2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[bucsrule8872]

If that's the best case scenario, well likely be in a world of hurt next year as well. I see that as a repeat of this year if that's the best we can do.

Most likely, unless some guys step it up and make marked improvements.

I tend to be optimistic, since I have no control over the situation, I choose to hope for the best.

G Lowe- we never really saw him healthy. If healthy he should be at least a slight improvement over Aberdeen at PG. He is actually a PG. Hopefully he plays with some fire as he will want to prove his doubters wrong.

G Chandler- a year older and more experienced.

G K. Williams- a slight improvement over Jelavic, IMHO. Better shooter and defender.

F Stokes- replaces Oweh as the focal point of the offense. He’s bigger (6’7), and more talented overall, but will lack Oweh’s experience.

F Moreno- a year older and more experienced. Hopefully stronger.

Dioubate probably doesn’t give us anything more than what he gave us this season off the bench. He might be slightly better being a year older and knowing the system better.

We really don’t know what we have with Hawthorne. He could help us or he might be a non-factor.

If we can get Marvin Williams, he replaces Johnson and at least looks stronger.

If Potter and Noah play much, it’s probably going to be a long season.

Pope probably gets a few decent pieces in the portal as well. Fingers crossed.

I think that could be a strong core. Would really help to get a strong backup PG, backup wing shooter, and backup big man.

[KentuckyWild2020]

The bottom line with Johnson is that he was too weak to play major minutes for a D-1 program as a Freshman. He needs to live in the weight room over the summer and add weight and get stronger. He has tons of potential, but was not physically ready to play at this level, especially in the SEC.

Now he will transfer and hit the weights at UNC or somewhere else and come back as a Sophomore and play very well on a stronger frame and his family will be pointing fingers at UK’s staff and saying he wasn’t used right. All because they weren’t patient and realistic enough to know that Jasper needed a year of college to mature and get stronger. Instead of staying the course he will do what most immature people will do, blame everyone else and go somewhere that will give them instant gratification. And his relatives are enabling him by blaming the staff when it was abundantly clear that Jasper was not physically ready to play at this level. They should be saying that Jasper had a successful season as a Freshman, adjusting to college basketball and is looking forward to improving his body in the offseason, instead of whining that he wasn’t used correctly or that the staff wouldn’t give him a chance to shine, or other such nonsense. Delusional parents are worse than delusional fans.

Agreed

[UKHoops01]

To me, the best case scenario for a starting five is:

G Lowe
G Chandler
G Williams
F Stokes(fingers crossed)
C Moreno

If that's the best case scenario, well likely be in a world of hurt next year as well. I see that as a repeat of this year if that's the best we can do.

[bucsrule8872]

One thing about BBN, this fanbase has very little patience.

Florida fans did not give up on Golden after a bad season and a mediocre season. They gave him a chance.

Now I am not expecting a title next season, but I think it’s too early to write Pope off as a failure. When he was hired, I said give him his five years and then, if we don’t get to the level we should be at (competing for a title every season), then we move on. I am sticking with that for now.

But I know BBN is impatient, the fans want results now.

BBN (the average fan that is) is pretty immature in that aspect. We give up too quickly and are ready to move on if we don’t see immediate results.

I think it’s not just an indictment on BBN, but on our society as a whole. Instant gratification is the driving force for most people. “What have you done for me lately.” “I want it all and I want it now!” No patience. No time to build something over time.

Remember, Calipari left the cupboard empty for Pope.

Regardless, it doesn’t really matter. BBN doesn’t get
tp decide who coaches our team, we have no choice but to either be patient or give up and root for some other team or just quit watching altogether.

We are stuck with Pope for at least one more season. Will we be patient and give him a chance or just be miserable until he gets fired or steps down? Everyone has to answer that for themselves.

I’m not going to be miserable over something I have no control over.

[Pobilly]

The big thing that keeps going through my mind. This is the 3rd generation of the Pope UK roster.

Generation 1: We thought it was a miracle what Pope did to put together a roster as fast as he did and a very serviceable roster that got hi-jacked to injury during the SEC portion of the schedule. They did well for what they ended up having left.

Generation 2: We saw swings for the fences and all were misses. Then we saw some good major players signed, we saw some guys that should plug the holes we had in the SEC. Turns out there were not resolved and we saw another roster hi jacked of their PG. Plus Pope could not keep a KY boy and we all had questions about the roster build. We stayed positive: mostly due to Pope talking the roster up and then the Purdue game. It all fell apart from there. We witnessed some of the worst, disjointed under-preforming (at times) teams in recent UK history. Was a bad, ugly year with not much of a sign of better days.

Generation 3: as of March 26th 2026: Nothing to be happy about. The start has not started. Year 2 with big names, swings and misses already. Now we will see if Pope pulls any rabbits out of his hat or if he continues to try to bat in the majors with just about a 000 hitting percentage. At least as far as the major talent is concerned.

Will we see some traction in a positive direction. Stay tuned.

Sorry got on a business call. My point is this year: whomever we end up with I think our expectation will be low until we get through the non conference portion of the schedule. We could sign Stokes, Pate, PG from Europe, the back up guard here yesterday, another PF, another big and 2 more guards that have 60% from 3 and we will be trying to get their medical files, check their transcripts and so forth and not be happy. Maybe that is just me.