Dent to ucla

[W1LDCAT22]

I don’t think that’s necessarily an “excuse.” The fact of the matter is these days the main driver for decisions by the top available players is money, end of story.

Yes, UK has substantial NIL money. But other teams have lots of money too.

It would appear we are approaching things with the mindset that we will make VERY competitive offers to good players, but at some point a limit will be reached. If another team outbids us, players may go elsewhere.

So, if anything, we can debate whether we should or shouldn’t have paid whatever it took to land Dent instead of UCLA. That is the $3+ million dollar question.

This is the tricky part about constructing a roster these days with no salary caps in place. I know little to nothing about Dent. I have no idea if he was worth that kind of money, or if we come out ahead overall with other options available to us. We won’t know that until we see how things turn out on the floor next season.

There are some players that were apparently too rich for our blood, or another college offered them too much and was higher than what we were willing to spend. However, this has certainly not been the case for many of these recruits we've whiffed on. Therefore, I believe our insights most likely meet in the middle as opposed to one side or the other. We have been outbid, but we have also been picked over.

 

[gharding07]

I’m done listening to KSR about recruiting. It’s clear they don’t know what the hell they are talking about

They rarely do

 

[HalHR2500]

I think KSR pretends to know things. I’ve never heard, on any player, unequivocal confirmation of what ANY player was paid. What was Brea paid, what was Williams paid, etc. Maybe it’s all true to your point, but seems whispers is all we have for sure.

You think the agents might leak this to build their portfolio? Of course they do

 

[gojvc]

Way to high for him.

If he was that good he’d be in the draft, not the portal.

 

[Fox2monk]

Braden Smith to Kentucky.

By multiple accounts, UCLA used a huge % of their NIL budget to get him.

Pope could have outbid them. He chose not to. With all the Smith smoke for 2 weeks, it’s the only thing that makes sense.

We better hope so, we need some studs. It will be an interesting two weeks once every team is out and done.

 

[fatguy87]

On to the next one!

 

[gojvc]

Braden Smith to Kentucky.

By multiple accounts, UCLA used a huge % of their NIL budget to get him.

Pope could have outbid them. He chose not to. With all the Smith smoke for 2 weeks, it’s the only thing that makes sense.

Not trying to be confrontational but what/who are these “multiple accounts” you’re talking about?

 

[UKBlueBlood]

There are some players that were apparently too rich for our blood, or another college offered them too much and was higher than what we were willing to spend. However, this has certainly not been the case for many of these recruits we've whiffed on. Therefore, I believe our insights most likely meet in the middle as opposed to one side or the other. We have been outbid, but we have also been picked over.

True. In recruiting, sometimes players will have other preferences. No program always gets anyone and everyone they want.

 

[jeffky]

Pope got a pass in year one. He’s not getting it in year two. Time to step up and start getting the best of the best

You gave the clown in Fayetteville 9 years after 2015 and my guess you probably wish he was still here your post is a joke and unrealistic
That clown got the best of the best and what did it do for us pathetic post

 

[catfan220]

I wonder if Pope knew that was the case before the game or if he found out after. Reminds me of the story of Cal learning during a game that Zion committed to Duke.

 

[catfan220]

Braden Smith to Kentucky.

By multiple accounts, UCLA used a huge % of their NIL budget to get him.

Pope could have outbid them. He chose not to. With all the Smith smoke for 2 weeks, it’s the only thing that makes sense.

It looks like UCLA will have most of their team back so they may have had a lot of money to spend on just one or two players.

 

[Drcatfan]

I would rather have had Dent than Smith. Smith is undersized and no matter how skilled he his that hurts

 

[jeffky]

I will say it again we need bigs to pound the boards this was are Achilles heel all year and last not it was a slap you in your face reality you can't win games at a high level if you allow teams to out rebound you no more guards for me

 

[kywildcat41035]

Pope promised "Superstars."

The staff needs to deliver.

They better deliver after that court performance last night. We really needed a Dent type of PG. Pope better be able to step up and get those so called “ superstars “

 

[JPFisher]

They better deliver after that court performance last night. We really needed a Dent type of PG. Pope better be able to step up and get those so called “ superstars “

Not all players who will enter the portal are already in. We're fine. Butler was on nobody's radar last year and we got him and he was one of the best PGs we've had in years.

 

[HalHR2500]

It’s better to have 3 really good players that cost 3 million than one that much

UCLA blew almost all their budget on him

It will work out fine for UK

 

[silentsaregolden2.0]

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I knew as soon as I heard UK was his dream school, we were out. Every time.

 

[silentsaregolden2.0]

We never get who we really need. Looks like Sweet 16 will be Pope’s ceiling.

At least you're not over-reacting.

 

[trueblujr2]

Would have liked to have him but 3 mil is a large payday for one kid. Let’s see who Pope and staff reel in before everyone starts jumping off a bridge and saying Pope can’t land talent.

It’s going to be full of surprises. We were listing all sorts of names on here other than Kam Williams then boom, he commits and could be a solid multi-year guy.

 

[trueblujr2]

I don’t think that’s necessarily an “excuse.” The fact of the matter is these days the main driver for decisions by the top available players is money, end of story.

Yes, UK has substantial NIL money. But other teams have lots of money too.

It would appear we are approaching things with the mindset that we will make VERY competitive offers to good players, but at some point a limit will be reached. If another team outbids us, players may go elsewhere.

So, if anything, we can debate whether we should or shouldn’t have paid whatever it took to land Dent instead of UCLA. That is the $3+ million dollar question.

This is the tricky part about constructing a roster these days with no salary caps in place. I know little to nothing about Dent. I have no idea if he was worth that kind of money, or if we come out ahead overall with other options available to us. We won’t know that until we see how things turn out on the floor next season.

People complain about missing out on certain players when because of NIL there are more teams with skin in the game now. Just look at the SEC alone. It used to be us then everybody else, but now we have several schools able to compete for guys we used to get because of history and tradition. Now it’s about the dollars and some of those traditional football powers are now allowed to direct dollars towards Basketball too.

 

[trueblujr2]

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That sounds like somebody backing off the Smith to UK lock talk.

 

[trueblujr2]

There are some players that were apparently too rich for our blood, or another college offered them too much and was higher than what we were willing to spend. However, this has certainly not been the case for many of these recruits we've whiffed on. Therefore, I believe our insights most likely meet in the middle as opposed to one side or the other. We have been outbid, but we have also been picked over.

I’ll take 3 really good players for the price of one superstar and two scrubs. Would rather have a complete team with good players at every position rather than relying on a superstar and lesser talent everywhere else. A balanced roster creates a more unified team as well instead of a team that carries resentment towards the superstar hogging all the resources and limelight.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

At least he got paid-but man would I never direct any player to play for Mick Cronin. The guy is a complete dickhead.