2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[Pete Hogwallop]

Looks like we aren't getting caught without a point guard next year.

[Rondo#9]

I'm hearing that the 4 position has come down to either Freeman or Rancik. Which would be your 1st choice? Freeman would be good but I. Think Rancik has more upside.
either.one would suit me, both would be better

Edit: Nevermind , guess it's Freeman or bust now, Rancik to Florida State.

[bucsrule8872]

Current roster/rotation outlook:

G Diallo/Wilkins/M. Williams
G Wilkins/K. Williams
F K. Williams/Hawthorne
F Freeman or Rancik/Noah
C Moreno/Freeman or Rancik/Potter

Got to get Stokes.

Need to add a backup 4 and 5. McBride and Devin Williams? Would like to see us land a decent backup guard as well for backcourt depth, but I think the focus shifts to getting backups at the 4 and 5 first.

But Stokes takes this team’s potential to another level.

We need a superstar. He’s our best bet to get one:

[UKHoops01]

I'm hearing that the 4 position has come down to either Freeman or Rancik. Which would be your 1st choice? Freeman would be good but I. Think Rancik has more upside.
either.one would suit me, both would be better

Cop out. BOTH!

I know, I know....but I remember when we used to be able to do it! And other teams still do it!

[South jones]

I'm hearing that the 4 position has come down to either Freeman or Rancik. Which would be your 1st choice? Freeman would be good but I. Think Rancik has more upside.
either.one would suit me, both would be better

[Pobilly]

Add Alex Wilkins to our Roster. He is a CAT!

[UKHoops01]

So Rancik left without committing. Some are speculating that he is concerned about Freeman. Seems he sees himself as a starter (not shocking since he was a starter on a Big 12 squad, albeit a bad one, but a Big 12 school nonetheless) and doesn’t want to backup Freeman.

That would be my guess. I'm also guessing that Pope and the staff didn't convince him that the minutes and role would still be there whether he starts or is the primary big man off the bench.

On a positive note.... On3 has him as a 53% to 47% lean for UK, even though Florida State is offering slightly more money

Freeman is the better overall player, but I feel like Rancik might actually fit better. He’s more like Carr (but probably not as good) and Jelavic (probably better).

One thing I'm noticing....from my own observations (stats and videos) as well as what other sites are saying...is that Freeman seems to have leveled out where as Rancik is trending upward. Freeman was a top 15 player overall coming out of high school, and his stock has remained about the same. Rancik was a top 10 Power Forward and top 75 overall coming out of high school, but his stock is trending upward. It wouldn't shock me if, in a few years, Rancik is viewed as the better prospect with better long term potential.

With Freeman, it almost feels like Pope is just trying to get any top 20-ish portal guy he can get, regardless of fit. Diallo and Wright were at least good fits. Wilkins seems like he would be a good fit. Freeman doesn’t seem to be, IMHO. But I could be wrong.

Completely agree. I think he's trying to land the bigger name, most likely to appease the fan base.

So if we can get one of those guys, and we get Stokes, then the 4 spot is probably pretty much set, I would think. Freeman or Rancik start at the 4, Stokes starts at the 3 and slides over to the 4 (he’s 6’7, 230, so plenty big enough play the 4) when they go to the bench, and Kam or Hawthorne come in at the 3.

Not sure how Stokes would feel about playing the 4....I think he's a little too ball dominant to be happy being thrust into that role. It's more likely that Kam and/or even Hawthorne might see time there, since they'll be happy to find any reason to see court time.

Would like to get a bruiser inside as the backup 5

Agreed.

Guards are a need

Understatement. Big time. Currently only Diallo and Mason Williams are on board. Ouch!

[Pobilly]

Like you all, bored and speculating. Just not putting much on here. I liked Cruz Davis and said it and of course he went elsewhere. So now I am keeping the guys I like close to the vest. Trying to change our luck. lol

But we need to get that 2nd commit and the 3rd to see the momentum and know a little more which way we look to be heading.

[bucsrule8872]

So Rancik left without committing. Some are speculating that he is concerned about Freeman. Seems he sees himself as a starter (not shocking since he was a starter on a Big 12 squad, albeit a bad one, but a Big 12 school nonetheless) and doesn’t want to backup Freeman.

Just speculating, but it is looking like an either/or with Freeman and Rancik.

Freeman is the better overall player, but I feel like Rancik might actually fit better. He’s more like Carr (but probably not as good) and Jelavic (probably better).

With Freeman, it almost feels like Pope is just trying to get any top 20-ish portal guy he can get, regardless of fit. Diallo and Wright were at least good fits. Wilkins seems like he would be a good fit. Freeman doesn’t seem to be, IMHO. But I could be wrong.

So if we can get one of those guys, and we get Stokes, then the 4 spot is probably pretty much set, I would think. Freeman or Rancik start at the 4, Stokes starts at the 3 and slides over to the 4 (he’s 6’7, 230, so plenty big enough play the 4) when they go to the bench, and Kam or Hawthorne come in at the 3.

I’m good with Freeman or Rancik to go with Stokes, Kam, and Hawthorne at the forward spots.

Would like to get a bruiser inside as the backup 5, but that might be asking a lot. Big men seem to be at a premium.

Guards are a need, but the portal seems to be deep with guards. Get a pretty good 2 guard (Wilkins) and a solid backup (Cox maybe?) and we have four guys there, plus Kam can play some 2. Maybe grab another portal guard, if we can find one cheap.

Thats kind of where I think we are now, but just speculating for fun.

[bucsrule8872]

It's all speculation at this point. We can have guys we'd like to see signed and envision a roster constructed the way we'd like to see it, but if the coaching staff and these kids feel differently it just doesn't matter. If there's anything I've learned from this whole process, it's to never feel like you understand the process. There's no telling if a player is primarily focused on playing time and role with the team, or if it is solely about the money, or if the school, history and tradition and/or location plays any part, and just how much the coach plays into it.

True.

All speculation at this point.

But what else do we have to talk about on April 18th but our potential roster?

I’m sitting here bored waiting for my wife to get ready for a birthday party we are going to. It’s either contemplate our potential roster or read about the Strait of Hormuz drama. Our potential roster is slightly less depressing than that situation. LOL!

[UKHoops01]

It's all speculation at this point. We can have guys we'd like to see signed and envision a roster constructed the way we'd like to see it, but if the coaching staff and these kids feel differently it just doesn't matter. If there's anything I've learned from this whole process, it's to never feel like you understand the process. There's no telling if a player is primarily focused on playing time and role with the team, or if it is solely about the money, or if the school, history and tradition and/or location plays any part, and just how much the coach plays into it.

[bucsrule8872]

Ideally, what I'd like to see, would be

G Diallo/Wilkins*/M. Williams
G Paul McNeil/Wilkins*
F Milan Momcilovic/K. Williams*/Noah
F Freeman/Rancik*/K. Williams*/Hawthorne
C Moreno/Rancik*/D. Williams/Potter

With the primary backups being Wilkins, Kam Williams and Rancik. Wilkins playing both guard spots, Kam Williams playing both forward spots (SF primarily), and Rancik playing both the 4 and the 5 (primary backup at both). Everyone else can see minutes here and there, depending on health/injuries, performance, foul trouble, etc. That would be my dream scenario......BUT....I realize most Kentucky fans would rather see Stokes at SF and Wilkins starting at the 2.

Yeah, Wilkins is not going to come off the bench, most likely.

Also, I don’t see D. Williams being happy playing third string Center. If we get Rancik as the r primary backup 4/5, then D Will goes elsewhere, most likely.

I’ll take Momccilovic as a consolation prize if we miss on Stokes, but I doubt he comes here.

Keeping everyone happy with their minutes would be tough in that scenario. Hawthorne probably bolts, if that happens.

Looks good on paper, but I would be afraid of having too many mouths to feed (minutes wise).

I think If you get McNeil, then Wilkins is out and vice versa. Cox maybe instead of Wilkins as the backup.

I’d say, get:

McNeil or Wilkins to start at the 2.
Stokes or Momcilovic at the 3.
Cox or another decent mid-major level guard as a backup 1/2.
Rancik as the backup 4/5.

Diallo, Wilkins/McNeil, Stokes/Momcilovic, Freeman, and Moreno starting with Cox(1/2), Kam(2/3), Rancik(4/5), and Hawthorne(3/stretch 4) as the backups. I think Stokes/Momcilovic can slide to the 4 some with their size. Good 9 man rotation. M Will, Potter, and Noah as emergency/practice guys. Add a project or two to round out the squad.

I think that could work.

But I think Diallo, Wilkins, K Will, Freeman, and Moreno gives us the most likely starting five. With Cox, Hawthorne, and Rancik off the bench. M Will, Potter, and Noah rounding out the squad (plus a project or two). I could see that happening.

[UKHoops01]

Getting Freeman and Rancik would be ideal but difficult. I think both are probably looking for starter minutes. If Rancik plays some as a stretch 5, it might work.

Minutes could be an issue at 3 and 4 if we get Stokes. Stokes will probably play 30 minutes or so a game.

Ideally, what I'd like to see, would be

G Diallo/Wilkins*/M. Williams
G Paul McNeil/Wilkins*
F Milan Momcilovic/K. Williams*/Noah
F Freeman/Rancik*/K. Williams*/Hawthorne
C Moreno/Rancik*/D. Williams/Potter

With the primary backups being Wilkins, Kam Williams and Rancik. Wilkins playing both guard spots, Kam Williams playing both forward spots (SF primarily), and Rancik playing both the 4 and the 5 (primary backup at both). Everyone else can see minutes here and there, depending on health/injuries, performance, foul trouble, etc. That would be my dream scenario......BUT....I realize most Kentucky fans would rather see Stokes at SF and Wilkins starting at the 2.

[bucsrule8872]

G Diallo/Cox*/M. Williams
G Wilkins*/Cox*
F Stokes/K. Williams/Noah
F Freeman/Rancik/Hawthorne
C Moreno/D. Williams/Potter

^^^ That roster/lineup COULD be more of a threat than meets the eye.... definitely would have some potential. Still think we'd need one more guard.

Getting Freeman and Rancik would be ideal but difficult. I think both are probably looking for starter minutes. If Rancik plays some as a stretch 5, it might work.

Minutes could be an issue at 3 and 4 if we get Stokes. Stokes will probably play 30 minutes or so a game.

[UKHoops01]

G Diallo/Cox*/M. Williams
G Wilkins*/Cox*
F Stokes/K. Williams/Noah
F Freeman/Rancik/Hawthorne
C Moreno/D. Williams/Potter

^^^ That roster/lineup COULD be more of a threat than meets the eye.... definitely would have some potential. Still think we'd need one more guard.