Rank Pope's 3rd Year Recruting Class

[MdWIldcat55]

Good to Great portal class. Lowest rated incoming freshman class in modern history. So I guess a C?

For today's game, that's like getting an A in quantum physics and an F in flower arrangement. I don't think adding and dividing by two tells you much.

Last year's highest ranked freshman (Darryn Peterson) lost in the round of 32. The highest ranked portal transfer (Yaxel Lendeborg) won a national championship.

As I first posted here in April, I'd rather have Momcilovic any day than Stokes -- or anyone else available.

Getting the best player has to make the grade an A, just for recruiting.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

I see Williams being our backup to our backup pg. Only seeing mop up minutes; which makes me wonder why you feel this team changes at all with him taking a leap or not.

Kam Williams

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

For today's game, that's like getting an A in quantum physics and an F in flower arrangement. I don't think adding and dividing by two tells you much.

Last year's highest ranked freshman (Darryn Peterson) lost in the round of 32. The highest ranked portal transfer (Yaxel Lendeborg) won a national championship.

As I first posted here in April, I'd rather have Momcilovic any day than Stokes -- or anyone else available.

Getting the best player has to make the grade an A, just for recruiting.

the cherry on top would be if Stokes turned into another Peterson situation ...

 

[CELTICAT]

For today's game, that's like getting an A in quantum physics and an F in flower arrangement. I don't think adding and dividing by two tells you much.

Last year's highest ranked freshman (Darryn Peterson) lost in the round of 32. The highest ranked portal transfer (Yaxel Lendeborg) won a national championship.

As I first posted here in April, I'd rather have Momcilovic any day than Stokes -- or anyone else available.

Getting the best player has to make the grade an A, just for recruiting.

and how’d the freshmen on Arizona, UConn, and Illinois turn out?

Any conference champions or final fours to speak of amongst that group?

I realize Michigan had a portal starting five but outside of them the elite programs aren’t just doing one way or another at the moment. Momcillovic and Stokes wasn’t a one or the other situation. We could have had both.

 

[CELTICAT]

I was looking at Arky’s team today remembering what each year felt like with Cal. I would have been thrilled and shocked that Richardson returned (NIL should help Cal that way) but I see little interior power and a lot of very young players with high ceilings. I think his backcourt will be a strength but I think it a drop from last year. I think Richardson is a strength but doubt he is a star that carries a team (I also think he may prove to be that). I believe his defense may be improved over last year, but if I am a fan, I don’t know if our young talent is ready and I am not sure Cal has a lottery pick in the bunch for 2027. Would I want the young talented team or the mix UK has? I think I prefer UK but admit that top 25 lists do not agree.

Edit: forgot about Jordan Smith. Maybe his backcourt is as good as last year.

I’m going to assume you meant Richmond though I wouldn’t put it past Cal to throw Nolan Richardson out there.

Cal really struggled landing elite small forwards after MKG left. Now it appears he can’t land bigs. Agree with you they appear to be a donut team.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

It's the #2 class, how can it be anything less than an A

Who’s the 5 star being referenced for UK there?

 

[The Ganner]

Easily an A. You have to include Moreno. Half the board said if he left it would be because he didn't like playing for Pope, you cant have it both ways.

Moreno is not a recruit, and you're one of those on this board WAY too hung up on making everything about your feuds with other posters.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Who’s the 5 star being referenced for UK there?

Milan is a 5 star transfer portal ranked player. This is only transfer portal rankings and doesn't include High School recruits.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

Milan is a 5 star transfer portal ranked player. This is only transfer portal rankings and doesn't include High School recruits.

Gotcha. I see now. I guess the dude from WF isn’t considered one for UT. I would have thought so with some of the things I’ve read.

 

[UKCowboys]

Moreno is not a recruit, and you're one of those on this board WAY too hung up on making everything about your feuds with other posters.

And yet you start off our first interaction with an insult. Thats how you get a quick **** off

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Gotcha. I see now. I guess the dude from WF isn’t considered one for UT. I would have thought so with some of the things I’ve read.

Yeah, the portal rankings are sometimes weird (in that they give out different numbers of 5 stars total each year). This year they only gave out 5 (on 24/7) needing a rating of 98.0 to achieve a fifth star. Bidunga, Momcilovic, Blackwell, Yessoufou, and Diop. Juke Harris (from Wake Forest) finished as a high 4 star (97.0) and #7 ranked player in the portal.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Moreno is not a recruit, and you're one of those on this board WAY too hung up on making everything about your feuds with other posters.

I see your point but he kinda is though. In the transfer portal-dominated era, every coach basically has to re-recruit his team all over again.
I still think Pope could've done better (for example CC would fit perfectly on this team) but bringing back Moreno is massive.
Pope got a guy with 1st-round NBA interest to return for another year. That's something Cal failed to do year after year. Hell he probably would've pushed Malachi away.

 

[L.O.D.]

At best a C. Only real get was Milan and hes solely a shooter. His 1st class at UK was better so was his 2nd. Can't undwtertsnd the excitement over this class aside from getting a Brea like shooter.

 

[The Ganner]

And yet you start off our first interaction with an insult. Thats how you get a quick **** off

That was not an insult, and you prove yourself to be one of those insufferable freaks (THAT was an insult) with that ridiculous response.

 

[UKCowboys]

That was not an insult, and you prove yourself to be one of those insufferable freaks (THAT was an insult) with that ridiculous response.

So you are just looking to start some stuff...dry those tears little Cardinal, mommy will make you some Mac n Cheese and Mark might call off the dogs when we play your tards

 

[The Ganner]

So you are just looking to start some stuff...dry those tears little Cardinal, mommy will make you some Mac n Cheese and Mark might call off the dogs when we play your tards

lol, you're truly pathetic

 

[UKCowboys]

lol, you're truly pathetic

Troll

 

[Farsight Clone]

I don't want to be mean, but this is so stupid.

I think it's an A, I can understand an argument for a B

Anything less than a B is insanity

I don't want to be mean. But your opinion is not fact. And the fact that you can't explain why it's an A shows how dumb you are.

 

[TheResistance]

 

[BigBluefoot]

For me, It was a D recruiting class. Getting Milan is a huge get. I think he's a player who is perfect for Pope's system. Now I believe he's at a C for getting him.

Same. Prior to Milo, I believe this was Pope's worst class in his tenure here. Milo bumps them to a C. I hope they are a lot better than they appear. I think we will miss Oweh in a big way and I'm not sure if we have someone who can replace his ability to attack the rim and get the consistent tough physical points.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Same. Prior to Milo, I believe this was Pope's worst class in his tenure here. Milo bumps them to a C. I hope they are a lot better than they appear. I think we will miss Oweh in a big way and I'm not sure if we have someone who can replace his ability to attack the rim and get the consistent tough physical points.

we absolutely do not.

 

[Blue till I die]

I don't want to be mean. But your opinion is not fact. And the fact that you can't explain why it's an A shows how dumb you are.

I am not going to waste my time explaining the obvious.

if you give anything less than a B, this is objectively demonstrating you are a pessimist or don't understand basketball recruiting.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

Same. Prior to Milo, I believe this was Pope's worst class in his tenure here. Milo bumps them to a C. I hope they are a lot better than they appear. I think we will miss Oweh in a big way and I'm not sure if we have someone who can replace his ability to attack the rim and get the consistent tough physical points.

Zoom at least looks the part. We’ll see.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I hope they are a lot better than they appear.

Maybe it’s more correct to say you hope they are a lot better than you perceive them to be. It’s possible you’re just wrong. Let’s hope.

 

[KyKevin]

For today's game, that's like getting an A in quantum physics and an F in flower arrangement. I don't think adding and dividing by two tells you much.

Last year's highest ranked freshman (Darryn Peterson) lost in the round of 32. The highest ranked portal transfer (Yaxel Lendeborg) won a national championship.

As I first posted here in April, I'd rather have Momcilovic any day than Stokes -- or anyone else available.

Getting the best player has to make the grade an A, just for recruiting.

Can't wait to play Kansas

 

[JASUN74]

Since we got Milan I think we are done with our recruiting class for his 3rd year. I'd be surprised if anyone else comes.

Consider the whole roster, including incoming and returnees.

Did the Milan commit increase his grade? Or kept the same for you? Let me know.

View attachment 1310725

I would’ve loved to had a true point guard. A pass first, loves assists kinda guy. Overall good group though. In today’s game Zoom/Wilkins may be exactly what this group of dudes need.

 

[howitis_rivals115807]

Not sure why anyone would call this an A. an A should make you top 5 in the nation. we are around 20th. C at best.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

you're one of those on this board WAY too hung up on making everything about your feuds with other posters.

Rational exchange and debate are one thing.

The bickering, name-calling and cliques are another.

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

Soild B.

Wilkins is a stud.
Zoom is an upgrade.
Milan is a sniper of course.

The rest honestly Im not sold on yet. Hopefully McBride, Morton, Kepnang, and N'Diyae are amazing at best or serviceable at least.

For HS recruiting. Hot garbage.

Retaining proven studs despite the NBA allure with Moreno and Noah is huge.

Hope Kam and Hawthorne have breakout years.

 

[Snarks]

For me, It was a D recruiting class. Getting Milan is a huge get. I think he's a player who is perfect for Pope's system. Now I believe he's at a C for getting him.

Same. C.

There is a lot of let’s hope this guy takes the next step with this class. It has potential to be good, also has potential to be just as bad a last year. Think people underestimate the loss of Otega.

 

[HamElliot]

I was looking at Arky’s team today remembering what each year felt like with Cal. I would have been thrilled and shocked that Richardson returned (NIL should help Cal that way) but I see little interior power and a lot of very young players with high ceilings. I think his backcourt will be a strength but I think it a drop from last year. I think Richardson is a strength but doubt he is a star that carries a team (I also think he may prove to be that). I believe his defense may be improved over last year, but if I am a fan, I don’t know if our young talent is ready and I am not sure Cal has a lottery pick in the bunch for 2027. Would I want the young talented team or the mix UK has? I think I prefer UK but admit that top 25 lists do not agree.

Edit: forgot about Jordan Smith. Maybe his backcourt is as good as last year.

Richardson? Is Nolan playing for the hogs next year?

 

[Farsight Clone]

I am not going to waste my time explaining the obvious.

if you give anything less than a B, this is objectively demonstrating you are a pessimist or don't understand basketball recruiting.

The mere fact that you have to insult instead of proving your basketball knowledge proves my initial point. You can't waste your own time because you don't know how to comprehend what you're talking about.

When the argument is lost, insults become the losers tool.

 

[Blue till I die]

The mere fact that you have to insult instead of proving your basketball knowledge proves my initial point. You can't waste your own time because you don't know how to comprehend what you're talking about.

When the argument is lost, insults become the losers tool.

I guess Farsight Clone knows more than @EvanMiya

 

[Artlaibesghost]

An A for portal and an F--- for high school. The high school recruiting MUST improve.

 

[RunninRichie]

Since we got Milan I think we are done with our recruiting class for his 3rd year. I'd be surprised if anyone else comes.

Consider the whole roster, including incoming and returnees.

Did the Milan commit increase his grade? Or kept the same for you? Let me know.

View attachment 1310725

C. Without Milan that’s a D.

 

[The Ganner]

I'm really not understanding the case for this being a C/D class. It has to be based on vibes (we missed on so many guys!) and not on the quality of the team that was put together. Either that, or people really are just GREATLY undervaluing Diallo and especially Wilkins. I've seen a lot of people's complaints about Wilkins start and end with "Furman."

 

[CB3UK]

C for me. Feels like a latter day Tubby roster.

 

[Beatle Bum]

An A for portal and an F--- for high school. The high school recruiting MUST improve.

The class is the class, regardless of whether international, HS, or portal. While I would prefer 1 or 2 more from high school ranks, it’s not a requisite source for team building today. This team currently only has 2 players whose eligibility is up this year. It has 4 freshmen (if NDiaye is classified as such) and 2 sophs. That is pretty solid class diversity for a team. So, I think this year is an aberration due to Pope’s drive for Stokes.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Richardson? Is Nolan playing for the hogs next year?

Sorry Coach! I’ll try to do better next time!!

 

[Randy Bob]

B.. No one knows how the class will turn out until next season but I am optimistic about this class.