CBS Isaac Trotter and Gary Parrish breakdown Kentucky 2026-27

[BookofMormon]

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.

I think the Diallo/Wilkins backcourt has significant upside. Diallo is a McD AA and had really good numbers for a bad UW team. They don't need him to shoot threes. Put better players around him and his play should be even better.

The freshman to sophomore leap is one of the biggest out there. Wilkins and Moreno are going to be really motivated. Milan is the best three point shooter in the country.

A good coach could get that roster to play winning basketball.

The O/U on whether you move on Pope or not is 10 losses and/or a S16. 11 losses and a round of 32 max and you have to think about it.

 

[megablue]

It's a 5 or 6 seed roster.

That would be rated #17 thru #24 at the end of the year ... I agree ... sounds about right to me, right now. We'll see and know more after a few games ... of course ... so let's hope we're better than pre-season predictions.

 

[Cats_2010]

I think the Diallo/Wilkins backcourt has significant upside. Diallo is a McD AA and had really good numbers for a bad UW team. They don't need him to shoot threes. Put better players around him and his play should be even better.

The freshman to sophomore leap is one of the biggest out there. Wilkins and Moreno are going to be really motivated. Milan is the best three point shooter in the country.

A good coach could get that roster to play winning basketball.

The O/U on whether you move on Pope or not is 10 losses and/or a S16. 11 losses and a round of 32 max and you have to think about it.

Anything close to resemblance of last years results there’s nothing to think about. And that is exactly what I see happening. Nothing about pope screams confidence.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

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.

Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. In current state of cbb, there is a vast expanse between top tiers and everyone else. Everyone else is at least 20 points worse than anyone in the top tier.

We are everyone else.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

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

I don't care about billy d. The problem is bigger than pope. The problem is really that colleges started making so much money from athletics, they decided to start spending more money on basketball. UK is no longer one of the handful of big spenders instead of top 2 or 3.

Duke last year would've blown us out. Not sure that's special, because many teams blew us out. Not exactly the Ferrari we were promised.

Also that first win, while epic, was also en route to a blowout until maluach started cramping. I think we were down 12 maybe when that started.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

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

I hate it, but they do. Their first years, pope had a full roster and kelsey just lost their best player. At home, it took an amazing game by butler to win.

I knew then we were in trouble in that matchup. If rosters are anywhere close at tip, we're losing that game.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I think as of right now I’m saying 23-8/24-7. With Mitchell or kohler 28-3

Even with them I don’t see Pope losing only 3 games but with them I think we legit compete. As of now we need a lot of luck to beat top teams imho.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

I've never watched Gary Parrish before, but his constant head bobbing, looking around, and hand gesturing makes him unwatchable. I couldn't pay attention to the words because I was thinking, "dude, just sit still dude." What is he on to be like that?

I really had to stop watching it only a minute in. I’ve never seen GP in a live chat situation before, and I hope to never have to again. As my son would say, he’s annoying AF.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I've never watched Gary Parrish before, but his constant head bobbing, looking around, and hand gesturing makes him unwatchable. I couldn't pay attention to the words because I was thinking, "dude, just sit still dude." What is he on to be like that?

He’s on that shake and bake.

 

[Lameguy]

I hate it, but they do. Their first years, pope had a full roster and kelsey just lost their best player. At home, it took an amazing game by butler to win.

I knew then we were in trouble in that matchup. If rosters are anywhere close at tip, we're losing that game.

Looking at the total story, Kelsey is 5-12 against ranked teams in his 2 years at UL with 3 of those wins against Ky(1) and Indiana(2). Neither of those teams were close to top 25, UL just was fortunate enough to play them early before the pollsters knew. Pope is 14-16 against ranked teams so it appears you’re comparing apples and orange. Kelsey’s has lost 19 games in two years and Pope 26, so Kelsey’s record looks much better, Pope has played 13 more ranked opponent. Bottom line is until UL plays a tougher schedule we won’t know, so all we can go by is head to head right now and it’s 1-1.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

Looking at the total story, Kelsey is 5-12 against ranked teams in his 2 years at UL with 3 of those wins against Ky(1) and Indiana(2). Neither of those teams were close to top 25, UL just was fortunate enough to play them early before the pollsters knew. Pope is 14-16 against ranked teams so it appears you’re comparing apples and orange. Kelsey’s has lost 19 games in two years and Pope 26, so Kelsey’s record looks much better, Pope has played 13 more ranked opponent. Bottom line is until UL plays a tougher schedule we won’t know, so all we can go by is head to head right now and it’s 1-1.

I dont care what he does against other teams. He outperformed pope in both matchups. Hopefully pope stops that this time, but facts are facts.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

I dont care what he does against other teams. He outperformed pope in both matchups. Hopefully pope stops that this time, but facts are facts.

You’re stating an opinion as fact. He did not outperform Pope his first year. Good grief.

 

[Lameguy]

I dont care what he does against other teams. He outperformed pope in both matchups. Hopefully pope stops that this time, but facts are facts.

They’re both with one win and one loss, both decided by 8 points. It’s too early to declare one as being better than the other. Which facts are you using?

 

[Runt#1969]

Just add Mitchell, slap a M&M patch on the jersey, let's go already.

.... Or add Jaxon and put a "new bold look : KOHLER" patch on.

I prefer the Kohler option, personally. Use M&M's (who makes M&M's ??? Mars? ok ...) Use Mars and hold out for the bigger offer from Kohler!

We get a Bold New Look, plus, we can put a little water drop on our jerseys after big plays are made, like OSU puts buckeyes on the helmets.

By the time the season is over, we will have so many water drops on our jerseys that people are gonna think we're gonna pee all over them and blow them out, or we're already saturated by it ... and we've already peed all over ourselves.....

on second thought ... on the water drop idea ...

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

Franck is a pretty good rim protector

Yes, but his history with injuries is a huge concern. He will be 25 when the season starts. There's a reason this will be his 7th year playing college basketball.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

This is so stupid you must be rage baiting

Look at the pre-UK accomplishments (awards, tournament experience, etc.) of the players for this team vs. those of his previous teams.

 

[yoshukai]

It's just who we are with Pope unfortunately. View attachment 1389895

It’s who we’ve been since 2015 .

 

[warrior-cat]

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.

Were those anomaly seasons? If so, is he do another one?

I believe, I believe, I believe...that's all I got.

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

Diallo is going to have to play like a first round draft choice for UK to be top team. I am assuming Moreno will make a Nick Richards jump and be a first team All SEC and a lottery pick.

Not a chance on Moreno.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

They’re both with one win and one loss, both decided by 8 points. It’s too early to declare one as being better than the other. Which facts are you using?

We should've won by 30 the first game but it took Butler's best career game to even win.

Last year we were blown out till brown just sat out.

That is what I am using.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

We should've won by 30 the first game but it took Butler's best career game to even win.

Last year we were blown out till brown just sat out.

That is what I am using.

Took great games from Hepburn and Edwards just to stay within 8.

“should have won by 30”

 

[BookofMormon]

I don't care about billy d. The problem is bigger than pope. The problem is really that colleges started making so much money from athletics, they decided to start spending more money on basketball. UK is no longer one of the handful of big spenders instead of top 2 or 3.

Duke last year would've blown us out. Not sure that's special, because many teams blew us out. Not exactly the Ferrari we were promised.

Also that first win, while epic, was also en route to a blowout until maluach started cramping. I think we were down 12 maybe when that started.

Tend to think the chronological order of how it works is if you have the coach, donors will invest. No one wants to spend on a dog.

Big year for Pope - has a B+ roster. Can he make that an A- or will he turn it into a C+.

Fanbase/donors should know this year.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

Tend to think the chronological order of how it works is if you have the coach, donors will invest. No one wants to spend on a dog.

Big year for Pope - has a B+ roster. Can he make that an A- or will he turn it into a C+.

Fanbase/donors should know this year.

Reportedly we spent more direct money than anyone last season. Pope embraced that storyline until it went south then only half disputed it.

He has the money. He just has no idea what to do with it because he refuses to hire a gm.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

11 loss season.

As it currently stands with the roster, I’m right there with you. 10-12 losses.