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Pope & Hart been in contact with UNLV’s Dedan Thomas Jr

According to On3, Josh Dix and Dedan Thomas are #1 and #3 in the portal. Number 2 is Bryce Hopkins, who has a "do not contact." Thus, Dix and Thomas are the best available, for now.
Curious, why does a player enter the portal and have a "do not contact"? Does this mean he already has seceded on a team?
 
It’s a focus thing. Good players can improve ft % their entire lives.

Magic Johnson went from mid-70s to low 90s over the course of his career, for instance.
A lot of times either a inconsistent shot or bad mechanics both can be coached with practice.

But i agree with the other guy going to be hard to get him off the west coast especially if he went the UNLV to be close to home.
 
It's clear that UK wants at least four from the portal.

Need replacements for Butler, Brea, Williams, Carr, and Almonor. We've already got one for Kriisa (Lewis) and Robinson (Johnson).
This is how I'm seeing the roster playing out.....and some interesting takes

1. Acaden Lewis is not being given the starting PG spot (Cal would have never brought in a better upperclassmen over this vaunted FR). And this is very wise to increase the athleticism to replace Butler and the thought of backup PG being Lewis (vs. Perry/Krissa) is an uptick in athleticism to the roster as well.
2. The key to the season is how we stack the PF spot....Looks like we want a high skill starter (Euro kid were after) and an athletic backup (maybe the D2 kid).
3. And swinging for a Center...tells me UK isn't going to hand Garrison the job with Moreno backing up. (and they should not as Garrison hasn't exactly grown thru the year).
 
This is how I'm seeing the roster playing out.....and some interesting takes

1. Acaden Lewis is not being given the starting PG spot (Cal would have never brought in a better upperclassmen over this vaunted FR). And this is very wise to increase the athleticism to replace Butler and the thought of backup PG being Lewis (vs. Perry/Krissa) is an uptick in athleticism to the roster as well.
2. The key to the season is how we stack the PF spot....Looks like we want a high skill starter (Euro kid were after) and an athletic backup (maybe the D2 kid).
3. And swinging for a Center...tells me UK isn't going to hand Garrison the job with Moreno backing up. (and they should not as Garrison hasn't exactly grown thru the year).
I agree with this. I really like Lewis but I’d prefer a veteran for him to work under for year one.

I think a 4 who can legitimately shoot and has actual skills is essential for Pope’s system.

As is a big guy who can rebound like a boss, which I don’t know that Garrison or Moreno can do.
 
This is how I'm seeing the roster playing out.....and some interesting takes

1. Acaden Lewis is not being given the starting PG spot (Cal would have never brought in a better upperclassmen over this vaunted FR). And this is very wise to increase the athleticism to replace Butler and the thought of backup PG being Lewis (vs. Perry/Krissa) is an uptick in athleticism to the roster as well.
2. The key to the season is how we stack the PF spot....Looks like we want a high skill starter (Euro kid were after) and an athletic backup (maybe the D2 kid).
3. And swinging for a Center...tells me UK isn't going to hand Garrison the job with Moreno backing up. (and they should not as Garrison hasn't exactly grown thru the year).
that d2 kid is sf, not pf
 
Can we bring in a portal Center and have 2 McDonald’s all Americans backing him up? I bet that isn’t happening anywhere else in the country. We have to though right? Can’t just roll with Garrison and Moreno in the SEC I don’t think it’s enough.
 
I have no worries with the level of talent this staff will go after and get in the portal. They have proven they have a system and know what fits it best.
 
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I think the kid from Nevada might be a good fit at the 4/5. He seems to be a good passer. He might be able to fill the Williams’ role on offense. Might be good to pair with Garrison, who is shooting the ball pretty well and might be better suited in a Carr type role next season than the Williams role, at least on offense.

But I must admit, I haven’t seen enough of any of these Portal guys to judge yet.

Also, I would rather wait and see who enters the Portal after the tourney. I want “winners” and the “winners” are still playing right now. There’s probably going to be some guys who are making runs with their current team who will be in the Portal in about a month or so.

I say wait for a “winner” or two to lead us next season.
 
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Can we bring in a portal Center and have 2 McDonald’s all Americans backing him up? I bet that isn’t happening anywhere else in the country. We have to though right? Can’t just roll with Garrison and Moreno in the SEC I don’t think it’s enough.
If they are our 5 men , we better bring in a 4 guy that is a beast rebounder and has some low post skills
 
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