Mark Pope "Coming In Hot" on UGA Transfer (Travis Graf)

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

From Tuscaloosa and his coach at Kennesaw State is a former Oats assistant. I think most people think he’s going to Alabama until proven otherwise.

This is the point, we can go down the list of all the top guards percentage wise and even though we are UK with ridiculous money to spend, at least at this point right now, a lot of the top players are going other places because of their connections to other places, better recruiters at other places or more money at other places?

 

[chasingwildcat]

I like this guy, will be a winning player in a right system

He can provide many things we are lacking now

 

[chasingwildcat]

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Who is this Samuel dude and does he really know anything?

 

[chasingwildcat]

Who is this Samuel dude and does he really know anything?

He has good record in last portal season... He gave some info before "official announcement"

 

[catben]

How you view a potential Demary addition probably largely depends on how you viewed this season. If you think we had a perfect formula already and only got held back from championship contention by injuries, then he fits right in. He’s a good player who’s already proven he can keep up athletically in the SEC.

If you think that there was an actual gap between us and the teams that finished ahead of us in conference and we need an All-American or two to catch up, then I don’t think his ceiling is quite that high.

I’m sympathetic towards the second view, and might actually lean that way myself. The difficult thing though, is that surefire stars don’t hit the portal very often, so it’s a balancing act trying to see if any come available while not missing on all the other good players while waiting. If Pope wants this guy, then I can see some merit in it.

1st team All-American Johni Broome-Transfer

1st team All-American Mark Sears-Transfer

1st team All-American Walter Clayton-Transfer

Those 3 kids were NO WHERE NEAR "All-Americans" when they transferred to their schools.

Coach Pope CAN and WILL find the right players for HIS program that can become JUST LIKE those kids above, ALL-AMERICANS!!!!

 

[chasingwildcat]

Very impressive

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Smith
Demary
Oweh
Johnson
Lewis
Perry
Chandler

That's an elite backcourt with a little bit of everything.

 

[bnewt]

I dont know, maybe jones is just exaggerating...

We wait for the final result...

Is he the guy he was talking about a couple of days ago, saying g someone in the Sweet 16 was coming to uk or whatever he was hinting at

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

I would be thrilled to land Demary. Already a proven player within the SEC. He improved significantly in his sophomore year. I could see him getting even better here just like Oweh did.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Smith
Demary
Oweh
Johnson
Lewis
Perry
Chandler

That's an elite backcourt with a little bit of everything.

It's just hard for me to believe Smith would leave Purdue.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Is he the guy he was talking about a couple of days ago, saying g someone in the Sweet 16 was coming to uk or whatever he was hinting at

yes

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

It's just hard for me to believe Smith would leave Purdue.

I agree. This portal cycle is going to be very telling in terms of whether or not Kentucky can pay for premium talent.

 

[bnewt]

Pope understands something I'm not sure everyone on this thread gets and that is that UK is operating under a de facto hard salary cap so getting into a bidding war to lure an All-American away from a major basketball school may not be the way to go. If you pay $3 million for 1 player, the rest of the team may have less talent than you need.

Agree, been saying this for a long time
Nil funds are limited and must be used properly

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Agree, been saying this for a long time
Nil funds are limited and must be used properly

How limited you talking? I’m hearing north of 10 million for sure and untelling how much more that we might be holding close to the vest.

 

[bnewt]

Pg is not most urgent

PF/c are more urgent

We lose not because of guard, we lose because frontcourt players can not rebound....

As has been a major problem all year

 

[Worf88]

I just don’t get going after this guy and not Obi Igbim at Wyoming.

 

[chasingwildcat]

I just don’t get going after this guy and not Obi Igbim at Wyoming.

this guy is a proven contributor in sec

Also, this guy has two years remaining eligibility

I now prefer him over obi

 

[bnewt]

Yep. We really need a guy who can rebound. This season our bigs were terrible at going after the ball.

Yes they were
That is why as much as I like Garrison, he does not rebound or block shots. I would prefer gwath take his place. Probably at a lesser cost

 

[bnewt]

Demary isn't like a Kentucky lock though. Many fish in the sea.

St. Johns?
BYU?

Again money is gonna talk

 

[BBNinSC]

I don't even get this.

He was at an SEC School. He scored 21 vs Florida, 18 vs Auburn. How does that not translate. He scored vs SEC teams last year. But he can't do it next year if he comes to Kentucky?

As far as Tulane: Mark Sears and Grant Nelson came from smaller schools. Walter Clayton played at freaking Iona. Johnni Broome was at Morehead State.

The reason the tournament is SO top heavy this year is that Power 5 schools are identifying the mid major guys that are really good. And they're stealing them before they blow up.

If we're so blind as to say "Oh, he plays at Tulane, he can't play for Kentucky," then those kids will keep going to Alabama, Auburn, Florida, etc. And they'll keep taking their teams deep in the tournament.

We have to be able to identify those kids and take them before Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Duke, etc.

Our coaching staff knows what they are doing. Certainly much more than random posters on here that read stats and make BS posts about potential portal players.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Again money is gonna talk

We will have better clues in next few days

I have a gut feeling we could land him

 

[bnewt]

Wilkerson is the star scorer I want. Would be a great Robinson replacement

Have to agree. His films look like he has unlimited range and is smooth

 

[bnewt]

How limited you talking? I’m hearing north of 10 million for sure and untelling how much more that we might be holding close to the vest.

I have no idea, just trying to make sense of things that have happened and the lack of major corporations in the state, as well as the general wealth of the state.

 

[clifm]

It amazes me that some on here don’t.

Pope stated when he got here that he understands the assignment. He is the one who is paid to produce. He and his staff go about things in a very analytical way.

Is it guaranteed that he will have the success here we all want him to have? Of course not. But what is guaranteed is that he will make what he believes are the absolute best decisions possible. And since I believe him to be both more intelligent and more motivated than John Calipari (at least at this point in their respective careers), I’m choosing to trust the guy. Not that I really have a choice anyway… but the constant skepticism and second-guessing of some does make me chuckle.

The voice of reason. Excellent post.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I have no idea, just trying to make sense of things that have happened and the lack of major corporations in the state, as well as the general wealth of the state.

Not attacking at all here just asking: are you feeling like this because we didn’t land Dent?

 

[runt#69]

this guy is a proven contributor in sec

Also, this guy has two years remaining eligibility

I now prefer him over obi

I do too, as I keep looking at it, and Obi was at or near the top of my list of portal guys to get. We've got Kam and Oweh, AL, maybe wilkerson to add ? That would be lethal. There's going to be some more big booms.

Demary is just the first.

great get. Didn't see it coming... how good, only time will tell. I especially like the fact there's 2 years eligibility remaining for him.

What combinations CMP comes up with will be a monster of a team. It's shaping up that way.

 

[BlueBloodKyFan]

If that ugly baby is yours I understand your anger.

OMG dude

 

[bnewt]

I would love to get Gwath as stretch 5 and Alvaro Folguerias as stretch 4. Gotta get some of these done before April 7th

Why? What is April 7?

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

I do too, as I keep looking at it, and Obi was at or near the top of my list of portal guys to get. We've got Kam and Oweh, AL, maybe wilkerson to add ? That would be lethal. There's going to be some more big booms.

Demary is just the first.

great get. Didn't see it coming... how good, only time will tell. I especially like the fact there's 2 years eligibility remaining for him.

What combinations CMP comes up with will be a monster of a team. It's shaping up that way.

He didn't commit yet.

 

[BlueBloodKyFan]

Inefficient scorer in a cup cake league

Big no to me

Shoots a TOOOOON so numbers are inflated

 

[JonathanW]

Yes they were
That is why as much as I like Garrison, he does not rebound or block shots. I would prefer gwath take his place. Probably at a lesser cost

I really want Gwath!

 

[Hank Camacho]

Would *love* to add Demary. He's the kind of big athlete on the perimeter that gave us fits this year.

Even thinking about Smith is a waste of time, imo.

 

[bnewt]

I am not sold on Gwath, too skinny for SEC... We need physical guys to rebound

I like him for shot blocking.
If he has fundamentals, meaning understanding how to block out, he will be fine

 

[bnewt]

The chatter for weeks has been two things.

1. Frustrations with Painter
2. NIL

His nil is 2 million
That ought to be enough

 

[chattanoogawildcat]

STFU up stupid POS.

Lol, whiner with panties in a wad now. Hilarious 😂

 

[BlueBloodKyFan]

Why? What is April 7?

That’s when NIL goes through I believe the courts and then you have to go through NCAA clearing house. https://www.leechtishman.com/insigh...ges-in-2025-whats-next-for-college-athletics/

Someone smarter than me can figure it out but there is an nil cap revenue sharing and good lord knows whatever else

 

[pastorbob]

Some of you don't understand who coach Pope is. 1st, he will only recruit guys that want to win, he will never go after the ones that want big Nil. 2nd, They have to be smart!! 3rd, They have to have strong character!! 4th He wants multiple year guys. That takes care of THE FIT, 5th, Talent and need.

 

[bnewt]

There is not a single player that was a superstar this year that will be available to us next year.

Was this year's SEC tougher than last year's Big 12?

Last year in the Big 12 Oweh scored aroun 10 ppg and this guy average 19.7 his last 9 games in this year's SEC! Does that mean he's a better transfer than Oweh? No, but it's an easier case to make than him being worse.

Don't think anyone expected oweh to play as well as he did.
In fact, if everyone was honest, they were probably scratching their head

 

[chasingwildcat]

Some of you don't understand who coach Pope is. 1st, he will only recruit guys that want to win, he will never go after the ones that want big Nil. 2nd, They have to be smart!! 3rd, They have to have strong character!! 4th He wants multiple year guys. That takes care of THE FIT, 5th, Talent and need.

this kid fit almost all your criteria