Kentucky vs Duke...214 Days. We Need a Roster. Lets Talk Players...

[cat_in_the_hat]

All in on Big Z. That 4mil that was tossed around as guaranteed NIL….1m of that should be Z. He’s a perfect piece. If not Z then the Indiana State kid fits that role too. Not as athletic or as good defensively but from an offensive standpoint he can handle reading all that zoom action and making good passes while being respected from deep

Z is probably here on a student visa which gives him the same problems Oscar had with NIL. If he gets NIL, he will probably have to earn it outside the USA. That certainly complicates his status unless he sees the advantage of playing in Pope's system.

 

[SkyPrince1]

I'd offer Mark Mitchell asap.
You have to extend an offer to McNeeley and Tyson.
Pope is going to have to be super aggressive and we'll have to overpay for some players.

 

[EliteBlue]

Z is probably here on a student visa which gives him the same problems Oscar had with NIL. If he gets NIL, he will probably have to earn it outside the USA. That certainly complicates his status unless he sees the advantage of playing in Pope's system.

Yeah. Seems like a lawyer should be able to set up an offshore account that NIL could go to. Or maybe a beneficiary or a trust that isn’t accessible until the student visa expires and he signs w an nba team etc. seems like there should be someone that knows the ins and outs of how to make it work

 

[Spica Orbit]

Expectation is to be competitive in this game.


That's what I have. What else?

---
What else? We should try to cancel this game ASAP.

 

[UPSCat4080]

Go get Trent Noah! Kid proved to be the best player in the state and will be a multi year Kentucky kid that will help tremendously through the process.

 

[FirewithFire]

Ballo (C) from Arizona is still in. Mitchell (F) from Duke. Malik Mack (pg). Avila (F) from ISU. Perkins (PG) from Iowa.

There's a crap ton of talent floating around out there. It's time to see if the UK brand is as good as well all think it is.

 

[SkyPrince1]

Pope's first calls need to be to Fland, Richmond and JQ.
Doesn't matter if you get nowhere with them.
It's all about competitive spirit.
Don't conceed anything.

 

[CatsFanIL]

Expectation is to be competitive in this game.

Lets focus on who could be on the roster?

1. Jaxson Robinson - Would be a grad transfer, previously at Texas A&M and Arkansas, would be the best player on the team and is really one of two BYU players worth exploring.

2. Foussenyi Traore - The only other BYU player worth taking on. Undersized big man who looked awful in the NCAA Tournament.

3. Reed Sheppard - Long shot, but we know the story of Jeff and Mark.

4. Travis Perry - Seems like many believe that Perry would honor his Kentucky commitment and would be great in the Pope system.

5. Collin Chandler - Former 4-star recruit committed to BYU, completing his mission and would've been one of the top players on their 2024-25 team.

6. Marcus Adams - Former 4-star from Kansas, went to BYU and barely played as a Freshman. Might have some upside but only other player I even considered from their 2023-24 roster.

That's what I have. What else?

Collin Chandler - even though a STUD from 2022 - is going to be a tough one to grab - I don't think many Mormons (who are elite hoopers) go on a 2-year mission then return to go to a non-Mormon college. I think he's BYU thru-and-thru, but hope I'm wrong

Jamal Mashburn's son - is he more likely to be UK-bound now that Pope is at UK?

There are quite a few players from Utah St in the portal - obviously not hard to imagine Pope having some connections with them, right?

Others to keep in mind are largely going to be connected to Pope's assistants - whoever they'll be.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Pope's first calls need to be to Fland, Richmond and JQ.
Doesn't matter if you get nowhere with them.
It's all about competitive spirit.
Don't conceed anything.

Fland is the ultimate team player and would excel in this system. Would be the perfect point guard if Sheppard not back. But they could easily play together as good as both are.

 

[flacat22]

McNeeley and how he plays would be a great fit with Pope's team's playing style.
Fland would also be a good fit.

Id really like to see McNeeley in blue. I believe there was a discussion last week that he and Fland are very close and that might pave the way to keep Boogie.

 

[blackcat714]

I have no idea about BYU players and the portal is a mystery until a player actually commits. It all seems very unpredictable.

Travis Perry - a KY kid who I think will stay.

Reed Shepherd - I went from 5% chance he stays to a 15% chance he stays due to Jeff & Mark’s relationship and the reported $4 million NIL from one donor.

Big Z - I know it’s a long shot, but surely he got his fill of Cal and knows not to believe a word Cal says. It looks like he would thrive in Pope’s offense and get a chance to raise his draft stock.

Beyond that, I have no idea. I’ve seen Robbie Avila mentioned a couple times in above posts. He already committed to St Louis. Followed his coach to a new destination.

I like Mark Mitchell an AJ Storr

 

[permdaddy]

MB just said on KSR that Pope told him last night he had 2 players he tried to get at BYU but couldn't call him and say they were coming with him.