ROB STOKES FREEMAN Monday news

notFromhere

Heisman
Sep 7, 2016
22,796
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I’ve said some bad things about Pope. I had hoped I was wrong and I’m still hoping we get some good players … which COULD still happen. But it really looks like he’s a huge flop. Seeing UK fail at landing any recruits is sooooo bizarre. He has to be a complete moron. I can’t believe where we stand. What could be doing to screw up every single recruit ?

Yall are assuming we had a chance with the ones we don't get. How long have you been paying attention to recruiting?

We missed out on numerous prospects over the years. Cal didn't get all of the guys that were "priorities" for us. Not even close. No coach got everybody they wanted.
 

cornbreadnmilk

All-American
Nov 5, 2025
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Yall are assuming we had a chance with the ones we don't get. How long have you been paying attention to recruiting?

We missed out on numerous prospects over the years. Cal didn't get all of the guys that were "priorities" for us. Not even close. No coach got everybody they wanted.
True but it might help if Pope could actually get ONE of his top targets.
 
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D1JA

Junior
May 11, 2007
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I don't think Moreno will be - or likely should be - a back up next season at UK given the available Centers. As to the these top ten teams you're referring to, I guess you're saying they don't need a Center. But, out of curiosity, who are the Centers on these top ten teams?
Try this, name this years Elite 8 team that would've rather had Moreno as a starter. He will most likely be UK's starting center because of a lack in high school recruiting and nil pick-ups (so far).
 
Oct 9, 2015
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You also said we would have one for commit today and maybe more.
My guess on this, kids agent is back channeling offer details to BYU to either get a higher offer for them, or a higher offer from UK (both). This is just my guess. I would say Mark is probably a pretty ripe target for this, and it’s probably knows and used from all. My “guess” is that me probably wants to be here, just trying to get an extra half mil.
 

HipTer

Senior
Apr 11, 2012
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Try this, name this years Elite 8 team that would've rather had Moreno as a starter. He will most likely be UK's starting center because of a lack in high school recruiting and nil pick-ups (so far).
You said not many top ten teams would trade their starting center for Moreno. Here are the Top Ten teams according to the CBS Way-too-early 2026-27 Top 25:

1. Michigan is apparently losing Mara to the draft. Nobody that looks like they would play Center in front of Moreno on the roster.
2. Florida does have Reuben Chinyelu and, regardless of where anyone would rank him, I agree that FL would not likely trade him for any other college Center.
3. Illinois has the Ivisic brothers. If Tomislav Ivisic isn’t entering the draft, I assume they would not want to trade him?
4. Michigan St. I don’t see any Center there.
5. Duke is losing its Center to the draft.
6. Arkansas has what – Ewin? They don’t seem satisfied with that as they’re reportedly scouring the Portal for any Center they can find.
7. UConn lost its anticipated Center for next season, Reibe (who I believe they would have quickly traded for Moreno)
8. Arizona might get Motiejus Krivas back, and if so, like FL, I don’t think they would trade him for any other college Center.
9. Gonzaga doesn’t have anyone I can see.
10. Iowa St. doesn’t have anybody that I can see.

My guess is that everyone of the Top Ten other than FL and maybe AZ & IL (if they get their Centers back) would probably have made Moreno their top priority at Center had he entered the Portal. Freshmen Centers don’t often perform as well as Moreno did last season, and I believe that coaches both understand and would be willing to chase the upside. I’m on record for wanting UK to pick up Najai Hines, also a freshman last season but he didn't perform as well as Moreno and I don't think he would dislodge Moreno from the starting spot. I think anyone would struggle to argue any freshman Center was better than Moreno last season doing all the things you need a Center to do. Last season is over, and the issue now is the best Center a team can get for next season. UK has a ton of spots they desperately need to fill - Center isn't one of them, and the staff needs to focus where the issues truly are.
 
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UKJenning

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2022
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I've actually claimed time and time again I am not an insider. I post things I hear on here from time to time because that's what message boards are for. Insiders don't exist they are all retelling what they've heard and then once its basically official they race to be the first to report it. I'm not interested in that at all, simply here to talk Kentucky sports with fellow BBN fans.
When someone says they are NOT an insider, believe it.

This poster is always throwing 💩 at the wall. lol!
 
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exo6desmo

Senior
Mar 25, 2026
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He probably is. But the fact remains if we lose Wright, Stokes just left town without committing. So did Diallo. You have to lock these guys up when they’re here. We may have an OVC level roster if things don’t change in a hurry. If that’s the case there is zero reason to continue with Pope.
Was I a troll? Nope. I broke this story before anyone. Even the "insiders" And that Rainmaker guy is looking like a chump.
 

wildcatdon

Heisman
Oct 17, 2012
10,499
13,409
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If Pope loses Wright to Louisville while he’s on campus as the favorite with the best offer, after they have spent a large ch chunk of their budget and just landed a PG he deserves to be fired on the spot.

That’s a late stage Tubby lineup if I have ever seen one.
I read that it was a made up account and basically fake news. Hope so.
 
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TTTblue24

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2004
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Probably end up with the Wilkins kid running point next year is what this means, maybe he & diallo is our back court.