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[Cawood86]

I would like to be able trust Pope to clear this up.....right now I don't. You're at UK coach....don't get hung up waiting on anyone.

[South jones]

I'm afraid that Stokes and his agent are playing Pope the just like the Freeman sideshow

[bucsrule8872]

Agree who knows what this kid is thinking. But he really loves the recruiting spotlight. He is making sure it is on him. Hopefully by next week we have the final decision. Would love it to be UK but honestly I think we are 3rd. Oregon Nike school that has tons of money as well. Probably Oregon KU and then UK. Just an uneducated guess.

I think we finish 2nd because of Nike. He will ultimately sign with Oregon, but it will come down to the Nike schools.

Why?

Do not underestimate a teenagers love for his shoes. Shoes are extremely important to young athletes.

If he goes to KU, it’s because of Kinney and Self. But I think he goes with the shoes.

Oregon is the compromise school, IMHO.

[KentuckyWild2020]

KentuckyWild2020 ....the problem we're running into is that sorry A$$ AD of ours still has his position until June 30th, so we know nothing is being done until he is gone. Basically, Pope will be UK's coach this year barring Pope resigning on his own, which isn't happening. Donovan or any other top notch coach could offer to come to Lexington and coach for free, but it's not happening. Maybe after next year, if he's still a free agent.

If the people above Barnhardt had some brass they would hire Billy as GM right now, get him off the street..

[fastkat]

Agree who knows what this kid is thinking. But he really loves the recruiting spotlight. He is making sure it is on him. Hopefully by next week we have the final decision. Would love it to be UK but honestly I think we are 3rd. Oregon Nike school that has tons of money as well. Probably Oregon KU and then UK. Just an uneducated guess.

For me the thing with Stokes is just that, the way he or his handlers are playing UK and Kansas. It makes me wonder if he could be a locker room cancer.

[Pobilly]

I thought Hawthorne had gained weight.

Just switch him and Kam then. Still the same problem, neither is really a great fit at PF. But Kam is stronger, I’m sure.

As for Stokes, does he really mind playing a stretch 4 in a 4 out system? That’s a bit short sighted. He’s 6’7, 230. Mash was basically that size as a Freshman and played the 4 spot. Antoine Walker was skinnier than Stokes and played the 4 and some 5. He was really the best post scorer on the ‘96 team. He would be a matchup nightmare at the 4 spot, really. Bigger, slower guys trying to guard him. With the way he handles the rock, he could be deadly playing out on the perimeter with Diallo, Wilkins, and Kam. That would really spread the floor and allow him to operate in space against bigger, slower guys.

But kids get all caught up in playing certain positions, so that might be an issue.

I’m not sure really what Stokes is looking for in a team. Are we sure he wants to be on a loaded team? I don’t really see UK, KU, or Oregon realistically competing for a title even with Stokes, so he’s probably not overly concerned about being a contender, based on the 3 schools he is supposedly down to. If he wanted to really have a shot at a ring, wouldn’t he be considering Duke, UConn, or UF? Those are the schools that look like contenders, at least on paper.

Heck, for all we know, he might be looking for the place where he can get the most touches/shots. The less talent around him the more likely he can score 20-30 a night. Who knows what this kid is thinking.

Agree who knows what this kid is thinking. But he really loves the recruiting spotlight. He is making sure it is on him. Hopefully by next week we have the final decision. Would love it to be UK but honestly I think we are 3rd. Oregon Nike school that has tons of money as well. Probably Oregon KU and then UK. Just an uneducated guess.

[UKHoops01]

KentuckyWild2020 ....the problem we're running into is that sorry A$$ AD of ours still has his position until June 30th, so we know nothing is being done until he is gone. Basically, Pope will be UK's coach this year barring Pope resigning on his own, which isn't happening. Donovan or any other top notch coach could offer to come to Lexington and coach for free, but it's not happening. Maybe after next year, if he's still a free agent.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Billy Donovan is a free agent fresh out the NBA..


We need star power no if and or buts about it..

[UKHoops01]

Doesn't need a brick laying guard like Sonon.

And Momciliovic can play the 4. He's a nice pipe dream.

Well, I'd rather have Paul McNeil than Sonan, but I'm not the one putting this roster together... that's Mark Pope, and we're seeing what a lousy job he's doing with that task.

[bucsrule8872]

If that is our roster without Stokes, he will not be coming here. His word to the media for the last 10 days is he is waiting to see roster make up before making a decision. If we do not have 2 bigs (PF and C) he is not coming here to battle down low. He wants to be in a situation where he has free range. Hawthrone (by all reports) has not gained weight. He is a 3 as a skinny guy. Williams has much more weight and would be the 4 in that situation. But McBride would beat both out as the 4 as he can battle a bit down low for rebounds. I hope and pray Pope has other options (either portal guys in the draft or Euro Big PF with some range).

I thought Hawthorne had gained weight.

Just switch him and Kam then. Still the same problem, neither is really a great fit at PF. But Kam is stronger, I’m sure.

As for Stokes, does he really mind playing a stretch 4 in a 4 out system? That’s a bit short sighted. He’s 6’7, 230. Mash was basically that size as a Freshman and played the 4 spot. Antoine Walker was skinnier than Stokes and played the 4 and some 5. He was really the best post scorer on the ‘96 team. He would be a matchup nightmare at the 4 spot, really. Bigger, slower guys trying to guard him. With the way he handles the rock, he could be deadly playing out on the perimeter with Diallo, Wilkins, and Kam. That would really spread the floor and allow him to operate in space against bigger, slower guys.

But kids get all caught up in playing certain positions, so that might be an issue.

I’m not sure really what Stokes is looking for in a team. Are we sure he wants to be on a loaded team? I don’t really see UK, KU, or Oregon realistically competing for a title even with Stokes, so he’s probably not overly concerned about being a contender, based on the 3 schools he is supposedly down to. If he wanted to really have a shot at a ring, wouldn’t he be considering Duke, UConn, or UF? Those are the schools that look like contenders, at least on paper.

Heck, for all we know, he might be looking for the place where he can get the most touches/shots. The less talent around him the more likely he can score 20-30 a night. Who knows what this kid is thinking.

[Rondo#9]

Well, he actually does need guards, just like he needs Power Forwards. About the only position he doesn't need is Small Forward, so of course, would it surprise any of us if he looks at some Small Forwards? The only SF he should be considering is Tyran Stokes or Milam Momcilovic.

EDIT: forgot to include Momcilovic

Doesn't need a brick laying guard like Sonon.

And Momciliovic can play the 4. He's a nice pipe dream.

[UKHoops01]

But hey, Pope reached out to the brick laying SG from St. John's - Joson Sanon. It's good to see he has his priorities in order finally.

Well, he actually does need guards, just like he needs Power Forwards. About the only position he doesn't need is Small Forward, so of course, would it surprise any of us if he looks at some Small Forwards? The only SF he should be considering is Tyran Stokes or Milam Momcilovic.

EDIT: forgot to include Momcilovic

[Rondo#9]

But hey, Pope reached out to the brick laying SG from St. John's - Joson Sanon. It's good to see he has his priorities in order finally.

[Rondo#9]

I agree with you that I don't agree with a lot of these "rankings".

Best advice I could ever give anyone when it comes to "rankings"...is use your own eyes and rank them yourself. So many of these " rankings" services overweigh things like athleticism and measurables (wingspan, vertical, hand size, etc.): and try to 'project' how much they will develop rather than judging them off of their current basketball ability. That's why someone like Jayden Quaintence is going to be ranked so disproportionately ahead of Koby Brea. Shooting ability and fundamentals don't play near as much of a factor as they should.

I feel you, I agree. Rankings aside, I liked Williams-Adams upside as soon as I found out he hit the portal. He fit a need for us. Enough said.

......And apparently Mark Pope couldn't have cared less. I don't get it.

[UKHoops01]

I realize it's all opinion and everything... but 247 has Sebastian Williams-Adams ranked as the 38th overall transfer they ranked him higher than Wilkins.

I don't agree with that but, the upside for him is clearly there. Why did we not go after him?

I agree with you that I don't agree with a lot of these "rankings".

Best advice I could ever give anyone when it comes to "rankings"...is use your own eyes and rank them yourself. So many of these " rankings" services overweigh things like athleticism and measurables (wingspan, vertical, hand size, etc.): and try to 'project' how much they will develop rather than judging them off of their current basketball ability. That's why someone like Jayden Quaintence is going to be ranked so disproportionately ahead of Koby Brea. Shooting ability and fundamentals don't play near as much of a factor as they should.