Possible Moreno replacement
- Thread starter AllBall
- Start date
God another "hidden gem", "oozing potential", "top 10 pick 2027".
No thanks, let's just not lose Moreno. Hell if Moreno wants to get away from Pope, ******* fire Pope, give Moreno his salary, and let him coach the damn team for all I care.
No thanks, let's just not lose Moreno. Hell if Moreno wants to get away from Pope, ******* fire Pope, give Moreno his salary, and let him coach the damn team for all I care.
I do not want to "Go Fish" either, pay Moreno top dollar and get him back. I still think 5-6 mil is there for a shooter. I’d be good with Victoryous Miller if Momo stays in league.
Do we really think Moreno will turn into Shaq next season?
I think we definitely in trouble if he doesn't come back, but we probably in trouble if he does come back.
Look at any options IMO.
I think we definitely in trouble if he doesn't come back, but we probably in trouble if he does come back.
Look at any options IMO.
Hey everyone, in a surprise move, 20M wants to fire Pope! For every problem plaguing mankind, he will make the argument that firing Pope is the answer..
It ain't happening dude. Quit being a predictable bore.
Yep, I will be on this crusade until he either does something to shut me up or (signing an actual good player would be a start), or until he is canned.
him and his 8 other accounts, ugh.
Sorry. Not seeing a “replacement” out there that we could legitimately get at this point.
Idk why but this made me audibly laugh
Gleb is a beautiful name sent from the heavens for your little angel. This unique Russian name is rooted in the Old Norse name GuðlæifR, which is derived from guð, meaning "god," and leif meaning "inheritance" or "legacy." This masculine name belonged to an 11th-century saint who was a member of a prestigious family. With this one-of-a-kind an noble name, your little one is sure to be destined for greatness.
Perfect for Pope then.
No, I think he could be the best center in the 2026 SEC though. I even think a 2nd or 3rd All SEC Moreno with some others playing really well can make us competitive in the SEC race.
Shaquille Hyperbole O’Neal isn’t ducking through that door.
Catphright why you gotta hate bro. I've said multiple times that your staunch and consistent defense of Pope is admirable.
For your record, I have two additional acts that were used to post 1 post each when I was banned. AWhiffOfPoop and BanhMi. Both are probably banned now. You give me way too much credit with the 8 accts.
For your record, I have two additional acts that were used to post 1 post each when I was banned. AWhiffOfPoop and BanhMi. Both are probably banned now. You give me way too much credit with the 8 accts.
Moreno is a good player. I find it just mind boggling that some of our fans, who overrate the **** out of terrible players, dog on Moreno, who is actually good.
Ugh.
100. He works on his hands, and his footwork alone he is going to make a leap. Game will slow down, he’ll be one year stronger. He has already made a huge jump his jr. To sr yr., and totally over performed last year. I don’t know what people see when referring him to with doubt or a non-plussed attitude at the thought of him leaving.
He’s gonna blow up at some point, NBA teams are seeing it.
Even before learning the glorious lore behind this name, I thought to myself that if any one name could perfectly encapsulate the essence of Mark Pope’s recruiting aura, it’s freaking GLEB!
I hope you are correct because I think he will make a big impact next season.
Did Uk ever had a rusky player? Maybe MP can break another record.
i mean Cal tried turkey, cangaroo and wood choppers and even Croatians so why not let’s go rusky?
i mean Cal tried turkey, cangaroo and wood choppers and even Croatians so why not let’s go rusky?
Bad move in his port to accept that. His 2nd contract is where the big money is and your delaying that big money a year and removing him from big contract money an extra year of his career. College fans are short sighted.
Edit: That sounded snippy towards the other poster. It wasn’t meant to be. Just didn’t have long to type when I said that, apologies.
Last edited:
I do not believe that KY has ever had a Russian-born player on the roster. Accordingly, Gleb Firsov would be the first, if he were to commit to us.
Well, theres a trade off- you take the 4, earn a top 10 pick that starts at 5 and options 4th over 6, and developmentally there is advantages. I remember the Cal years where the nba second contract was the big selling point- but if you dont develop you flame out and never get there. So there are risks both ways.
Yup and the other thing is, MP has a hella confusing offense. Uber-cerebral Brit Amari was able to pick that up on the fly in his fifth year of college ball but most guys are not going to be able to learn to run point center in that system in a single year, not well enough for it to be an advantage. Moreno did look good most of the time running Zoom action about seven times all season last year, which was about all we dared to try. Moreno is young but is at least a little ahead of the pack anyway in terms of what he's got upstairs. Now that he's got a whole year of practicing it under his belt we might actually be able to run Zoom all year if the other guys can learn their easier roles in it. We lose him and it's back to Square One.
That's my thinking. Obviously you want Moreno back. He's solid. Not a game changer at all. Even if he's back I still like the Washington guy starting over him. UK needs some meaness on the court to even out Popes passiveness.
It ain't happening but it would have been the right move to fire Pope months ago.
So a coach goes s16 then round of 32. Both seasons plagued with injuries. Now, put yourself in the mindset of a top coach when Kentucky comes calling after firing that coach after 2 years.
Be honest. Not dilusional or entitled.
You usually get one bite at the apple. If you can't hold down your spot and produce during the first contract, you don't get a second. They'll trade you, or you'll get bounced to the Euro league if not stashed on a two way contract.
He ought to come back and put up improved numbers against a tough SEC schedule. He may be able to break into the late lottery with a strong season and better measurables at the next combine. You can't teach size, but you can get stronger and more skilled at the fundamentals of the game.
You don't see the recruiting struggle and trajectory? I don't think Billy Donovan or any other coach would be afraid of having to do better than what Pope is doing. I'm pretty sure they would understand that not whiffing on every single high profile prospect. Literally every single one. Some might count Moreno but I don't because he was coming to UK no matter what more than likely IMO.
It's not just about looking at where he made it in the tournament. Even then, getting smacked by Tennessee isn't impressive to me. I'm fairly young and I feel like the standard is higher than that. It's getting smacked every other game by 20 for me. That's my biggest issue with Pope.. yea coaches have bad losses every year. Not every other game. He's going the wrong direction.
But who knows maybe he pulls a miracle this year and kicks butt? How long do we let injuries be an excuse for our program? That's weak mentality. Didn't Duke lose their starting point guard and still make some noise? Can't remember correctly but other programs have players than can come off the bench and pick up the slack. We shouldn't give a whole mediocre season a pass just because we don't have a compitent roster when a couple players go down.
Recruit better and injuries aren't make or break. I hope he does good tho. I hope he makes any doubter eat crow. Seriously. The signs aren't looking good for Pope. But he has a chance to redeem himself.
Last edited:
Moreno loves Pope dude. You're just making **** up now dude
Personally, I would like to bring Moreno back...and bring this kid in. The SEC is big boy basketball. You can never havr too many quality bigs
Donovan is an outlier. He might take the job to get back into college basketball. He might turn us down, for the umpteenth time.
But D1 college coaches having success where they are? I don't think so.
Donovan is in no rush to do anything - I know Malone just took the UNC job, but I'd have to think an NBA coach would make staying in the NBA their priority.
If they are having success you think they would be intimidated by a fanbase demanding success? I'm asking because I didn't really understand your response