2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[Trueblujr]

It seem likely that the NCAA would (somehow) reopen the portal for players who would now have an additional year. But with the NCAA, you never can tell. Another possibility, I think the rule that allow a player who has graduated to enter the portal at any time. Anyone know if Otega graduated?

If he intends to return to Kentucky if they change the rule, does he even need to have his name in the portal? All I heard was he was petitioning for another year, not that he’d enter the portal. I think he would have to withdraw from the draft though. Hopefully the rule changes before that deadline or they will screw over some players. However with this change, the NBA draft should be like baseball. If a kid doesn’t like where he’s drafted or goes undrafted, they should be able to return to college if they have eligibility left. But I guess that’s still a grey area being worked out with the G-League guys being able to go back to school.

[bucsrule8872]

I don’t think the NCAA will reopen the portal. It will probably be where they can only transfer if they are graduates. Grads can transfer without the portal, technically speaking, IIRC. So there will be some available, but those who haven’t graduated and haven’t already hit the portal will have to go back to their current school, I would think.

But who knows, the NCAA and transferring has become like the Wild, Wild West lately. Anything could happen.

[Pobilly]

It seem likely that the NCAA would (somehow) reopen the portal for players who would now have an additional year. But with the NCAA, you never can tell. Another possibility, I think the rule that allow a player who has graduated to enter the portal at any time. Anyone know if Otega graduated?

I tried to find out if he is walking with the graduating class and cannot find anything. Yea I think the graduate rule would come into play for any that have graduated.

[UKHoops01]

I find the "5 year rule" to be one of the more asinine and ridiculous decisions the NCAA has ever made..... and they've made several.

An extra year because of Covid made sense, because everything was screwed up for a year (or two). There was basically a lost year....so making an accommodation for that made sense. But to permanently change it just to change it??? What's the new term going to be...."5th year senior"? We've got freshman, sophomore, junior and senior covered....now we've got a new term that covers someone who previously has been out of eligibility but because we're changing everything to make it completely different and unrecognizable as we destroy history, this will be the new thing going forward??? Great....so now records that were achieved in 4 years will be meaningless. I doubt they'll put asterisks next to all the records that it took players an extra year to break. Imagine holding a record and having it broken by someone who was given an extra year to break it. Now I don't know about you, but I'd be kinda pissed. It just seems like the NCAA doing what it always does...fly by the seat of their pants and make stuff up as they go . And as always, I'm sure it has to do with money....not right or wrong.

[Los Gatos]

Right now only the guys that went into the portal like Aberdeen. Unless the NCAA would give them a 30 day window to decide. There were a few SR that did enter the portal before the deadline, not sure of the total number.

It seem likely that the NCAA would (somehow) reopen the portal for players who would now have an additional year. But with the NCAA, you never can tell. Another possibility, I think the rule that allow a player who has graduated to enter the portal at any time. Anyone know if Otega graduated?

[Pobilly]

If the 5/5 rule passes soon, it opens up a whole new group of guys to go after.

Right now only the guys that went into the portal like Aberdeen. Unless the NCAA would give them a 30 day window to decide. There were a few SR that did enter the portal before the deadline, not sure of the total number.

[Trueblujr]

If the 5/5 rule passes soon, it opens up a whole new group of guys to go after.

[Pobilly]

I hoped we would get McBride as a 6th or 7th man getting 20 minutes a game. He would be the back up with Range and different skill set. I hope we get Oweh back but still need a pure shooter that can play both ways. Right now we have 5 spots. I hope Pope fills all 5. If we can get 1 or 2 top players (Stokes and Oweh) along with 3 quality back ups, we could be in decent shape and not have to worry about a turned ankle or something and be short handed. Too many believe Stokes is going to KU, hope that is the smoke screen and it falls our way. Do not expect it but hope for now is all I have.

[bucsrule8872]

Another what if…

Stokes goes elsewhere, the 5 in 5 rule passes and Oweh returns.

PG Diallo/M. Williams
SG Wilkins/K. Williams
SF Oweh/Hawthorne/Noah
PF N’Diaye/?
C Moreno/Potter

Run 3 guards, a stretch 4, and a big.

Which would be better: a 5th year Oweh or Freshman Stokes? Proven go to guy or potential superstar likely lottery pick? Neither one gives us a dead eye shooter.

I don’t think we would have room for both. Or the money for both.

[bucsrule8872]

So updated roster:

PG Diallo/M. Williams
SG Wilkins
SF K. Williams/Hawthorne/Noah
PF N’Diaye
C Moreno/Potter

Still need a backup PF/C and backup SG at the very least. I think Morton is likely at backup SG. Not sure who we can get as a backup PF. Need a 4/5 with some bulk, preferably.

Now if Stokes signs, pencil him as starter at SF and move Kam to the sixth man role.

[TrueblueCATfan]

People may disagree with me but I think this is a good pick up

Im happy with anyone we get right now

WELCOME TO THE BBN

[Pete Hogwallop]

People may disagree with me but I think this is a good pick up

I do too.

[Pobilly]

He looks like a quick forward with range. I never saw a real post up move, several mid range turn and shoot but he can open the floor and NBA guys say he has good feet and can guard smaller guys. Moreno and O. N. could be a 2026 version of twin towers, maybe?

[South jones]

People may disagree with me but I think this is a good pick up

[Rondo#9]

Ousmane N'Diaye commits to UK