2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[bucsrule8872]

This would be a dream scenario...even if only three (Wright, Freeman, Stokes) commit to UK. 247 Sports has a 100% prediction for Magoon Gwath to come to UK, and in all honesty I'd rather see Moreno return with Gwath as the backup than see Quaintence return. We'd probably get more production from Gwath than Quaintence and at a reduced cost.

That crystal ball prediction was from last year.

But he is still a possibility.

Also, he is injury prone, from what I have read. Might not be any better situation than JQ.

[Pobilly]

I wonder if the summer trip overseas will bring in some of these guys. Extra month of practice and playing games against other competition over the summer. Plus the travel. These guys love this type of life. Play ball all summer but getting to play some actual games and getting to bond together.

[UKHoops01]

Sounds like Donnie Freeman will be on campus Monday as well.

Could we land Wright, Stokes, and Freeman?

Could JQ return?

If all four work out (doubtful):

PG Wright/Portal/M. Williams
SG Portal/Portal
SF Stokes/Hawthorne/Noah
PF Freeman/K. Williams
C Moreno/Quaintance/Potter

I for one would be pretty happy with that outcome.

Pope will be left with the task of finding some shooters to play at the SG and backup PG spot.

The offseason concern would be JQ staying healthy, but I would feel better knowing that Moreno is our legitimate starter inside and JQ is just a bonus, if he can get back to his old self. I might add another big, just in case, if you can find one cheap. Maybe a guy that would redshirt if JQ is 100%.

This would be a dream scenario...even if only three (Wright, Freeman, Stokes) commit to UK. 247 Sports has a 100% prediction for Magoon Gwath to come to UK, and in all honesty I'd rather see Moreno return with Gwath as the backup than see Quaintence return. We'd probably get more production from Gwath than Quaintence and at a reduced cost.

[bucsrule8872]

Sounds like Donnie Freeman will be on campus Monday as well.

Could we land Wright, Stokes, and Freeman?

Could JQ return?

If all four work out (doubtful):

PG Wright/Portal/M. Williams
SG Portal/Portal
SF Stokes/Hawthorne/Noah
PF Freeman/K. Williams
C Moreno/Quaintance/Potter

I for one would be pretty happy with that outcome.

Pope will be left with the task of finding some shooters to play at the SG and backup PG spot.

The offseason concern would be JQ staying healthy, but I would feel better knowing that Moreno is our legitimate starter inside and JQ is just a bonus, if he can get back to his old self. I might add another big, just in case, if you can find one cheap. Maybe a guy that would redshirt if JQ is 100%.

[Cawood86]

Harlan County Representin'

[TrueblueCATfan]

Trent Noah set to return to UK for Junior Season.

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-w...junior-season/

I'm glad...Hope he has a Great Season

[Pobilly]

Trent Noah set to return to UK for Junior Season.

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-w...junior-season/

[Pobilly]

Alright, fair enough. How about "unjustly paid"?

"Unjustly paid" generally refers to a situation where a person receives money or benefits that they did not earn, do not deserve, or are not legally entitled to, or conversely, where a person is paid unfairly low wages for work performed (Definitely not applicable to Quaintence). In legal terms, this is often associated with the doctrine of unjust enrichment, where one party benefits at the expense of another in a manner considered unfair or illegal.

While not illegal (which the term "stole" would indicate and that I used metaphorically), everything else said there (minus the "low wage" part) is DEFINITELY applicable.

I agree with that. But the contract on an injured player should take core of that issue. We all know now that Pope had 22 mil to spend last year and gave it to whomever he could. Heck I am 60, overweight, had many surgeries on one knee 5 and 13 hernia repairs. If I could have gotten a contract fro some of that money I would have. lol
That is not on the player and all on the institution.

[UKHoops01]

The one hope we have is that he mentions a new coaching staff. Hart was the lead recruiter in his recruiting and evidently Stokes wasn't impressed with him.

Nice to hear I wasn't the only one......

[UKHoops01]

I just know that these players get sent some of the stuff we say and having stole by your name would be hurtful (opinion or not). Even metaphorically speaking that is harsh words towards a 17 year old person.

Alright, fair enough. How about "unjustly paid"?

"Unjustly paid" generally refers to a situation where a person receives money or benefits that they did not earn, do not deserve, or are not legally entitled to, or conversely, where a person is paid unfairly low wages for work performed (Definitely not applicable to Quaintence). In legal terms, this is often associated with the doctrine of unjust enrichment, where one party benefits at the expense of another in a manner considered unfair or illegal.

While not illegal (which the term "stole" would indicate and that I used metaphorically), everything else said there (minus the "low wage" part) is DEFINITELY applicable.

[Matt Dillon]

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-w...cky-this-week/
Stokes to visit. Just think this is to make his decision have tons to people watch as he picks Kansas over Kentucky.

The one hope we have is that he mentions a new coaching staff. Hart was the lead recruiter in his recruiting and evidently Stokes wasn't impressed with him.

[Pobilly]

I was metaphorically speaking, it was not intended to be taken literally.

I realize that was the coach's decision to overpay for an injured player with limited offensive skills, and that it was not Jayden's fault. Like you said, he didn't draw up the contract and force them to (over)pay him that amount for the grand total of 72 minutes played this past season.

That said, I'm entitled to my opinion, and my opinion is along the lines of the "once bitten, twice shy" saying. I wasn't a big fan of JQ's game before he came to Kentucky, and after last year's debacle I am ready to move on and see that money put to better use. That's just my opinion.... and one I hope Pope and company agree with. Ultimately, though, that's their decision and we'll have to see where it takes us.

I agree with putting the money to other players and move on. I agree it is too much of a risk and he is limited in offense. Probably with this time off will be more limited till he gains his footing.

I would like the St Mary's PZ guy, Oregon Evans guy, Syracuse Freeman or UCONN Center 7'2"guy. Many options out there. For sure. I just know that these players get sent some of the stuff we say and having stole by your name would be hurtful (opinion or not). Even metaphorically speaking that is harsh words towards a 17 year old person.

[UKHoops01]

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-w...cky-this-week/
Stokes to visit. Just think this is to make his decision have tons to people watch as he picks Kansas over Kentucky.

Unfortunately, I agree with this 100%

[UKHoops01]

I do not like saying a young person signing a contract to play at UK as stealing anything. That could actually get a person in trouble.

I did not see JQ out there asking for KENTUCKY to come to him to offer money to possibly play for them (which he did try to play). I do not think JQ is at any fault in anything. If he is here again this year he did not draw up the contract and extend the offer.

This is a Coach taking a big risk and one that did not pay off. Plain and simple. If he is here year 2, I will be a JQ fan. If he goes to NBA (I do not follow NBA so not a fan). If he chooses to go to somewhere else then fine he will have other fans. But he stole nothing. Plain and simple.

I was metaphorically speaking, it was not intended to be taken literally.

I realize that was the coach's decision to overpay for an injured player with limited offensive skills, and that it was not Jayden's fault. Like you said, he didn't draw up the contract and force them to (over)pay him that amount for the grand total of 72 minutes played this past season.

That said, I'm entitled to my opinion, and my opinion is along the lines of the "once bitten, twice shy" saying. I wasn't a big fan of JQ's game before he came to Kentucky, and after last year's debacle I am ready to move on and see that money put to better use. That's just my opinion.... and one I hope Pope and company agree with. Ultimately, though, that's their decision and we'll have to see where it takes us.

[Pobilly]

JQ = overrated. He already stole a few million last year, no reason to be insane and repeat the same thing over. I'd like to see the position upgraded with someone who isn't injury prone and am offensive liability.

I do not like saying a young person signing a contract to play at UK as stealing anything. That could actually get a person in trouble.

I did not see JQ out there asking for KENTUCKY to come to him to offer money to possibly play for them (which he did try to play). I do not think JQ is at any fault in anything. If he is here again this year he did not draw up the contract and extend the offer.

This is a Coach taking a big risk and one that did not pay off. Plain and simple. If he is here year 2, I will be a JQ fan. If he goes to NBA (I do not follow NBA so not a fan). If he chooses to go to somewhere else then fine he will have other fans. But he stole nothing. Plain and simple.