Mgbako visiting UK tomorrow

[Fox2monk]

Are folks meh because he played for IU?

Nah, I watched a lot of IU games, the system was a major issue but they played better without him a lot. He played little defense but again their defensive system sucked too. Offensively he can be really good but he doesn’t rebound either.

 

[Fox2monk]

Already shared my take last week but I'll say this--3rd time is the charm or 3 strikes and you are out. Guy was incorrectly hyped due to committing to Duke prior to his AAU season before Senior year. He was terrible in AAU play for a loaded team. Duke cut ties with him and he ends up at IU and was a catch/shoot guy and that's about it. He's awful when having to dribble/pass the basketball and he didn't defend at all. Was destroyed on that end of the court.

He's the equivalent of Keion Brooks but hyped as #1 in country at one point because he was from NJ and Andrew Slater said he'd be elite.

Interesting to see how this goes. It's also fine to disagree with the Coaching Staff, still hope someone plays well if they do come. My favorite Kerr Kriisa memory for instance was him announcing he was leaving the program to the Portal. Others loved him. Doesn't make me correct/them wrong or vice versa, just means it's fine to not agree and still be fans of the program.

I honestly agree with everything you say here. After all I watched you are spot on. He has natural talent and a good build. Maybe a change of scenery and a new system brings out his best. Like I said for the right price, he made a lot of cash at IU already he may be worth a flyer, but only for depth. He would be a good 15mpg type guy but I’d think he wants way more than that.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

Who do you think we end up with? Hope it’s a pass on Mbako also

I've always gotten better info from friend on HS recruits/players. The Portal--I have nothing usually-unless it's a local player from MN I know him/his coaches or something my friend has-but he's never had a lot of great Portal info and it moves faster/crazier than a HS recruitment.

I'd prefer someone else personally but if they take him, hope it works out.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

That’s your favorite Kerr memory yet the guy got back on defense on a broken foot? Odd to me. It was a mutual departure but it’s not like Kerr was some team problem or made our team worse.

As for Mackenzie everyone is entitled to their opinion. I wanted him coming out of HS and I think I’m still remembering some of that and tying to hang onto it. He also wasn’t terrible at IU and his 3rd year could be his best.

Stand on what I said. I'm glad Kriisa is gone and never would've brought him into the program.

Mgbako's strengths fit as a rotation/role player and the camp around him think he's a Lottery Pick. There's your #1 issue. At some point when you are not doing the things on the court that equate to being an elite Lottery talent, you need to accept what you are or work on your game to prove you are what everyone around you keeps selling/saying. Always wonder why teams play better and win more when a player's role is reduced and that happened at Indiana which had them on the Bubble. Delusion is the #1 battle every coach at any level is facing right now-be it from parents, players, or the trainers/handlers. Nobody is saying these aren't nice people but understanding and accepting reality is ahead of all things right now when you recruit and specifically recruit the Portal.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Stand on what I said. I'm glad Kriisa is gone and never would've brought him into the program.

Mgbako's strengths fit as a rotation/role player and the camp around him think he's a Lottery Pick. There's your #1 issue. At some point when you are not doing the things on the court that equate to being an elite Lottery talent, you need to accept what you are or work on your game to prove you are what everyone around you keeps selling/saying. Always wonder why teams play better and win more when a player's role is reduced and that happened at Indiana which had them on the Bubble. Delusion is the #1 battle every coach at any level is facing right now-be it from parents, players, or the trainers/handlers. Nobody is saying these aren't nice people but understanding and accepting reality is ahead of all things right now when you recruit and specifically recruit the Portal.

Do you think KK could have came back and helped the 2025 team and chose another year elsewhere over doing so? Sorry, I know this is a big question and get if you don't want to answer. I just know some of us have wondered about that and respect your opinions.

 

[JwUKFan11]

Stand on what I said. I'm glad Kriisa is gone and never would've brought him into the program.

Mgbako's strengths fit as a rotation/role player and the camp around him think he's a Lottery Pick. There's your #1 issue. At some point when you are not doing the things on the court that equate to being an elite Lottery talent, you need to accept what you are or work on your game to prove you are what everyone around you keeps selling/saying. Always wonder why teams play better and win more when a player's role is reduced and that happened at Indiana which had them on the Bubble. Delusion is the #1 battle every coach at any level is facing right now-be it from parents, players, or the trainers/handlers. Nobody is saying these aren't nice people but understanding and accepting reality is ahead of all things right now when you recruit and specifically recruit the Portal.

I don’t mind not wanting to have brought KK here for basketball reasons but it’s not like he was a negative while here.

I completely get what you and others are saying about Mgbako but if he does put in the work, wherever that is, he could reach that potential.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

Do you think KK could have came back and helped the 2025 team and chose another year elsewhere over doing so? Sorry, I know this is a big question and get if you don't want to answer. I just know some of us have wondered about that and respect your opinions.

No. I don't think that he did anything wrong regarding his decision to choose a full year over coming back for a short stint. Understand that from his perspective too.

 

[yes_takeaside]

Was never impressed with KK at Zona and figured he was taken because of the lateness of Pope’s hire and slim pickings at that point.

Have never seen the IU kid but from reading here I’d hope he’s a NO unless they’re missing on some others. If he has an attitude it certainly sounds like a risk.

Maybe CMP likes M&Ms

 

[thebluestripes]

Almost sounds like a desperation recruit.

 

[chasingwildcat]

have a gut feeling we will land that Indiana guy

If so, I will feel very pissed

But I just think this may actually happen

 

[Butters' Dad]

Bringing his mom on his visit with him.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Bringing his mom on his visit with him.

The guy I don't want so of course he will commit.

 

[Untouchables22]

Indiana played better when he wasn’t on the court….if it were up to me HARD PASS. UK isn’t so desperate they need to start investing in reclamation projects are they? Magoon has shaken me but surely that’s not where we are???

 

[jace2012]

Indiana played better when he wasn’t on the court….if it were up to me HARD PASS. UK isn’t so desperate they need to start investing in reclamation projects are they? Magoon has shaken me but surely that’s not where we are???

Well hopefully Pope is triple checking his excel spreadsheet to make sure this is the right fit

 

[Bjr32]

Indiana fan here. Can be a really good shooter but his effort level was usually pretty bad. On defense he had his biggest issues, and it was usually due to effort and understanding how to position himself. Was a big liability on that side of the ball, which shouldn’t be the case with his size and strength. I tend to think his maturity level is what’s holding him back and maybe a change of scenery/coaching will do him good but it is a risk if he can’t grow up some.

 

[BigKari]

He plays exactly like Almonor. Hangs out lazily on the wings and will either shoot 2-3 or 1-5. Same as Almonor, he’ll randomly do something athletic and cool, but only once or twice a game. No motor, but I’d say he’s Almonor+. Not as good of a shooter but will be more capable of getting his own shot than Almonor. Good size and athleticism, he can hang in the SEC and be a mismatch as 3-4 tweener. Pope would need to install a motor in him or he’s gonna drive us absolutely nuts.

 

[kywildcat41035]

The guy I don't want so of course he will commit.

Exactly so I guess when we don’t get the first 5 choices we get stuck with this guy. This doesn’t look good at all!

 

[paulcalhoun]

Exactly so I guess when we don’t get the first 5 choices we get stuck with this guy. This doesn’t look good at all!

Sheesh! This thread needs a tampon dispenser.

 

[JonathanW]

Not a bad pickup tbh. He could be a force in the SEC. If he stays and gets better. He has the body to be a good player in the SEC.

He may have the body, but not the skills. And from the sound of it, not the IQ or motor either.

 

[SemperFiCat]

This dude is not the one you want. Actually pretty surprised he's even on Pope's radar. He's about the only dude in the portal I'm pretty familiar with, and it's an easy pass from me.

 

[OmahaCats]

If he's a bench piece on a roster of 15 scholarship players, you take him for the upside and hope he pans out. If not, what's the harm? I think IU was a toxic dumpster fire under Woodson, so a change of scenery and actual coaching could be what he needs.

Trust in the staff.

We won’t have 15 scholarship players. 12 maybe 13 max

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Unfortunately looks like we will have to take a flyer or two on guys that don't have much of a market so we can afford it. Just hope we take the right flyer.

 

[Fox2monk]

He plays exactly like Almonor. Hangs out lazily on the wings and will either shoot 2-3 or 1-5. Same as Almonor, he’ll randomly do something athletic and cool, but only once or twice a game. No motor, but I’d say he’s Almonor+. Not as good of a shooter but will be more capable of getting his own shot than Almonor. Good size and athleticism, he can hang in the SEC and be a mismatch as 3-4 tweener. Pope would need to install a motor in him or he’s gonna drive us absolutely nuts.

That’s a good comparison honestly, he’s like Almonor except on steroids, and can score 20 if he’s hot or gets enough minutes.

 

[MonsterMash79]

He may have the body, but not the skills. And from the sound of it, not the IQ or motor either.

Sound like a Hell no for sure then 👍

 

[DraftCat]

Sounds like a developmental piece... if he's looking for more than 15 min a game I rather go elsewhere.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Stand on what I said. I'm glad Kriisa is gone and never would've brought him into the program.

Mgbako's strengths fit as a rotation/role player and the camp around him think he's a Lottery Pick. There's your #1 issue. At some point when you are not doing the things on the court that equate to being an elite Lottery talent, you need to accept what you are or work on your game to prove you are what everyone around you keeps selling/saying. Always wonder why teams play better and win more when a player's role is reduced and that happened at Indiana which had them on the Bubble. Delusion is the #1 battle every coach at any level is facing right now-be it from parents, players, or the trainers/handlers. Nobody is saying these aren't nice people but understanding and accepting reality is ahead of all things right now when you recruit and specifically recruit the Portal.

Jmo but if agents try to set realistic expectations, they lose their client to someone willing to tell them what the client wants to hear. Its like any other business.

So it ends up being a self preserving cycle that gets reinforced when these guys get paid way more than theyre worth.

Sounds like a developmental piece... if he's looking for more than 15 min a game I rather go elsewhere.

I agree but sounds like hes a long way away from accepting an almanor type role. So if we land him, it probably means we plan a bigger role for him, which doesn't seem promising.

 

[Digger-Cat]

As long as Pope doesn’t give him a big NIL deal and explains to him that he's going to be a bench piece, I'm good with it.
If this guy ever wakes up and decides to play with effort, he could be a big deal down the road.

 

[Smashcat]

Already shared my take last week but I'll say this--3rd time is the charm or 3 strikes and you are out. Guy was incorrectly hyped due to committing to Duke prior to his AAU season before Senior year. He was terrible in AAU play for a loaded team. Duke cut ties with him and he ends up at IU and was a catch/shoot guy and that's about it. He's awful when having to dribble/pass the basketball and he didn't defend at all. Was destroyed on that end of the court.

👍 👍 Much of that 2023 class was iffy. Bradshaw, Cadeau, Mgbako, Justin Edwards, Mookie Cook, DJ Wagner, etc. You get the picture.

 

[kywildcat41035]

Sheesh! This thread needs a tampon dispenser.

Me and a bunch of other UK fans in this thread feel the same way about this recruit! He was a Cal type of recruit definitely doesn't seem like someone that would scream Pope type of recruit. We all should just hope that we don't get him and if we do it was a swing and a miss on quite a few others!

 

[Untouchables22]

Dude is a ME FIRST team cancer and I have no idea why we are even considering him??? His attitude and lack of playing effort are the antithesis of everything Coach Pope talks about.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Is pope panicking?

 

[BassProCat]

Is pope panicking?

Did pope panick last off szn when he had half the time he has now??

 

[wardlow]

No thank you

 

[Tf2217]

It’ll be interesting to see as we get transfers with multiple years left how many transfer out as they get recruited over. Not saying that’ll be the case with Mgbako but it’s possible

Krissa makes 1

 

[KAB Cats]

More worried about the off the court stuff going back to the fast food incident in Bloomington. If he has matured past that and has a championship mentality, I can get behind it. I'd feel better if had played with successful programs in the past. And I'm not even trying to knock IU there... it's just that they've been really bad.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

Jmo but if agents try to set realistic expectations, they lose their client to someone willing to tell them what the client wants to hear. Its like any other business.

So it ends up being a self preserving cycle that gets reinforced when these guys get paid way more than theyre worth.



I agree but sounds like hes a long way away from accepting an almanor type role. So if we land him, it probably means we plan a bigger role for him, which doesn't seem promising.

Not talking about Agents--talking about Coaches. You have to be bluntly honest about what someone is/what it will take to get where they want to be, and if they don't want to invest in that, pass. You don't have time to coddle people when so many people are available that you can actually coach/develop or will accept the role you envision in your program.

 

[Smashcat]

No thank you

Ditto.

 

[Katscratch]

Indiana fan here;

It's true that IU was better when Mgbako wasn't on the court. Even when the effort is there, he is not an intuitive player and moreover, he has the gloomiest personality imaginable. During interviews; in huddles; and on the court. Never looks intense and never looks like he's enjoying competitive basketball.

He got a beautiful shot both from distance and midrange, and he's long. Maybe Pope can improve his attitude, but when Woodson started giving many of Mgbako's minutes to Luke Goode and Anthony Leal things got better for IU, even in Woodson's crappy system.

IMO? He's the kind of player that makes other players worse.

 

[shaudyshaud]

I watched him some in AAU he teamed up with Wagner and Bradshaw in AAU. At times he showed flashes of being good but based on his ranking I expected him to be better . He was inconsistent. It seems like not much has changed . I could see Kentucky fans being frustrated with him from game to game .

 

[CatPatrick13]

Mediocre numbers...... and inconsistent just as others have pointed out.... I wouldn't pay him NIL until he proves himself but that is prob uncool these days.