No recruits?

Eagles_Ball_69

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Let him put together his team with players he relates to and vice versa. Guys that want to play for him and UK. Might be older portal guys with maturity, experience and a chip on their shoulder. He might have pulled off some of those HS recruits realizing they wouldn’t fit. Might still grab a couple good HS players.

Remember he has 2 guys red shirting and both pretty solid. You should include them as recruits. Will have a bunch of key returners. Lots of good reports particularly on Hawthorne. He might be considered a top 10- 15 2026 HS recruit and he’s got a years experience in the program as does Potter at 7 ft with skill. Seen many 7 footers develop in college. I bet he turns out to be a solid player.
I think this thought process MIGHT chill some folks out...if it were true. He's trying to get the top recruits. He just can't land them. That's the issue. It's not that he's choosing not to recruit them, they're choosing not to sign with Pope and UK.

Don't include Potter. That just makes the point you're trying to make, which I think is reasonable, just sound silly. If Potter is ever a "solid player" at UK, 10 Loss Tubby become 12 Loss Pope.
 
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megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
16,154
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I keep doubting Pope and he continues to do things I did not think possible. I think we land a big fish plus a portal guy, we are going to get quite a bit back imo.
I think we have to get a PG, I wanted Lowe to work out, and he still may but I don't want everything riding on his shoulder.
Even if Lowe comes back strong and healthy, I think we still need a second legit PG on the roster.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

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Great point. I don't mind folks not being happy that we aren't signing top HS kids. But this sky is falling mess is getting old. We will have 7-8 guys returning next season including the redshirt. If Pope gets 2-3 big time Portal players, we will have a heck of a team
Actually a solid point, Well done. "If Pope gets 2-3 big time portal players" is a big IF.
 
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Eagles_Ball_69

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I dont mind recruiting threads. I dont even mind people being upset we don't have any recruits yet. But its nonsense to start thread after thread about the same thing to pile on the coach
If only there were something the coach could do to remedy the issue.
 
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megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
16,154
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Per a simple AI search ... fwiw

Based on top 2027 high school recruiting rankings and emerging talents as of early 2026, the following players are identified as top prospects who could be major figures in college basketball and, consequently, potential future transfer portal candidates as they navigate their collegiate careers:

Top 2027 Recruits (Potential Future Portal Targets)
  • Marcus Spears Jr. (PF, 6-9, Dynamic Prep, TX): Rated as a top power forward.
  • CJ Rosser (PF, 6-10, Southeastern Prep, FL): Highly-rated forward with major interest from Duke, Kentucky, and Texas.
  • Beckham Black (PG, 6-3, Southeastern Prep, FL): Elite point guard prospect.
  • Paul Osaruyi (C, 6-10, Bella Vista Prep, AZ): Top center recruit.
  • Ryan Hampton (SF, 6-6, DME Academy, FL): Highly-rated small forward.
  • Obinna Ekezie Jr. (C, 7-0, Southeastern Prep, FL): Highly-rated center.
  • King Gibson (CG, 6-4, SPIRE Academy, OH): Ranked among the top combo guards.
  • Nasir Anderson (PG, 6-4, Prolific Prep, FL): Ranked among the top point guards.
  • Moussa Kamissoko (SF, 6-8, Long Island Lutheran, NY): Highly-rated small forward.
  • Javon Bardwell (SF, 6-6, Overtime Elite, GA): Top wing prospect.
Key Takeaways on 2027 Class
  • High-Volume Talent: Top prospects are largely concentrated in academies such as Southeastern Prep (FL) and Overtime Elite (GA).
  • Top Programs Watching: Major programs like Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, and Texas are already scouting these players.
 

UKCowboys

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If only there were something the coach could do to remedy the issue.
Like winning 7 of 8 and playing for the Conference lead Saturday night? Oh, wait, I forgot that the greatest night in Kentucky basketball is draft night. By all means, let's get those crystal ball's....
 
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JimboBBN

Heisman
Jan 26, 2016
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You love bringing up daffy playing with himself...interesting obsession
I think it’s fair to be concerned about recruiting with Pope and at the same time acknowledge what he’s done in SEC play thus far has been mighty impressive.
 

Monday Nitro

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Millions times more imporant to build a team than to get one and dones. Cal is gone and UK WINNING is now the top priority. Refreshing.
 
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Eagles_Ball_69

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Like winning 7 of 8 and playing for the Conference lead Saturday night? Oh, wait, I forgot that the greatest night in Kentucky basketball is draft night. By all means, let's get those crystal ball's....
Like getting good players and not losing 12+ games in a season...
 
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Monday Nitro

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Like getting good players and not losing 12+ games in a season...
Thankfully, 99% of UK fans don't incessantly harp on something they have absolutely no control over other than not watching and finding something else to do that doesn't steal their heart.
 
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Agent Redbone

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Jan 1, 2024
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genuinely curious, who do you think we get in the top 30?
There’s only a few not committed yet in the top 30 per rivals, and we are not leading for any. I hope we can kill it in the portal because for some reason we just can’t attract top level high school kids.
 

mdluk1

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There’s only a few not committed yet in the top 30 per rivals, and we are not leading for any. I hope we can kill it in the portal because for some reason we just can’t attract top level high school kids.
Well, today on KSR, MJ said he was on a national show talking recruiting and that they thought UK MUST get a GM. They told him that UK’s recruiters were great at their last schools because they had an in with the AAU but today requires knowing the agents and we don’t.
 

peterpiper09

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Why even respond with such nonsense? Dude, go to any major recruiting site, like you know, on the internet, which is what Jones did, and count the number of UK recruits who said NO since Pope took over, and do the math…

I haven’t checked lately, but the last time I did, he was 0- 31(32), and it’s going up by the week!
It’s not nonsense, just the truth, DUDE.
I caught on to Jones’ bs a long time ago.
He just wants to do whatever to get hits or start a debate, in which he thinks he’s the smarter one in the room. Just because you have the louder mouth, or have the power to cut the other guy off while lengthening your very uninformed opinion doesn’t make you the more intelligent one.

On the other hand, many informed individuals who sort of do know what they’re talking about are taking notice to what Pope is building and are slowing realizing that something good is happening at our program. Looking at the Rivals top 50 list and making judgments on how well someone is building a team this day and time is VERY silly and a very shallow way of analyzing someone’s building methodology.
 

UKCowboys

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Well, today on KSR, MJ said he was on a national show talking recruiting and that they thought UK MUST get a GM. They told him that UK’s recruiters were great at their last schools because they had an in with the AAU but today requires knowing the agents and we don’t.
I mean, if MJ said it..
 

UKCowboys

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Like getting good players and not losing 12+ games in a season...
We have good players. And we might lose 12+. Then again we might not. If we do, much of that can be attributed to playing in the toughest conference in the country. This isn't the mountain west conference fella.

Also, you obviously have a limited knowledge of today's game, but let me help you out....going back to the 99-00 season, the Kentucky Wildcats have lost 10+ games more times than they have lost 10 or less. This isn't the days of Adolf Rupp and playing teams a college game that only allowed white kids to play. Today, anyone can play, from the US to abroad. And we play in the toughest conference in America. Those are the facts my man
 
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Anon1759768907

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We have good players. And we might lose 12+. Then again we might not. If we do, much of that can be attributed to playing in the toughest conference in the country. This isn't the mountain west conference fella.

Also, you obviously have a limited knowledge of today's game, but let me help you out....going back to the 99-00 season, the Kentucky Wildcats have lost 10+ games more times than they have lost 10 or less. This isn't the days of Adolf Rupp and playing teams a college game that only allowed white kids to play. Today, anyone can play, from the US to abroad. And we play in the toughest conference in America. Those are the facts my man
bro is allergic to having great players on a kentucky baksetball team
 

JAC71

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We have good players. And we might lose 12+. Then again we might not. If we do, much of that can be attributed to playing in the toughest conference in the country. This isn't the mountain west conference fella.

Also, you obviously have a limited knowledge of today's game, but let me help you out....going back to the 99-00 season, the Kentucky Wildcats have lost 10+ games more times than they have lost 10 or less. This isn't the days of Adolf Rupp and playing teams a college game that only allowed white kids to play. Today, anyone can play, from the US to abroad. And we play in the toughest conference in America. Those are the facts my man
Losing double digit games was one of the reasons fans were ready for Calipari to leave and Tubby for that matter. If we lose 10 or more games and sweet sixteen is the limit then Pope won’t be here long
 

Eagles_Ball_69

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We have good players. And we might lose 12+. Then again we might not. If we do, much of that can be attributed to playing in the toughest conference in the country. This isn't the mountain west conference fella.

Also, you obviously have a limited knowledge of today's game, but let me help you out....going back to the 99-00 season, the Kentucky Wildcats have lost 10+ games more times than they have lost 10 or less. This isn't the days of Adolf Rupp and playing teams a college game that only allowed white kids to play. Today, anyone can play, from the US to abroad. And we play in the toughest conference in America. Those are the facts my man
Why not go back another 10 yrs? Doesn't fit your agenda, huh?

Also, in the 25 yrs you referenced it's been the "toughest conference in America" three of those yrs, I believe. Prior to last season, it had been since 05-06. Last season was historic. This season the SEC might end up #1, but most likely will be 2 or 3. One historic season in the conference doesn't equal the "toughest conference in America".
 

Eagles_Ball_69

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Man I have no problem with getting a GM. To me, thats another reason the AD isn't doing his job
After listening to the podcast and what Goodman and Dauster were saying about it, it's hard to imagine spending that kind of money to assemble a roster without one. It really was an interesting listen.
 
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megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
16,154
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Losing double digit games was one of the reasons fans were ready for Calipari to leave and Tubby for that matter. If we lose 10 or more games and sweet sixteen is the limit then Pope won’t be here long
Your post prompted my curiosity, so I looked up how many times Duke had 10 or more losses ... just to see what they look like.
I was very surprised (if not shocked) to learn only four (4) times in the last forty (40) years:
11 2020-21
11 2015-16
11 2006-07
13 1995-96

10-loss seasons in the past forty (40) years:
Kansas 9
Kentucky 17
North Carolina 18
 
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CFE_

Heisman
Feb 27, 2023
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On track to be the worse class (probably worse if you get no one) since 2007. Billy G era. Oof
 
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UKCowboys

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Why not go back another 10 yrs? Doesn't fit your agenda, huh?

Also, in the 25 yrs you referenced it's been the "toughest conference in America" three of those yrs, I believe. Prior to last season, it had been since 05-06. Last season was historic. This season the SEC might end up #1, but most likely will be 2 or 3. One historic season in the conference doesn't equal the "toughest conference in America".
Hence the word "modern game". The last 26 years should be a good enough sample size. Pre 2000 recruiting vs current recruiting are two different ball games. Most of the people on this board wanted to get away from Cals one and dones and guaranteeing freshmen starting roles. Starting Wagner over Shep and Dilly was one of the straws that broke Cals back. Yet here we are a year and a half in, and you are here crying like a baby...despite the fact that we may have the most talented roster in the nation for all you know. HS kids aren't the only place you can find great players nowadays Son
 
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UKCowboys

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Losing double digit games was one of the reasons fans were ready for Calipari to leave and Tubby for that matter. If we lose 10 or more games and sweet sixteen is the limit then Pope won’t be here long
If you say so. Pope will serve out his entire first contract. I would bet the farm on it
 

UKortho

Heisman
Oct 13, 2015
5,159
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I dont mind recruiting threads. I dont even mind people being upset we don't have any recruits yet. But its nonsense to start thread after thread about the same thing to pile on the coach

Simple solution- don’t click on the thread.
 

UKortho

Heisman
Oct 13, 2015
5,159
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Man...Idk...I think it's A reason, but I'm not convinced it's THE reason. Pitino and Cal could get dudes. Tubby and Clyde struggled to get dudes. That's basically been the breakdown of the last 35+ yrs. I think it's glaringly obvious, Pope is going to struggle to get dudes. The hope probably needs to be he can evaluate mid-major portal talent well enough to win big. I'm at least encouraged by the recent good play of Chandler and Garrison, but I think there's a concern about developing retained players as well. At the end of the day, if you can't recruit studs you'd better be able to develop the guys you can get.

It’s not the main reason. Pope can’t connect with elite players. He can overpay for 6th men though.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

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Hence the word "modern game". The last 26 years should be a good enough sample size. Pre 2000 recruiting vs current recruiting are two different ball games. Most of the people on this board wanted to get away from Cals one and dones and guaranteeing freshmen starting roles. Starting Wagner over Shep and Dilly was one of the straws that broke Cals back. Yet here we are a year and a half in, and you are here crying like a baby...despite the fact that we may have the most talented roster in the nation for all you know. HS kids aren't the only place you can find great players nowadays Son
Lol. You think 90-99 wasn't modern basketball? Of course you do. It just doesn't fit your agenda. Why? Because zero times in that 10 yr stretch did the Cats lose double digit games. You're gonna need to hit the gym if you're gonna carry those goalposts from spot to spot.
 

UKortho

Heisman
Oct 13, 2015
5,159
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7 out of 8...another 12 loss season and you are...

View attachment 1183857

All pope has to do is win a few games that we expect to Lose. That’s all- then “we have found our coach”. He is an automatic 10-12 loss guy. Can’t recruit to a level beyond the sweet 16. Our season has been a little good, a little bad- just like his resume. He is not UK level. Not even close. Florida will show how far off he is.