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Yaxel Discussion

Idk what the other thread was like but at some point I think what our staff is doing has to be questioned. I honestly want to see a winner put together this season. There is something not right with Mitch Barnhart. There’s a reason pope is the coach and players are turning us down. I mean we were a powerhouse program that would go after a handful of guys and land what we need to contend. Now we go after every guy in the portal and whiff publicly. When that happens it becomes a domino effect. One or two public turn downs is one thing. We have gone after 25-30 guys. I really do not like the “new and improved program “ under pope.
 
Might not be all about the money .

I’m staying away from the NIL talk because I still don’t completely understand it and it seems like reports on it are all over the place
I understand that and it’s true but there is something not right going on right now. You can’t tell me when the whole staff flys to see a guy that they didn’t want him and we get a visit or zoom and they immediately commit somewhere else. Either it’s a money issue or Mitch is not allowing us to spend right now.
 
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And why would UK all of a sudden be out and out of the blue Auburn be in? You guys ever think that Trilly is assuming that getting the Robert Morris guy will knock us out of the Yaxel sweepstakes? The only way UK would be out of the running is if we backed out thinking he was going to the Draft and we had to take the sure fire will be playing for us guy which is possible to be what happened.
 
You’re right. He said it and if he doesn’t deliver then he will take flack. Words have meaning and BBN doesn’t forget. I will certainly be disappointed if he doesn’t.

Either way, he will take flack from some no matter who he lands. I hope the class ends up being an upgrade over the departing starters, or this place will be miserable. I wouldn’t blame people for being disappointed.
My thing is I’m not sure it’s his fault, he may be hamstrung from our old age AD. If that’s the case he needs to go.
 
A top shelf PG and stretch 4 that can bury the 3 and protect the rim would make your day a little less edgy, huh?
That stretch 4 was Gwath he's back at SDSU, he could shoot 3 and defend rim. Alvaro F is the stretch with better outside game but not a rim protector. You need a player at center if they enter no particular order
Moustapha Thiam UCF
Yanic Konan Niederhauser Penn St.
Nate Bittle - Oregon
Quincy Ballard - Wichita St.
 
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And why would UK all of a sudden be out and out of the blue Auburn be in? You guys ever think that Trilly is assuming that getting the Robert Morris guy will knock us out of the Yaxel sweepstakes?
Wouldn’t shock me at all the way we have lost out on everyone else. Yaxel would get all the PT he could get even if we get Alvaro.
 
I understand that and it’s true but there is something not right going in right now. You can’t tell me when the whole staff flys to see a guy that they didn’t want him and we get a visit or zoom and they immediately commit somewhere else. Either it’s a money issue or Mitch is not allowing us to spend right now.
Oh now I agree with that . We definitely want some of these guys .

I can’t fully put my finger on why we aren’t landing guys . I know when Pope arrived he talked about guys playing for the name of the jersey but I thought he said that just because the fans want to hear that . I hope that’s not his biggest selling point in recruiting .
 
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I really like his physical build and size, but everything that I've seen on his highlights suggest that he plays below the Rim and lacks explosiveness when jumping. I've seen him Dunk the ball one handed multiple times but very rarely with Two hands, thus the lack of a decent vertical. I would rather pickup someone with a lil more athleticism that can also shoot and finish above the Rim with Two hands consistently.
 
He is possibly the only player in the entire portal that is a singular difference maker for a FF contending team. Every other player in the portal needs at least 1, 2, or even 3 other portal players to make a difference.

Oscar Cluff is 9th rated by on3. Oscar freaking Cluff ffs.


Take Yaxel here. If you took Broome off Auburn and substituted Lendeborg, Auburn wouldn't be in the FF. He is no Johni Broome at this point of his career.

I get we need players, but the overreactions are comical.
 
He is possibly the only player in the entire portal that is a singular difference maker for a FF contending team. Every other player in the portal needs at least 1, 2, or even 3 other portal players to make a difference.

Oscar Cluff is 9th rated by on3. Oscar freaking Cluff ffs.


Take Yaxel here. If you took Broome off Auburn and substituted Lendeborg, Auburn wouldn't be in the FF. He is no Johni Broome at this point of his career.

I get we need players, but the overreactions are comical.
That may be true but who are we gonna get in the portal if the guys at the top aren’t good enough? Sit around and hope some difference makers enter late?
 
If non-competitive NIL prevents the winningest college basketball program of all time from fielding a contending team,
then the history and future of Kentucky basketball as we’ve known it will cease to exist.
 
Seems a lot of them don’t venture over here.
I like going back and forth between forums . I used to try and drop “hints “ about things our insiders were saying. Then people started arguing with me about it so I stopped. Draftcat would probably rat me out now anyway, lol .
 
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I like going back and forth. I used to try and drop “hints “ about things our insiders were saying. Then people started arguing with me about it so I stopped. Draftcat would probably rat me out now anyway, lol .

Chill..... I have a hard time biting my tongue as well. ;)
 
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I really wanna get premium this month just for that, but I’d like to talk to all the people I like in here in those threads as well.

You're a great one on this board so you'd instantly be one of the best on HOB. Just don't get there and forget about us little people on RR.
 
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I understand that and it’s true but there is something not right going in right now. You can’t tell me when the whole staff flys to see a guy that they didn’t want him and we get a visit or zoom and they immediately commit somewhere else. Either it’s a money issue or Mitch is not allowing us to spend right now.
It's NOT the money.

Either Coach Pope is NOT going to pay an incoming player MORE than Oweh, Garrison and Chandler OR Mitch is handstringing him until this April 7 congressional hearing is ironed out.

If this is Mitch, then he should RESIGN!!!! These other schools are paying players what it takes to get them, but our ENTIRE staff meets them on Zoom, flies to their FREAKIN houses or meets their agents, but CAN'T close the deal????!!!!!!

Something AIN'T right about ANY of this!!! We are the University of Kentucky!!!! The BLUEST of the BLUE BLOODS!!!! We have a TON of MONEY!!!! WHY aren't we signing the BEST players???!!!!!
 
It has become apparent that Coach Pope is not willing to give a transfer portal big name MORE money than he is giving Oweh. That has to be the ONLY explanation for EVERY top 5 ranked player going elsewhere even AFTER Coach Pope meets with them.

Any other suggestions as to WHY we are losing these top transfer kids?????
Then give oweh more
Why is that so hard
 
Then give oweh more
Why is that so hard
I'm beginning to think it may be Garrison too.

I'm just spitballing here trying to figure out WHY Coach Pope can't finish these deals.

It is puzzling to say the least.
 
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I understand that and it’s true but there is something not right going in right now. You can’t tell me when the whole staff flys to see a guy that they didn’t want him and we get a visit or zoom and they immediately commit somewhere else. Either it’s a money issue or Mitch is not allowing us to spend right now.
If Mitch isn’t allowing Pope to spend then his @ss needs fired right now. If this is the case he’s causing Pope to miss out on quite a few great portal players!!!
 
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I saw an online prediction today has him going to Kentucky.
I saw something online saying his agent was flying back to Auburn trying to get them to up the offer. I think it was between Michigan and Auburn.
 
You’re right. He said it and if he doesn’t deliver then he will take flack. Words have meaning and BBN doesn’t forget. I will certainly be disappointed if he doesn’t.

Either way, he will take flack from some no matter who he lands. I hope the class ends up being an upgrade over the departing starters, or this place will be miserable. I wouldn’t blame people for being disappointed.
Looking at the last group at face value, it won't take much to be that level. Butler is the only one that is a true loss. Brea can shoot but it's once every 3 games because he can't get loose. Amari was the most uncoordinated center I can remember trying to make an offensive move. Going by his numbers if we ever get someone that knows how to rebound they will avg 14 a game.
Robinson was good, he kind of bothered me how meek and soft he was. He had some really great moments on the year though.
Butler and Robinson we will miss but they are definitely replaceable. I think Lewis is the gem next season that oweh was this year. The kid is too talented to keep off the floor
 
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I’m thinking it may be a Barney thing. Everyone said we were flush with cash before so I really don’t think money is the issue, not after the season we had.
I don’t really understand people saying it’s Barnhart. In what way would Barnhart be involved if we have the money? Wouldn’t it benefit him for Pope to spend the money if he has it?
 
Might not be all about the money .

I’m staying away from the NIL talk because I still don’t completely understand it and it seems like reports on it are all over the place
I agree. I don't understand it enough to make an intelligent statement about it.
 
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I don’t really understand people saying it’s Barnhart. In what way would Barnhart be involved if we have the money? Wouldn’t it benefit him for Pope to spend the money if he has it?
I think it stems from an article someone posted (yesterday?) where CMP said something about his hands being tied until the April 7 hearing ruling is made . Some people wondered if maybe Mitch was being his ultra conservative self and holding Pope back because of his past history with being so slow to let UK have collectives when most everyone else were already doing it .
 
IDC how smart Pope is and how very good some of schemes are, we can't win the way we want to win (and Pope needs to win) with "meh" talent. Ten loss Tubby/S16 seasons are going to wear thin in two more seasons. I think if our roster looks similar this next season and the results are similar the volume will be louder. He's got to land some big fish, that's just all there is to it.
But you fail to mention how good this roster was until the constant devastating injuries
 
I think it stems from an article someone posted (yesterday?) where CMP said something about his hands being tied until the April 7 hearing ruling is made . Some people wondered if maybe Mitch was being his ultra conservative self and holding Pope back because of his past history with being so slow to let UK have collectives when most everyone else were already doing it .
Sounds like a massive leap to me. Truth will come out
 
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It's NOT the money.

Either Coach Pope is NOT going to pay an incoming player MORE than Oweh, Garrison and Chandler OR Mitch is handstringing him until this April 7 congressional hearing is ironed out.

If this is Mitch, then he should RESIGN!!!! These other schools are paying players what it takes to get them, but our ENTIRE staff meets them on Zoom, flies to their FREAKIN houses or meets their agents, but CAN'T close the deal????!!!!!!

Something AIN'T right about ANY of this!!! We are the University of Kentucky!!!! The BLUEST of the BLUE BLOODS!!!! We have a TON of MONEY!!!! WHY aren't we signing the BEST players???!!!!!
I agree that something just doesn't seem right about all of this. We have current players as well as ones this season who have exhausted their eligibility, both telling recruits they should come here. So the players don't have anything against us. So if it's not the $$$, then what?
 
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