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[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.

[EKYCat]

Sounds like Freeman to St Johns is about to happen. He is trending toward the red storm.
Next up on PF. Pope moved on from PZ (st marys), he seems to be losing out on Freeman. Lost Rancik. It was very quiet over the weekend. What does he have cooking?

I think the answer is, he doesn't have anything cooking and it's disheartening. Hopefully he lands Stokes.

[Pobilly]

Sounds like Freeman to St Johns is about to happen. He is trending toward the red storm.
Next up on PF. Pope moved on from PZ (st marys), he seems to be losing out on Freeman. Lost Rancik. It was very quiet over the weekend. What does he have cooking?

[Cawood86]

Please find another board JFCats

[JFCats22]

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

[Rondo#9]

Haven't watched video of him, the first thing I did was check out stats. His blocked shots is extremely impressive, but I'm surprised to see you say that he has a passing game. He averaged less than half an assist per game, even 2:years ago when he was averaging playing over 20 minutes per game. And that 35% free throw shooting? Yuck. Kind of hate to see a one trick pony added. People didn't want Magoon Gwath and he not only blocked shots, he was a good shooter...40% from 3-point range, better than this guy shoots free throws!

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.

[Rondo#9]

If Pope misses on both of Stokes & Freeman, where does he turn at that point? Out of all the remaining targets, only Stokes & Freeman are starting caliber.

I guess it would mean accepting Kam Williams as your starting SF at that point, and start looking overseas maybe.

If Diallo is really Stokes' guy like he says, on top of Kentucky's large offer... then coming to UK should look pretty appealing. He'd be playing the Otega Oweh role, and Otega was an basically an automatic 20 piece even with an offense that was stagnant and discombobulated most of the time. He won't hurt his stock by coming here.

[UKHoops01]

Pleasantly surprised watching YouTube clips. He can really move, surprisingly athletic for a guy that size. Got a passing game too.

Haven't watched video of him, the first thing I did was check out stats. His blocked shots is extremely impressive, but I'm surprised to see you say that he has a passing game. He averaged less than half an assist per game, even 2:years ago when he was averaging playing over 20 minutes per game. And that 35% free throw shooting? Yuck. Kind of hate to see a one trick pony added. People didn't want Magoon Gwath and he not only blocked shots, he was a good shooter...40% from 3-point range, better than this guy shoots free throws!

[KentuckyWild2020]

It's months from games and season. Enjoy spring and summer. It's not worth getting overhyped.

The truth is, been fighting this fight so long on this board since mid 2000's, it's really not that important to be honest. Still don't get me wrong, I miss the days of kicking a$$ and taking names, I will take some of them blowout wins over in the first 10 minutes type of games...