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Mark Pope, Kentucky in holding pattern until House settlement on April 7

Honest question... if Pope were to get commits from PG Pierre (Jax St), PF Lendeborg (UAB), PF Fulgueiras (RMU), and a yet to be named C, would you think that's a good portal cycle?

If yes, then that's why people are saying it may be premature to be losing our minds over who has & hasn't committed. There ARE still good players available.

Is it a little concerning so far? Sure, some, but not freak out level like many on this board are doing. I really hate that Gwath decided to stay at SDSU b/c he was one of my favorite potential portal additions, but I understand his deciding to stay where he was.
I want to agree, I seriously do. But they are players from mid-majors. Notice are glaring weaknesses from last year's team. Talent ceiling.
 
We should not be in a holding pattern when so many of the players we want are trying to get a deal done before the ruling. We are doing the exact opposite of what we should be doing.

If this isn't spin someone needs to explain exactly what the hell is going on.
Read this. Take a breath. and think.

ukcatz12:
What the holding pattern was referring to was:
  • If and when to bring a GM type role into the program
  • How many scholarships teams will be allowed to have next year
  • If walk ons will be used in the future.
 
That’s strange! Every other program seems to be doing the exact opposite! Maybe when the ruling comes down that players have a “cap” of some sort to abide by, that will entice the real portal “superstars” to enter! Yeah, that’s what they are waiting for, a chance to potentially make less money!
You probably should log off before you have a coronary.
 
I want to agree, I seriously do. But they are players from mid-majors. Notice are glaring weaknesses from last year's team. Talent ceiling.
Mid majors players are the studs. Look at the Consensus 1st and 2nd team all-americans this year. Here are the portal players and what school they came from:

Johni Broome - Morehead State
Walter Clayton Jr - Iona
Mark Sears - Ohio University
PJ Haggerty - Tulsa
RJ Luis Jr - UMass
John Tonje - Mizzou
JT Toppin - New Mexico

7 guys among the 10 all americans are portal guys. 6 of those 7 came from mid-majors.

Here are the portal players that are starting in the Final Four:

Florida - Iona, FAU, Belmont, Washington State
Duke - Tulane
Auburn - Morehead State, SDSU, GaTech, FIU
Houston - Baylor, Oklahoma,

11 portal players, 7 of which came from mid-majors
 
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What other schools exactly? There isn't a team in the final four who has added a player yet, and I saw a graffic that said only 7 teams from the sweet 16 added 1 player. The actual good teams seem to be in a holding pattern as well.

If you are referencing UofL, sure, they're spending money trying to be relevant. Doesn't mean the players are a good fit or worth what they are paying.
That guy is a troll. Posting this shit in every thread
 
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Mid majors players are the studs. Look at the Consensus 1st and 2nd team all-americans this year. Here are the portal players and what school they came from:

Johni Broome - Morehead State
Walter Clayton Jr - Iona
Mark Sears - Ohio University
PJ Haggerty - Tulsa
RJ Luis Jr - UMass
John Tonje - Mizzou
JT Toppin - New Mexico

7 guys among the 10 all americans are portal guys. 6 of those 7 came from mid-majors.

Covid year paid off for a lot of programs.
 
Everyone saying we are panic, doom & gloom. No, we are saying. We aren't leading the charge. We are playing catchup, while catching up. Lol
We literally have ZERO clue where we are compared to other teams currently, or at the end. We know less than a fraction of what's going on right now behind the scenes. Actual numbers, deals, or even names. We only get to see the tip of the ice berg. Just give it time. You'll see.
 
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Mid majors players are the studs. Look at the Consensus 1st and 2nd team all-americans this year. Here are the portal players and what school they came from:

Johni Broome - Morehead State
Walter Clayton Jr - Iona
Mark Sears - Ohio University
PJ Haggerty - Tulsa
RJ Luis Jr - UMass
John Tonje - Mizzou
JT Toppin - New Mexico

7 guys among the 10 all americans are portal guys. 6 of those 7 came from mid-majors.

We literally have ZERO clue where we are compared to other teams currently, or at the end. We know less than a fraction of what's going on right now behind the scenes. Actual numbers, deals, or even names. We only get to see the tip of the ice berg. Just give it time. You'll see.
Good. I hope. I just care
 
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We literally have ZERO clue where we are compared to other teams currently, or at the end. We know less than a fraction of what's going on right now behind the scenes. Actual numbers, deals, or even names. We only get to see the tip of the ice berg. Just give it time. You'll see.

You needed 1 million dollars upfront to buy into the legacy fund that Coach K setup right before he retired to support NIL at Duke.
 
I want to agree, I seriously do. But they are players from mid-majors. Notice are glaring weaknesses from last year's team. Talent ceiling.

I agree with you to an extent. However, when I'm watching their film, I TRY to look at things that show up regardless of competition...ball handling & athleticism for example.

In his highlights, Folgueiras plays below the rim a good bit. So, considering that, I do wonder if will struggle on the defensive end even though offensively, I think he will be fine as his skillset fits really well.

The other two guys, I have pretty zero concerns b/c regardless of competition, their athleticism jumps on the screen. With Pierre, his athleticism is WELL above average for a PG, so that won't be a limitation on either end of the floor.

For Lendeborg, his ball handling is really good for a guy his size. Plus, he has a good combo of size, athleticism, and shooting.
 
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Good. I hope. I just care
We all care. The portal process is crazy with lots of twists and turns. It's recruiting high school kids x1000 because it all happens over such a small window where high school recruiting happens over a couple years. Try not (and I know it's tough) to live and die with every little thing that comes out because there is tons of info coming from all directions. If we are in the same spot at the end of the month, panic 🤣
 
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We all care. The portal process is crazy with lots of twists and turns. It's recruiting high school kids x1000 because it all happens over such a small window where high school recruiting happens over a couple years. Try not (and I know it's tough) to live and die with every little thing that comes out because there is tons of info coming from all directions. If we are in the same spot at the end of the month, panic 🤣
We won't be in same position as we are now. But that still doesn't mean we got who we wanted. To take us to next level.
 
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Chill, friend. Trust that these people might actually know more than us. We have zero clue how many guys are waiting til after the 7th to even enter the portal. These agents are good at what they do. Plenty of stud players are waiting for the right time. A lot of these players might actually have been told to get in early and get paid now before the big fish hit the portal.
Pope doesn’t. He made that clear. “It could or could not happen” . The article removed that quote and added more detail. Pope is thinking way too much. We are in trouble. The ramifications of this congressional garbage won’t be realized in the next week. Don’t these guys pay attention to politics and bureaucracy. This isn’t how the coach at UK operates and the emphasis on a GM. Good grief. Just get ready for 25-26. They are increasing the roster limit so there is nothing to see. You can only talk your way to the favorable side of our fanbase one or two time before they reas through the bs.
 
We should not be in a holding pattern when so many of the players we want are trying to get a deal done before the ruling. We are doing the exact opposite of what we should be doing.

If this isn't spin someone needs to explain exactly what the hell is going on.
How do you know who they want?
 
We won't be in same position as we are now. But that still doesn't mean we got who we wanted. To take us to next level.
Going into next year, our incoming recruiting class is infinitely better than last years, our returning players will be infinitely better than last year (considering we had zero) and I have a good feeling our portal class will be better than last year. So, all things better than last year, which was a Sweet 16 team.
 
We all care. The portal process is crazy with lots of twists and turns. It's recruiting high school kids x1000 because it all happens over such a small window where high school recruiting happens over a couple years. Try not (and I know it's tough) to live and die with every little thing that comes out because there is tons of info coming from all directions. If we are in the same spot at the end of the month, panic 🤣
No one’s living or dying with each recruitment. It’s the aggregate of all the players pope has gone hard for and whiffed. Our main targets seem to be two bigs that are rated 25 and 30 in the portal rankings. We’ve learned with tubby that you’re not winning anything with those mid talented guys.
 
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Man all these Cal holdovers clogging up the board with doom and gloom. Why don't yall head on over to the Arkansas board and see how the chicken man is doing in the portal...
 
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The biggest point here, is this. Is any other coach saying we are in holding pattern? Wait n see mode, deep in the portal. All that jazz. Yet, here we are doing it. For what damn reason. Who knows! #1 basketball program considered by most. Think about that for a second. No damn reason to do it. Smh
 
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Honest question... if Pope were to get commits from PG Pierre (Jax St), PF Lendeborg (UAB), PF Fulgueiras (RMU), and a yet to be named C, would you think that's a good portal cycle?

If yes, then that's why people are saying it may be premature to be losing our minds over who has & hasn't committed. There ARE still good players available.

Is it a little concerning so far? Sure, some, but not freak out level like many on this board are doing. I really hate that Gwath decided to stay at SDSU b/c he was one of my favorite potential portal additions, but I understand his deciding to stay where he was.
Good post. I was very excited about Gwath too.
 
The AntiPope guys are having a field day with all these fake reports.

💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩
 
Shouldn’t be in a holding pattern, should be “balls to the walls do whatever it takes right now because there is no tomorrow” mentality. What am I missing here? Gotta get in and get yours while the getting’ good Mark. Now is not the time to play Mister Roger and attempt to follow a set of rules that doesn’t exist yet.

Edit - after actually reading the article, I would say there isn’t really a concern with Mark holding on portal adds, but only discussing what the future will look like after 4/7. My fault for reacting to a headline a writer wrote looking for exactly what I did. Not sure if he’s the idiot or I am. Probably a little of both.
Hard to blame you since journalism went out the window about 20011.
 
Not only scary that we seem to be in quicksand compared to other programs and worry everyday of losing more players we like because of that but how could there only be one player, Kam Williams, that has been excited enough to grab his spot on the team.
 
No one’s living or dying with each recruitment. It’s the aggregate of all the players pope has gone hard for and whiffed. Our main targets seem to be two bigs that are rated 25 and 30 in the portal rankings. We’ve learned with tubby that you’re not winning anything with those mid talented guys.
You say this kind of thing, insinuating we have a coach that can’t cut it…….but if someone asks you point blank, “Do you want to fire Pope?”, you get a non answer every time. That’s the part I find frustrating about the people excessively flooding threads with freak outs. You can’t even get a direct understanding of what you want. Fire Mitch? Ok, I hear you. What about the coach? As for me, I think Pope did an “A” level job last year and I think he deserves a little more leash than some fans want to give over some portal guys. I’m just one guy though. I will say that I appreciate people who “say what you mean and mean what you say”.


Edit: I replied to the wrong post like a complete idiot but the general spirit of the point still remains. Can people just say what they mean?
 
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No one’s living or dying with each recruitment. It’s the aggregate of all the players pope has gone hard for and whiffed. Our main targets seem to be two bigs that are rated 25 and 30 in the portal rankings. We’ve learned with tubby that you’re not winning anything with those mid talented guys.
There are people on here living and dying with every recruitment. Have you taken a look at a thread when we don't get a guy?

Portal recruitment and rankings are completely different than high school recruiting rankings under Tubby. Just looked at what guys were ranked in the portal that were all americans this past year:

Johni Broome - 13th in 2022
Walter Clayton Jr - 69th in 2023
Mark Sears - 20th in 2022
PJ Haggerty - 22nd in 2024
RJ Luis Jr - 52nd in 2023
John Tonje - 296th in 2024
JT Toppin - 25th in 2024

One guy ranked inside the top 20.

Only 3 of the top 25 guys (6 of the top 50) in the portal from last year even made it to the Elite Eight and there were a ton of portal players in the Elite Eight.

People are tied too much to rankings imo. They have proven to have zero correlation to how well a guy plays with his new team. It's about style of play, fit for their system, etc. Yes, we have missed on some guys we wanted, but there are a lot of guys still out there that can probably be really good here. Otega Oweh (31st), Jaxon Robinson (33rd) and Lamont Butler (44th) were really good players for us, if healthy. Add guys like that to some good returners, a really strong recrutiing class, and you have a better team than last year.
 
There is a wait n see about some things (roster limit, revenue sharing, GM position), but it's not impacting them being deep in the portal and offering guys from the portal.
Stop trying to say the article wasn't wait n see. He clearly says it. Next week, weeks, and months,
I would like to be taking Pope's words the way @bthaunert is interpreting them. Throughout most of what he's quoted as saying here, there is room to do that, as he doesn't get real specific and he does say they plan on waiting and seeing, "in terms of that," without ever elaborating on how he means, "in terms of that." In general it seems like there is room to think he meant they will be waiting and seeing what the ultimate resolution of the lawsuit will be, without indicating that will be affecting their behavior as far as offering portal kids.

HOWEVER, towards the end of the article, when Pope's summarizing things, in summary he talks about this whole business as, "It’s actually a beautiful way to filter the guys that are dying to be here and do this." Direct quote. I don't see how that can possibly mean anything besides it's slowed us down in terms of actually offering kids, or at least in terms of actually offering them the most we might otherwise be willing to pay them.

Only going off Pope's words, as a careful reader I'm inclined to think the correct interpretation is closer to what @crxohio is reading.
 
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