective teams.

The focus will be given to three categories: Player Efficiency Rating (PER) / Offensive Efficiency Rating (ORtg) / Defensive Efficiency Rating (DRtg). These are player statistics, not team statistics, but these individual statistics shed light on the high-performing teams of 2023-24.

Team Ranks by PER:
2024-25 Kentucky Wildcats: 20.3 (Obviously this average could be lowered with additions to the roster)
UCONN: 20.2
KENTUCKY: 18.8
PURDUE: 18.7
HOUSTON: 18.7
ARIZONA: 18.6
IOWA STATE: 18.4
MARQUETTE: 18.1
ALABAMA: 17.7
TENNESSEE: 17.4
NORTH CAROLINA: 17.2
NC STATE: 17

Team Ranks by ORtg:
PURDUE: 125.5
UCONN: 125.3
ALABAMA: 123.5
KENTUCKY: 120.5
ARIZONA: 119.8
NORTH CAROLINA: 116.7
TENNESSEE: 116.5
HOUSTON: 116.1
MARQUETTE: 115.3
IOWA STATE: 114.7
NC STATE: 113
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 111.8

Team Ranks by DRtg:
HOUSTON: 89.3
IOWA STATE: 91.4
UCONN: 97.9
ARIZONA: 97.9
TENNESSEE: 97.9
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 98.5
NORTH CAROLINA: 100.7
MARQUETTE: 101.8
PURDUE: 102.8
NC STATE: 104.6
KENTUCKY: 108.6
ALABAMA: 111.9


Obviously, number don't tell the whole story. One thing that the two National Championship game teams had was a superstar on their roster, Zach Edey (Purdue) and Donovan Clingan (UCONN). Both of these players had extremely high PER numbers for the year (Edey 39.3; Clingan 34.8). Team chemistry also has potential to make or break a roster. We could get our new players suited up and they make each other better, raising up all these number totals and making them a cut above the rest of the teams. The opposite could also happen. Here are the portal players we are currently "recruiting" and the metric changes that would result from their commitments:



Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 20.3 / ORtg: 111.8 / DRtg: 98.5

Player Additions:
Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Koby Brea 18.3 134.5 106.1
Aidan Mahaney 13.6 112.8 98.6
Great Osobor 25.5 116.5 98.4
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 19.8 / ORtg: 115.8 / DRtg: 99.6

If we added Brea, Mahaney, and Osobor, it would put us in 2nd in PER behind UCONN, mid-pack offensively, bringing us up from the bottom, and keep us in the middle defensively.


Player Additions:

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Kadary Richmond 23.5 108.7 98.6
Trazarian White 26.2 127.4 94.6
Great Osobor 25.5 116.5 98.4
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 22.3 / ORtg: 114.2 / DRtg: 97.9

This makes our team the highest PER, raises us offensively, and puts us very competitive defensively.


Player Additions:

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Chaz Lanier 24.6 129 110.7
Tyreek Smith 26.2 127.4 94.6
Aubin Gateretse 26.8 128.4 105.1
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

Team Averages: PER: 22.7 / ORtg: 118.8 / DRtg: 100.6

This lineup would put us significantly ahead in PER, top-6 offensively, and keep us mid-pack defensively.


I'm done for now. Let me know if there are players you would like to see added to the lineup, and the various metric combinations certain players might create. Right now, the need is definitely offensive weapons. I think Koby Brea and Great Osobor would be steps in the right direction for competing in 2024-25 for a National Championship.

Great post! Thanks

 

[Untouchables22]

Thanks for the reply. We're just a couple of players away from a really solid team next year.

While we currently have a nice foundation for a team and it’s true “we are a couple players away.” The reality is those players we are missing are the most valuable and important players and the hardest to obtain. We are missing elite shot creation and consistent scoring production. The players Pope has signed are all great at catch and shoot 3’s. But someone has to create the quality look for them to have the open shot opportunity. SO we need an elite shot creator badly and a consistent primary scorer would put us firmly in the Top Ten.

 

[Eight_Banners]

While we currently have a nice foundation for a team and it’s true “we are a couple players away.” The reality is those players we are missing are the most valuable and important players and the hardest to obtain. We are missing elite shot creation and consistent scoring production. The players Pope has signed are all great at catch and shoot 3’s. But someone has to create the quality look for them to have the open shot opportunity. SO we need an elite shot creator badly and a consistent primary scorer would put us firmly in the Top Ten.

Koby Brea fills that shooting need:
ORtg: 134.5
3PT% (per 100 poss.): 50%

Chaz Lanier would be another:
ORtg: 129
3PT%: 44%

Jaylen Wells (F):
ORtg: 128.5
3PT%: 42%

Max Shulga:
ORtg: 123.8
3PT%: 42%

Other than Brea and Wells, I'm not sure who has heard from Kentucky

 

[quest4#9]

Can we get an update on this with garrison commitment 😁

 

[quest4#9]

And where are you getting this data from out of curiosity? Is there a site that has these numbers? Thanks !

 

[UKSanders]

While we currently have a nice foundation for a team and it’s true “we are a couple players away.” The reality is those players we are missing are the most valuable and important players and the hardest to obtain. We are missing elite shot creation and consistent scoring production. The players Pope has signed are all great at catch and shoot 3’s. But someone has to create the quality look for them to have the open shot opportunity. SO we need an elite shot creator badly and a consistent primary scorer would put us firmly in the Top Ten.

I think most would consider Butler the opposite of what you describe have committed. I don't think he is a "catch and shoot guy" as much as he is a driver/slasher.

 

[Eight_Banners]

And where are you getting this data from out of curiosity? Is there a site that has these numbers? Thanks !

Men's and Women's College Basketball Statistics and History | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

College Basketball Statistics and History

www.sports-reference.com

 

[Eight_Banners]

Can we get an update on this with garrison commitment 😁

This will be a letdown, as Brandon Garrison's numbers will bring down Kentucky's comparative numbers. Garrison seems to be a good fit for future years, and year one should be a growth year. I mean, he's only a freshman, which is a great thing if he sticks around more than a year. I'm actually surprised Osobor is out with the addition of Garrison, because Garrison is more of a true Center and Osobor a Power Forward.


Kentucky numbers with Garrison addition:

Player	PER	ORtg	DRtg
Otega Oweh	17.5​	104.7​	98.4​
Amari Williams	28.5​	109.5​	92.1​
Andrew Carr	20.8​	127.6​	103.2​
Brandon Garrison	17.8​	108.6​	101.2​
Lamont Butler	14.3​	105.3​	100.3​
	19.8​	111.1​	99.0​

Team Ranks by PER:
UCONN: 20.2
2024-25 Kentucky Wildcats: 19.8 (Obviously this average could be lowered with additions to the roster)
KENTUCKY: 18.8
PURDUE: 18.7
HOUSTON: 18.7
ARIZONA: 18.6
IOWA STATE: 18.4
MARQUETTE: 18.1
ALABAMA: 17.7
TENNESSEE: 17.4
NORTH CAROLINA: 17.2
NC STATE: 17

Team Ranks by ORtg:
PURDUE: 125.5
UCONN: 125.3
ALABAMA: 123.5
KENTUCKY: 120.5
ARIZONA: 119.8
NORTH CAROLINA: 116.7
TENNESSEE: 116.5
HOUSTON: 116.1
MARQUETTE: 115.3
IOWA STATE: 114.7
NC STATE: 113
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 111.1

Team Ranks by DRtg:
HOUSTON: 89.3
IOWA STATE: 91.4
UCONN: 97.9
ARIZONA: 97.9
TENNESSEE: 97.9
2024-25 KENTUCKY: 99.0
NORTH CAROLINA: 100.7
MARQUETTE: 101.8
PURDUE: 102.8
NC STATE: 104.6
KENTUCKY: 108.6
ALABAMA: 111.9


We drop offensively with Garrison, maintain defensively, and drop a bit in PER. However, Garrison is young and has a high ceiling that other players in the portal may not have. He's not necessarily a get what you get kind of pick up.

 

[Eight_Banners]

And where are you getting this data from out of curiosity? Is there a site that has these numbers? Thanks !

To be clear, https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/ has all of these statistics. I am combining them in a running Excel file that I am working with. That's how I pull them so quickly and have comparisons available, etc.

 

[mrschwump]

I want Boyed too.

 

[ruppsrunt66]

I notice NO kansas in any list--any particular reason? Not in top 10?

rr

 

[lazycat75]

Outstanding post OP ty very much

 

[Eight_Banners]

Koby Brea, I think, is a must have. He has the highest ORtg on the board and highest 3PT%.

I have no insider information, but Pope and the Gang have to be looking at the following guards:

Chaz Lanier:
PER: 24.6
ORtg: 129
DRtg: 110.7
3PT: 44%

Max Shulga:
PER: 19.7
ORtg: 123.8
DRtg: 103.1
3PT: 42%

Brycen Goodine:
PER: 20.8
ORtg: 120.6
DRtg: 107.2
3PT%: 47%

 

[Eight_Banners]

I notice NO kansas in any list--any particular reason? Not in top 10?

rr

I did the Final Four, the #1 seeds, #2 seeds, and Kentucky 2023-24. Kansas was a 4 seed.

I can do it for you.

 

[Eight_Banners]

KANSAS (2023-24)
PER: 15.8
ORtg: 107.9
DRtg: 101.7

 

[ruppsrunt66]

Thanks--just looking where the "hockers" fit--the lower the better.

rr

 

[Eight_Banners]

Thanks--just looking where the "hockers" fit--the lower the better.

rr

Yeah, but remember, Kansas was a shell of itself last year. They were a 4 seed for only the second time since 2006-07, with every other year being a #3 (once, in 2016-17) or higher.

 

[Untouchables22]

I think most would consider Butler the opposite of what you describe have committed. I don't think he is a "catch and shoot guy" as much as he is a driver/slasher.

His shooting numbers are DRAMATICALLY better when he takes a set shot compared to shooting off the dribble. But more importantly he isn’t great at generating offense for others. Look at his assist to turnover ratio. He really shouldn’t be a lead guard on a good offensive team. And I don’t think he will be. Kentucky is still actively recruiting several guys for that lead guard role. (Smith, Small, Hawkins, and Ivy-Curry)

 

[Eight_Banners]

Thanks--just looking where the "hockers" fit--the lower the better.

rr

To give you an idea of how good our portal acquisitions have been, here are Kansas' numbers for portal players:


Player PER ORtg DRtg
Zeke Mayo 20.8 113.4 104.9
Riley Kugel 11.6 97.1 108.5
AJ Storr 19.7 108.8 109.4
Rylan Griffen 15.5 123.3 115.2


PER AVG: 16.9
ORtg: 110.7
DRtg: 109.5


with Hunter Dickinson

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Hunter Dickinson 26 114.6 95
Zeke Mayo 20.8 113.4 104.9
Riley Kugel 11.6 97.1 108.5
AJ Storr 19.7 108.8 109.4
Rylan Griffen 15.5 123.3 115.2

PER AVG.: 18.72
ORtg: 111.4
DRtg: 106.6


Kentucky Portal Players:

Player PER ORtg DRtg
Otega Oweh 17.5 104.7 98.4
Amari Williams 28.5 109.5 92.1
Andrew Carr 20.8 127.6 103.2
Brandon Garrison 17.8 108.6 101.2
Lamont Butler 14.3 105.3 100.3

PER AVG: 19.8
ORtg: 111.1
DRtg: 99.0


We are ahead of Kansas, except for ORtg by 0.3, with the 2023-24 Big 12 leader in PER.

 

[Eight_Banners]

His shooting numbers are DRAMATICALLY better when he takes a set shot compared to shooting off the dribble. But more importantly he isn’t great at generating offense for others. Look at his assist to turnover ratio. He really shouldn’t be a lead guard on a good offensive team. And I don’t think he will be. Kentucky is still actively recruiting several guys for that lead guard role. (Smith, Small, Hawkins, and Ivy-Curry)

Yeah, Smith and Hawkins are the #1 and #2 Asst. guards in the portal, followed by Braedon Smith (Colgate) and AJ Hoggard (Mich. St.). We need a distributor and a couple SGs.

Defense is going to be good.

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand]

In a perfect world….

Give me Osobor, Brea, one more point guard/ball handler. Throw in Robinson and I’m over the moon!

That would put the roster at 11, I think?

 

[UKSanders]

His shooting numbers are DRAMATICALLY better when he takes a set shot compared to shooting off the dribble. But more importantly he isn’t great at generating offense for others. Look at his assist to turnover ratio. He really shouldn’t be a lead guard on a good offensive team. And I don’t think he will be. Kentucky is still actively recruiting several guys for that lead guard role. (Smith, Small, Hawkins, and Ivy-Curry)

Gotcha - I just misunderstood what you were saying by shot creator. Everything I know about him indicates he isn't a lights out shooter, but is a pretty strong driver... I know nothing about the offense of his previous school, but perhaps being in Pope's offense will enhance his assist opportunities.

 

[UKSanders]

In a perfect world….

Give me Osobor, Brea, one more point guard/ball handler. Throw in Robinson and I’m over the moon!

That would put the roster at 11, I think?

If it's a perfect scenario we are talking, I wouldn't mind seeing class of 2025 SF Will Riley reclass to 2024 and join the roster... just builds a core for next season.

 

[Eight_Banners]

In a perfect world….

Give me Osobor, Brea, one more point guard/ball handler. Throw in Robinson and I’m over the moon!

That would put the roster at 11, I think?

Perfect world:

PG: Braeden Smith or Deivon Smith (Braeden Smith has 2 years left, D. Smith only 1) / Lamont Butler
SG: Koby Brea / Otega Oweh / Collin Chandler / Travis Perry
SF: Andrew Carr / Ben Humrichous
PF: Great Osobor
C: Amari Williams / Brandon Garrison

 

[Untouchables22]

Gotcha - I just misunderstood what you were saying by shot creator. Everything I know about him indicates he isn't a lights out shooter, but is a pretty strong driver... I know nothing about the offense of his previous school, but perhaps being in Pope's offense will enhance his assist opportunities.

Yes you are correct both he and the Oklahoma guy we signed are good drivers. But both drive with the intention to score primarily. Neither really looks to pass when they drive.

 

[UKSanders]

Yes you are correct both he and the Oklahoma guy we signed are good drivers. But both drive with the intention to score primarily. Neither really looks to pass when they drive.

Guess Pope will have to coach that into them, huh?

Honestly, maybe it won't be TOO hard once those expectations are set by the head coach. Plus, if they are better spot up shooters than shooting off the bounce, having guys that can attack the rim should create more opportunities for open perimeter shots.

Making the extra pass to find an open teammate tends to become contagious, too, so hopefully these guys buy into that early.

 

[catsfan325]

Perfect world:

PG: Braeden Smith or Deivon Smith (Braeden Smith has 2 years left, D. Smith only 1) / Lamont Butler
SG: Koby Brea / Otega Oweh / Collin Chandler / Travis Perry
SF: Andrew Carr / Ben Humrichous
PF: Great Osobor
C: Amari Williams / Brandon Garrison

Andrew Carr at SF is not a world I want to live in

 

[Eight_Banners]

Andrew Carr at SF is not a world I want to live in

He's listed as a SF on every portal site. Preferably he'll be a stretch 4. I was just writing that up in case Osobor sees it so that he knows I think he has a starting position on the team.

 

[UKSanders]

Perfect world:

PG: Braeden Smith or Deivon Smith (Braeden Smith has 2 years left, D. Smith only 1) / Lamont Butler
SG: Koby Brea / Otega Oweh / Collin Chandler / Travis Perry
SF: Andrew Carr / Ben Humrichous
PF: Great Osobor
C: Amari Williams / Brandon Garrison

Personally, I'd rearrange those positions a bit... don't see Carr being able to guard the perimeter anywhere NEAR well enough to play at SF (other than very short spurts due to foul trouble, etc). As for the question marks...who knows, but I would hope maybe...


PG: Lamont Butler / __???___
SG: Otega Oweh / Collin Chandler / Travis Perry
SF: Koby Brea / __???____
PF: Great Osobor / Andrew Carr
C: Amari Williams / Brandon Garrison


PG: someone with at least 2 years eligibility
SF: Jaxson Robinson (great for 2024-2025, knows Pope's system) & Will Riley (early start building for the future)

Save the last scholly just in case....

 

[Eight_Banners]

Personally, I'd rearrange those positions a bit... don't see Carr being able to guard the perimeter anywhere NEAR well enough to play at SF (other than very short spurts due to foul trouble, etc). As for the question marks...who knows, but I would hope maybe...


PG: Lamont Butler / __???___
SG: Otega Oweh / Collin Chandler / Travis Perry
SF: Koby Brea / __???____
PF: Great Osobor / Andrew Carr
C: Amari Williams / Brandon Garrison


PG: someone with at least 2 years eligibility
SF: Jaxson Robinson (great for 2024-2025, knows Pope's system) & Will Riley (early start building for the future)

Save the last scholly just in case....

I was listing him by portal position. Carr is an above average defender, but not by much, who will probably be utilized in matchup situations. He's not going to go toe to toe with the best on the opposing team, if that happens to be a 3/4 position.

I'm not big on Jaxson Robinson, though I am big on bringing in someone who understands and knows Pope's system.