2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[KentuckyWild2020]

Cal subliminally warned Pope and Kentucky fans what was about to happen after the Arkansas loss..

Anyways, who cares. I am more concerned that Pope could not retain his guy, Chandler.


That's a writing on the wall move. The wife Utah thing excuse is a killem with kindness ,seems Chandler had his foot out the door the whole time ,must really be toxic at Kentucky behind closed doors.

At this point, Pope may be better off cleaning the entire house and start new coaching to save his job this season.

[Pobilly]

Not sure keeping Chandler at 3 million dollars would be a good move. He was no Oweh and does not deserve Oweh type of money to stay at UK. He is a good solid piece for a team but really not a starting piece. I hope he does well where ever he ends up. Not upset it is not here.

[Uncle Dave]

Not sure keeping Chandler at 3 million dollars would be a good move. He was no Oweh and does not deserve Oweh type of money to stay at UK. He is a good solid piece for a team but really not a starting piece. I hope he does well where ever he ends up. Not upset it is not here.

I agree with this. In my opinion, there's not one vacant opening on our roster that can't be filled with a more talented player than the previous occupant(except Oweh). Not bashing ex-players, but that's how I see it.

[Trueblujr]

I want Chandler back and think he would kill it as a 6th man. I am not penciling him to return just yet. Believe his wife has moved back to Utah and smoke that he has tried to shop himself around to BYU and Utah.

I guess I have some egg on my face thinking Chandler was a Pope Loyalist. Here's my hope... I hope Chandler went to UK with a stupid high request like is being reported and Pope said "No, we can't do that, but I encourage you to go out and see what your market value truly is, then come back to us with a more reasonable request." Hid faith and family may ultimately pull him back to Utah, but he is pretty well liked here and Pope will give him all the minutes he wants. We definitely need his shooting.

[Trueblujr]

There wasn't a player on our roster except Oweh That was worth 3 million

Speculation that he might be looking for a 5th year of eligibility. Trump's EO saying players should get five years to play five. (which I don't necessarily disagree with) might push the NCAA to grant some of these waivers. Have to wonder if there's a scenario where he gets his 5th year granted then decides he can make more playing College ball than being a possible late second round pick with no guaranteed contract. Is he one we pay to bring back? I say yes.

[Trueblujr]

I agree with this. In my opinion, there's not one vacant opening on our roster that can't be filled with a more talented player than the previous occupant(except Oweh). Not bashing ex-players, but that's how I see it.

Right now, the question is can we go out and get those more talented players out of the portal. just so much more competition these days and for some reason we're not the destination we used to be.

[Jload]

I think Pope is not the most polished of salesmen. Still speechless that he hasn't hired a GM. Hubris or stupidity or just plain not understanding the current business environment in college basketball, take your pick. I fear it will be his undoing here.

[KentuckyWild2020]

I agree with this. In my opinion, there's not one vacant opening on our roster that can't be filled with a more talented player than the previous occupant(except Oweh). Not bashing ex-players, but that's how I see it.

This true. Chandler could hit the 3 and throw down a few dunks but defensively, just didn't have it, same with driving and getting to the rim on his own..

i think the problem is this generation of players can't really accept any criticism it seems. New's flash, do you job and win, you won't have those problems at Kentucky. If you can't handle the pressure, probably shouldn't be at Kentucky. We need some dogs on the roster.

I am curious to know if POPE is doing mostly zoom meetings or actually getting on a plan and visiting players in real time???

Does he have the ability to read someone like a book???

[KentuckyWild2020]

I guess I have some egg on my face thinking Chandler was a Pope Loyalist. Here's my hope... I hope Chandler went to UK with a stupid high request like is being reported and Pope said "No, we can't do that, but I encourage you to go out and see what your market value truly is, then come back to us with a more reasonable request." Hid faith and family may ultimately pull him back to Utah, but he is pretty well liked here and Pope will give him all the minutes he wants. We definitely need his shooting.

I think we all have a egg on our face when it comes to Chandler. I mean if you can't retain this kid with all the history, then something is seriously wrong. Chandler leaving shouldn't even be a discussion at this point...

[WeWant9]

I am curious to know if POPE is doing mostly zoom meetings or actually getting on a plan and visiting players in real time???

I had a similar thought- like get off your rear-end and fly to these guys.. but apparently coaches and players can not meet in-person until April 10. Dumb rule.

[WeWant9]

As for our mass exodus, I don't really care anymore. After being a one n done factory for 15 years, none of this phases me. There are no rules in this era and guys will bounce around until something stops it.

I am not saying Pope is capable of this, but Michigan just showed you can build a starting 5 from the portal and dominate from start to finish. He needs to get some dudes, guess we will see if he can adapt and grow.

The only thing that matters right now is winning. I don't care what Pope says or not, just win. Our ooc schedule will be brutal next year and if we start the season like last year than the seat will be hotter than the sun.

[UKHoops01]

I think Pope is not the most polished of salesmen. Still speechless that he hasn't hired a GM. Hubris or stupidity or just plain not understanding the current business environment in college basketball, take your pick. I fear it will be his undoing here.

I believe that's what Keegan Brown was hired to be, only they aren't calling the position "General Manager", they're calling it Director of Roster Management:

https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/03/26/keegan-brown-hired-as-director-of-roster-management/

[Los Gatos]

Speculation that he might be looking for a 5th year of eligibility. Trump's EO saying players should get five years to play five. (which I don't necessarily disagree with) might push the NCAA to grant some of these waivers. Have to wonder if there's a scenario where he gets his 5th year granted then decides he can make more playing College ball than being a possible late second round pick with no guaranteed contract. Is he one we pay to bring back? I say yes.

I think you may have something although I believe Denzel Aberdeen is more likely to benefit from it than Oweh. If The NCAA moves very quickly to make the rule change I can see them making it retro-active to this years seniors. If they don't I see a raft of lawsuits.

[Matt Dillon]

I think we all have a egg on our face when it comes to Chandler. I mean if you can't retain this kid with all the history, then something is seriously wrong. Chandler leaving shouldn't even be a discussion at this point...

If his wife has indeed returned to Utah, I don't blame him for leaving.

[ganner918]

I'm bummed about losing Chandler, I think he can be a really good player these next couple years.