How many minutes do they get ??

[megablue]

I realize it is early and nobody's seen the team, but I think the personnel keys this year will be N'Diaye, Kepnang, McBride and Morton. How many minutes do folks think each will receive, especially in March, to help contribute to wins against high-level teams ?? Is at least 15 minutes for each realistic ??

Last year, we had ten (10) players, playing in at least twenty-four (24) games, who averaged at least ten (10) minutes per game, with eight (8) of them averaging at least fifteen (15) minutes per game ... as Johnson (12.0) and Noah (10.6) averaged less than fifteen (15) mpg.

2025-26 Kentucky Wildcats Men's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Check out the detailed 2025-26 Kentucky Wildcats Roster and Stats for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

 

[theBlues]

In the order you listed them I'd say 20, 10, 20, and 4. I don't think Morton will be the first reserve at either the point or two guard.

 

[megablue]

In the order you listed them I'd say 20, 10, 20, and 4. I don't think Morton will be the first reserve at either the point or two guard.

Gotcha ... do you see Moreno playing 30 minutes a game and who do you see as the first reserve for the PG / 2G, if not Morton ??

 

[BlueBomb]

I know nothing about most of the players we're getting, so I certainly can't predict minutes. However, I do feel that Pope needs to shorten his rotation. The last two seasons, he's had 12 players average double digit minutes. I don't think Pope has had enough talent to spread out the minutes like that.

To compare, last year, Duke, Kansas, and Iowa State (the first three I looked up) each had eight players average double digit minutes.

 

[theBlues]

Gotcha ... do you see Moreno playing 30 minutes a game and who do you see as the first reserve for the PG / 2G, if not Morton ??

Bear in my this is just my own layman opinion but I doubt Moreno sees that many minutes, it's just not Pope's way, although I expect to see Momcilovic to play 30+ in the big games. I think Wilkins will be the first backup point option in big games, assuming him and Diallo start, but I would not rule out Mason Williams. I think Kam Williams will be the next 2 guard.

 

[megablue]

Bear in my this is just my own layman opinion but I doubt Moreno sees that many minutes, it's just not Pope's way, although I expect to see Momcilovic to play 30+ in the big games. I think Wilkins will be the first backup point option in big games, assuming him and Diallo start, but I would not rule out Mason Williams. I think Kam Williams will be the next 2 guard.

Thanks for the reply ... Kam Williams as a back-up 2G is a key in your view, right now. Gotcha ... it could happen and be that way.

 

[megablue]

I know nothing about most of the players we're getting, so I certainly can't predict minutes. However, I do feel that Pope needs to shorten his rotation. The last two seasons, he's had 12 players average double digit minutes. I don't think Pope has had enough talent to spread out the minutes like that.

To compare, last year, Duke, Kansas, and Iowa State (the first three I looked up) each had eight players average double digit minutes.

Yes. I agree. I essentially see nine (9) playing down the stretch in March, with the four (4) I listed backing up Diallo, Wilkins, Momcilovic, Williams and Moreno. I must say that Braydon Hawthorne could possibly step into the mix and command quality minutes. It will be FUN seeing how the season unfolds ... no doubt. Fourteen (14) players is a lot to distribute minutes to ... impossible late in the year on a stretch run, of course.

 

[theBlues]

I think Pope would like for everybody to play(just like little league) and for the starters to play 22-24 mpg and all the subs to get 10+mpg and everybody to be happy with it. I also think he now realizes he's not in Utah anymore and that it can't be that way any more.

I also think Pope knows a 4th year isn't guaranteed and I think he heard the criticisms last year about his substitutions and playing too deep on his bench. If we lose close games when our best players played well short of 30 minutes it will be met with more cries of "Fire Pope!" and I think he knows that. For that reason I think he'll play everybody against cupcakes but will go no deeper than 9 or 10 guys against quality opponents with the ninth and tenth guys getting only 8-10 mpg.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I think Pope would like for everybody to play(just like little league) and for the starters to play 22-24 mpg and all the subs to get 10+mpg and everybody to be happy with it. I also think he now realizes he's not in Utah anymore and that it can't be that way any more.

I also think Pope knows a 4th year isn't guaranteed and I think he heard the criticisms last year about his substitutions and playing too deep on his bench. If we lose close games when our best players played well short of 30 minutes it will be met with more cries of "Fire Pope!" and I think he knows that. For that reason I think he'll play everybody against cupcakes but will go no deeper than 9 or 10 guys against quality opponents with the ninth and tenth guys getting only 8-10 mpg.

I pray this is correct. I agree 100%

 

[megablue]

I think Pope would like for everybody to play(just like little league) and for the starters to play 22-24 mpg and all the subs to get 10+mpg and everybody to be happy with it. I also think he now realizes he's not in Utah anymore and that it can't be that way any more.

I also think Pope knows a 4th year isn't guaranteed and I think he heard the criticisms last year about his substitutions and playing too deep on his bench. If we lose close games when our best players played well short of 30 minutes it will be met with more cries of "Fire Pope!" and I think he knows that. For that reason I think he'll play everybody against cupcakes but will go no deeper than 9 or 10 guys against quality opponents with the ninth and tenth guys getting only 8-10 mpg.

Well-stated post that I think is very likely to be pretty much spot on and correct. It pretty much HAS to be, if Pope wants to be successful here. He needs to win in March ...

 

[megablue]

Here are the current roster's statistics for last season .... ranked by minutes played per game:

			MINS	PTS	REBS	3PTA	fg%	2P%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	AST	TOV
MOMCILOVIC	6'8"	220	30.5	16.9	3.1	7.5	0.506	0.545	0.487	0.878	0.8	0.2	1.0	0.8
WILKINS	6'5"	175	29.8	17.8	2.0	5.7	0.460	0.554	0.328	0.824	0.8	0.1	4.7	3.8
DIALLO	6'4"	180	29.6	15.7	3.9	2.2	0.489	0.527	0.315	0.825	0.7	0.0	4.5	2.5
N'DIAYE	6'11"	210	27.2	9.8	6.8	5.0	0.407	0.536	0.305	0.828	0.9	0.6	0.8	1.5
McBRIDE	6'8"	230	27.1	15.3	5.6	3.1	0.494	0.530	0.400	0.782	0.4	0.6	1.5	1.8
MORTON	6'4"	200	24.9	7.8	1.9	2.5	0.438	0.473	0.388	0.820	0.8	0.2	2.6	1.2
KEPNANG	6'11"	225	22.9	6.2	6.3	0.0	0.515	0.519	0.000	0.689	0.6	2.1	0.2	1.0
MORENO	7'0"	250	22.6	7.8	6.3	0.1	0.582	0.593	0.000	0.698	0.5	1.5	1.8	1.3
K. WILLIAMS	6'8"	190	18.5	6.0	2.1	3.3	0.449	0.690	0.359	0.955	0.6	0.3	1.0	0.6
NOAH	6'5"	220	10.6	3.0	2.3	1.9	0.355	0.455	0.333	0.826	0.4	0.1	0.5	0.3
POTTER	7'1"	230
B. HAWTHORNE	6'8"	190
Z. HAWTHORNE	6'2"	170
M. WILLIAMS	6'2"	185
TOTALS			243.7	106.3	40.3	31.3

 

[megablue]

Here are the PER 40 STATS for the current roster ... ranked by total game appearances last season:

			GAMES	PTS	REBS	3PTA	FG%	2P%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	AST	TOV
MOMCILOVIC	6'8"	220	37	22.1	4.1	9.9	0.506	0.545	0.487	0.878	1.1	0.3	1.3	1.1
MORENO	7'0"	250	36	13.8	11.2	0.1	0.582	0.593	0.000	0.698	0.9	2.6	3.1	2.3
WILKINS	6'5"	175	35	23.9	2.6	7.6	0.460	0.554	0.328	0.824	1.0	0.2	6.3	5.1
DIALLO	6'4"	180	33	21.2	5.3	3.0	0.489	0.527	0.315	0.825	0.9	0.0	6.0	3.4
MORTON	6'4"	200	32	12.5	3.1	4	0.438	0.473	0.388	0.820	1.3	0.4	4.2	1.9
McBRIDE	6'8"	230	31	22.5	8.3	4.5	0.494	0.530	0.400	0.782	0.6	0.9	2.1	2.6
N'DIAYE	6'11"	210	28	14.3	10.0	7.4	0.407	0.536	0.305	0.828	1.3	0.9	1.1	2.1
KEPNANG	6'11"	225	27	10.8	11.0	0.1	0.515	0.519	0.000	0.689	1.0	3.6	0.4	1.8
NOAH	6'5"	220	27	11.1	8.6	7.1	0.355	0.455	0.333	0.826	1.7	0.4	1.8	1.1
K. WILLIAMS	6'8"	190	24	13.1	4.5	7	0.449	0.690	0.359	0.955	1.3	0.6	2.1	1.3
POTTER	7'1"	230
B. HAWTHORNE	6'8"	190
Z. HAWTHORNE	6'2"	170
M. WILLIAMS	6'2"	185

 

[mdluk1]

I sure wish we had a summer trip so we could get a true feel for how the team will play.

 

[megablue]

I sure wish we had a summer trip so we could get a true feel for how the team will play.

YES !! That would tremendous and a very nice thing to see ... NO QUESTION !!!

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

I know nothing about most of the players we're getting, so I certainly can't predict minutes. However, I do feel that Pope needs to shorten his rotation. The last two seasons, he's had 12 players average double digit minutes. I don't think Pope has had enough talent to spread out the minutes like that.

To compare, last year, Duke, Kansas, and Iowa State (the first three I looked up) each had eight players average double digit minutes.

The number of players averaging double figures the last two seasons is deceptive due to so many injuries causing main guys to miss games thus requiring more minutes from those who otherwise would have averaged less.

 

[KyKevin]

Gotcha ... do you see Moreno playing 30 minutes a game and who do you see as the first reserve for the PG / 2G, if not Morton ??

I hope Moreno comes in, in that good of shape, to play 30 hard minutes.

 

[megablue]

I hope Moreno comes in, in that good of shape, to play 30 hard minutes.

I'm with you, for sure, but I hope Moreno (22.6 mpg last year) is so much better than Kepnang that the team needs him to play thirty (30) minutes to WIN the BIG games that matter in March. Kepnang (22.9 mpg last year) didn't come here expecting to see his minutes more than cut in half. He will definitely make Moreno earn his increased minutes. Kepnang turns 25 on October 15th.

 

[KyKevin]

I'm with you, for sure, but I hope Moreno (22.6 mpg last year) is so much better than Kepnang that the team needs him to play thirty (30) minutes to WIN the BIG games that matter in March. Kepnang (22.9 mpg last year) didn't come here expecting to see his minutes more than cut in half. He will definitely make Moreno earn his increased minutes. Kepnang turns 25 on October 15th.

Kepnang looks like a big bad a.ss dude, I would love to see the practices, and the battles with some of these players.

 

[megablue]

Kepnang looks like a big bad a.ss dude, I would love to see the practices, and the battles with some of these players.

Most definitely ... he will toughen up Moreno ... no question !!

 

[Delk4three]

I may be in the minority but I think Morton and Kepnang are 6-7th men off the bench come March.

 

[TeamAmerica]

what does Pope's analytics say?

 

[megablue]

I may be in the minority but I think Morton and Kepnang are 6-7th men off the bench come March.

I think Morton will be a Davion Mintz type of high-energy, high-effort guy ... just like Franck the Tanck will be ... !!!
BOTH will be DAWGS !!!

 

[Drogon]

Hopefully Moreno is playing well enough to get at least 28. 30 would probably be ideal. If he's at 23 again I don't think our season is going very well.

 

[storm1507]

I hope Momcilovic will be in good shape and be head and shoulders above everyone in minutes. Then I think Zoom and Wilkins will be next with a bunch of others grouped up near the 20 minute mark give or take.

 

[megablue]

I hope Momcilovic will be in good shape and be head and shoulders above everyone in minutes. Then I think Zoom and Wilkins will be next with a bunch of others grouped up near the 20 minute mark give or take.

Yes. Barring injury, I will be very surprised if Momcilovic, Diallo and Wilkins do not lead the team in minutes played by a substantial margin.

 

[storm1507]

I look forward to seeing what N'Daiye, Braydon and Mason (can he be the backup PG?) will bring to the team this year. I think the others we pretty much know what they will do.

 

[Beatle Bum]

My first inclination was to post that MilMom will likely stay at 30 minutes per game. But, while typing that, I started to question it. It all depends on the unknown potential of this team. If McBride, Kam, and NDiaye can put pressure on defenses from the WF and PF, Milan may actually get less minutes and be as productive. I think Morton will be the first guard off the bench and I think it likely he gets about 18-20 minutes per game backing up both Diallo and Wilkins. Whether Mason takes some of those minutes is only a guess for me.

 

[RedwoodHigh]

Pope will play 12 players 12 to 26 minutes a game in the early season .Then tighten up at SEC time.
Remember he was a sub most of his playing days.

 

[K_TIME]

1. There will be injuries…even small ones…that will distort minutes over a season. But when games matter..here is my guess

1. Pg. Diallo 32 mpg
2/. Sg..Wilkins…30…Alex will backup Pg
3. Momlonovich….32mpg
4. McBride…18 m
5. Moreno…25mpg

Reserves

Kam 28 Mpg. At the sf snd pf
Morton 12 mpg
Kenpag 10 mpg
Ndyai 10 mpg…

I do t see a role for Noah or Hawthorne at end of season

Pope doesn’t play a style where the bench needs to be longer then.3 or so subs that play lesser minutes than starters. We simply don’t press or pay hard enough defensively to warrant it

NDyia is the major question to me. I think he’ll be dissatisfied with a sub role but he’s got potential due to his size and athleticism. But all u see is a dude hanging around three point line taking hard shots I wonder if college ball and physical contact will make his adjustment harder

 

[Buckwheat Otay Is Dead]

No one on this team can play except Big FRANK., Kam, and whoever can play defense and rebound. That includes Noah who works to rebound. This team will score but will have to establish a killer instinct