2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[Tomcats1990]

Lexington is a fun town with lots to do a fan base that lives and breathes basketball and a large NIL budget. Something is seriously wrong that KY is missing on most of their first choices in the portal. Seems like KY casts a wide net over many players instead of zeroing in a a guy or 2 and getting them.

[BlueBlood]

That didn't bother me losing out on Pate.

[WeWant9]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who felt this way.

I’d take a proven college PG over a g-leaguer. His stats didn’t wow me.

[UKHoops01]

I’m okay missing on Pate. Would rather have one of the portal PG targets.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who felt this way.

[WeWant9]

I’m okay missing on Pate. Would rather have one of the portal PG targets.

[Pobilly]

Not sure if this is portal or roster but DINK PATE committed to Providence tonight. They are building a team up there. Byrd and Pate in the back court.

[Trueblujr]

Guess Chandler is “leaving the door open” on a possible return to UK….I guess if BYU doesn’t pay him what he wants

If that's the case, it sounds kinda like I said earlier that I hoped would happen. He came in asking for the moon, and was told to go shop himself to find out his true value then come back with a more reasonable request. If it's in line with where we're at then he can come back, if not, then good luck at your new home.

[Trueblujr]

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.

It begs another discussion, probably suited for another thread, but the redshirt rules are just stupid considering what they allow in Football now. If they aren't going to allow 5 to play 5 then at least let kids play a certain number of games and still be able to retain their redshirt. football allows 1/3 of the regular season, so why can't basketball allow something like 10 games. Sure would have been nice to see if Hawthorne could have been any help to us or not this year.

[WeWant9]

Guess Chandler is “leaving the door open” on a possible return to UK….I guess if BYU doesn’t pay him what he wants

[UKHoops01]

I think he coukd be an excellent 6th man and sometime starter...hope he gets a place he likes

I think he could be more than a 6th man. He reminds me a lot of Richie Saunders who started all 60 games he played for BYU his junior and senior years after coming off the bench his first two.

Collin started 31 of the 36 games he played this past season and was far from the problem. He was probably the third most important and productive player on the roster. Even though it was a disappointing season for Kentucky, that wasn't because of Collin Chandler.

[Cawood86]

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

I think he coukd be an excellent 6th man and sometime starter...hope he gets a place he likes

[ganner918]

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

[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.

[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.

[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/