Freeman to St Johns

Monday Nitro

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
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It is funny seeing all the folks throw losing Rancik to FSU in Pope's face when 95% of this board was dogging the dude when his visit was announced. Me included. I thought he was a good backup piece but not starting material at UK. Maybe I was wrong but that was my first take as well as alot of others.
The goalposts are portable for the legendary LOD.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,810
71,336
113
It is funny seeing all the folks throw losing Rancik to FSU in Pope's face when 95% of this board was dogging the dude when his visit was announced. Me included. I thought he was a good backup piece but not starting material at UK. Maybe I was wrong but that was my first take as well as alot of others.
Yeah, I'm confused at the comments about missing on Rancik.
I think dudes just need to let their anger out and they have gotten used to blaming Pope for anything that can think of.
 

ChocoChicken

Senior
Apr 6, 2026
294
819
93
Yeah, I'm confused at the comments about missing on Rancik.
I think dudes just need to let their anger out and they have gotten used to blaming Pope for anything that can think of.
What do you expect? The rest of the SEC and even our in-state rival is stocking up for next season while we’re running around like a headless chicken.

This is year 3. Why the heck isn’t CMP getting this right? How much longer does he need to become an elite coach and return Kentucky back to prominence? How much longer does fans have to be patient? Isn’t this incredibly frustrating?
 
Jul 30, 2024
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Yeah, I'm confused at the comments about missing on Rancik.
I think dudes just need to let their anger out and they have gotten used to blaming Pope for anything that can think of.
Some of us may be moving goalposts but I’ve always been Rancik 100% and I have the right to be upset we gave up a better system fit. I’m a 100% Pope guy but it was a bad decision not to take the guy who was a better system fit, wanted to be here and doesn’t have the injury history. I’m not dooming though — we don’t know who could still enter the portal. But yes, I think it’s a legit whiff.
 

TyCatPrice14

Sophomore
Jul 4, 2007
63
125
33
Some of us may be moving goalposts but I’ve always been Rancik 100% and I have the right to be upset we gave up a better system fit. I’m a 100% Pope guy but it was a bad decision not to take the guy who was a better system fit, wanted to be here and doesn’t have the injury history. I’m not dooming though — we don’t know who could still enter the portal. But yes, I think it’s a legit whiff.
All of that is fine, if he is the backup. If Freeman goes somewhere else, there might be an arguement about who to put at the 4, but for now, that shouldnt be Rancik as a starter.
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,810
71,336
113
What do you expect? The rest of the SEC and even our in-state rival is stocking up for next season while we’re running around like a headless chicken.

This is year 3. Why the heck isn’t CMP getting this right? How much longer does he need to become an elite coach and return Kentucky back to prominence? How much longer does fans have to be patient? Isn’t this incredibly frustrating?
And you think the answer is Rancik? It sounds like you think he is, otherwise, you wouldn't be disagreeing with me.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,810
71,336
113
Some of us may be moving goalposts but I’ve always been Rancik 100% and I have the right to be upset we gave up a better system fit. I’m a 100% Pope guy but it was a bad decision not to take the guy who was a better system fit, wanted to be here and doesn’t have the injury history. I’m not dooming though — we don’t know who could still enter the portal. But yes, I think it’s a legit whiff.
That's fine, but he's a backup at best. He's the 100th ranked player in the portal.
He doesn't look like the answer to me. If he was our starting 4, I wouldn't even watch any games we play against Alabama.
But still, the kid obviously wanted more money and he wanted to he a starter, that shouldn't be a consideration here.
 
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CATALCOHOLIC

Junior
Apr 13, 2018
198
331
52
Here is what I don't get.....

How is St Johns able to outbid UK?

1. I get UK has football as well as basketball to share NIL......but SEC payout is huge compared to BIg East payout per school.

-SEC is around $72m per school
- Big East is around $7M per school.
- ACC schools is around $45M per school


How are we being out bid in any universe by Big East....even ACC schools

2. Football team feels like they're recruiting isn't a problem....

So, none of this makes sense
Pitino has a billionaire in his pocket and told Pitino he would pay whoever p wants.
 
Apr 18, 2026
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This takes me back to the Tubby days. Hand wringing over Donnie frickin Freeman. Pull the offer. If Pope thinks UK is such a historic program, and it is, start acting like it. Go make Graves or Murauskus or Muurinen an offer they can’t refuse. Get this stuff done and stop playing patty cake with mid players.
He better I posted above SLIM picking now and the portal for entry closes in less than 6 hours
 
Jul 30, 2024
6,231
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That's fine, but he's a backup at best. He's the 100th ranked player in the portal.
He doesn't look like the answer to me. If he was our starting 4, I wouldn't even watch any games we play against Alabama.
But still, the kid obviously wanted more money and he wanted to he a starter, that shouldn't be a consideration here.
You’re speaking as if it’s known that we are going to get someone vastly better than 100th. We will see about it
 

UKgrad22

Junior
Apr 9, 2026
154
357
63
So a his recruitment has gone: dad wanted UConn, agent wanted him to get more money, blew the UConn destination opportunity. Visits UK, apparently verbally commits to UK after cancelling his Alabama visit. Agent doesn’t want him at UK, creates apparent bidding war with us and St. John’s…and we could’ve had Rancik but moved on for this…
 

Primed49

Redshirt
Jul 12, 2025
12
7
3
All of that is fine, if he is the backup. If Freeman goes somewhere else, there might be an arguement about who to put at the 4, but for now, that shouldnt be Rancik as a starter.
He averaged 12 and 6 as a sophomore, has the potential for a breakout season. Players like him don't go anywhere to come off the bench.
 
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gracetoyou

Heisman
Apr 19, 2009
19,743
28,485
113
We now have in one off season let me get this straight:

Wright 100% UK just 2 days later back to BYU
Freeman 100% UK just a few days later ST John's

Pope needs his *** fired now no need in giving him a 3rd season it's really just a waste for all involved!

Wright was 100% NEVER coming to UK. His family & circle wanted him to, he never wanted to but his agent used the interest to get him more BYU money. Worked to a tee!!
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,810
71,336
113
We now have in one off season let me get this straight:

Wright 100% UK just 2 days later back to BYU
Freeman 100% UK just a few days later ST John's

Pope needs his *** fired now no need in giving him a 3rd season it's really just a waste for all involved!
Right, but who are these people saying those guys were 100% to UK?

Anyone that said Rob Wright was 100% to UK, was a liar. That kid was only leaving BYU if someone paid him too much money to stay. Pope did the right thing by not overpaying.
 

TouchdownKy

Redshirt
Apr 26, 2011
53
43
18
If we had signed Ranick we would still need a bigger, stronger 4.
With Kam and Hawthorne on the roster I am not sure he was a good fit. Furthermore, he only shot r0 percent from field.
I like the play for Freeman, but I think we are wise to move on and take our chances with some of the other mentioned options in this thread.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,810
71,336
113
You’re speaking as if it’s known that we are going to get someone vastly better than 100th. We will see about it
Well, nobody knows anything, but you can't pay starter money for Rancik knowing you need someone better.
Surely there's a better PF out there than Rancik and honestly, even though Freeman is injury prone, I understand why Pope went all in on him.
 

TyCatPrice14

Sophomore
Jul 4, 2007
63
125
33
He averaged 12 and 6 as a sophomore, has the potential for a breakout season. Players like him don't go anywhere to come off the bench.
Good for him, he can go to FSU and prove himself. UK shouldn’t be gambling their starting PF position on someone who “might” have a breakout season. UK should be getting proven players from day 1 as their starters.
 
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Loucatfan30

All-Conference
Apr 11, 2024
906
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I couldn't care less if Freeman comes here or not. There are guys out there, Stokes, Momcilovic, Graves, Muurinen that could be huge moves and he has the funds available to go get two of them and still find solid depth guys like McBride. Bottom line is he better pull out every stop he knows because he is up **** creek unless he adds a couple of Dudes to this roster
Haha....you still hoping. Precious.
 

Loucatfan30

All-Conference
Apr 11, 2024
906
1,104
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Some of us may be moving goalposts but I’ve always been Rancik 100% and I have the right to be upset we gave up a better system fit. I’m a 100% Pope guy but it was a bad decision not to take the guy who was a better system fit, wanted to be here and doesn’t have the injury history. I’m not dooming though — we don’t know who could still enter the portal. But yes, I think it’s a legit whiff.
Got to be hard to admit you are a 100% Pope guy at this point. Luckily you don't have to show your real name on this board.