2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[WeWant9]

Zoom call with Devin Williams. Center out of FAU. Skinny, but athletic. Shotblocker and rebounder. Perfect backup to our rising star Moreno.

Might have to change our nickname to the Williams’ if we get him. Kam, Mason, and maybe Devin.

His quote on UK, seems like a Pope type of guy: “It’s about the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back. It’s different when you go there, for sure."

[bucsrule8872]

Zoom call with Devin Williams. Center out of FAU. Skinny, but athletic. Shotblocker and rebounder. Perfect backup to our rising star Moreno.

Might have to change our nickname to the Williams’ if we get him. Kam, Mason, and maybe Devin.

[WeWant9]

More and more teams are doing it. It has to do with analytics and trading twos for threes. If a team shoots 45% from 2 point range and 37% from three point range, they've kind of figured out that if you take 30 + 3-point shots a game your chances of scoring more points than your opponent is greater. That philosophy has been picked up by a ton of college teams and even NBA teams. It's pretty much a normal thing over in Europe and internationally as well.

I get that is where the game is going and the reasoning on it. Makes sense in the NBA with the best of the best, little more iffy in college to me. Slow day, so I took a look at this year's Elite 8 teams and their 3 pt attempts. Seems like the sweet spot is around 20-25 right now. Was surprised Zona took the least amount, while blowing plenty of teams out the water this season.

Tennessee	19.6
Iowa	22.9
Uconn	24.1
Purdue	24
Illinois	30.6
Duke	25.2
Arizona	16
Michigan	25

[UKHoops01]

I am all about spacing the floor with shooters but have never been sold on the philosophy of taking 25-30 threes in the college game.

More and more teams are doing it. It has to do with analytics and trading twos for threes. If a team shoots 45% from 2 point range and 37% from three point range, they've kind of figured out that if you take 30 + 3-point shots a game your chances of scoring more points than your opponent is greater. That philosophy has been picked up by a ton of college teams and even NBA teams. It's pretty much a normal thing over in Europe and internationally as well.

[WeWant9]

I am all about spacing the floor with shooters but have never been sold on the philosophy of taking 25-30 threes in the college game.

[UKHoops01]

Sayon Keita is a ‘26 recruit. I am talking about a recruit, not the big man from BYU who is out of eligibility.

I agree about Nnaji, but he doesn’t seem to be on our radar.

OK.... now I know who you're talking about. I remember seeing something about him a couple of weeks ago, but nothing since. If I remember correctly, he's a real skinny 7 ft kid, which is typical for guys that age.. they haven't grown into their body and filled out yet. That's why I'd rather have someone like Nnaji who is a grown ass man. He's 21 and he's 7 ft, 250 lbs. I just like the idea of having a bruiser to act as an enforcer on the team. Kind of keeps other teams from thinking they can bully teams around.

[bucsrule8872]

I'm pretty sure that Keita is out of eligibility. I like the idea of a bruising rebounder and shot blocker to backup Moreno, but I think it would have to be someone like James Nnaji, the Baylor transfer, who I haven't even heard if Kentucky has shown any interest, and visa versa.

I'd like to see Pope express more interest in a dead-eye 3-point shooter... someone like Paul McNeil. As of right now, it appears that most of the guards he's considering are combo guards that aren't great 3-point shooters. I'm a huge fan of Wilkins, though, so he's a priority. I also really like Rancik and hope we land both Freeman and Rancik to really solidify the 4 spot (Rancik could also see time st the 5).

Sayon Keita is a ‘26 recruit. I am talking about a recruit, not the big man from BYU who is out of eligibility.

I agree about Nnaji, but he doesn’t seem to be on our radar.

As for Rancik, I think he could be a good player for us. If we don’t get another backup 5, maybe he can play there some as well as a stretch 5. Maybe Rancik and Potter can be the backup 5 by committee.

[Rondo#9]

Realistic wishlist right now:

G Diallo/Cox/M. Williams
G Wilkins/Davis/Perry
F Stokes/K. Williams/Hawthorne
F Freeman/Rancik/Noah
C Moreno/Keita/Potter

That would be a pretty strong team. If Stokes is the real deal, that team could make a pretty deep run, IMHO.

Stokes and Keita are long shots, probably. Diallo helps us with Stokes, though. Keita is supposedly down to Duke and UK. We rarely win those head to head battles with Duke.

Got to get some guys committed soon.

If we miss on Stokes, you think we just roll with Kam Williams, Hawthorne/Noah at the SF position... or try to add someone else?

[Helix]

UKHoops01 that’s what I’ve been waiting for too. Where’s the shooting?

[UKHoops01]

Realistic wishlist right now:

G Diallo/Cox/M. Williams
G Wilkins/Davis/Perry
F Stokes/K. Williams/Hawthorne
F Freeman/Rancik/Noah
C Moreno/Keita/Potter

That would be a pretty strong team. If Stokes is the real deal, that team could make a pretty deep run, IMHO.

Stokes and Keita are long shots, probably. Diallo helps us with Stokes, though. Keita is supposedly down to Duke and UK. We rarely win those head to head battles with Duke.

Got to get some guys committed soon.

I'm pretty sure that Keita is out of eligibility. I like the idea of a bruising rebounder and shot blocker to backup Moreno, but I think it would have to be someone like James Nnaji, the Baylor transfer, who I haven't even heard if Kentucky has shown any interest, and visa versa.

I'd like to see Pope express more interest in a dead-eye 3-point shooter... someone like Paul McNeil. As of right now, it appears that most of the guards he's considering are combo guards that aren't great 3-point shooters. I'm a huge fan of Wilkins, though, so he's a priority. I also really like Rancik and hope we land both Freeman and Rancik to really solidify the 4 spot (Rancik could also see time st the 5).

[bucsrule8872]

Realistic wishlist right now:

G Diallo/Cox/M. Williams
G Wilkins/Davis/Perry
F Stokes/K. Williams/Hawthorne
F Freeman/Rancik/Noah
C Moreno/Keita/Potter

That would be a pretty strong team. If Stokes is the real deal, that team could make a pretty deep run, IMHO.

Stokes and Keita are long shots, probably. Diallo helps us with Stokes, though. Keita is supposedly down to Duke and UK. We rarely win those head to head battles with Duke.

Got to get some guys committed soon.

[Rondo#9]

Something like this, make it happen:

PG Diallo / Cruz / M Williams
SG Wilkins / Cruz / ??
SF Stokes / K Williams / Hawthorne
PF Freeman / Rancik / Noah (or K Williams)
C Moreno / ???? / Potter

[UKHoops01]

Just get 12, maybe 13 guys that's plenty.

What's up with Hawthorne? He considering joining the swim team instead of hoops?

Hawthorne has already announced that he is returning.....unless he's charged his mind and has been very hush-hush about it.

Pope has had a minimum of 13 for both years he's been the coach, so unless he's decided to downsize the roster I would imagine that's what he'll roll with again this year. Which I'm fine with. Hopefully he has the right kind of depth at the right positions to address the usual injuries that his players seem to suffer from.

[Rondo#9]

During the Rapid Reaction for Zoom, Jack said Potter announced he is returning to KENTUCKY for year 2. We now have Noah, Potter, Williams, Moreno, Williams, Zoom . Have room for 9 more guys unless Hawthorne comes back as well. Donnie Freeman next?

Just get 12, maybe 13 guys that's plenty.

What's up with Hawthorne? He considering joining the swim team instead of hoops?

[Pobilly]

During the Rapid Reaction for Zoom, Jack said Potter announced he is returning to KENTUCKY for year 2. We now have Noah, Potter, Williams, Moreno, Williams, Zoom . Have room for 9 more guys unless Hawthorne comes back as well. Donnie Freeman next?