It's looking really good for Acaden Lewis and Caleb Wilson to UK

[bnewt]

bull headed.......no
hater ........no but a very strong disliker
used car sales man yes indeed, he would tell everyone what they wanted to hear
inability to coach yes.......from his 1st year, when UK was far and away the best team in the county, Huggins gave him a coaching lesson that he NEVER learned. Huggy played a zone & ccc was LOST...no idea how to attack & WVU's best player was out. This was indicator #2 of his lack of coaching ability.
#1 was when he did not foul the Kansas player with a 3 point lead & time running out, allowing a tie & loss in overtime of the NCAA title. More proof of coaching stupidity, against UCONN, their guard way too quick for UK guards, yet ccc has them pick them up high & allow them to drive for easy shots. I
n 2015, he allowed the twins to single handedly let that victory go. Instead of DEMANDING that the ball go inside to KAT, who was basically unstoppable that night, he allowed them to dribble out the clock and then throw the ball away or shoot an air ball. He allowed this TWICE in a row, instead of calling a time out.
And for good measure, let's throw in the worst record in UK history, and the loss of the all time wins record to Kansas.
Maybe the 1st round loss in the NCAA is more your style
Oh, wait what about the total charade concerning Sharpe and his entourage, that mad UK a laughing stock. To this day, he still hasn't told the truth about that.
And last year the starting of his promised ones, Edwards & Wagner, starting even though they were totally out played by Sheppard & Dillingham.
For good measure should we throw in his famous line of "gotta get that kid more time", only for the kid never to see the court again.
There are so many more examples of his double talk, but the bottom line is he was paid to win games for the University of Kentucky, not strive to be the NBA's minor league.

 

[shadowman4]

How about some paragraphs and no more run on sentences.

 

[GoBigBlue1280]

That's great if we get these two to go with Moreno and Jasper but let's stop at four freshmen. If we get our 5 returnees plus 4 freshmen, that leaves room for a few transfers. I just don't think having a court full of freshmen is the way to go.

They might actually stay a few years with Cal gone. No one shoving them out the door like cattle.

 

[catsfanbgky]

How about some paragraphs and no more run on sentences.

Agree. Not reading all that BS. Further proves my point that he doesn't have the intelligence and reading comprehension to debate topics or talk basketball. I am sure he didn't give what he expects out of Pope this year and how it compares to Cal's first 11/12 years. If he did give it, I will not read all of that 2nd grade post to find out.

 

[bucsrule8872]

RCSI
#4 Wilson 6-9 205
#12 Johnson 6-4 180
#27 Moreno 7-0 245
#34 Lewis 6-2 185

to go with
SR- Oweh 6-5 210
JR- Garrison 6-11 245
SO- Chandler 6-5 190
SO- Perry 6-1 180
SO- Noah 6-6 210
SR- Horn 6-4 185
SR- Darbyshire 6-3 190

add a couple upperclassmen to that roster and look out.

This is what we should hope for.

Pope needs to get those four Freshmen locked up by November and then concentrate on making sure we get those five scholarship guys back.

Then this Spring add an experienced PG to be the starter at the 1 and a stretch 4 to backup Wilson.

That leaves two scholarships to add a couple of multi year guys from the ‘25 class.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Add a pure pass first PG, a starter quality SF and a backup/stretch 4 from the portal and that roster is complete.

I think in that scenario the priorities are:

1. Veteran PG
2. Stretch 4

Oweh (6’5, 215) will start at the 3, in that scenario. Chandler (6’6) will back him up. Noah is also a 3.

The 3 spot might be our deepest spot if Oweh returns.

 

[bnewt]

How about some paragraphs and no more run on sentences.

wow, an english instructor

 

[RunninRichie]

Wow, Pope has totally surprised me.

 

[d2atTech]

Didn’t necessarily translate into results on the court? Didn’t translate into results on the court.

I was over cal in 2020, but he did have a pretty decent run until then. We won a championship with the model, but that was before others caught onto the recruiting strategy. If he was a more consistent coach, we probably wouldnt have wanted a change.

 

[electricat2]

bull headed.......no
hater ........no but a very strong disliker
used car sales man yes indeed, he would tell everyone what they wanted to hear
inability to coach yes.......from his 1st year, when UK was far and away the best team in the county, Huggins gave him a coaching lesson that he NEVER learned. Huggy played a zone & ccc was LOST...no idea how to attack & WVU's best player was out. This was indicator #2 of his lack of coaching ability.
#1 was when he did not foul the Kansas player with a 3 point lead & time running out, allowing a tie & loss in overtime of the NCAA title. More proof of coaching stupidity, against UCONN, their guard way too quick for UK guards, yet ccc has them pick them up high & allow them to drive for easy shots. I
n 2015, he allowed the twins to single handedly let that victory go. Instead of DEMANDING that the ball go inside to KAT, who was basically unstoppable that night, he allowed them to dribble out the clock and then throw the ball away or shoot an air ball. He allowed this TWICE in a row, instead of calling a time out.
And for good measure, let's throw in the worst record in UK history, and the loss of the all time wins record to Kansas.
Maybe the 1st round loss in the NCAA is more your style
Oh, wait what about the total charade concerning Sharpe and his entourage, that mad UK a laughing stock. To this day, he still hasn't told the truth about that.
And last year the starting of his promised ones, Edwards & Wagner, starting even though they were totally out played by Sheppard & Dillingham.
For good measure should we throw in his famous line of "gotta get that kid more time", only for the kid never to see the court again.
There are so many more examples of his double talk, but the bottom line is he was paid to win games for the University of Kentucky, not strive to be the NBA's minor league.

all true. i will kinda disagree about 1 thing. ccc didnt 'allow' them to dribble out the clock. he 'demanded' it. that was his m/o. get the lead and run the clock out. everybody blamed andrew harrison but i 100% believe cal told them to not start until under 10 seconds. then he would scream at them GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!. like it was thier fault
so glad he is gone

 

[G-PIP]

This is what we should hope for.

Pope needs to get those four Freshmen locked up by November and then concentrate on making sure we get those five scholarship guys back.

Then this Spring add an experienced PG to be the starter at the 1 and a stretch 4 to backup Wilson.

That leaves two scholarships to add a couple of multi year guys from the ‘25 class.

I agree that I think Pope will likely go after a PG and PF from the portal. But I still believe in the power of the UK brand. I think UK has the drawing power and NIL to get one of the top 2 to 3 PFs in the portal, rather than just a backup stretch 4.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I agree that I think Pope will likely go after a PG and PF from the portal. But I still believe in the power of the UK brand. I think UK has the drawing power and NIL to get one of the top 2 to 3 PFs in the portal, rather than just a backup stretch 4.

So if we get Wilson at PF, you think we can get a starter level guy at PF in the portal?

That seems like a very hard sell. There’s just not enough minutes to go around, IMHO.

 

[katwest]

I hope both Lewis and Wilson come, with what we have that would be fantastic. One thing this team will have that we haven't had in a long time, is tons of experience and lots of shooters. We have enough size and now have what we always lacked under Cal most years.

 

[Fadhi]

Wow, Pope has totally surprised me.

Pope getting Wilson would be such a nice suprise

 

[Victorbmyboy]

Wow, Pope has totally surprised me.

I told you. The other adjustment for some will be how he recruits and puts teams together.

 

[G-PIP]

So if we get Wilson at PF, you think we can get a starter level guy at PF in the portal?

That seems like a very hard sell. There’s just not enough minutes to go around, IMHO.

I think so, assuming Wilson signs in the Fall. There will likely be at least a half-dozen better PFs in the portal in the Spring. Now, by better I mean the guy who most impacts the team winning games next season - not projected or actual NBA draft position. Wilson would still get a ton of playing time as the 2nd line PF if Pope continues playing the way he has in the past (e.g., 10 guys play a lot of minutes). I just don't think the top transfer portal guys are scared of high school recruits when they are assured fair competition because they are just almost always better (using my definition of "better").

Plus, this "best player starts" approach could actually benefit many of these guys even if being one-and-done is their main factor in coming to a school. The NBA drafts largely on potential. Show too much too early and it could hurt draft stock. But if a freshman is used judiciously in spots that are better for him at that stage of development, then I think it could actually benefit his draft position. I believe Edwards is a good example of a kid that might have benefited from this approach.

 

[Padsfs07]

So if we get Wilson at PF, you think we can get a starter level guy at PF in the portal?

That seems like a very hard sell. There’s just not enough minutes to go around, IMHO.

Yeah I'm not really following. You'd essentially have this:

PG Lewis Perry
SG Johnson Chandler
SF Oweh Noah
PF Wilson
C Garrison Moreno

An obvious spot for a backup PF, and a backup, or equal to, PG, but I don't see much else needed.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

Yeah I'm not really following. You'd essentially have this:

PG Lewis Perry
SG Johnson Chandler
SF Oweh Noah
PF Wilson
C Garrison Moreno

An obvious spot for a backup PF, and a backup, or equal to, PG, but I don't see much else needed.

That roster would honestly need another proven guard as well

 

[bucsrule8872]

Yeah I'm not really following. You'd essentially have this:

PG Lewis Perry
SG Johnson Chandler
SF Oweh Noah
PF Wilson
C Garrison Moreno

An obvious spot for a backup PF, and a backup, or equal to, PG, but I don't see much else needed.

Right.

Need to add a veteran PG and a veteran backup PF. Preferably both good long range shooters and passers.

PG Portal/Lewis
SG Johnson/Perry
SF Oweh/Chandler/Noah
PF Wilson/Portal
C Garrison/Moreno

Add two Freshmen multi year players (probably a wing and a big) and that’s the roster, the way I see it.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I think so, assuming Wilson signs in the Fall. There will likely be at least a half-dozen better PFs in the portal in the Spring. Now, by better I mean the guy who most impacts the team winning games next season - not projected or actual NBA draft position. Wilson would still get a ton of playing time as the 2nd line PF if Pope continues playing the way he has in the past (e.g., 10 guys play a lot of minutes). I just don't think the top transfer portal guys are scared of high school recruits when they are assured fair competition because they are just almost always better (using my definition of "better").

Plus, this "best player starts" approach could actually benefit many of these guys even if being one-and-done is their main factor in coming to a school. The NBA drafts largely on potential. Show too much too early and it could hurt draft stock. But if a freshman is used judiciously in spots that are better for him at that stage of development, then I think it could actually benefit his draft position. I believe Edwards is a good example of a kid that might have benefited from this approach.

In a perfect world, that’s how it works.

But guys still consider competition and playing time when deciding on where to go. Now money is also involved.

The top rated PF in the portal is still going to think twice about coming here and competing with Wilson when, hypothetically speaking, another SEC (or Big 10 or Big 12, etc.) school is offering the same money and no competition at that spot.

I just don’t see us getting a top ranked portal guy at PF with Wilson committed.

Right now we have Carr and Almonor at the 4. I see it this way, Wilson replaces Carr and we will get someone similar to Almonor to back him up.

 

[G-PIP]

In a perfect world, that’s how it works.

But guys still consider competition and playing time when deciding on where to go. Now money is also involved.

The top rated PF in the portal is still going to think twice about coming here and competing with Wilson when, hypothetically speaking, another SEC (or Big 10 or Big 12, etc.) school is offering the same money and no competition at that spot.

I just don’t see us getting a top ranked portal guy at PF with Wilson committed.

Right now we have Carr and Almonor at the 4. I see it this way, Wilson replaces Carr and we will get someone similar to Almonor to back him up.

You're right that the players are going to consider competition, that's a good point. And I even think they will still consider that before even the NIL money. But I don't think the top-rated PF in the portal is usually going to be scared off by a high school PF - especially if you have good recruiters who are smart enough to explain what they are trying to accomplish. As Padsfs07 was making the point above, all these guys understand that teams need to have at least two players who can competently man each position in order to both win now and build continuity and ensure winning going forward. And the UK brand is still a powerful and attractive scale tipper I believe. Also, the good thing maybe with how Pope has been playing in regard to recruiting is that he can show the proof that his 2nd level players often get minutes approaching what the starter gets.

But I would say - and hold on, because many here will consider this blasphemous - that if what you say is correct, and Pope knew he could not get a top portal PF in the Spring if he lands Wilson in the Fall; then in that very specific event (which I don't actually believe), honestly I would hope UK doesn't land Wilson and gets a more developmental type (whether game, maturity wise, etc.) but skilled PF from the high school ranks instead. Because I believe it is highly likely that UK will almost always (1) be better with a top-rated portal PF vs freshman PF (usually I would hope for a returning PF over either); and (2) have the gravitas and ability to land a top-rated portal PF. I just think it is likely a huge letdown to be expecting Wilson to have the type of impact on winning that a Carr type (experienced, mature, shooting developed, all-around game) upperclassman would have.

 

[G-PIP]

Right.

Need to add a veteran PG and a veteran backup PF. Preferably both good long range shooters and passers.

PG Portal/Lewis
SG Johnson/Perry
SF Oweh/Chandler/Noah
PF Wilson/Portal
C Garrison/Moreno

Add two Freshmen multi year players (probably a wing and a big) and that’s the roster, the way I see it.

We, of course, disagree a little on who likely starts, but I'm with you on the roster construction.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

And there were those that was worried that Mark Pope might not be able to recruit at a level that would satisfy UK fans..... Put that worry to rest. Any coach with an ounce of work ethic can recruit at a high level at Kentucky, especially if he's got a personality like Mark Pope & plays a free wheeling style of offense that Pope coaches.

Plus the parents of kids have to feel like they are in great hands with Pope.

 

[tomrain]

Yes Pope is replacing some big shoes from ccc's 1st 5 years, but not the last 8 years or so. They were pretty much forgettable, with some even embarrassing. If you want to slobber all over ccc and say he was the greatest thing since sunshine, go ahead. Me, I think he was an over paid used car salesman that thumbed his nose at the university, his boss, the fans, and the tradition. He was/is an arrogant clown that could not out coach a grade school coach. He could not accept the fact that the fans could see thru his games and favoritism which caused unacceptable losses to inferior opponents and the inability to compete with top tier teams. In the end, this same arrogance cost him his job @ UK. For that, I am grateful.

Very well said 👏 👍 👌 🙌 couldn't have said it better myself!!

 

[Smashcat]

Wilson says great things about all the schools recruiting him.

Top-10 senior Caleb Wilson has several trips left before coming to a decision

Wilson was at Kentucky last weekend and has trips lined up to check out UCF, Alabama, and Georgia Tech

247sports.com

 

[Hoskins21]

Wilson says great things about all the schools recruiting him.

Top-10 senior Caleb Wilson has several trips left before coming to a decision

Wilson was at Kentucky last weekend and has trips lined up to check out UCF, Alabama, and Georgia Tech

247sports.com

Why isn't North Carolina being talked about more?

 

[FitchandMurray29]

Wilson says great things about all the schools recruiting him.

Top-10 senior Caleb Wilson has several trips left before coming to a decision

Wilson was at Kentucky last weekend and has trips lined up to check out UCF, Alabama, and Georgia Tech

247sports.com

I noticed that bumped up decision timeline quickly got bumped back!

 

[true blue1]

I noticed that bumped up decision timeline quickly got bumped back!

I would love to land Wilson but I think it's going to be hard to get him from Cal.

 

[BarefootBeach]

Real simple, put full court press on Wilson and cenac and first one to commit gets the scholly. It sounds like we have lewis wrapped up so I think we're good there. So that makes 4 in the Fall, so the coaches can then regroup and figure out what skills they want in the spring.

 

[true blue1]

Real simple, put full court press on Wilson and cenac and first one to commit gets the scholly. It sounds like we have lewis wrapped up so I think we're good there. So that makes 4 in the Fall, so the coaches can then regroup and figure out what skills they want in the spring.

I hope we have Lewis wrapped but with recruiting nothing is a guarantee.

 

[Bluesbrother]

And there were those that was worried that Mark Pope might not be able to recruit at a level that would satisfy UK fans..... Put that worry to rest. Any coach with an ounce of work ethic can recruit at a high level at Kentucky, especially if he's got a personality like Mark Pope & plays a free wheeling style of offense that Pope coaches.

"Any coach with an ounce of work ethic can recruit at a high level at Kentucky".

Truer words have never been spoken which, once again, proves the point that this PROGRAM is EPIC for starters but then the monstrous support of BBN makes UK unlike any other. Any coach with REAL JUICE can kill it at UK. Pope's familiarity with the Tradition and BBN combined with his smarts and a humble work ethic should make for a fun ride at UK.

 

[Bluesbrother]

OK, obviously you do not possess reading comprehension skills. Did you not read the part where I said "I wanted Cal gone" ? But I will bite and break down your BS that the first 5 years was all Cal did good.

6th year- 14-15 - 38-1 - Final Four
7th year- 15-16 - 27-9 - SEC reg. season champ / SEC Tournament champ
8th year- 16-17 - 32-6 - SEC reg. season champ / SEC tournament champ - Elite 8 / #5 in the final AP poll.
10th year- 18-19 - 30-7 - 2nd in SEC / Elite 8 / #8 in the final AP poll.
11th year- 19-20 - 25-6 - 1st in the SEC, no tournament.

Only a blind, bull headed, hater could make a claim that ONLY the first 5 years was acceptable. IF Pope can have any one of the first 11 out of 12 Cal coached years at UK, he (and fans) will be very happy. Not being a Cal lover at all, but I am intelligent enough and can withhold my hate for Cal to look at the facts. There is not any facts you can use to debunk ANYTHING I posted in regards to Cal only being good his first 5 years. Hell, even I was wrong, I said first 5-8, more like first 11 years. Facts are facts, blind hate is blind hate. Sure his last 3/4 years was not acceptable, anyone with a brain knows that, but that was not the debate. By the way, I didn't really take you serious when you posted the " slobber over ccc" and "used car salesman". Both of those childish digs let me know I can't have an intelligent debate with you, you will NEVER look at facts, just use hate and silly kiddy nicknames for your retort. Now run along, I am done smacking you around using facts. Try it sometime, it might give you a little credibility when debating.

I am very exciting for the Pope era to begin at UK. He brings a lot of positive energy and excitement that has been missing at UK for a few years now. In the end, he has to (and I believe he will) win. Now I will ask you one last question ( I do not know why, but,,,) what do you predict for UK in Pope's first year ? Won / loss record, conference and post season results ???? Pretty sure if you answer that HONESTLY, it will be somewhere in the Cal first 11 year results.

"Now run along, I am done smacking you around using facts. Try it sometime, it might give you a little credibility when debating."

Why the arrogance? "Now run along" ... dismissive. "Smacking you around" ... brutish. "Using facts" ... your opinion. "it might give you some credibility" ... according to who? "Debating" ... no argument here, the evidence seems to clearly suggest that you are the master-debater.

 

[catsfanbgky]

"Now run along, I am done smacking you around using facts. Try it sometime, it might give you a little credibility when debating."

Why the arrogance? "Now run along" ... dismissive. "Smacking you around" ... brutish. "Using facts" ... your opinion. "it might give you some credibility" ... according to who? "Debating" ... no argument here, the evidence seems to clearly suggest that you are the master-debater.

I posted that a week ago. You have had a week to think up a response, and that was the best you can do ? By the way, was I even talking to you in my post ? Either way, it doesn't really matter, you took time to respond. And no, that post was not a opinionated post, every thing I posted was FACTS. EVERYTHING. Now, run along, I am not interesting in recycling old debates and smacking you around. IF you do decide to respond, try bringing some facts that will back your stance. Using them when trying to debate, actually MIGHT help you. Try it sometime, instead of just posting "blah, blah, blah", "childish nickname. childish nickname"

 

[bnewt]

I noticed that bumped up decision timeline quickly got bumped back!

noticed that too
just talk from the visit

 

[Bluesbrother]

I posted that a week ago. You have had a week to think up a response, and that was the best you can do ? By the way, was I even talking to you in my post ? Either way, it doesn't really matter, you took time to respond. And no, that post was not a opinionated post, every thing I posted was FACTS. EVERYTHING. Now, run along, I am not interesting in recycling old debates and smacking you around. IF you do decide to respond, try bringing some facts that will back your stance. Using them when trying to debate, actually MIGHT help you. Try it sometime, instead of just posting "blah, blah, blah", "childish nickname. childish nickname"

I could never try to argue with a MASTER DEBATER, especially one that is so eager and proud to make that sort of claim. That's a FACT.

 

[westerncat]

noticed that too
just talk from the visit

This is why I do not get excited about recruiting anymore because kids change their minds way to much these days.

 

[Fox2monk]

I noticed that bumped up decision timeline quickly got bumped back!

Not necessarily, the word was he may decide In November and he will have all those visits done by October 20th. Entirely still possible he could make an earlier decision.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

UK gets him if we can survive Arkansas and UNC visits. That's a big if. He has a great relationship with Calipari and this will be his second visit to UNC.

I still don't think we're the leader when it's all said and done. This dude is a Calipari-lean and always has been. I'm not saying we can't get him, only that the hype following his UK visit was misplaced.

 

[G-PIP]

This is why I do not get excited about recruiting anymore because kids change their minds way to much these days.

I would think that at the end of a good visit is the time a recruit would be most positive about a school, and may even say something that leads others to think he is leaning to committing to that school. The player may even be thinking he likes the school so much he wouldn’t mind committing. But that exuberance probably fades fairly quickly and he’s back to weighing options a little more unemotionally.

So, I wonder how much this stuff is really kids changing their minds vs their minds had never decided on something to start with. I suspect what appears to be a changed mind is likely due more to speculating and a rush to be the first to report something or say something out of either desire (one of us) or to seem to be in the know (crystal ball forecasters).

 

[bucsrule8872]

I’ve said it before, I will say it again, I’m just not worried about signing elite Freshmen anymore. Pope is going to fill out the roster with good pieces, whether they be Freshmen or in the portal.

It’s going to fine either way. I just can’t get all worked up about whether an elite Freshman decides to go to school here or not.

It’s not like it was with Cal, where we had to have elite talent to compete. We now have a coach with an actual system and strategy. We aren’t dependent on “out-athlete-ing” the other team to have a chance to win.

So I won’t cry if we miss out on Wilson. I won’t cry if Cenac also picks another school. We will get some players from the portal and we will compete.