Rothstein Podcast - Picks UK 9th in SEC

[specialkd24]

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-...kentucky-no-9-in-sec-preseason-power-ranking/

On his podcast Jon Rothstein picked UK to finish 9th in the SEC this season. He said in part "“People automatically think that just because a team wears Kentucky across its chest, it’s going to be really, really good. I want to remind people this: there are major, major jumps at hand for many of Kentucky’s players who have transferred to Lexington.”

I know it is just a preseason prediction, and it is hard to know how good anybody will be, but this seems crazy to me. If we finish 9th in the SEC this year, I will wear a Louisville shirt for a week in public.

 

[DraftCat]

They let anyone have a podcast these days I see.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

I wouldn’t put much stock in an opinion from a guy that graduated from Ithica.

Sounds like more of a wish than a prediction.

 

[ukcatz12]

Rothstein is a pretty big name in the college basketball world for all of you questioning his credibility.

He's not exactly wrong. How many times have we got hyped over a transfer who didn't really pan out? And this basically a team full of them with a brand new coach. His ninth place prediction is no less credible then someone who picks us to finish first. No one really knows how everything will settle out with this team.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

Rothstein is a pretty big name in the college basketball world for all of you questioning his credibility.

He's not exactly wrong. How many times have we got hyped over a transfer who didn't really pan out? And this basically a team full of them with a brand new coach. His ninth place prediction is no less credible than someone who picks us to finish first. No one really knows how everything will settle out with this team.

His name will take a big hit with that absurd prediction .

 

[mcnicKY91]

He could be right on the money. Wouldn't shock me to see UK finish top 2/3, or as Rothstein says, finish top 9/10.

No one has a clue how this team will perform, in the slightest.

We should have a pretty good indication after the Duke game one way or the other.

 

[ukcatz12]

His name will take a big hit with that absurd prediction .

Why exactly is his prediction absurd? This team is a gigantic question mark at this point. It's very probable it takes a year or two to get the ball rolling with Pope.

 

[BarefootBeach]

I love it, finally a season with low expectations. This is better for pope.

 

[HagginHall1999]

I've certainly been wrong before....many times, but barring some serious injuries I see no way in hell we are 9th in SEC.

I know Pope flamed out in NCAAT but he took a BYU team with very very limited talent to a tie for 4th in Big 12.

This team will not lack skill, experience and talent. Is it all high end NBA talent? No. But it doesn't need to be if it meshes well.

 

[Zissou87]

They have Mizzou at 13. Man, that Dennis Gates stock has really gone down.

 

[Roe07]

9th place would mean we probably went 8-10 or worse in league play. I refuse to believe we'll be that bad.

 

[YardCat]

I love it, finally a season with low expectations. This is better for pope.

I agree, I expect better than 9th, but more news articles to motivate the team to prove the media wrong. We can only hope they play to potential.

 

[specialkd24]

Rothstein is a pretty big name in the college basketball world for all of you questioning his credibility.

He's not exactly wrong. How many times have we got hyped over a transfer who didn't really pan out? And this basically a team full of them with a brand new coach. His ninth place prediction is no less credible then someone who picks us to finish first. No one really knows how everything will settle out with this team.

His overall premise is right. The team hasn't played together. But that is college basketball now in the Portal Era. Get some transfers and roll. Maybe they won't pan out, but I like what Pope has put together.

I think it is more likely they WILL work out and be successful. He talked about players at lower levels coming up ... then he tabbed Mark Sears is Preseason Player of the Year. And where was he 2 years ago? Ohio. It worked out good for Alabama last year. So it is not like it is crazy transfers will make big impacts.

 

[uk78]

I probably will be saying similar in other posts as we head closer to the season. This team looks like an Alabama team of a few years ago. When on with 3 point shooting they were practically unbeatable. However, they also had losses to so-so teams when they were not on.

I think the interesting challenge is fundamentals which win or lose games namely rebounding, minimizing turnovers, attacking the basket with success to be fouled, team defense, and of course passing for open looks that hit. Some real questions for this team on rebounding and protecting the ball. But, they may shock in their wins. Can it be consistent may be the ultimate question.

 

[BBNinSC]

Kentucky will have the double bye in the SEC tournament. This is a solid team with a flexible roster that (I believe) Pope will know how to manage to a successful season

 

[TucsonCat]

His overall premise is right. The team hasn't played together. But that is college basketball now in the Portal Era. Get some transfers and roll. Maybe they won't pan out, but I like what Pope has put together.

I think it is more likely they WILL work out and be successful. He talked about players at lower levels coming up ... then he tabbed Mark Sears is Preseason Player of the Year. And where was he 2 years ago? Ohio. It worked out good for Alabama last year. So it is not like it is crazy transfers will make big impacts.

Sears didn't come out of nowhere. Was 1st all Mac and scored 20 a game at Ohio. Then had a year to acclimate playing on No 1 team in the nation. Our transfers don't have that resume.

Also, Rothstein has been pretty accurate with news about uk and Portal wins/losses. My guess is hes hearing things. I don't think Pope is calling him up and bad mouthing the team. But he hasn't heard anything to predict us having a stellar season either.

 

[Skyguyb27]

His name will take a big hit with that absurd prediction .

Not really, he will get clicks from both those who love UK and those who hate UK. Mission accomplished.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

How many times has UK finished 9th or worse in the sec the last 30 years?

Maybe 2021 9 win season.

 

[ukfan041]

Rothstein is talking out his ass as usual! No way we finish that low! Anywhere from 3-6

 

[true blue1]

I definitely hope he’s wrong! Bottom line Pope has to prove everyone wrong and show his ability to coach on the big stage. They were several preseason polls while Cal was coaching here that we were overrated and that was due to Cal having respect. With that said I really think Pope will be ok and respect isn’t given it’s earned and I think he’s up for the challenge.

 

[Ron Mehico]

Oh yeah Rothstein?!? Well the jerk store called, and they’re running out of YOU!!!

 

[ukcatz12]

then he tabbed Mark Sears is Preseason Player of the Year. And where was he 2 years ago? Ohio. It worked out good for Alabama last year. So it is not like it is crazy transfers will make big impacts.

Sure, but this is Sears' third year in the SEC. And it took him a while to get really good. Last year his PPG was almost double that of his first year, he shot better overall and from three, and averaged more assists, rebounds, and steals. He was okay his first year and great his second.

That's kind of my point with saying it might take the Pope train a year or two to really get rolling.

 

[Zissou87]

How many times has UK finished 9th or worse in the sec the last 30 years?

Maybe 2021 9 win season.

I think you have to look at a couple things:
1. When was the SEC this loaded, top to bottom?
2. In regards to UK coaches, Mark Pope has the worst prior resume than any coach since Joe B. Hall. People can give the excuse about the limitations of recruiting at an LDS school, but at the end of the day, he still only has two tournament appearances with zero wins.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

Could I see us finishing ninth? Hmmm a low percentage chance but sure.

I bang the parity drum as loud as anyone and it only continues to grow as the portal and recruiting become more efficient marketplaces.

The top 3 teams last year were undoubtedly UConn, Houston, and Purdue. Two of those had freakshow 7 footers. Admittedly the other had a historic defense led by a team of good college players and good coach.

Now that we’re months removed from the season and folks checking Kenpom daily…does anyone remember who the 4th best team last year was according to that widely used metric?

The team’s leading scorers in order:

OVC transfer
Fifth year sub 100 ranked recruit
Former JUCO and MWC player
CUSA transfer
A top 40 or so freshman that kinda was a bust and now transferred out already

This team wasn’t even that special in most on here’s eyes I’m sure. We could have a great team next year. We could be in a big heap of mediocrity. There’s no real telling in August. But I believe our roster is comfortably better than the 23-24 Auburn Tigers listed above.

 

[TucsonCat]

The team’s leading scorers in order:

OVC transfer
Fifth year sub 100 ranked recruit
Former JUCO and MWC player
CUSA transfer
A top 40 or so freshman that kinda was a bust and now transferred out already

This team wasn’t even that special in most on here’s eyes I’m sure. We could have a great team next year. We could be in a big heap of mediocrity. There’s no real telling in August. But I believe our roster is comfortably better than the 23-24 Auburn Tigers listed above.

You kind of glossed over that ovc transfer.
2 Time 1st Team All conference.
Defensive player of the year. 17 point, 11 rebound.
Then a year at Auburn playing gelling with the next season team averaging 15 points and 2nd All SEC and All defense.
None of our transfers have that experience going in to next season.

Leaving out details to lie to yourself won't make it so.

 

[ThrowBackCat9]

Sears didn't come out of nowhere. Was 1st all Mac and scored 20 a game at Ohio. Then had a year to acclimate playing on No 1 team in the nation. Our transfers don't have that resume.

Also, Rothstein has been pretty accurate with news about uk and Portal wins/losses. My guess is hes hearing things. I don't think Pope is calling him up and bad mouthing the team. But he hasn't heard anything to predict us having a stellar season either.

It’s August, it’s no wonder he hasn’t heard anything to predict us having a good or bad season. What is he using to gauge our team?? Sounds like a bunch of bad predictions to garner clicks in a slow off season. 😆

Who else to target for clicks, than our crazy fanbase, who will believe the sky is green if a name they recognize in media says so.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Lmao absurd! IMHO, this team is extremely underrated. I think it’s a legit top 15 team.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Our fanbase always feeds the trolls. As long as they eat at our expense, they will stay at the table.

It doesn't matter if he is right, wrong, or indifferent. He knew putting uk there would get clicks in an otherwise dead period of activity and it worked like s charm.

 

[Fox2monk]

Nobody knows how this team will finish but I can’t imagine us finishing 9th. I just don’t see that at all. If we finish 9th it will be a very bad year.

 

[Fox2monk]

Could I see us finishing ninth? Hmmm a low percentage chance but sure.

I bang the parity drum as loud as anyone and it only continues to grow as the portal and recruiting become more efficient marketplaces.

The top 3 teams last year were undoubtedly UConn, Houston, and Purdue. Two of those had freakshow 7 footers. Admittedly the other had a historic defense led by a team of good college players and good coach.

Now that we’re months removed from the season and folks checking Kenpom daily…does anyone remember who the 4th best team last year was according to that widely used metric?

The team’s leading scorers in order:

OVC transfer
Fifth year sub 100 ranked recruit
Former JUCO and MWC player
CUSA transfer
A top 40 or so freshman that kinda was a bust and now transferred out already

This team wasn’t even that special in most on here’s eyes I’m sure. We could have a great team next year. We could be in a big heap of mediocrity. There’s no real telling in August. But I believe our roster is comfortably better than the 23-24 Auburn Tigers listed above.

Yup and they were one last possession away from probably making a decent run honestly. It was the first round but I could have easily seen a sweet 16 from that team had they won that game. They were also one of the best SEC teams most of the year.

 

[Fox2monk]

Our fanbase always feeds the trolls. As long as they eat at our expense, they will stay at the table.

It doesn't matter if he is right, wrong, or indifferent. He knew putting uk there would get clicks in an otherwise dead period of activity and it worked like s charm.

It got the message board talking but I doubt it led to many clicks on ON3.

 

[chroix]

Cal’s ghost haunting us. He had us overhyped way too many years and the writers are wary to rank us higher as a result. Plus so many unknowns.

I think we’re better than 9th in the SEC but I can also understand why after the last five seasons people would be gushy when it comes to our ranking.

 

[Smashcat]

Hard to predict, I have moderate expectations, but right now I'd be disappointed if we aren't AT LEAST a #8 seed going into the NCAAT.

 

[CELTICAT]

What was Arkansas picked to finish last year?

 

[EliteBlue]

Lmao absurd! IMHO, this team is extremely underrated. I think it’s a legit top 15 team.

Same. Aaron Torres seems to
Be the only big name sports podcast guy picking up to be top 15. Seems everyone is still looking at this team through Cal glasses and thinking “where is the superstar? Where is the elite talent” and not factoring in that the pieces fit really well for how Pope wants to play and that Pope took an even less talented roster and finished 4th in “the best conference ever” last season.

The only question mark w this team is if we can play good team defense to get enough stops. IMO….I expect a similar season to last year when our defense was also weak (due to poor fundamentals coaching primarily) and we either outscored teams or loss. When Cal did his classic Cal garbage and decided to play “defense minded rosters and slow the game down” our offense suffered and resulted in post season Ls. When we played the 3 Rs max minutes and committed to outscoring teams and getting enough steals via perimeter pressure (instead of interior D which Cal prefers)…nobody could keep up w the offensive pressure.

 

[rick64]

Rothstein just gave Pope and the team some bulletin board material. Thank you sir!!

 

[rolaid]

It’s all about the clicks- you think if he had to put his own money down he would pick us 9th of course not - he knows what he’s doing he knows our fans

 

[FitchandMurray29]

You kind of glossed over that ovc transfer.
2 Time 1st Team All conference.
Defensive player of the year. 17 point, 11 rebound.
Then a year at Auburn playing gelling with the next season team averaging 15 points and 2nd All SEC and All defense.
None of our transfers have that experience going in to next season.

Leaving out details to lie to yourself won't make it so.

Yes Broome would be more proven than Jaxson Robinson but I would argue the talent levels are very comparable. Fifth year guys that maybe could’ve gotten drafted in the second round but returned for NIL. I didn’t gloss over any transfer or lie to myself.

I’m sure with that OVC transfer superstar/proven SEC big and all that other talent I listed, Auburn was a favorite in the preseason right?

Kansas, Duke and Purdue lead preseason AP Top 25 poll

Kansas, Duke and Purdue lead the preseason AP Top 25 poll for the 2023-24 season.

www.ncaa.com

Oh no…not ranked preseason…how could it be!?!?

I would never predict this UK team at the very top due to the amount of unknowns. I also think they’ll have a similar problem as last year where in general the better offensive guys are worse defensively and vice versa…limiting just how good the 5 on the floor actually are(no Reed/Rob/Reeves/coaching discussion please!) But the depth of experienced good(even if not great) college players gives them a very high floor imo.

 

[tomrain]

Im predicting top 3 SEC and 12-15 at the worst nationally. Rothstien must've not got the news that CCC isnt coaching here anymore and we dont need a team of 5 stars to compete. Pope finished 5th in a strong Big 12 last season with nowhere near the roster he has in place now.

 

[dckala2]

Journalism/media is just pure opinion at this point. I’d rather read one of aike’s posts with stats and logic to back things up.

with all the high early rankings under cal the guy still couldn’t sniff a one seed when it mattered.