Is it close or not

[zoid1]

G-Delk 6'1" 193lbs SR/G-Oweh 6'5" 212lbs SR
F-Walker 6'8" 224lbs SO/F-Diaboute 6'7" 215lbs JR
F-McCarty 6'11" 230lbs SR/F-Garrison 6'11" 250lbs JR
G-Anderson 6'6" 194lbs JR/G-Johnson 6'4" 180lbs FR
G-Mercer 6'7" 210lbs FR/G-Aberdeen 6'5" 190lbs SR
C-Pope 6'10" 235lbs SR/C-Jelavic 6'11" 220lbs FR
G-Epps 6'2" 182lbs JR/G-Lowe 6'2" 170lbs JR
G-Shepard 6'4" 189 JR/G-Chandler 6'5" 202 SO
G-Turner 6'2" 190lbs FR/G-Hawthorne 6'8" 175lbs FR
F-Prickett 6'9" 235lbs JR-RS/F-Potter 7'1" 220lbs JR-RS
G-F-Edwards 6'5" 205lbs SO/G-F-Noah 6'5" 220 SO
C-Mouhameed 6'10" 238lbs FR/C-Quantice 6'9" 235 SO
F-Simmons 6'8" 218lbs FR/F-Williams 6'8" 190lbs SO
G-Mills 6'3" 181lbs SO/C-Moreno 7'0" 235lbs FR
G-Lathrem 6'5" 210lbs FR/G-Tow 6'5" 215lbs SR

 

[jwildcattrester]

Sorry, not close

 

[BlueSince92]

It’s not even remotely close. And I really like our current team.

 

[Cleatortoises]

We will see.
You play to win the games.

 

[Creed Bratton]

This team is more talented on the bottom end but not close on the top end.

 

[chroix]

Hell no. But do another one and match them up against 2015 and let’s discuss.

 

[creeksman]

1996 would win at the top, 2026 bench can hang. It would be over at halftime, though. I would reorder this way:

1. Delk v Oweh - Delk wins
2. Walker v Dioubate - Walker, not close
3. McCarty v Garrison - peak Garrison could hang, but we haven't seen it yet. McCarty wins.
4. Anderson v Johnson - potentially close if Johnson was older, but jr DA over fr JJ
5. Mercer v Williams - advantage Mercer
6. Pope v Moreno - close in the long run, but Sr Pope over Fr Moreno
7. Epps v Lowe - I'll go with Lowe, but man Epps was perfect for that team.
8. Sheppard v Chandler - I'll be generous towards 2026 bc I'm starting to feel bad for them. Wash.
9. Turner v Aberdeen - I'll give it to Aberdeen. 98 Turner was tough though.
10. Prickett v Potter - I haven't seen Potter play, but I'll again be generous and say wash.
11. Mohammed v Quaintance - If healthy, huge advantage JQ.
12. Simmons v Jelavic - huge advantage Jelavic
13. Mills v Hawthorne - 98 Mills was hard to beat, but as for 96, I'll say wash.
14. Lathrem v Tow - wash.

This actually highlights a potential weakness for 2026. We all love to tout the top-to-bottom talent, but the bottom doesn't matter. Talent at the top is good but not great.

 

[chroix]

We will see.
You play to win the games.

They could have a better result and you could still not convince me that the current team is better.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

There've been plenty of tall teams that weren't any good.

This team is not one of those.

 

[creeksman]

They could have a better result and you could still not convince me that the current team is better.

There’s some truth to that. 2015 could’ve gone 40-0 and I’d still say 96 was better.

 

[Cawood86]

No team can compare with the 96 team unless they perform like that team did. Until then, it's not even a conversation.

 

[OliverSimmonstwinbrother]

12. Simmons v Jelavic - huge advantage Jelavic

🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

 

[the nail at the foul line]

🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

You are a disadvantaged Ginger.

Learn the bagpipes.

 

[Wildcats1st]

They could have a better result and you could still not convince me that the current team is better.

I doubt this team loses less than 3 games.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Not even close. Not even.

 

[Cleatortoises]

They could have a better result and you could still not convince me that the current team is better.

I think the 96 record was 36-2 with a title.
A better result than that would be impressive.

 

[zoid1]

I think the 96 record was 36-2 with a title.
A better result than that would be impressive.

34-2 SEC reg season title, SEC T finals, NCAA champs

 

[Cleatortoises]

34-2 SEC reg season title, SEC T finals, NCAA champs

Exactly what I said.
GBB!

 

[UKSanders]

I don't see how anyone can legitimately argue with the original post.

It's really simple math...Those heights/weights are actually very close.


It's a shame everyone has hijacked a simple math question and turned it into an assessment of individual & team talent then trying to use that to prognosticate about future success. I'm sure the original poster feels violated.

Some people...


😜🤪

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I don't have to see to know. 96' would be 8 to 10 points better than 2015 Kentucky, 2012 Kentucky, and even this upcoming 2026 edition.

That team had Delk and Walker.

Delk was a 1st team All-American in a season that included guys like Kerry Kittles, Stephon Marbury, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and Marcus Camby and Shareef Abdur-Rahim as contenders for 1st team status.

Walker was good enough to go 6th in the draft in a 1996 Draft that is considered the second-greatest of all time, only behind the fabled 1984 MJ/Hakeem/Barkley/Stockton draft.

Mercer was a 1st Team All-American the next year. Anderson was playing like a 1st Team All-American in 1997 before the ACL injury. Those guys were hella talented for the 1996 team.

So you basically had four players whose talent was in consideration for All-American status over a two-year period.

Then you had McCarty, Epps, Turner, Pope, Mohammed, Edwards, Mills and Sheppard - with most of those players making up the bulk of the roster over the next two Final Four runs. Not to mention Padgett and Prickett in practice. By the time those guys graduated from UK, they had a combined five Final Fours between them (if you don't count Padgett on the 1996 team).

I mean, the team was so loaded that Pitino basically had to chase a former top 2 recruit and senior-to-be Rodrick Rhodes out of town in order to make room. Think about that.


Not even close from a raw talent level.

It's actually almost heretical to even ask the question.

 

[TFCats11]

Lol, please stop with this nonsense! There’s probably 10 MCBB teams that should never be compared to with any teams going forward, and the 1996 team is in the top 2-3, and very likely #1.

 

[Tubbyfan78]

96’ by 25 playing the subs the last 5 minutes.

 

[TopCatCal]

G-Delk 6'1" 193lbs SR/G-Oweh 6'5" 212lbs SR
F-Walker 6'8" 224lbs SO/F-Diaboute 6'7" 215lbs JR
F-McCarty 6'11" 230lbs SR/F-Garrison 6'11" 250lbs JR
G-Anderson 6'6" 194lbs JR/G-Johnson 6'4" 180lbs FR
G-Mercer 6'7" 210lbs FR/G-Aberdeen 6'5" 190lbs SR
C-Pope 6'10" 235lbs SR/C-Jelavic 6'11" 220lbs FR
G-Epps 6'2" 182lbs JR/G-Lowe 6'2" 170lbs JR
G-Shepard 6'4" 189 JR/G-Chandler 6'5" 202 SO
G-Turner 6'2" 190lbs FR/G-Hawthorne 6'8" 175lbs FR
F-Prickett 6'9" 235lbs JR-RS/F-Potter 7'1" 220lbs JR-RS
G-F-Edwards 6'5" 205lbs SO/G-F-Noah 6'5" 220 SO
C-Mouhameed 6'10" 238lbs FR/C-Quantice 6'9" 235 SO
F-Simmons 6'8" 218lbs FR/F-Williams 6'8" 190lbs SO
G-Mills 6'3" 181lbs SO/C-Moreno 7'0" 235lbs FR
G-Lathrem 6'5" 210lbs FR/G-Tow 6'5" 215lbs SR

The upcoming team of ours will probably be the deepest team in college basketball. And is my pick to win the national championship...... BUT our 1996 team is one of the 3 or 4 greatest teams in the history of college basketball. The 96 team by 10.

 

[Padsfs07]

I don't have to see to know. 96' would be 8 to 10 points better than 2015 Kentucky, 2012 Kentucky, and even this upcoming 2026 edition.

That team had Delk and Walker.

Delk was a 1st team All-American in a season that included guys like Kerry Kittles, Stephon Marbury, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and Marcus Camby and Shareef Abdur-Rahim as contenders for 1st team status.

Walker was good enough to go 6th in the draft in a 1996 Draft that is considered the second-greatest of all time, only behind the fabled 1984 MJ/Hakeem/Barkley/Stockton draft.

Mercer was a 1st Team All-American the next year. Anderson was playing like a 1st Team All-American in 1997 before the ACL injury. Those guys were hella talented for the 1996 team.

So you basically had four players whose talent was in consideration for All-American status over a two-year period.

Then you had McCarty, Epps, Turner, Pope, Mohammed, Edwards, Mills and Sheppard - with most of those players making up the bulk of the roster over the next two Final Four runs. Not to mention Padgett and Prickett in practice. By the time those guys graduated from UK, they had a combined five Final Fours between them (if you don't count Padgett on the 1996 team).

I mean, the team was so loaded that Pitino basically had to chase a former top 2 recruit and senior-to-be Rodrick Rhodes out of town in order to make room. Think about that.


Not even close from a raw talent level.

It's actually almost heretical to even ask the question.

I think we've attached a lot of post 95-96 greatness to those end of the bench guys since then. The top 7 were really good on that team, but Sheppard, Turner, and Edwards (8 to 10) were only getting 9-13 MPG. Mills only got in 7 games at 2.3 MPG. Mohammed played 16 games at 5.5 MPG.

Also, Prickett was on the team, but got hurt and redshirted, while Padgett was academically suspended, which I thought meant you couldn't practice.

From a PPG comparison, it's probably
Delk - Lowe
Walker - Oweh
McCarty - Garrison
Anderson - Aberdeen
Mercer - Dioubate
Pope - Quaintance
Epps - Johnson
Sheppard - Williams
Turner - Chandler
Mohammed - Moreno
Simmons - Jelavic
Mills - Noah
Lathrem - Hawthorne
Prickett - Potter

You can see the flip happen around Quaintance/Williams, but the top 5 smoke 2025-26s top 5.

 

[CastleRubric]

2026 Team - 108
1996 Team - 103

Double overtime

 

[ukfan1622]

This team is more talented on the bottom end but not close on the top end.

That was my exact first thought and it makes me think you must be smart...

 

[Pallen1414]

Look at 2014-15 before Poythress got hurt. Dominant defensive team

 

[chroix]

I think the 96 record was 36-2 with a title.
A better result than that would be impressive.

True. But that’s not the question.

 

[Creed Bratton]

That was my exact first thought and it makes me think you must be smart...

Depends on who you ask. 🤣

 

[Digger-Cat]

This is kind of unfair, isn't it? 25/26 hasn't even practiced yet. This is a team game, but we're using individual talent to judge team strength.

College basketball is a different game these days. You can't press like the '96 team did, because everyone has guards that can not only handle any press you throw at them, but a lot of teams will get an easy dunk after breaking the press. That was a huge weapon for '96, but it just doesn't work today.

But we have the benefit of saying '96 UK went 34-2 and won the title, so they're better. Well, what if '26 goes 37-3 and wins the title against, what looks to be, a tougher schedule by a mile?

I think we have to be a little more open minded, yes, '96 was awesome, but I think we get caught being that guy that caught a 12" bass 10 years ago, but somehow that fish is 27" today.

If '15 won the title and went 40-0 and beat Wiscy and duke to do it, 2015 would easily be the best UK team of all time. Not just because the record, but it had more star power on it, guys that are still killing it in the NBA and guys like Ulis, Dakari and Lyles.

 

[Cleatortoises]

True. But that’s not the question.

The question was close or not.
I dont really know, but they will play the games.
No one on this thread really knows, but many have strong opinions.
Just opinions.
I dont think this team is 96 good.
We will get to find out.
Good times.
GBB!

 

[Cleatortoises]

This is kind of unfair, isn't it? 25/26 hasn't even practiced yet. This is a yeam game, but we're using individual talent to judge team strength.

College basketball is a different game these days. You can't press like the '96 team did, because everyone has guards that can not only handle any press you throw at them, but a lot of teams will get an easy dunk after breaking the press. That was a huge weapon for '96, but it just doesn't work today.

But we have the benefit of saying '96 UK went 34-2 and won the title, so they're better. Well, what if '26 goes 37-3 and wins the title against, what looks to be, a tougher schedule by a mile?

I think we have to be a little more open minded, yes, '96 was awesome, but I think we get caught being that guy that caught a 12" bass 10 years ago, but somehow that fish is 27" today.

If '15 won the title and went 40-0 and beat Wiscy and duke to do it, 2015 would easily be the best UK team of all time. Not just because the record, but it had more star power on it, guys that are still killing it in the NBA and guys like Ulis, Dakari and Lyles.

I'll submit if 84 had won the title it would be the same with them.

 

[JimboBBN]

1996 had 9 guys that played in the NBA. Our current team will have what, 3 maybe? 4?

Not close but our team this year will be a damn good team by 2025 standards

 

[JonathanW]

The bench, yes. The starters, no.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

What are some of you guys smoking. 96 roster is better by a mile. Our current 1-10 doesn't win a single match up with 96, 1-10, NONE.

 

[creeksman]

I think we have to be a little more open minded, yes, '96 was awesome, but I think we get caught being that guy that caught a 12" bass 10 years ago, but somehow that fish is 27" today.

It was always a 27" fish.

 

[CastleRubric]

I'll submit if 84 had won the title it would be the same with them.

Yes absolutely

 

[CastleRubric]

Actually - I'm looking PAST the 1996 team and thinking about our match up with the 1984 team

We GOT 'dis

 

[rivercatinfl]

Sorry, not close

The 96 team seemed like they were playing 7 guys on defense. That press was amazing. No question in my mind that the 96 team would beat this years team handily.

 

[bowfreak]

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.....