BB: KSR - Ryan believes only 3 returnees

storm1507

All-American
Sep 24, 2022
1,650
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1. I think it's bad business to be discussing next year during March Madness.

2. If he didn't name those 3 players he really doesn't know anything... just looking for clicks.

3. I know less than Ryan.
 

ComebackCats98

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
605
1,764
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Part of the appeal of a new coach was supposed to be player retention and development. I’ve seen people on here defend his lack of recruits because we’re going to have so many guys back. If we have 0 guys coming from high school and only 3-5 guys coming back how is that any different than Cal’s revolving door? At least with Cal you had some good to occasionally great freshmen.

Also before people are quick to not want these guys back and go portaling for new players keep in mind we missed on most of the top transfer portal targets last year…
 
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UKBB4Ever

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
1,734
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MM has pro potential. There is no way he plays another season for Pope. There's no player development under Pope.
 
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rivercatinfl

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2012
1,977
1,874
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1. Stud point guard who can score from 3 levels, facilitate the offense, and play solid defense

2. Dink Pate (or similar player)

3. Kam Williams

4. Stud power forward who can get to the rim, but shoot it well enough to keep the defense honest

5. Malachi Moreno

6. Back-Up Point guard who can run the offense, make an open 3, and play decent defense

7. Collin Chandler

8. Braydon Hawthorne

9. Andreja Jelavic

10. Strong semi-athletic big who can bang, rebound, block a shot, dunk, and play physical

11. Trent Noah

12. Reece Potter

There’s your team.
I think you may be all over it. One question, does Reese Potter have enough talent to be that backup big?
 

CUJO_1970

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
406
1,222
93
Pope can’t assemble a team, can’t hold a team together, and can’t recruit.

Trusting Pope to suddenly fix all three of those things in a 14 day window when the portal opens doesn’t seem like a great endorsement for Year Three does it?
 

Dr.LutherSan

All-American
Sep 6, 2019
3,968
7,635
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I think you may be all over it. One question, does Reese Potter have enough talent to be that backup big?
He might not have the talent, skills, or athleticism, but he is a Kentucky kid and that's important. He knows the meaning of the UK tradition and will play for the name on the front of the jersey and stuff...
 

RedwoodHigh

Senior
Nov 18, 2025
366
556
93
Replace OO - JQ - Aberdeen with Equal talent
Bring back everybody else.
( I’d personally want to see BG & JJ tramsfee)/but they both have their moments
Go win SEC Iin 27.
 

Hitman206

Senior
Jul 11, 2009
415
539
93
That's my fear. Supposedly the staff was give a blank check to put together an elite team, and they failed even with that type of investment. I imagine that type of money won't be there next year.
It won't be. Maybe half that is he is lucky.
 
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Hitman206

Senior
Jul 11, 2009
415
539
93
How u guys feel about Jasper Johnson coming back? I only want him back if he puts on at least 15 pounds of muscle in the off season. Great potential, but so weak with his handle and a poor defender.
He has already told people he is out of here after the season.
 

Delk4three

Senior
Jul 1, 2004
387
595
93
I've been thinking some lately about the backup point guard spot. Obviously you can't expect to have a great player in that role or they wouldn't be a backup. What I'm wondering is it better to get someone who is serviceable in all the aspects of the game you want a point guard to manage, or find someone who may be lacking in some areas but is great at one thing. In other words, maybe they are an offensive liability, but they are a lockdown on-ball defender. Or maybe their size and defense are suspect, but they can get by anybody and distribute. Or maybe they're a terrific shooter.

In some ways it seems like what you want more than anything is for your backups to be consistent. They aren't going to be world beaters, but if you can count on your backup center to come in and rebound and alter shots, that's enough and you can plan around that. If you can count on your backup PG to take care of the ball and hit open shots, that will do.

That's an obvious problem with Garrison, you just never know what you get from him. It could be back to back threes and switching onto a guard and getting a stop, or it could be missed layups and mental lapses on defense.
What we need to find is a Anthony Epps clone in the portal.
 
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HipTer

Senior
Apr 11, 2012
957
641
93
I think you may be all over it. One question, does Reese Potter have enough talent to be that backup big?
I don't want to go into next season with Potter as the backup Center, but as a 3rd string Center I think UK will be lucky to have him. Potter is a true 7-footer who's not rail thin. He was a good high school player. He's been around the game and is not some kid that just started playing because of his height. He has basketball skills, including scoring around the rim (I don't think post-ups however), passing, and is a pretty good 3pt. shooter taking 1-2/game. - much better 3pt. shooter right now than Moreno (who I'm high on overall) may ever be (particularly if Moreno doesn't tweak his shot form). All-in-all, I don't see how one can much complain about Potter as a 3rd string Center who I think will actually be good enough to play when needed.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
44,707
80,484
113
1. Stud point guard who can score from 3 levels, facilitate the offense, and play solid defense

2. Dink Pate (or similar player)

3. Kam Williams

4. Stud power forward who can get to the rim, but shoot it well enough to keep the defense honest

5. Malachi Moreno

6. Back-Up Point guard who can run the offense, make an open 3, and play decent defense

7. Collin Chandler

8. Braydon Hawthorne

9. Andreja Jelavic

10. Strong semi-athletic big who can bang, rebound, block a shot, dunk, and play physical

11. Trent Noah

12. Reece Potter

There’s your team.
1/2/4 have to be legit NBA quality player for that roster to be good.
 
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Loucatfan30

Senior
Apr 11, 2024
796
906
87
If we get 3 back I would think that is better than 8 back but the problem is Pope would be doing the replacing and that might not be ideal
 

theBlues

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2025
1,357
3,035
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The fact of the matter is that everyone on the roster except for Moreno is replaceable. He's the only one with elite potential.
I think Chandler has more top end potential. The things Chandler needs to work on(dribbling, mid-range, layups, strength) are things that will improve with practice and work. Moreno will never be able to jump.
 
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BGCATFAN2012

All-American
Aug 19, 2020
3,765
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You could bring all of these back but 00, they aren't getting us back on top. Lowe got no SEC experience due to injury and Garrison just now came alive in the last few weeks. Mo and Chandler are the only 2 guys that bring skill to the court. Noah couldn't bank one in all year and JJ is to small. We are in trouble as a program and NIL doesn't help it seems.
My guess is Mo and Lowe with maybe Chandler are likely back. Noah is gonna have to go to EKU and JJ will leave for a full role in a easier school.
 
Feb 2, 2026
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The things Chandler needs to work on(dribbling, mid-range, layups, strength) are things that will improve with practice and work.

No biggy. That stuff actually isn't even really important to playing basketball. But he should be able to get those knocked out with a week or two of work......... :rolleyes:

btw Moreno is a jag
 
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theBlues

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2025
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No biggy. That stuff actually isn't even really important to playing basketball. But he should be able to get those knocked out with a week or two of work......... :rolleyes:

btw Moreno is a jag
I guess you could call that a joke but please try to do better, Johnny.
 

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,959
54,338
100
lol I don’t buy this at all. Three?! Nah. Also, who cares if JJ leaves?! He’s terrible.