Is the team set for next season?

[Blue Jesus]

Stokes is the obvious wildcard but if he goes elsewhere I wouldn’t be surprised if we find another wing that takes Kam’s place in the lineup. I like Kam a lot and don’t mind him starting. I’m more concerned about banking on N’Diaye coming in as a day 1 starter, obviously the international guys can be hit or miss.

 

[BBallin23]

Better not be

 

[KYFOSSIL]

Pretty much. The forward we got over the weekend was a surprise and likely pivot. We may get one more bench guard. But I think we have our core pretty much. Should be a 17-20 loss season.

 

[megablue]

It's a start, but I think we definitely need more horses in the barn to be the kind of team everybody is hoping for. I think we need more point production.

 

[xmayor]

We can still have tryouts from the student body. Fight Eagles Fight!

 

[peterpiper09]

Not finished yet
I see 3 more
2 goods, 1 bench

 

[Padsfs07]

What also gets me is this is Louisville's current roster, for the number 1 portal haul the roster is very unimpressive to me. No team looks at that and is afraid.
PG: 6’1 Shelstad/ 6’3 Johnson
SG: 6’5 Montgomery/ 6’4 Woolley
SF: 6’6 Knox
PF: 6’10 Folgueiras
C: 6’9 Bidunga/ 7’5 Dynes

Before anyone says anything I understand we shouldn't compare ourself to Little Brother, but I do find it comical people think PK has done so good yet we "SUCK" in their minds. I'd take our starting 5 over theirs 10/10 times.

I would not at this time.

Shelstad is better than Diallo. Montgomery and Wilkins are even, plus they have Wooley and we have no one backing up the 2. Then Knox is better than Williams and Folgueiras and Bidunga are likely better than Moreno and Ndiaye, and much more proven.

 

[ftp000]

So we need Stokes to commit to hope for results similar to last year. This isn’t acceptable, and I’m sick of all the excuses.

What about all of the prophecy, the uneducated guesses about next season? Are you sick of that?
People are so worked up over things they are predicting. They don't know what's in the works. They don't know how Hawthorne plays, or if the returning players will be improved. But they're as mad as red ants over what they predict.

 

[Rainmaker]

I would not at this time.

Shelstad is better than Diallo. Montgomery and Wilkins are even, plus they have Wooley and we have no one backing up the 2. Then Knox is better than Williams and Folgueiras and Bidunga are likely better than Moreno and Ndiaye, and much more proven.

Agree to disagree. Knox has shown nothing IMO at worst Kam is a push there, Folgueiras was a 6th man on a 13 loss Iowa team with medicore Averages, I'll give you Bidunga but not by much, Diallo=Shelstad at worse IMO as Shelstad is an awful shooter and analytically not any better and Montgomery over Wilkins is a wildly bad take IMO. Not sure anyone would say that. Wilkins is substantially better than Montgomery, the other could be debatable but the fact you claim that is insane to me.

 

[Goingfor9]

No we need two big dogs to complete the roster. The SEC is brutal and we definitely can’t compete against the top ten teams with who we have now. I like the base a lot but we need a superstar scorer who can get a bucket when we need one! We also need a big time shooter who can keep the defense honest and knock down open threes. Would love to add another big rebounder who can hold his on inside as well, but that’s probably a want more than a need if we get the other two.

There are no two studs available. It’s a handful of players now and far more schools chasing them.

 

[ftp000]

I don't want anything that saves this loser's job and keeps us in limbo. If he keeps his job, he has to EARN it with a final four, strong SEC finish, and killer recruiting class.

A final 4 or you're fired. How many coaches would have a job right now? How many coaches would jump into that pressure cooker to coach Kentucky?
Crazy talk

 

[Catphright23]

Lol we still have 4 potential spots. All the fire mark pope people in the same thread. Sounds like the same poster over and over again. To the idiot that said check out or new pf stat line that's against top competition in europe against grown dudes. Not jelavic, big z competition. Still stokes, portal and international dudes. Same people crying and wanted most players gone from last year got it, still crying.

 

[UKCowboys]

Pretty much. The forward we got over the weekend was a surprise and likely pivot. We may get one more bench guard. But I think we have our core pretty much. Should be a 17-20 loss season.

Ill bet you $1000 we don't lose 20 games

 

[The_Catfather]

Missing on Stokes (which I expect at this point) would be a disaster. Then we'd likely pivot to Yessoufou/Momcilovic and have to play the waiting game again for a few more weeks to see if they stay in the draft. And we'd probably be longshots to land either.

It'd be easier to find a solid big in Europe than it would to find a "star" wing. I like Kam but would much rather him be the 6th man. And Ndiaye had pretty good rebounding numbers in the top Italian league but he's still skin and bones. A physical 4 and backup center are a must-haves in addition to a Kam upgrade and bench scorer.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Ill bet you $1000 we don't lose 20 games

I don't bet, but if I did, I still wouldn't bet on that.

 

[Rainmaker]

I would not at this time.

Shelstad is better than Diallo. Montgomery and Wilkins are even, plus they have Wooley and we have no one backing up the 2. Then Knox is better than Williams and Folgueiras and Bidunga are likely better than Moreno and Ndiaye, and much more proven.

For reference
Shelstad: 15.6/2.9/4.9/39.1%/31.4%
Diallo: 15.7/3.9/4.5/48.9%/31.5%

Montgomery: 13.4/4/2.1/49%/33.5%
Wilkins: 17.8/2/4.7/46%/32.8%

Knox: 8.1/4.5/1.2/46%/37.7%
Kam: 6.0/2.1/1/44.9%/35.9%

Folgueiras: 8.4/3.6/2.2/50.0%/33.3%
Ndiaye: 10.0/5.0/.7/53.7%/31.8%

Bidunga: 13.3/9/1.5/64%/0%
Moreno: 7.8/6.3/1.8/58.2%/0%

Posters on here salivate over what PK did in the Portal and crap on UK. When in reality neither lineup is elite, it's just the narrative. Like I said we need a ton more to be where we need to be and I believe we have the resources and ability to get it. I'd love to land Hampton as a reclass and Joksimovic this week.

 

[UKCowboys]

I don't bet, but if I did, I still wouldn't bet on that.

Then why say it? There is no way we lose 20 and you know it

 

[Rainmaker]

Ill bet you $1000 we don't lose 20 games

Count me in on $10,000 we don't lose 17. I've already said I'd make a sizable wager we lose less than we did this past year. 17-20 losses is a ton and we will not lose that many even if we get zero impact players from this point on.

 

[rivercatinfl]

That’s a very weak roster. Probably one of the worst ever assembled since the probation days.

Yep. He'll, we might as well just forfeit all the games now! SMH.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Then why say it? There is no way we lose 20 and you know it

I gave a range. And I said it because there's nothing to lose or gain.

 

[kyhankypanky]

this is top 30-40 type team. if we get stokes it could push us to top 15-25 level and likely save Popes job for at least 1 more year. if he misses on stokes and we lose 13 games and barely make the NCAA tourney I don't see him coming back.

I don’t think even Stokes pushes what we have at this point to top 15-25.

Even if it did, Pope is gone unless we are top 5 type team. No more subpar results given UK standards!

 

[BBNSZN914]

The starting 5 is not set, the rotation is not set.

This NIL era flies in the face of microwave society. Some of you all need to go for a walk.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

If Kam starts, Kentucky will lose 20 games. Kam is awful

Kam isn’t awful. We might lose 20 games but it won’t be because of Kam.

 

[PopesCrewCut]

Everyone in our starting 5 has legit NBA potential this season, last season that wasn't the case.

Ok now I know you're truly full of

 

[PopesCrewCut]

1-2 more. Another 4/5 is almost certain and possibly a 2/3. It really depends on a how a few recruitments go which direction the staff goes. People don't understand we are heavy in the mix with 4 of the top 10 projected picks for 2027 NBA draft. We land 1 of those and we are top 15 and we land 2 and we are top 10. That's not to mention the 5/5 passing or one of Tounde/Milan. It is far from over for our roster next year.

Haven't you given a bunch of "almost certain"the last couple of weeks with almost none of them coming to pass?

 

[ftp000]

I gave a range. And I said it because there's nothing to lose or gain.

The reason for most of the posts here. Appreciate your honesty.

 

[BMR1987]

If that's our roster so be it. I'm not lowering my own personal fair standard just so people can say that we overachieved by getting an average roster into the NCAA Tournament.

My standard for a UK coach by the end of Year 3 in the NIL Era:
- At least 1 Top 4 finish in the SEC Regular Season (fair given conference expansion and how tough the SEC has gotten)
- Make it to the weekend of the SEC Tournament at least once (a Top 4 seed should do that)
- Make it to the Elite 8 at least once (shows we're competitive nationally)

Since he hasn't done any of those yet, that's what I expect from Pope in Year 3. Some would say my standard is too fair but IMO money has changed a lot of things in ways we haven't accepted yet, but not so much that UK shouldn't at least be competitive nationally and in our own conference with the right coach given our passion for basketball. And for those who say Final Four or Bust, no, trust me, for the image of the fan base you're better off going all over social media and letting it be known that my standard is what we're expecting this season, because you know what I know (and it makes us look more attractive and reasonable to prospective coaches after this coming season "just in case").

 

[ftp000]

Haven't you given a bunch of "almost certain"the last couple of weeks with almost none of them coming to pass?

Ahh, so this is your new handle. Noted.

 

[Resignmarkpope]

Kam isn’t awful. We might lose 20 games but it won’t be because of Kam.

Then he’s below average. Kam is lazy. All he can do sometimes is hit a 3.

 

[Anon668007]

What also gets me is this is Louisville's current roster, for the number 1 portal haul the roster is very unimpressive to me. No team looks at that and is afraid.
PG: 6’1 Shelstad/ 6’3 Johnson
SG: 6’5 Montgomery/ 6’4 Woolley
SF: 6’6 Knox
PF: 6’10 Folgueiras
C: 6’9 Bidunga/ 7’5 Dynes

Before anyone says anything I understand we shouldn't compare ourself to Little Brother, but I do find it comical people think PK has done so good yet we "SUCK" in their minds. I'd take our starting 5 over theirs 10/10 times.

Absolutely no shooting in that starting lineup

 

[ChocoChicken]

A final 4 or you're fired. How many coaches would have a job right now? How many coaches would jump into that pressure cooker to coach Kentucky?
Crazy talk

Maybe if CMP did a better job than two straight 10+ loss, middle to lower end of the SEC type seasons he wouldn’t have to have such high expectations going into next year. He made the job hard on himself.

Kentucky fans are willing to be patient for coaches who show potential. CMP isn’t doing that. No one wants to see him get a 4th season while losing 10+ games again.

 

[PopesCrewCut]

What also gets me is this is Louisville's current roster, for the number 1 portal haul the roster is very unimpressive to me. No team looks at that and is afraid.
PG: 6’1 Shelstad/ 6’3 Johnson
SG: 6’5 Montgomery/ 6’4 Woolley
SF: 6’6 Knox
PF: 6’10 Folgueiras
C: 6’9 Bidunga/ 7’5 Dynes

Before anyone says anything I understand we shouldn't compare ourself to Little Brother, but I do find it comical people think PK has done so good yet we "SUCK" in their minds. I'd take our starting 5 over theirs 10/10 times.

You really need to let Pat Kelsey know this. Speaking of "wad shooting" didn't you say they shot theirs on 2 guys? For the life of me I'll never know why anyone puts any stock in anything you say. It's all pure conjecture said in a way that makes it look like you have inside scoop. And some of these dopes are so desperate for good news that they hinge on your every guess.

Count me in on $10,000 we don't lose 17. I've already said I'd make a sizable wager we lose less than we did this past year. 17-20 losses is a ton and we will not lose that many even if we get zero impact players from this point on.

well that's the kids of death for this team. Whatever you "guess" one would be wise to bet the opposite

 

[ChocoChicken]

Ill bet you $1000 we don't lose 20 games

I’d assume 12-14 losses next year. He’s pretty consistent in winning games he shouldn’t while losing games be should.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

Then why say it? There is no way we lose 20 and you know it

We just lost 14 games this past season and a lot people are right and a lot of people are wrong. No one knows who else will be added if anyone will get added but I mean we were only 6 games from losing 20 this past season. So is it really far fetched to think if this is close to the lineup he runs out on the floor that we won't get close to losing 20 games if no one else of substance is added?

 

[anon1777473514]

We just lost 14 games this past season and a lot people are right and a lot of people are wrong. No one knows who will be added if anyone will get added but I mean we were only 6 games from losing 20 this past season. So is it really far fetched to think if this is close to the lineup he runs out on the floor that we won't get close to losing 20 games if no one else of substance is added?

Yes it’s farfetched. That’s why no one is gonna put money down on it. It’s a bad take.

 

[ftp000]

Maybe if CMP did a better job than two straight 10+ loss, middle to lower end of the SEC type seasons he wouldn’t have to have such high expectations going into next year. He made the job hard on himself.

Kentucky fans are willing to be patient for coaches who show potential. CMP isn’t doing that. No one wants to see him get a 4th season while losing 10+ games again.

Not losing 10+ games is a totally different expectation than a Final Four.
Nobody knows what the future admin will do. But I'll bet they don't fire him if we get to the Elite 8.
I don't want anymore 10+loss seasons either. Nobody here wants to accept it, but a prospective future coach will consider how the injuries weighed into our win/loss columns, and how the coach was treated.

 

[Padsfs07]

For reference
Shelstad: 15.6/2.9/4.9/39.1%/31.4%
Diallo: 15.7/3.9/4.5/48.9%/31.5%

Montgomery: 13.4/4/2.1/49%/33.5%
Wilkins: 17.8/2/4.7/46%/32.8%

Knox: 8.1/4.5/1.2/46%/37.7%
Kam: 6.0/2.1/1/44.9%/35.9%

Folgueiras: 8.4/3.6/2.2/50.0%/33.3%
Ndiaye: 10.0/5.0/.7/53.7%/31.8%

Bidunga: 13.3/9/1.5/64%/0%
Moreno: 7.8/6.3/1.8/58.2%/0%

Posters on here salivate over what PK did in the Portal and crap on UK. When in reality neither lineup is elite, it's just the narrative. Like I said we need a ton more to be where we need to be and I believe we have the resources and ability to get it. I'd love to land Hampton as a reclass and Joksimovic this week.

I’m not salivating, I just think they are better at this time. Hopefully, we are not finished as I believe they are with their main roster pieces.

Wilkins vs Montgomery - I tend to hold players from better conferences higher. Montgomery was in the A-10 (8th best out of 31 conferences) while Wilkins was in the Southern (20th best out of 31). Plus, they have Wooley, which is why I said they are even with us at the 2G position. I just don't know what to expect from Wilkins. Reeves dropped from 20 PPG at Illinois St to 14 at UK in his first year and he came from the MVC (around 9-10th).

Also, I have no idea what we are getting from Ndiaye. Williams and Hawthorne are rather unknown too, while Knox is a known player. I would say UL has a much higher floor right now. Shelstad, Bidunga, and Knox were all highly ranked HS players too so they may have some upside left.

Nationally, UL is mostly getting top 15 rankings and we aren't listed either so it's not like I'm an idiot for saying this.

 

[Midway Cat]

At what point are many of you going to learn to be patient and wait for everything to play out?

I honestly worry about how some of you function in everyday life.

 

[Drogon]

At what point are many of you going to learn to be patient and wait for everything to play out?

I honestly worry about how some of you function in everyday life.

Durable helmets.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

We sure af better hope not.

That is one mediocre *** lineup.