Its o
It's ok. Tougher SEC these days. We can't be like Bama or Florida. Accept mid.
Travis Branham crystal ball Kentucky
- Thread starter Anon953436
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He gave Kentucky a crystall ball for reaching out? LOL. Crystal ball picks are meaningless if they can be taken back.
It really could. He could coach 4-5 NBA players in the next couple years. It would totally change his credibility. Get Shai and KAT in here to talk to these dudes. That’s one thing I want him to do. Embrace our NBA guys. Too many are too successful and that sells.
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Not to mention he could actually score off the bounce too.
That’s a solid roster with a lot of upside. I like it.
He must guard. He can’t get smoked off the dribble and forced to stand at the 3 point line all game in offensive sets either.
That Jerry dude is feeling good about this recruitment too. He said I don’t know what changed, but Pope is recruiting like Calipari now these last couple weeks.
That’s my whole point. The ratio is BS. If they change their pick at the last minute, they get credit for being right. It’s all BS. The whole industry.
Have you seen the way he moves? Draft Room must not know squat about basketball.
When multiple coaches are telling the media the same things, do you think that's a conspiracy to make Kentucky look bad, because that's what's happening. Multiple coaches are telling the media the same things about what we are spending.
I'll stick with listening to the media guys who have sources. You can choose not to. But I'm going to continue to quote what they say about the numbers, and I guarantee you those numbers will be a lot closer to the actualities.
Also, isn't it amazing that neither Pope or the University of Kentucky negated any of the rumors from last year when they had almost unlimited opportunities to do so? What do you have to say about that?
False.
It is way better than Stoops record in every way. We also have dealt with Cal leaving us an empty roster and extraordinary injury issues in addition to playing the two toughest SEC schedules in our history.
Mark Pope has never struck me as someone who can keep any positive momentum going. Hopefully he proves us wrong this time.
Pope did dispute that number last season.
Mark Pope takes issue with accuracy of Kentucky’s reported $22 million in NIL spending
Kentucky head basketball coach Mark Pope called out the accuracy of reporting after reports emerged of the Wildcats spending $22 million NIL.
awfulannouncing.com
AI generated answer :
Mark Pope has explicitly challenged the accuracy of reports claiming the University of Kentucky spent $22 million on NIL for the 2025-26 season, calling the figure a "distraction" and criticizing the media's accuracy. While he initially deflected specific questions about individual player offers to avoid giving reporters "headlines," he later stated that such financial narratives are often exaggerated or false.
- Media Criticism: Pope argued that "accuracy in reporting has taken a massive... insane hit," suggesting that the line between responsible journalism and social media rumors is blurred.
- Specific Denials: He labeled claims that Kentucky offered transfer Yaxel Lendeborg $7-9 million as "100% categorically false" and stated there was "no truth whatsoever" to the story.
- Context: Former coach Rick Pitino also defended Pope, asserting that the $22 million payroll figure was unproven and exaggerated, similar to numbers reported at other programs.
- Fan Reaction: Despite Pope's denials, fans and analysts continue to cite the reported $22 million investment as a point of contention following Kentucky's early exit from the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Pope did not explicitly say that the numbers regarding the overall roster price of 22 million were wrong. He dismissed the Yaxel numbers. You're attempting to conflate two different discussions.Pope did dispute that number last season.
Mark Pope takes issue with accuracy of Kentucky’s reported $22 million in NIL spending
Kentucky head basketball coach Mark Pope called out the accuracy of reporting after reports emerged of the Wildcats spending $22 million NIL.
AI generated answer :
Mark Pope has explicitly challenged the accuracy of reports claiming the University of Kentucky spent $22 million on NIL for the 2025-26 season, calling the figure a "distraction" and criticizing the media's accuracy. While he initially deflected specific questions about individual player offers to avoid giving reporters "headlines," he later stated that such financial narratives are often exaggerated or false.
- Media Criticism: Pope argued that "accuracy in reporting has taken a massive... insane hit," suggesting that the line between responsible journalism and social media rumors is blurred.
- Specific Denials: He labeled claims that Kentucky offered transfer Yaxel Lendeborg $7-9 million as "100% categorically false" and stated there was "no truth whatsoever" to the story.
- Context: Former coach Rick Pitino also defended Pope, asserting that the $22 million payroll figure was unproven and exaggerated, similar to numbers reported at other programs.
- Fan Reaction: Despite Pope's denials, fans and analysts continue to cite the reported $22 million investment as a point of contention following Kentucky's early exit from the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Why are some of you guys so eager to reject the notion that Kentucky is able to spend money on its roster? Does it make you feel better about Pope's lack of production? Serious question. It seems like you guys are terrified at the idea of Kentucky actually being a legitimate contender when it comes to spending.
I certainly can not make any guarantee about this but I am definitely not counting him out either.
I did not indicate I did not believe UK could come up with that kind of money but Pope absolutely did say that number was not accurate for last season. Did you actually read what was posted? A large portion of whatever was spent was injured and unavailable most of the year anyway.
"Mark Pope has explicitly challenged the accuracy of reports claiming the University of Kentucky spent $22 million on NIL for the 2025-26 season, calling the figure a "distraction" and criticizing the media's accuracy. While he initially deflected specific questions about individual player offers to avoid giving reporters "headlines," he later stated that such financial narratives are often exaggerated or false."
Mark Pope takes issue with accuracy of Kentucky’s reported $22 million in NIL spending
Kentucky head basketball coach Mark Pope called out the accuracy of reporting after reports emerged of the Wildcats spending $22 million NIL.
awfulannouncing.com
Fellas until we hear from Rainmaker, we're all only guessing on the Serbian kid. Let Rain speak with his sources in Belgrade then we'll have better handle on this recruitment
I just don’t see him coming if we force the 2nd year as a deal breaker. Seems he wants the flexibility to go back home or to another school if he chooses to. Michigan and zags probably give him that option.
I am not sure why you are obsessed with this issue but Pope did not confirm or deny the report and has given reason for us to believe it was exaggerated, saying in essence that he had no problem with UK having the reputation of having the highest payroll. But who cares? The idea that UK’s payroll is significantly different than Duke, Michigan, or other big programs is laughable. Who gives a rat’s a$$?
Pope did say that none of the stuff being reported was accurate. You just chose to ignore that.
Why are so eager reject the notion that those unnamed sources didn't exist and the reporting "journalist" just posted for clicks. No body is reject the notion that UK is able to spend money on its roster, that's you trying to put words in our mouths. We are just saying the numbers you are treating as scripture have no factual basis. But you keep trying.
Our offer is still higher than Michigans the only difference being Michigan is offering a one year deal and ours is for two years currently. Our money in year one is higher than theirs though so we are still in the drivers seat here and it could be a slow recruitment depending on how his agent proceeds.
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I can take into account the things you said but the record is what it is no matter why. It's not terrible. Pope isnt terrible. Just average. He's been given unlimited support and resources. Hopefully this is his make or break year. New AD has some balls hopefully.
Again this is year three. We all want Pope to succeed. There's no excuses year three. I'm not fond of excuses at any time when it comes to Kentucky Basketball honestly. When you coach at the most respected tradition in college basketball it's put up or shut up imo.
He would be dumb not to go to Michigan honestly. Wide open star role to take and plenty of money.
Correct. Goodman asked Pope directly about that number. He didn't dismiss it. Instead he smiled and said he wants players to know UK is the nil mecca.
Yaxel offer was the only one dismissed, but lets be honest that was clearly bs. We probably offered him more than Michigan but not that much.
I disagree. Trey McKinney didn’t return to share the spotlight. LJ Cason, Brandon McCoy, Cosby too.
The only school pursuing him with somewhat open roster space is Gonzaga.
Cason is redshirting unless 5 for 5 passes. The 1 year deal for him is probably the main reason he’s entertaining other schools. Makes him way more valuable and freedom of going back to Barca or another school if his role isn’t what he wants after year 1. I understand pope wanting a guaranteed 2nd year but at this point just give him a year deal and win. Then let the rest sort itself out.
You look pretty stupid laughing at anyone when you can't even figure out how to display a username.Can't make this **** up folks.Whose Twitter did you get this info from?
I agree. Pope did not say the numbers were or were not true directly, but when asked about it, he did say the media had been lying all the time and he lamented the poor journalism around the discussion.Pope did dispute that number last season.
Mark Pope takes issue with accuracy of Kentucky’s reported $22 million in NIL spending
Kentucky head basketball coach Mark Pope called out the accuracy of reporting after reports emerged of the Wildcats spending $22 million NIL.
AI generated answer :
Mark Pope has explicitly challenged the accuracy of reports claiming the University of Kentucky spent $22 million on NIL for the 2025-26 season, calling the figure a "distraction" and criticizing the media's accuracy. While he initially deflected specific questions about individual player offers to avoid giving reporters "headlines," he later stated that such financial narratives are often exaggerated or false.
- Media Criticism: Pope argued that "accuracy in reporting has taken a massive... insane hit," suggesting that the line between responsible journalism and social media rumors is blurred.
- Specific Denials: He labeled claims that Kentucky offered transfer Yaxel Lendeborg $7-9 million as "100% categorically false" and stated there was "no truth whatsoever" to the story.
- Context: Former coach Rick Pitino also defended Pope, asserting that the $22 million payroll figure was unproven and exaggerated, similar to numbers reported at other programs.
- Fan Reaction: Despite Pope's denials, fans and analysts continue to cite the reported $22 million investment as a point of contention following Kentucky's early exit from the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Do I know what the roster number was last season? No.
Am I confident the reported number last season was correct? No
I still hold the same view that I’ve always held on this — in terms of the standard, I don’t believe it changes regardless of what the number is. This is a premier basketball blueblood so the standard isn’t relaxed. This is why many of us can simultaneously remain frustrated at the outcome of last season while also acknowledging the unprecedented level of injuries.
In terms of the $22M roster discussion, there are reports that say it was true. There are also reports that it is not true. Anyone who wants to make such a claim central to any argument about Pope would have the burden of proof to prove it is true, since they are making the positive claim.
For me, personally? I’d prefer the $22M number to be true. One of my greatest concerns is related to this topic, so confirmation of a $22M roster would quell some of my worries.
I would love to have the kid, but I do wonder if he looks at Wilkins and Momcilovic at the 2-3 spots and knows it will be a tall order to ever start thus year. If the hold up is the two year deal, then he obviously wants to start and play year one, which makes us a bad fit this season. But year two, he would be the starting 3 beside Hampton and go to guy. It just comes down to what he wants, more than money I think
Role and on-court fit apparently have nothing to do with where things are.