Portal

[UKHoops01]

https://x.com/WildcatUKx/status/2044410166813053103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2044410166813053103%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

I do not know anything about this guy, but putting out there since you have asked on other options if no Freeman

Thanks for posting this.

I've been researching him a little more since you posted this. It seems that he was going to visit Indiana, but cancelled his visit to IU and decided to come visit Kentucky today as a result. Apparently, the UK staff contacted him once Magoon Gwath declared for DePaul...so he would be replacing Gwath.

He's listed a lot of places as 6'9", but has actually grown to 6'11". He is pretty athletic and agile for someone with his height, and has a really nice looking shot form from deep. Some nice moves around the rim and also uses both hands. Speaks intelligently in interviews as well.

I hope we get Freeman or some other top tier PF to be the starter....but I'd be all in favor or Rancik coming as a backup stretch 4 that can play the 5. I think having a guy like that off the bench could be invaluable.

[WeWant9]

When Pope got here I thought he put together a pretty decent team in a month's time..We won some big games and went to the Sweet 16
What happened this past season

I have a lot of thoughts on this, but I think a big reason is what we are currently seeing right now; he's not closing the deals on his first level recruits.

[Helix]

When Pope got here I thought he put together a pretty decent team in a month's time..We won some big games and went to the Sweet 16
What happened this past season

Given what he did on short notice year one, I thought that with time and money he'd kill it in year two. Couldn't have been more wrong. I'm still pulling for him, but what happened? indeed.

[South jones]

I remember pope stating that he was hoping to return all eligible players. Maybe that explains a lot of the crazy substitution patterns, trying to give everyone equal PT so they wouldn't leave

[UKHoops01]

Pope and his staff were clearly unprepared for the portal.

And judging from their lack of any incoming recruits, I'd say they weren't prepared for the 2026-2027 season! Period! Almost seems like everything snuck up on them like they didn't expect to be here after this year!

[UKHoops01]

Clean house, clean it all out. I will sacrifice the upcoming season for a brighter future come 2027.....

I'm kind of starting to think along those same lines. Hate to be that hardcore, but if sacrificing one year will guarantee a return to prominence going forward, then sign me up. This "being content with mediocrity" nonsense is for losers with no awareness of pride and tradition.

[true blue1]

Pope and his staff were clearly unprepared for the portal.

[TrueblueCATfan]

When Pope got here I thought he put together a pretty decent team in a month's time..We won some big games and went to the Sweet 16
What happened this past season

[Tomcats1990]

Pope will have a roster with some good players. The problem is he won’t have the talent to compete at the level KY fans expect. He is a lame duck Coach next season. This sucks what the heck is he doing and or not doing?

[KentuckyWild2020]

If you are a true blue Kentucky fan and not concerned about all of this right now, SOMETHING IS WRONG!!!!!

What is going on, really?? Don't sugar coat it, don't try to "trust the process' bs, we are Kentucky may as well be Georgetown, Kentucky.

You get on the phone with Billy D. right now, you take all this stupid NIL money we are throwing out for scrubs and you make a deal.

You don't fire Pope, you let coach another year while Billy D. takes a break, gets re affiliated with college basketball, gets his staff in order. You start off October 27 with a bang.


If we thought this past year was bad, I don't think we seen nothing yet for the storm that is coming. EXPECTIONS MINUS 100, PULL THE PLUG, IT AINT WORKING!! If you can't keep a 3 maybe 4 star Chandler who is going to a team no better than Kentucky ( don't give me that he's from there cause it don't matter when you play college or pro ball). Also don't give me that WIFE talk either, don't these things have like 4 or 5 wives?????


Anyways, the thrill is gone.



I want to add to this post. The wife blah blah blah blah blah going back to UK to start a business with the money UK payed her husband that her husband used UK to make a name for himself and get BYU to open the bank.

We developed him, Pope gave him clock to shine and drive up his stock, he walks, so much for FRIENDS!!!!

I want to like Pope I do, he's a great person and he's a UK champion, Cut ties now before he never and I mean never wants to step foot back into Lexington again...

Seems like UK is just a news clip to drive up the stock. Same with Lanier last year and who knows else...

Almighty Kentucky can't even get a 3 star to sign up and play.

Brings me back to Travis Perry. For him to walk off and leave his state school, that should have been REG FLAG warning from the start, something aint right behind closed doors.

Is it Pope to friendly and players don't respect him???

Or, is he trying to play the Pitino hard core role and players are laughing at him??

Only a few coaches can get by with the hard core ways. Meaning certified resume coaches that have proven that it works by either wining game or having a track history of getting players to the league.. POPE IS NEITHER ONE!!!

Back to Chandler. Used UK and Pope gave him clock to raise his stock so he could get a pay day at BYU while UK's money funded more than likely his wife's business venture????

Reg flag number one. The fact that Travis Perry walked last year and Pope was in shock should have opened eyes.

Is Pope to nice, do players not respect him?

Is he too hardcore and players laugh at him?

If it's the later part, you can't be hardcore unless you have a resume and track record of winning games or getting players to the league, POPE IS NEITHER ONE!!!

I like Pope, think he's a good dude, he's a UK champion. Best get out now before he never wants to step foot in Lexington again. If you think last season was bad with the fans, he aint seen nothing yet....

[TrueblueCATfan]

Karter Knox is leaving Arkansas for Loserville

[KentuckyWild2020]

Clean house, clean it all out. I will sacrifice the upcoming season for a brighter future come 2027.....

[Rondo#9]

Pope should go after Folguiras from Iowa (again)
Maybe Goode from Robert Morris unless he already tried & Goode threw cold water on it.

Rob did what he wanted, got an offer from UK, BYU either matched or got closer and Rob is now happy with the money he will be getting. Good for him. Next up. Who knows.

**** him.

I called it. I knew he was just using UK for a better offer from BYU.

[UKHoops01]

Rob did what he wanted, got an offer from UK, BYU either matched or got closer and Rob is now happy with the money he will be getting. Good for him. Next up. Who knows.

Not disagreeing, but "Rob" ??? You're now on a first name basis and wishing well for a kid who used UK to get his own pay raise while toying with the UK fan base? Sorry.... but I'm not feeling all that happy for him at the moment.

[Pobilly]

Rob did what he wanted, got an offer from UK, BYU either matched or got closer and Rob is now happy with the money he will be getting. Good for him. Next up. Who knows.