Momcilovic? Or Allen Graves?

[UKHoops01]

This dude didn't even entertain him.

Saw that. But with these guys, what they say and what they do often times don't match up. Whether it's the kid or their agent, there's usually some sort of smoke screen being used for leverage.

[EKYCat]

Saw that. But with these guys, what they say and what they do often times don't match up. Whether it's the kid or their agent, there's usually some sort of smoke screen being used for leverage.

Seems to be too much swinging and missing for it not to have some truth to it.

[UKHoops01]

Seems to be too much swinging and missing for it not to have some truth to it.

Unfortunately you're probably right, and maybe this plays out the way I'm quietly hoping it does (read into that however you'd like ..LOL)....but I guess I'm going to keep a little bit of hope for the upcoming season.

[WeWant9]

Imagine that. Pitino and Louisville as the two to do battle with Kentucky. Color me shocked.

Louisville doesn't worry me, they've got guys on the bench of that $40 million roster that should be starting for other teams. St. John's is a bit of a concern because of the Pitino factor.

That said, it's really sounding like Moreno may opt to stay in the draft. Part of the allure of Graves TO ME was the fact that at 6'9", 220 he has the body, size and inside/outside game to play Center....IF Moreno doesn't return. Hopefully Malachi comes back and it's a moot point, but if he doesn't Graves is looking better and better as an option, even though it's unlikely he would pick Kentucky if he did forego the draft

It seems like ul has signed about 50 guys this offseason.

Graves at center would be an interesting idea, I wonder if he would entertain it? LSU would probably let him run point and have the ball in his hands the majority of the time if he wanted.

I am not trying to think of Moreno staying in the draft. If that happens, seems we will be up the you know what creek without a paddle.

[bucsrule8872]

I don’t see any way we have a successful season without Moreno.

[BIG BLUE GURU]

I also dont see a way to have a Kentucky standard year without at least one of Moreno, Moncolivc or Graves. Truth be told I think realistically we need 2 of them. Was hoping Pope could pull a miracle out of his a** this year with it being a make or break year but not looking good. Not giving up hope yet but options are getting very thin.

[South jones]

Moreno not participating in todays scrimmage. Said his agent thinks he is in good position. Does not look good.
may have to go the Euro route for another center.
On second thought, MM may be playing Pope for more moola, agents will do whatever to max the money.

[bucsrule8872]

Sounding more and more like Moreno is going to stay in the draft.

Going to need both Momcilovic and Graves if we want to have any shot at being competitive in the SEC.

We are going to struggle inside. Kepnang is not good enough to start for us.

Probably looking at a small ball lineup with Diallo, Wilkins, K Will, McBride, and N’Diaye. Play 5 out and hope the guards can carry us.

[UKHoops01]

Moreno not participating in todays scrimmage. Said his agent thinks he is in good position. Does not look good.
may have to go the Euro route for another center.
On second thought, MM may be playing Pope for more moola, agents will do whatever to max the money.

Regarding what was highlighted in bold above......

Man, I really hope not. While these European interior players generally fit Mark Pope's style of play (soft) to a T....they generally don't fare very well in the states. The tough, physical style of play exhibited here is much different from how things are overseas. Perimeter players internationally generally fare much better than post players.

[EKYCat]

Sounding more and more like Moreno is going to stay in the draft.

Going to need both Momcilovic and Graves if we want to have any shot at being competitive in the SEC.

We are going to struggle inside. Kepnang is not good enough to start for us.

Probably looking at a small ball lineup with Diallo, Wilkins, K Will, McBride, and N’Diaye. Play 5 out and hope the guards can carry us.

Graves said UK contacted him but he’s interested in LSU and Duke. Scratch him. I don’t trust Pioe to land Milan either.

[WeWant9]

Are there any other guys testing the draft that would be worth a look? It seems I've mostly just been hearing about these two. Options seem to be getting very limited for what we need next season.

[bucsrule8872]

Graves said UK contacted him but he’s interested in LSU and Duke. Scratch him. I don’t trust Pioe to land Milan either.

If Pope has an extra 2-3 million to throw at either one, maybe that will get the job done.

Doesn’t really fix the problem of having a gaping hole in the middle if Moreno is gone. Graves could play a small ball 5, but Momcilovic is strictly a perimeter guy.

Pope probably grabs an international guy to help at the 5. Probably has to overpay at this point. What a debacle if Moreno leaves. Not surprised, but it’s sad, nonetheless.

I don’t see Pope getting a difference maker, at this point.

I’m trying to find a silver lining. Maybe Pope runs some immaculate offense with a 5 out system. Maybe Hawthorne breaks out and is a star. Maybe N’Diaye is better than the last few international guys we have had.

Maybe an 8-man rotation like this:

G Diallo(30)/Morton(10)
G Wilkins(30)/Morton(10)
F Hawthorne(30)/K. Williams(10)
F K. Williams(20)/McBride(20)
C N’Diaye(20)/Kepnang(15)/McBride(5)

That would probably be a team that chucks 35+ 3’s a game. Might be dead last in the SEC in rebounding, though. We better make a boat load of shots, because that team is going to struggle on the offensive boards.

Trying not to be doom and gloom, but losing Moreno is really going to hurt us. No way around it.

[bucsrule8872]

Are there any other guys testing the draft that would be worth a look? It seems I've mostly just been hearing about these two. Options seem to be getting very limited for what we need next season.

I don’t see anything in the portal. Nobody that could come in and start at the 5 spot, if Moreno is gone.

I think Pope would have to go the international route to find a big man.

Graves could play a small ball 5 at 6’9, 225. He’s not going to give us much rim protection, but he could be serviceable. Unfortunately, he seems to be down to NBA, LSU, or Duke.

Really, it’s Moreno and/or Momcilovic or bust for us.

I’m trying to wrap my head around how the current roster will work without Moreno.

I hope the guards are excellent, because they are going to have to be.

[WeWant9]

I try not to get worked up one way or another until a guy makes an official announcement. I really didn't think Moreno would be getting this much attention from the draft, but with his measurables some team might be willing to take a chance on him in the first round and hope he develops. Not sure he would get a ton run next year in the league, so at that point he would have to weigh G-League vs College. I think he is young enough where another year in college wouldn't hurt him, but he might also be looking at UK's current off-season and thinking I do not want to do deal with that next season. Either way, this has been a fairly deflating off-season.

[WeWant9]

I don’t see anything in the portal. Nobody that could come in and start at the 5 spot, if Moreno is gone.

I think Pope would have to go the international route to find a big man.

Graves could play a small ball 5 at 6’9, 225. He’s not going to give us much rim protection, but he could be serviceable. Unfortunately, he seems to be down to NBA, LSU, or Duke.

Really, it’s Moreno and/or Momcilovic or bust for us.

I’m trying to wrap my head around how the current roster will work without Moreno.

I hope the guards are excellent, because they are going to have to be.

Our guard pick ups are probably the only thing keeping me on the ledge and not jumping yet, lol. I am intrigued with a Diallo and Wilkins combo. Fingers crossed the redshirt year for Hawthorne was worth it and he comes to ball next season.