1st Practice

[Tomcats1990]

Alex Wilkins dishes saying the team had high energy good chemistry and the surprise player we need to watch is Diaye nicknamed (Uzi). He says that the team being together in the Lodge is building bonds and making them grow as a team.

[Helix]

Alex Wilkins dishes saying the team had high energy good chemistry and the surprise player we need to watch is Diaye nicknamed (Uzi). He says that the team being together in the Lodge is building bonds and making them grow as a team.

Fingers crossed for a team à la CMP’s first squad — a together, likable bunch that plays free, loose and fast.

[Pobilly]

MM to MM its good.

https://x.com/KentuckyMBB/status/2066635223773704217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2066635223773704217%7Ctwgr%5E98e269e345773f5177d87ef35e29ff57fcf7fbb1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2Fkentucky-wildcats-basketball%2F174456%2Fpractice-notes-highlights

[Pobilly]

Ball Movement for 3

https://x.com/KentuckyMBB/status/2066648818192372088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2066648818192372088%7Ctwgr%5E98e269e345773f5177d87ef35e29ff57fcf7fbb1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2Fkentucky-wildcats-basketball%2F174456%2Fpractice-notes-highlights

[WeWant9]

Sounds like Kam is still in a boot as a precaution and Kepnang is in load management due to his previous leg injuries.

McBride is also getting praise, I think he will be a baller for us.

[Trueblujr]

Fingers crossed for a team à la CMP’s first squad — a together, likable bunch that plays free, loose and fast.

This group already seems far more likable than last year's bunch. I was glad Pope seemed to learn from his mistakes and recruited a team more suited to the system he wants to run. Now lets just hope it manifests itself on the court.

[Cawood86]

This group already seems far more likable than last year's bunch. I was glad Pope seemed to learn from his mistakes and recruited a team more suited to the system he wants to run. Now lets just hope it manifests itself on the court.

I'm hopeful you're right. Very hopeful.

[BJD]

Pope’s first team quit just as much as his second team. Pope’s first team didn’t guard or rebound any better than his second.


I hope we never have anything like either one of them.


Pope is 20-16 in the SEC. The worst 2 year record of any UK coach in history.

[Cawood86]

Pope’s first team quit just as much as his second team. Pope’s first team didn’t guard or rebound any better than his second.


I hope we never have anything like either one of them.


Pope is 20-16 in the SEC. The worst 2 year record of any UK coach in history.

Yawn....

[UKHoops01]

Pope is 20-16 in the SEC. The worst 2 year record of any UK coach in history.

Ever heard the old saying "Third time's the charm"?

I think most everyone knows that this is a bit of a "make or break" season for Mark Pope. His first two years were the definition of mediocrity and disappointment, with the first exceeding expectations a bit due to time on the job and how quickly he had to assemble a roster and coaching staff.... and the second being a disappointment due to the supposed cost of the roster and overall expectations versus results. Unless there is marked improvement this year there could likely be some big changes forthcoming at the end of the year.

[ganner918]

Alex Wilkins dishes saying the team had high energy good chemistry and the surprise player we need to watch is Diaye nicknamed (Uzi). He says that the team being together in the Lodge is building bonds and making them grow as a team.

Sounds like Kam is still in a boot as a precaution and Kepnang is in load management due to his previous leg injuries.

McBride is also getting praise, I think he will be a baller for us.

I've been concerned about the 4 spot, better than last year but wasn't sure it would be good enough. Would really be nice if those guys both turn out to be impressive.

[bucsrule8872]

The forward (3 and 4) spots are going to be interesting. I think it will all center around Momcilovic. He can play either spot. If Kam or Hawthorne are out there with him, Momcilovic is essentially the 4. Or if we add Kusturica. With McBride or N’Diaye, Momcilovic would be the 3.

I love the versatility of this roster. Main issue I see that could be a problem with this roster is rebounding. Our forwards all seem to be perimeter oriented. Who will go in there and dig out those tough rebounds? I kind of wish we could have kept Dioubate around for that reason.

[UKHoops01]

I've been concerned about the 4 spot, better than last year but wasn't sure it would be good enough. Would really be nice if those guys both turn out to be impressive.

Ironically, this is Pope's third year/roster and the 4 spot has always been a bit of a concern. I like Andrew Carr, and Ansley Almanor exceeded my expectations, so the first year was pleasantly surprising. Last year was underwhelming. This year? Who knows. I think McBride has the ability to surprise and impress, and N'Djaye has talent but is definitely a bit of a question mark. I like Momcilovic at the 3, not so much at the 4. Hawthorne and Williams don't have the size and interior game to see major minutes there...so it's definitely still a concern heading into year three for Pope.

[bucsrule8872]

Ironically, this is Pope's third year/roster and the 4 spot has always been a bit of a concern. I like Andrew Carr, and Ansley Almanor exceeded my expectations, so the first year was pleasantly surprising. Last year was underwhelming. This year? Who knows. I think McBride has the ability to surprise and impress, and N'Djaye has talent but is definitely a bit of a question mark. I like Momcilovic at the 3, not so much at the 4. Hawthorne and Williams don't have the size and interior game to see major minutes there...so it's definitely still a concern heading into year three for Pope.

Definitely the biggest question mark for this team. No clear cut SEC level 4 man. We are, at least on paper, missing that piece. Maybe N’Diaye and McBride will be fine, but they are still relative unknowns in that role. Momcilovic is better suited as a 3, but with the way this roster is made up, he might have to be the 4 much of the time.