2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[Pobilly]

Rumors flying that UNC has offered Momcilovic 5 million.

Doubt we can top that.

If Pope was all in on Stokes he was in that range if not more per rumors. If we have that money we can match, will we match, who knows.

[WeWant9]

If Pope was all in on Stokes he was in that range if not more per rumors. If we have that money we can match, will we match, who knows.

I know there was talk that they set aside that money just for Stokes. If the powers that be, aka the $ people, want to have a decent season, they better throw it this guy.

[Pobilly]

2nd set of fan questions answered:

https://x.com/CoachMarkPope/status/2052504450711900370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2052504450711900370%7Ctwgr%5E0ed5775d84abf8942d33c254df48807d7aa3f17a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.on3.com%2Fteams%2Fkentucky-wildcats%2Fnews%2Fmark-pope-answers-questions-summer-trip-international-scouting-kam-williams-more%2F

[Pobilly]

I know there was talk that they set aside that money just for Stokes. If the powers that be, aka the $ people, want to have a decent season, they better throw it this guy.

I guess they could say it is only for player X. But I would hope they would say if you can get player y we will donate as well.

[bucsrule8872]

With Momcilovic:

1st unit:

Diallo and Wilkins at the guards- interchangeable, with Diallo primarily the 1 and Wilkins playing the 2. Excellent size (6’4/6’5) and both can score and both are capable (but not lights out) shooters. Both were starters and double digit scorers last season. Diallo was a Big 10 starter and Wilkins was a rising star and leading scorer for Furman.

Momcilovic and K. Williams at the forwards- interchangeable, with matchups determining defensive assignments. Kam is probably a little better defensively. Offensively, that’s probably the best shooting tandem in the country when it comes to forwards. Mom shot 49% from 3 last year (led D-1 in 3 point percentage) and Kam has shot 39% over his first two seasons in college. Mom was a starter and double digit scorer in the Big 12 and Kam was starting for us before the foot injury.

Moreno at Center- if he makes the jump most expect out of him, he will be one of the best big men in the country. Was a starter for us last year and I believe he was our top rebounder.

2nd unit:

M. Williams and Morton at the guard spots- Mason was a 4-star talent. Morton was a starter at Washington St. Morton is known as a pretty good shooter (39% from 3 last year). Both have really good size for guards (6’4).

Hawthorne and McBride at the forward spots- Hawthorne was a 4-star. McBride was a starter and the leading scorer for James Madison. McBride is a good 3 point shooters (40% last year). Hawthorne was considered a good shooter in HS.

N’Diaye at Center-I am assuming if we go all in for Mom, we have no money left for a true backup 5. I know he is really a PF, but I think Pope goes with a skilled, athletic 6’11 guy as the backup 5. He provides a different skill set than Moreno and might be a decent stretch 5 for us. He is an experienced international player.

Deep Bench:

Potter and Noah- couple of Kentucky boys ready
to step in if any of the above 2nd unit guys aren’t up to the task. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Potter emerge as our backup Center. Shoots it really well from 3 (39% from 3- outstanding for a 5). Both are defensive liabilities, though, which is why I think they are the 11th and 12th men.

I think that’s a really strong starting five and pretty decent second team. I think Mom, Wilkins, Diallo, and Moreno average double digits and Kam won’t be far from it. McBride probably leads the bench scoring.

Hawthorne is a bit of a wildcard. I could see him breaking out and even pushing Kam for a starting spot.

Got to get Mom, if at all possible. He pushes us to another level.