Portal

[UKHoops01]

I was looking through some sites to see who was still available over the weekend, and I stumbled across the name Drew Fielder. I wasn't familiar with him, but I checked out his stats and they weren't bad, so I watched some videos and came away thinking "he'd be a decent option, why isn't he being pursued?". I hadn't heard anything, anywhere about him.

I was just now looking through On3 transfer portal signings and saw that he just committed to Alabama. Typical.

What are Pope and staff doing? What are they looking for? Seems like they're sitting around waiting for Freeman to decide what he's going to do without addressing the rest of the roster. They need so many players and the ones that seem worthy of adding are all going elsewhere. I've been patient but this is starting to get ridiculous. Only two players have been signed and if you look at most top 50 or 60 or so lists there aren't many guys still available. Time for this staff to get with it!

[Rondo#9]

Crystal ball predictions for

Blackwell to Duke

Folgeuiras to Louisville

Freeman to St. John's


Woof

[Pobilly]

This is nothing but speculation on my part...but I think Pope suffers from tunnel vision and the idea that UK sells itself, and that simply offering a roster spot with enough money should be the end of it. I think that's why we're waiting on Freeman. I also think he lets pride get in the way. In the case of Folgueiras, I can't help but wonder if the fact that he offered him last year and Alvaro chose elsewhere is keeping him from going there again. Maybe it's a pride thing..."don't let the same dog bite you twice" kinda thing. Who knows. All I know is he better swallow some of that pride and realize that it's a new world. Playing for UK doesn't have the same meaning to today's kids as it did 30 years ago...he better try some new tricks (and I still think getting Orlando Antigua back on staff should be a main priority).

I think you are on to something with tunnel vision, but also too trusting of these young men. The player (I do not think lie) but they are not in charge of their own lives. Agents and handlers are making the bigger decisions.

Say Freeman has a number in his mind, tell the agent, agent will not tell him he is crazy, he will tell him, find your place and I will handle it. Freeman might want to play here, might like Pope and company. But his agent gets, what 10 to 20% of the take, he wants more. He tells the guys, hey let me reach out to a few coaches to see if they are willing to pay more, sets up discussions, next thing you know the kid has no control, the agent probably telling him what ever he wants to hear but is still worried about #1 (himself).

[Pobilly]

He could be a backup PF but probably not a starter. Well, he was a freshman, biggest jump supposed to be freshman to sophomore, averaged 7 a game last year on 28 minutes a game, maybe a 12 ppg 6 reb guy, might work if you have stokes and the rest of the cats and maybe another pure shooter. Who knows at this point. I will keep waiting to see who Pope lures to UK.

[Rondo#9]

Sebastian Williams-Adams from Auburn hit the portal. Do we like him as an option if Freeman falls through?

[EKYCat]

Keegan Brown is the GM... don't let the title "Director of Roster Management" fool you.

https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/03...er-management/

JFCats would tell you not naming him GM accurately is also grounds for immediate termination LOL

[Rondo#9]

This is nothing but speculation on my part...but I think Pope suffers from tunnel vision and the idea that UK sells itself, and that simply offering a roster spot with enough money should be the end of it. I think that's why we're waiting on Freeman. I also think he lets pride get in the way. In the case of Folgueiras, I can't help but wonder if the fact that he offered him last year and Alvaro chose elsewhere is keeping him from going there again. Maybe it's a pride thing..."don't let the same dog bite you twice" kinda thing. Who knows. All I know is he better swallow some of that pride and realize that it's a new world. Playing for UK doesn't have the same meaning to today's kids as it did 30 years ago...he better try some new tricks (and I still think getting Orlando Antigua back on staff should be a main priority).

I started wondering the same thing. Anybody who's turned Pope down before, he doesn't seem to even want to reach out to (except for Gwath? lol) I can understand that, but put your pride aside and do your job. I'm just speculating, same as you. That might not be the case... but it seems like it could be a thing.

[UKHoops01]

Justin McBride might be the other guy Pope is trying to get. Not sure if he is a 3 or a 4 but he does shoot 40% from 3.

I'd be fine with McBride as a backup, but as a starter that's reaching. I think he'd be fine filling the Ansley Almanor role...but Almanor was brought in specifically to backup Andrew Carr. The problem we're having now is we don't even have an Andrew Carr! We could have had Rancik but we were screwing around waiting for Freeman!

[UKHoops01]

I was just asking about that (Folgueiras) in another thread. Pope should be all over Folgueiras, I don't get it.

This is nothing but speculation on my part...but I think Pope suffers from tunnel vision and the idea that UK sells itself, and that simply offering a roster spot with enough money should be the end of it. I think that's why we're waiting on Freeman. I also think he lets pride get in the way. In the case of Folgueiras, I can't help but wonder if the fact that he offered him last year and Alvaro chose elsewhere is keeping him from going there again. Maybe it's a pride thing..."don't let the same dog bite you twice" kinda thing. Who knows. All I know is he better swallow some of that pride and realize that it's a new world. Playing for UK doesn't have the same meaning to today's kids as it did 30 years ago...he better try some new tricks (and I still think getting Orlando Antigua back on staff should be a main priority).

[Pobilly]

Justin McBride might be the other guy Pope is trying to get. Not sure if he is a 3 or a 4 but he does shoot 40% from 3.

[UKHoops01]

Pope's refusal to hire a GM should be a fireable offense. He is the dumbest smart person I have ever seen.

Keegan Brown is the GM... don't let the title "Director of Roster Management" fool you.

https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/03/26/keegan-brown-hired-as-director-of-roster-management/

[Rondo#9]

Helix and I were talking about Southern California center, and Ky. native, 7'5" Gabe Dynes. That's why I brought up Gwath, because he was being recruited to be a backup Center, not a starting Power Forward. I never envisioned Gwath as anything but a backup to Moreno....I've always wanted a better Frontline starter at the 4, like Freeman or Rancik or Goode (the latter two who we've missed out on while waiting around for Freeman).

And you're right that Gwath wanted to start, which I'm sure played into him going elsewhere.

Speaking of which, I wonder if that's why Alvaro Folgueiras decided to leave Iowa. If not, and he'd be willing to come off the bench as the primary big man at the 4 and maybe see some time at the 5, why haven't we heard anything about Kentucky recruiting him? They did last year, and wanted him bad! Supposedly his choices were down to Kentucky and Iowa, so you'd think he'd still have some interest. If we miss out on Freeman he might be one of our better options remaining.

Gotcha.

I was just asking about that in another thread. Pope should be all over Folgueiras, I don't get it.

[UKHoops01]

I only didn't want Gwath because of not 1, but 2 lingering injury concerns. Not exactly minor ones either for a guy his size. I Can easily see him missing half the season next year. Not to mention Gwath wanted a starting role. If Pope can just seal the deal with Freeman, we're better off with him than having Gwath as a starter. Just my opinion though.. I still liked Rancik's fit better, but that ship sailed.

Helix and I were talking about Southern California center, and Ky. native, 7'5" Gabe Dynes. That's why I brought up Gwath, because he was being recruited to be a backup Center, not a starting Power Forward. I never envisioned Gwath as anything but a backup to Moreno....I've always wanted a better Frontline starter at the 4, like Freeman or Rancik or Goode (the latter two who we've missed out on while waiting around for Freeman).

And you're right that Gwath wanted to start, which I'm sure played into him going elsewhere.

Speaking of which, I wonder if that's why Alvaro Folgueiras decided to leave Iowa. If not, and he'd be willing to come off the bench as the primary big man at the 4 and maybe see some time at the 5, why haven't we heard anything about Kentucky recruiting him? They did last year, and wanted him bad! Supposedly his choices were down to Kentucky and Iowa, so you'd think he'd still have some interest. If we miss out on Freeman he might be one of our better options remaining.

[Rondo#9]

Please find another board JFCats

I can't see his posts, ignore list works as advertised.

[WeWant9]

Lose out on Freeman, with Rancik off the board, and more than likely we are looking at someone we haven't even discussed for PF.