CBS Isaac Trotter and Gary Parrish breakdown Kentucky 2026-27

BookofMormon

Senior
Mar 27, 2026
705
907
93
This makes me want another top tier player even more. I keep thinking this roster is really good, but not quite good enough. Mediocre is not an option this season for Pope.
I see it as a good test. He should win with this roster. He has two volume scorers, a distributor and a top 5. All they need out of the 4 is great defense, little things.
 

PastorofMuppets82

All-Conference
Mar 4, 2025
627
1,415
93
I'm going to be in the middle. I see us potentially losing 2 of the 5 P4 out of conference games (2 of Kansas, Indiana, Virginia, UNC, Louisville) at worst, but lets say they lose 2 in the non-con. I see 3 games we probably lose in the SEC (Alabama, A&M, Florida) and let's say they find a way to lose 2 more that they should win (5 SEC losses) 8 regular season losses seems probable, and unless they win the SEC tournament or win the NCAA tournament, they'll get to 10 losses total. I expect us to be right in that area +/- 2 losses of the 10 loss mark and a second weekend team. Injuries and players meshing at the right time aside, which could swing that vastly to one side or the other. I think it's reasonable to expect this group to lose 10 and make the sweet 16. And then let the debate happen over whether that is enough for Pope to keep his job for another year or to start fresh.
 
Jul 6, 2025
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If we had a 2-3 seed in the tournament why would be hopeless to win in the tournament?

Same reason I posted last year it was hopeless after watching duke play one game.

We're so far below the top tier teams it's like theyre playing a completely different sport. Ya maybe we could have our greatest say ever when they have their worst, but is that really what we should want as our peak?
 
Jul 24, 2026
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Same reason I posted last year it was hopeless after watching duke play one game.

We're so far below the top tier teams it's like theyre playing a completely different sport. Ya maybe we could have our greatest say ever when they have their worst, but is that really what we should want as our peak?
You’re just not intelligent and well versed in basketball knowledge. Kentucky beat Duke in mark popes first year shows you what “top tier” teams really can do
 

BBNinSCar

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2013
1,628
2,897
81
Pope has coached 11 seasons. Only twice has he lost less than 10 games. That won't change this coming season. We lose 11 or 12.

I hate being so damn negative about this topic. Really...I do.
Any P4 school with less than 10 losses should be a top 3 seed in the tournament.
I may very get duped again, but as of today, I’m very positive about this roster. It’s all on Zoom and Wilkins to prove me right.
 
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DudahUK

Heisman
Jul 23, 2020
8,046
12,521
113
You’re just not intelligent and well versed in basketball knowledge. Kentucky beat Duke in mark popes first year shows you what “top tier” teams really can do
You are quickly becoming the worst poster on this board. I can’t imagine you have too many friends.
 
Jul 6, 2025
2,567
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You’re just not intelligent and well versed in basketball knowledge. Kentucky beat Duke in mark popes first year shows you what “top tier” teams really can do

I said last year. They would've annihilated us last year.

We wont be in the top tier of teams this year either. Florida will drub us. Bama owns pope, so im guessing theyre a 20 point loss as usual. We'll be playing on Thursday in Nashville.

Louisville will be tough because they have a better coach. Im sure we have a few embarrassing blow outs in the preconference, as Pope does.

Its just how it is.
 

sefus12

Heisman
Dec 22, 2007
7,202
19,128
103
Pope has coached 11 seasons. Only twice has he lost less than 10 games. That won't change this coming season. We lose 11 or 12.

I hate being so damn negative about this topic. Really...I do.
So you have absolutely no idea how well this team will play together/what the chemistry is like, but you are certain we will lose at least 10 games? Got it.
 
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sefus12

Heisman
Dec 22, 2007
7,202
19,128
103
I think 3 is a top end. If there is alot of parity, we might get up to 2. That is best case.

That's a sad statement of fact, that our very best case scenario will be an upper seed in the tournament with no hopes of winning.
So you’re saying the team can get a 3 or even 2 seed in the tourney yet have “no hopes of winning”? Just making sure I’m reading your thoughts correctly.
 
Jul 24, 2026
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I said last year. They would've annihilated us last year.

We wont be in the top tier of teams this year either. Florida will drub us. Bama owns pope, so im guessing theyre a 20 point loss as usual. We'll be playing on Thursday in Nashville.

Louisville will be tough because they have a better coach. Im sure we have a few embarrassing blow outs in the preconference, as Pope does.

It’s just how it is.
Oh god we’re back to let’s fire pope for Billy Donovan talk

How can pope beat Duke but also be not even on their playing field? Make it make sense
 

HandysAndys

Redshirt
Aug 10, 2026
16
19
3
Mom been shooting lights out against Hawthornes little brother all summer. Noah got best defense on the team. Y'all are crazy saying 2 and 3 seeds..maybe NIT.
 
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GoAndRunIsGoneAndDone

All-Conference
Dec 12, 2023
952
1,172
93
I said last year. They would've annihilated us last year.

We wont be in the top tier of teams this year either. Florida will drub us. Bama owns pope, so im guessing theyre a 20 point loss as usual. We'll be playing on Thursday in Nashville.

Louisville will be tough because they have a better coach. Im sure we have a few embarrassing blow outs in the preconference, as Pope does.

Its just how it is.
You and your handy boyfriend should just go find an acc team to pull for.
 

HandysAndys

Redshirt
Aug 10, 2026
16
19
3
You and your handy boyfriend should just go find an acc team to pull for.
UK is my team. I pulled for them last year and they lost 14 games. It is what it is. Did they lose that many games last year because ol Andy poster?

Lot of us are just realistic. Pope is what he is. When you don't have that killer instinct you lose 10 or more games a year at a place like Kentucky in the SEC.

I think you meant to say Pope should find an ACC team to coach.
 

Dr.LutherSan

All-American
Sep 6, 2019
4,497
9,061
113
I'm not very confident with this current team going further than the first round. Honestly, I think that this may be his worst roster since he has been here and one injury away from the NIT.
 

Lameguy

Senior
Mar 20, 2026
198
406
63
I said last year. They would've annihilated us last year.

We wont be in the top tier of teams this year either. Florida will drub us. Bama owns pope, so im guessing theyre a 20 point loss as usual. We'll be playing on Thursday in Nashville.

Louisville will be tough because they have a better coach. Im sure we have a few embarrassing blow outs in the preconference, as Pope does.

Its just how it is.
Once you said Louisville had a better coach I knew you’re suffering from PDS, I’ll give you a full 10/10.
 

Dr.LutherSan

All-American
Sep 6, 2019
4,497
9,061
113
So you didn’t actually watch last years team, would be hard for this roster to be worse.
I watched almost every game last year. That team was poorly constructed and injured.

This season's backcourt is relying heavily on 2 turnover prone, low 3-point shooters, with no little previous P5 success. Hopefully the reports about Mason Williams are true and he can be a valuable asset to the backcourt.

This summer would have probably been Kam Williams chance to make a significant jump, but it seems like an injury will prevent that from happening.

It doesn't sound like McBride, N'Diaye, or Braydon have been dominating in practice either.

Milan will be a consistent offensive threat, but will we be able to consistently hide him on defense? It's not like this team has a lot of defensive stoppers. Fortunately, Mark Pope isn't afraid to mix up the defense (unlike the previous guy).

I see Malachi making a big jump (he HAS to). However, he is not extremely mobile on defense and his backups aren't reliable. With all of Brandon Garrison's faults, he had the capability to be a solid defender. Reece and Frank aren't that, nor are they proven to provide significant playing time.
 

HandysAndys

Redshirt
Aug 10, 2026
16
19
3
I watched almost every game last year. That team was poorly constructed and injured.

This season's backcourt is relying heavily on 2 turnover prone, low 3-point shooters, with no little previous P5 success. Hopefully the reports about Mason Williams are true and he can be a valuable asset to the backcourt.

This summer would have probably been Kam Williams chance to make a significant jump, but it seems like an injury will prevent that from happening.

It doesn't sound like McBride, N'Diaye, or Braydon have been dominating in practice either.

Milan will be a consistent offensive threat, but will we be able to consistently hide him on defense? It's not like this team has a lot of defensive stoppers. Fortunately, Mark Pope isn't afraid to mix up the defense (unlike the previous guy).

I see Malachi making a big jump (he HAS to). However, he is not extremely mobile on defense and his backups aren't reliable. With all of Brandon Garrison's faults, he had the capability to be a solid defender. Reece and Frank aren't that, nor are they proven to provide significant playing time.
Moreno is our best player imo. That's not a good thing but oh well. I got the Kansas game circled. This is the roster we got when our coach put everything into landing Stokes.

Beat Kansas and their two homegrown Kentucky talents and Popes good with me lol. If we beat Kansas I'll have no worries about the season. That game will tell us a lot early. I wanted Stokes to be a Cat bad. But not as bad as I want us to kick his *** now
 
Jul 24, 2026
218
268
63
I watched almost every game last year. That team was poorly constructed and injured.

This season's backcourt is relying heavily on 2 turnover prone, low 3-point shooters, with no little previous P5 success. Hopefully the reports about Mason Williams are true and he can be a valuable asset to the backcourt.

This summer would have probably been Kam Williams chance to make a significant jump, but it seems like an injury will prevent that from happening.

It doesn't sound like McBride, N'Diaye, or Braydon have been dominating in practice either.

Milan will be a consistent offensive threat, but will we be able to consistently hide him on defense? It's not like this team has a lot of defensive stoppers. Fortunately, Mark Pope isn't afraid to mix up the defense (unlike the previous guy).

I see Malachi making a big jump (he HAS to). However, he is not extremely mobile on defense and his backups aren't reliable. With all of Brandon Garrison's faults, he had the capability to be a solid defender. Reece and Frank aren't that, nor are they proven to provide significant playing time.
Franck is a pretty good rim protector
 
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