I am still waiting on the 2 superstars

[W1LDCAT22]

Pope promised 2 superstars from transfer portal, so I am still waiting to see who those are before hit the panic button.

So far we have 10 players on the rosters, which is not bad considering that we are in the final four weekend( last year around this time Cal was still our Coach):

PG : Lowe , Lewis, Chandler , Perry
CG: Johnson
SF: Oweh , Williams, Noah
PF
C Garrison, Moreno



We also know that Pope and staff contacted:

PG : Lee- Princeton, Collins - TCU

CG : Rice - Maryland, Pierre- Jacksonville St, Wilkerson - Sam Houston, Moore - Syracuse, Bashir- Monmouth

SF: Freeman - Lincoln Memorial div ii, Griffen - Kansas

PF: Folgueiras - Robert Morris/ Spain, Mgbako - Indiana, Dioubate - Alabama


I am sure until April 27 more players will enter the portal and also next week we might get more clarity from the hearing on NIL, revenue sharing cap .

So far , I like that we kept Oweh, Garrison and Lowe and Williams both bring more length and athleticism and they have multi year of eligibility.

The three incoming Freshman will be a definite upgrade to the 3 freshman from last year. The last year freshman should play some limited role next year.

It will be interesting to see if Pope and staff goes for 3 more players or 5 more since we will have 15 scholarships available. I hope he goes for 5 more , including the 2 superstars he talked about.

I agree with a lot you discussed here. Some fans are panicking more, myself included, than others. But to say the panic is unwarranted is far from the truth. This is Kentucky, where Final Fours and getting elite recruits are the norm. UK playing second-fiddle with high-end talent is tough to watch and does warrant some frustration. Fans can't get too comfortable with coaches AND players. Even though we have a coach that is a great guy that played here and loves the University of Kentucky, does NOT give him a free pass that fans should not hold accountable. This is exactly what I see some fans doing. UK has great expectations, as does every top university does. Pope and every coach who comes through that door, along with players, should always uphold that standard. I still think Pope could be that coach we desperately need, and I have no motives against him. I may not be very confident that Pope can do the things that gets us over the hump and into title contention where we deserve, and the jury is very much still out. The two things that Pope must improve to get there is certainly recruiting and coaching. We need BOTH!

I'm not referring to you directly, I just had to get some of this off my chest. Some still see any criticism whatsoever with Pope as being "half-fans."

 

[I-Move-Like-The-Pope]

I thoroughly enjoyed last years recruiting better than this year. I'm not sure if it's because of the new culture, but this year it's just been a drag.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I don’t see that as a complaint necessarily…. He kept us very very very engaged when he uses very many words like that, which is not a bad thing on a weekend of final four where Kentucky is not participating. Cheers!

You obviously loved the “superstars” comment because you keep bringing it up and how you see it as a failure that Pope said this and hasn’t delivered what you consider “superstars.”

You made a big deal out of it.

Bigger than anyone else.

Seems kinda trollish to me.

 

[Blue_2_the_bone]

The portal definition of a superstar and actual superstar varies. Real superstars are going pro. The portal has Power 5 players looking for money, mid majors trying to get to Power 5s, and low level guys looking for PT.

 

[bucsrule8872]

The portal definition of a superstar and actual superstar varies. Real superstars are going pro. The portal has Power 5 players looking for money, mid majors trying to get to Power 5s, and low level guys looking for PT.

Like I said, the OP wants Jordan and Bird in their prime, or he ain’t happy.

LOL!

 

[BBNinSC]

I don’t think Pope was talking to the fan base when he made the superstar comment. He was talking to the available players in the portal.

 

[AJG-15]

You obviously loved the “superstars” comment because you keep bringing it up and how you see it as a failure that Pope said this and hasn’t delivered what you consider “superstars.”

You made a big deal out of it.

Bigger than anyone else.

Seems kinda trollish to me.

Failure? Now you are putting words in my mouth.

Trolling that’s your perception or assumptions of why I put this post. Actually, I think you are trolling my post.

didn’t Pope say that we are chasing banners? I thought that was a mistake because put unnecessary pressure on him and created expectations that cannot be meet in the first year. I always said that he needs at least 2-3 years to create a championship team .

This year should be an improvement from last year from both roster and results and step close to get to number 9.
Right now, with the 10 players we have I am not sure we are closer or better than last year.

There is still time to get quality players , superstars if we are using Pope language, and that’s what I wrote. That’s all!

 

[know1]

Pope is playing 3D chess and most of you all only know how to play slapjack.

In 2-3 weeks you're going to feel foolish.

 

[HamuelLJackson]

Hogs in same boat.

Expect to get a commit from Ewin anytime. Maybe today.

DJ is 50/50 but hearing he's going to enter portal.

 

[EliteBlue]

I do hope that some of the freshman from last year will be in 13-15 positions. That means we have a very good roster.

If Perry or Noah are expected to play more than mopping minutes , that means we are not better than last year.

Agree.

Noah can be a contributor at the backup 4 and a little 3 as a JR/SR. I don’t think Perry has the lateral quickness to guard the 1 well enough to ever be more than a 10 min a game, get some shots up type piece

But if either of them are leaned on heavily as sophomores then Kentucky isn’t recruiting at Kentucky levels

 

[G-PIP]

Ament will be extremely good to get at PF where we have a big hole…..but our chances there are small especially if we don’t spend money…Duke / Arkansas/ UL have better chances and money .

Moreno will surprise you next year.

You want Ament at PF for UK next season? The same Ament that high school teams (high school teams!) pick out to run plays against because he’s still so weak and unable to play against any type of physicality? And I’m not talking about last season or even earlier this season. I’m talking about what high school teams playing against Ament right now think – and consider they’ve decided he’s the guy to attack even though he’s probably got 6” on the players they’re sending at him.

I’m not even sure Ament would work well as a 2nd unit PF for us next season, and I want Oweh at the SF spot. Now, I wouldn’t mind Ament as a 2nd unit SF next season, but not at PF. If there is a college PF “superstar” out there to be had for next season it’s Folgueiras, not Ament – unless maybe we’re talking about projected NBA draft position rather than impact on winning college games.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Failure? Now you are putting words in my mouth.

Trolling that’s your perception or assumptions of why I put this post. Actually, I think you are trolling my post.

didn’t Pope say that we are chasing banners? I thought that was a mistake because put unnecessary pressure on him and created expectations that cannot be meet in the first year. I always said that he needs at least 2-3 years to create a championship team .

This year should be an improvement from last year from both roster and results and step close to get to number 9.
Right now, with the 10 players we have I am not sure we are closer or better than last year.

There is still time to get quality players , superstars if we are using Pope language, and that’s what I wrote. That’s all!

You know what you are doing.

Have a nice day.

 

[jace2012]

My only complaint about Pope so far is that he needs to watch what he says.

There are too many malcontents out there just waiting to pounce on anything he says they can use against him, like the “superstars” comment.

This thread is evidence of that.

There are fans/uk media that will break down every sentence said by this coaching staff and previous and hold them to it like it’s gospel

 

[bucsrule8872]

There are fans/uk media that will break down every sentence said by this coaching staff and previous and hold them to it like it’s gospel

Yup.

He has to watch what he says because of them.

 

[catlogic15]

Pope wasn’t in Rupp 5 minutes during his introduction when he said “I understand the assignment. To hang a banner”.
I for one am holding him to his word.

 

[bradscats]

Lendeborg and Wolf will be a nightmare in the B18, but at least he'll be in the B18 and not in the SEC at places like Auburn, Alabama, Florida, or Tennessee. If UK couldn't get him, and it sucks we didn't, at least if he doesn't go to the NBA he won't be our problem.

He’ll be playing professionally most likely.

 

[Fox2monk]

Does this mean Braden Smith isn't coming?

He’s in a FaceTime meeting as we speak.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

He’s in a FaceTime meeting as we speak.

Keep us posted.

 

[Fox2monk]

I still wish we would recruit Bidunga, that dude is the type athlete we need in the post.

 

[sk73]

Hogs in same boat.

Expect to get a commit from Ewin anytime. Maybe today.

DJ is 50/50 but hearing he's going to enter portal.

Where are you seeing that info?

 

[AJG-15]

Pope is playing 3D chess and most of you all only know how to play slapjack.

In 2-3 weeks you're going to feel foolish.

Lol. You are funny. I am sure Pope is a Master in chess. Lol.
Since you brought it up, we can always play a game and settle the argument there about 3D chess and slapjack fool.

 

[NociHTTP]

Yup.

He has to watch what he says because of them.

No, he has to because we BBN got tired of Cal's constantly opening his mouth and almost never doing what was best for the team's success. Pope is on a contract just like all coaches are. He's got time.

 

[bucsrule8872]

No, he has to because we BBN got tired of Cal's constantly opening his mouth and almost never doing what was best for the team's success. Pope is on a contract just like all coaches are. He's got time.

If you can’t tell the difference between what Pope says and what Cal said, then I don’t know what to tell you.

 

[AJG-15]

Yup.

He has to watch what he says because of them.

My friend , so far Cal with all his shortcomings won a title for Kentucky and according to UK basketballs , since our memory seems to be short:

“During Calipari’s 15 seasons at UK, he is among the NCAA’s leaders in NCAA Tournament has more wins (32), Final Fours (four), Elite Eights (seven) or Sweet 16s (eight).

In advancing to the 2015 Final Four, Coach Cal became one of just three coaches all-time to make four Final Fours in a five-year span, joining Mike Krzyzewski and John Wooden as the other coaches to achieve that feat. Twice at UK (in 2012 and in 2015) his teams have won 38 games, tying his 2008 Memphis team for the most wins in college basketball history.

At the end of the 2014-15 season, Calipari became the 96th coach to join the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, considered one of the ultimate achievements in the game.”

And I would add that he put many players in the nba. His first 10 years were great. His last 5 years were horrible.


So far, Pope , as a coach has just won his first two NCAA games of his coaching career.

We hold Calipari liable for every bad thing that happened in our program, though slowly things are coming out that perhaps he was right in certain aspects….. we hold Calipari liable to his promises. When in his last 5 years he didn’t keep his promises we run him out…..

Now everyone is having a tantrum if we are just repeating what Pope said. I am not pretending to know it all but trust me , Pope needs time and resources to succeed.

I am not going to curse out Pitino, Cal or any coach that brought glory to our program.

I am cheering for Pope to succeed but I will not going to pretend that Mitch is running the program properly or that he is providing Pope with the necessary resources.

That’s where I stand, like it or not.

 

[83Cat]

OP won’t be happy until we sign Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. LOL!

Are they still in the portal?

 

[HamuelLJackson]

Where are you seeing that info?

Arkansas Premium board.

If DJ leaves, expected to be for USC and Muss

 

[bucsrule8872]

Arkansas Premium board.

If DJ leaves, expected to be for USC and Muss

What’s the connection between Wagner and Muss?

 

[sefus12]

My friend , so far Cal with all his shortcomings won a title for Kentucky and according to UK basketballs , since our memory seems to be short:

“During Calipari’s 15 seasons at UK, he is among the NCAA’s leaders in NCAA Tournament has more wins (32), Final Fours (four), Elite Eights (seven) or Sweet 16s (eight).

In advancing to the 2015 Final Four, Coach Cal became one of just three coaches all-time to make four Final Fours in a five-year span, joining Mike Krzyzewski and John Wooden as the other coaches to achieve that feat. Twice at UK (in 2012 and in 2015) his teams have won 38 games, tying his 2008 Memphis team for the most wins in college basketball history.

At the end of the 2014-15 season, Calipari became the 96th coach to join the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, considered one of the ultimate achievements in the game.”

And I would add that he put many players in the nba. His first 10 years were great. His last 5 years were horrible.


So far, Pope , as a coach has just won his first two NCAA games of his coaching career.

We hold Calipari liable for every bad thing that happened in our program, though slowly things are coming out that perhaps he was right in certain aspects….. we hold Calipari liable to his promises. When in his last 5 years he didn’t keep his promises we run him out…..

Now everyone is having a tantrum if we are just repeating what Pope said. I am not pretending to know it all but trust me , Pope needs time and resources to succeed.

I am not going to curse out Pitino, Cal or any coach that brought glory to our program.

I am cheering for Pope to succeed but I will not going to pretend that Mitch is running the program properly or that he is providing Pope with the necessary resources.

That’s where I stand, like it or not.

What exactly has Mitch done to hinder Pope in recruiting this portal season? I’m asking for actual things Mitch has done, not what you and the other “sky is falling” Rafters posters are speculating.

 

[IowaMuse]

Like I said, the OP wants Jordan and Bird in their prime, or he ain’t happy.

LOL!

Yeah that’s what UK fans expect. Please. Nice exaggeration to try and distort his argument and protect Pope.

UK fans understand that what’s needed our rosters like the FF teams this year. No idea if they’re pros or not, but they are dudes. Dynamic on both ends.

 

[NociHTTP]

What’s the connection between Wagner and Muss?

Why do you constantly argue with others here? Can't people have their opinions without others trampling on them?

 

[shaudyshaud]

There is barely a superstar in college basketball right now . Even a great player like Clayton wasn’t considered a superstar when he entered the portal and look at him now .
Pope should avoid using words like superstars just because he knows what kind of fanbase he is talking to .

Him using the “superstar” word is a great recruiting tactic though .

 

[bucsrule8872]

Why do you constantly argue with others here? Can't people have their opinions without others trampling on them?

I was asking a question. How is that an argument?

But to answer your question, this is a discussion board, so I discuss. If I disagree with you, I let you know it.

And how is their opinion different from mine?

They have the right to say what they want, but I can’t?

You attacking my opinion is a little hypocritical.

But you have the right to say what you want, just like me.

If you don’t like what I have to say, don’t read it.

Have a great day.

 

[chasingwildcat]

What’s the connection between Wagner and Muss?

Wagner's girlfriend is in usc

 

[true blue1]

What’s the connection between Wagner and Muss?

Wagner’s girlfriend attends USC.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Wagner's girlfriend is in usc

Gotcha!

Thanks.

 

[Fancatstik]

Moreno is not close to being a superstar and for next season probably not even a big contributor.

He better be because Garrison surely doesn’t give me any warm fuzzy feelings

 

[shaudyshaud]

I was asking a question. How is that an argument?

But to answer your question, this is a discussion board, so I discuss. If I disagree with you, I let you know it.

And how is their opinion different from mine?

They have the right to say what they want, but I can’t?

You attacking my opinion is a little hypocritical.

But you have the right to say what you want, just like me.

If you don’t like what I have to say, don’t read it.

Have a great day.

That was a weird one to pick out . It was a good question .

 

[bucsrule8872]

He better be because Garrison surely doesn’t give me any warm fuzzy feelings

BG is going to get better. He was just a Sophomore. Williams had three years of experience on him.

 

[bigbluedon]

I agree with a lot you discussed here. Some fans are panicking more, myself included, than others. But to say the panic is unwarranted is far from the truth. This is Kentucky, where Final Fours and getting elite recruits are the norm. UK playing second-fiddle with high-end talent is tough to watch and does warrant some frustration. Fans can't get too comfortable with coaches AND players. Even though we have a coach that is a great guy that played here and loves the University of Kentucky, does NOT give him a free pass that fans should not hold accountable. This is exactly what I see some fans doing. UK has great expectations, as does every top university does. Pope and every coach who comes through that door, along with players, should always uphold that standard. I still think Pope could be that coach we desperately need, and I have no motives against him. I may not be very confident that Pope can do the things that gets us over the hump and into title contention where we deserve, and the jury is very much still out. The two things that Pope must improve to get there is certainly recruiting and coaching. We need BOTH!

I'm not referring to you directly, I just had to get some of this off my chest. Some still see any criticism whatsoever with Pope as being "half-fans."

He has been here 1 season. 1. He knows what needs to be done. Cal left the cupboard bare. Pope does not have to report everything he does, to the fans on this board every day. People have to be patient and I know that is in short supply these days. Don’t know what else to tell you at this point.

 

[HamuelLJackson]

What’s the connection between Wagner and Muss?

Visited last year while in portal and they almost landed him. It's 50/50 and Muss has recruited a lot of guards but i still think he covets DJ