Missing Out On Jasper and Moreno

[robo222]

Lots of good places to play and good coaches to play for. It will take UK a good while to work it’s way out of being the 1nDone Mecca of college basketball… Best thing that can happen is for Pope to have success. What success means is 🤷🏼… There are plenty good players that haven’t reached 4-5 star but will, than those already there. I like his staff. Let’em work👏👏👏

 

[TankedCat]

It’ll be disappointing but with the transfer portal we’ll survive.

we'll get 2 more chances at them

 

[ccukuk]

There are now strong rumblings that Kentucky may miss-out on both Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, with Alabama and UNC now looking like leaders for Jasper and Moreno possibly leaning towards Indiana. What's everyone thoughts on possibly missing out on two, high-profile in-state kids to our rivals? It's very rare that the state of Kentucky produces two top-30 highschool prospects, and even more rare that neither may not be suiting up in Kentucky blue.

EDIT: Just seen the similar post about this topic, however, cannot read the OP's message to due having white font lol.

Have faith in the Pope.

 

[KFuqua]

Agreed! I put him on ignore...enough of posting in white letters.

 

[TucsonCat]

Is it a miss if we decide we had better options than them, though?

If they are replaced by other 5 Star players, then great. But if they get replaced with lesser players what tends to happen on this board is posters stick their heads in the sand. Pretend this was a choice, and you get posts like, "I trust Joker more than I trust Rivals"

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

All high school recruiting has pretty much become about money. If a Kentucky kid wants an exorbitant amount to play here don't pay it. Use it to get PROVEN players in the portal or the absolute top rated recruit. Neither of these kids qualify IMO. They are good but there are better recruits in the class, save the money for the best or wait for portal players.

 

[BBNinSC]

Pope needs a season of results before recruiting gets to rightful Kentucky levels. Once this year’s team starts winning and Pope and his system become more nationally known, recruits will follow.

 

[Creed Bratton]

I mean UNC lost out to UK on Wall, Bam and Dillingham and they survived so I think we will be okay.

 

[katwest]

I don't know what they will do but it's kind of hard to believe that if Kentucky wants them, they wouldn't want to come here, especially Johnson. Kentucky will be Kentucky with or without them, if they don't want to be a part of it, so be it. I like what Pitino used to tell recruits, if you can do better than Kentucky, you have my blessing. I would like to have both of them, but if we don't get them, there will be plenty of blue chip recruits that do want to be a part of this program.

 

[UK-chulo]

Is it a miss if we decide we had better options than them, though?

Only to unreasonable fans, who would have us with a winless season if they were doing the recruiting.

 

[stereonut]

There are now strong rumblings that Kentucky may miss-out on both Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, with Alabama and UNC now looking like leaders for Jasper and Moreno possibly leaning towards Indiana. What's everyone thoughts on possibly missing out on two, high-profile in-state kids to our rivals? It's very rare that the state of Kentucky produces two top-30 highschool prospects, and even more rare that neither may not be suiting up in Kentucky blue.

EDIT: Just seen the similar post about this topic, however, cannot read the OP's message to due having white font lol.

Looks like we should fire Pope and fold the program.
We just can’t survive the current state of the way things are going.

🤣🤣

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

There are going to be some unsure recruits until he is seen actually coaching Kentucky basketball.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I really want Johnson and Moreno, but getting them isn’t the be all, end all for Pope.

He could miss on these guys and still get to a Final Four and win a title.

He can get them and still not get to the Final Four and win a title.

My point is, the ultimate goal is to get back to the Final Four and win a title. How he gets us there doesn’t really matter as long as he gets us there.

 

[catsfanbgky]

That person you're referring to has been told by many here that his text is unreadable, but he's chosen to be difficult about it. It's his 15 minutes of fame. CMP hasn't coached a game yet for UK, and I'm going way out on a limb here by suggesting that maybe there's been enough folks in the player's circles here in Kentucky that have suggested that CMP was the wrong guy to be picked for UK's coach. And kid's today don't really seem to follow tradition or want to follow in the footsteps of others.

I guess Perry and Noah are not in that "players circle" thing you are talking about. Was we in good standings for either before Pope got here ? Because Cal is one of if not the best recruiter in the game, and if they where not strong UK interested then, why is Pope suddenly the possible wrong hire? (according to your players circle).

 

[UKWildcats1987]

We can probably get higher rated non KY freshmen. Not really concerned at all about this.

 

[NC Weasel]

It seems obvious to me we will have playing time AFTER next season to be filled either by recruits or another great portal class. I'm not concerned which one, as long as over the next 3-5 yrs CMP figures out a way to be successful at both. He is obviously a smart, hard working guy. No reason to believe this isn't within his wheelhouse with the resources & staff he has in place.

As for the KY kids. Would love to have them, but if they aren't feeling it they can toil away at those schools. It's their loss.

 

[KapitalCat]

Johnson maybe, I would be really surprised if Moreno doesn't end up at UK.

 

[clevenger32]

I go back to Rupp and Hall. During their eras, Kentucky high school basketball was among the best in the country and there has been a drop in recent years BUT in the last several there has been a resurgence…I hope these two will end up coming to UK and it would devastating to me to see them go to “the projected choices.”

I will say this, in the last decade, there have been a lot of “fans” who have immediately dismissed the ability of Kentucky high school players…”aren’t that good, wouldn’t be recruiting them if they weren’t from the state, etc.” Horrible.

I know that Sheppard, Perry, and Noah and Pope have really trying to convince them that they are deeply wanted and needed hoping to dispel the unfortunate mindset that has permeated via “short term fans” and the previous coaching staff.

Hopefully they will stay home.

 

[Eccain01]

I’d be disappointed. But it’s not the end of tr world especially with the transfer portal

 

[un4getables]

There are going to be some unsure recruits until he is seen actually coaching Kentucky basketball.

Why in todays world I think you can put on anyone of byu games from last two seasons and you know what’s type of coach he’d is groping to b e along with the style So this statement does not work and is untrue

 

[BlueSince92]

TF is a rumbling and how did you measure its strength?

 

[jeffky]

There are now strong rumblings that Kentucky may miss-out on both Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, with Alabama and UNC now looking like leaders for Jasper and Moreno possibly leaning towards Indiana. What's everyone thoughts on possibly missing out on two, high-profile in-state kids to our rivals? It's very rare that the state of Kentucky produces two top-30 highschool prospects, and even more rare that neither may not be suiting up in Kentucky blue.

EDIT: Just seen the similar post about this topic, however, cannot read the OP's message to due having white font lol.

 

[HeelVol]

If Johnson and Moreno pick the Tar Heels, there's still a real possibility that after 1 season, they transfer to Kentucky. Now switch the school names. That is the current state of basketball recruiting.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Big Julius Halaifonua, 7-0 290, considering a reclass. He is a 25 four star from New Zealand. Describes his game a pass first big that can score from all three levels.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I'm all in with giving Pope a real chance and I'm excited about the future. However, it would be a little disappointing to see Ky kids go elsewhere, especially after what we just saw Reed do.

When was the last time a top ranked Kentucky kid that we wanted and pursued went elsewhere? I know it has happened with guys we didn't recruit, but has it happened with guys we did?

 

[L.O.D.]

Not going to get any great recruit untill Pope has a year under him an kids see his UK team. I'm fine with portal guys.

We're fine for next year with the KY kids, Chandler, Garrison and I think Oweh has 1 more year. Add 5 from portal an were good. Freshman at least tip ones aren't coming till they see what Pope is

 

[Rockfly78]

I mean he’s been here 8 weeks and the transfer portal is the way to success anyway

You cannot, as the coach at Kentucky, lose the best players in the state of Kentucky to places like Indiana and UNC. This cannot happen. Say whatever you want about cal, but be kept kids home.

Losing these kids is very bad. It’s not about losing 5 stars. It’s about losing 5 stars that live in your house.

 

[Snarks0]

I’ll be disappointed but our fans will make up excuses that they’re not very good or we didn’t want them anyway.

 

[Butters' Dad]

There are now strong rumblings that Kentucky may miss-out on both Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, with Alabama and UNC now looking like leaders for Jasper and Moreno possibly leaning towards Indiana. What's everyone thoughts on possibly missing out on two, high-profile in-state kids to our rivals? It's very rare that the state of Kentucky produces two top-30 highschool prospects, and even more rare that neither may not be suiting up in Kentucky blue.

EDIT: Just seen the similar post about this topic, however, cannot read the OP's message to due having white font lol.

My thoughts are I've been telling everyone this, exactly, would happen from here on out for months and have been called every name in the book including someone's forlorn lover to whom I'm not even attracted.

 

[jeffky]

My thoughts are I've been telling everyone this, exactly, would happen from here on out for months and have been called every name in the book including someone's forlorn lover to whom I'm not even attracted.

 

[Ron Mehico]

You cannot, as the coach at Kentucky, lose the best players in the state of Kentucky to places like Indiana and UNC. This cannot happen. Say whatever you want about cal, but be kept kids home.

Losing these kids is very bad. It’s not about losing 5 stars. It’s about losing 5 stars that live in your house.

Ok, thanks for sharing your opinion.

 

[Smashcat]

Johnson maybe, I would be really surprised if Moreno doesn't end up at UK.

Agree and even Zagoria just wrote: Johnson says he does not have a timetable to cut down his list, or commit.
That's a recruitment that could go into the spring imo. I wouldn't be ruling out UK with him just yet.

 

[WeWant9]

Agree and even Zagoria just wrote: Johnson says he does not have a timetable to cut down his list, or commit.
That's a recruitment that could go into the spring imo. I wouldn't be ruling out UK with him just yet.

If either set up an announcement before the season starts, I wouldn’t like UK’s chances; but if they hold off to see Pope at UK then I think the odds go up.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

I don't see how Pope would possibly tell guys like Peterson, Lewis, Mullins, Ament or Riebe to wait if they want to commit now. Players like these, and there are a few others, are just too good for Pope's system to put them off. And, we are going to need at least a couple of really good transfers for maturity and experience if we are serious in winning a championship year two of the Pope era. Plus, it looks like we have a very good chance for adding Big Julius, who is also a very good shooter like Reibe from everywhere.

 

[katwest]

Pope is a player's coach, that's what most of his former players and recruits say they like about him. One thing Kentucky high school kids should take note of is that they will have a better chance of playing meaningful minutes under him than any other coach that has been here lately.

 

[Rockfly78]

Ok, thanks for sharing your opinion.

yw

 

[Killswitch24]

There are now strong rumblings that Kentucky may miss-out on both Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, with Alabama and UNC now looking like leaders for Jasper and Moreno possibly leaning towards Indiana. What's everyone thoughts on possibly missing out on two, high-profile in-state kids to our rivals? It's very rare that the state of Kentucky produces two top-30 highschool prospects, and even more rare that neither may not be suiting up in Kentucky blue.

EDIT: Just seen the similar post about this topic, however, cannot read the OP's message to due having white font lol.

Might be a tad long but I think it needs to be said so whatever.

Without reading the thread, it’s quite simple. Pope got into coaching late in life and just got to Kentucky what around 3/4 months ago. recruits don’t know much about him and they don’t know anything about guys that have played for him. He currently doesn’t have an NBA pedigree as far as coaching goes, and so it’s seen as risky for top players to make that jump right now. It should have been expected by everyone.

A few points.

I’m not concerned with freshman recruits right now and I don’t know why so many are. His system is not easy to operate and freshman will need learning curves. This isn’t “go make a play” offense, freshman won’t be as necessary and freshman today aren’t what freshman used to be. Now they go up against 24 year olds. Even Wall would have struggled out of the gate at 17 here if that has been the case.

Pope needs a little time to establish his reputation. By next year it should improve and if he does well 2 and 3 years down the road this issue will be non existent. Wait until the recruits see his style of bombing 3’a and playing fast. He’ll land a few good ones and get some of his own players into the NBA. That will settle the matter.

Anyone saying this is a huge issue are simply wrong and not just wrong, I think it’s an exercise in ignorance. Who didn’t know this would be the case? This is college basketball 101 stuff imo. Very few coaches are able to pull top 5 classes out of the gate and Pope got into coaching at 41.

Pope might have the highest IQ in college basketball. He’s that brilliant. I spoke to a guy that knows him personally and he brought up routinely that he’s a genius. And really think about it. The guy got into coaching 10 years ago and was making around 30K per year at Georgia basketball in a small role not even a coaching assistant. It took him 10 years to be at a blue blood. And this isn’t just because he played here, Arkansas had him on their finals list for their job opening and he was already at a BIG12 school.

Love the fanbase and love our demanding ways but give him a second, damn lol.

 

[Killswitch24]

This NIL era is going to be filled with disinformation being supplied by agents and others trying to drive up the price. I won't believe anything about Jasper Johnson going elsewhere until I actually see it. Anywhere but UK just doesn't compute. I guess we'll see.

This is another point I should have touched on. Too many are not understanding that right now agents are floating all kinds of bullshit to drive the price up. There is NO WAY to know what’s really going. If people thought it used to be complicated to track these players leanings then buckle up because this is the era of recruiting misinformation. He could be floating he’s being offered 1.5 million by UNC and about to commit and UK is not going to get fleeced by these recruits. We have the money but it sets a bad precedent. You start jumping and paying and every single recruit after that will expect it. You can’t do it.

Wish Schools would get together and form their own system of how this will work. It doesn’t have to be official but I wish there was a way the AD’s could all say “no more than X” behind the scenes and stop the inanity. An unwritten agreement that they will all follow.