Mark Mitchell: Discussion Thread

[Bungalow Bill]

Zoom today

Glad we're in contact but wish he was coming to campus. Could commit and move in this weekend. Zooms don't seem to be our strongest pitch.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Glad we're in contact but wish he was coming to campus. Could commit and move in this weekend. Zooms don't seem to be our strongest pitch.

I’m sure if he’s committing he will be on campus this weekend. I’d think the zoom is just to make it seem like we haven’t spoken to him or anyone around him at all. It’s a public perception thing.

 

[Dward13]

This guy is the former LEXHEELFAN, or whatever his name used to be. The "lived in Lexington" gives it away.

Remember when he got caught claiming that European lingerie model was his girlfriend on the old Rivals National Board? Somebody did a reverse search on the image and exposed his pitiful lie, and everyone in the country laughed in his face. An all time classic humiliation. And he's back for more.

I don’t think it’s the same guy. That was UNCFaninKY. And he made no attempt to hide that he was a troll. Took pride in it.

I remember I said something on the main board that got under his skin real bad. I questioned whether or not he was even a basketball fan. he never talked trash or interacted with the duke fans. Just seemed obsessed with UK. And oddly I find that more common than you’d think among UNC fans. I pointed that out and theorized that it’s because UNC is still looking up at UK all time and down at Duke. They did not like that.

I’ll give him some credit though. After the fake wife or girlfriend thing or whatever, he surprisingly didn’t just immediately disappear. He hung around long enough to take his lumps over it.

 

[Bungalow Bill]

I’m sure if he’s committing he will be on campus this weekend. I’d think the zoom is just to make it seem like we haven’t spoken to him or anyone around him at all. It’s a public perception thing.

I didn't say he was committing just that I would feel better if he was visiting in person. I'll believe he's committing when he announces it. Been fooled too many times recently by hearsay and tweets etc.

 

[ScWildcat3]

I didn't say he was committing just that I would feel better if he was visiting in person. I'll believe he's committing when he announces it. Been fooled too many times recently by hearsay and tweets etc.

No time to do a visit. School starts Monday.

 

[rivercatinfl]

Excuse me what?

Right! Crazy times

 

[TarHeelInCharlotte]

Sort of like how I remember the UNC guard running from the competition to the transfer portal and ending up winning a National Championship at Michigan.

Surely you aren't comparing Michigan basketball to Mizzou basketball???

 

[TarHeelInCharlotte]

For the moment. Any of this crap can be overturned at any time.
Why is Mitchell cleared? Did something get overturned, or nah?

Temporary Restraining Order, pending appeal

 

[BigRafi]

How could they punish us? They're not separate from the NCAA, which is a toothless association as is. They'll have to begrudgingly follow the ruling whether they want to or not.

You do know who the members of the NCAA are correct? The so-called toothless association has members from all three divisions , that means representatives from the schools themselves and their conferences. In other words, the schools themselves make up the rules that they are governed by.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Such a weird time seeing UK fans excited about a temporary court ruling (not a final ruling) that allows them to recruit a former Duke player.

Look at this butthurt cheaters fan! Nobody here gives a **** if you find this weird or not. Guarantee if it were the cheats recruiting a former duke player in the same fashion, you wouldn’t find it quite so weird. Lmao

 

[davtay]

Surely you aren't comparing Michigan basketball to Mizzou basketball???

I'm making the same lame as* comparison as the one you stupidly brought up.

 

[BookofMormon]

Mitchell would make it a top 15 roster. I personally like the backcourt dynamic a ton. Mitchell would offer some brawn to balance out the roster. He's not really a Pope archetype.

 

[Prince is STILL KING!]

Mitchell would make it a top 15 roster. I personally like the backcourt dynamic a ton. Mitchell would offer some brawn to balance out the roster. He's not really a Pope archetype.

Top 5 roster….good lord

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

This guy is the former LEXHEELFAN, or whatever his name used to be. The "lived in Lexington" gives it away.

Remember when he got caught claiming that European lingerie model was his girlfriend on the old Rivals National Board? Somebody did a reverse search on the image and exposed his pitiful lie, and everyone in the country laughed in his face. An all time classic humiliation. And he's back for more.

Oh man that would be hilarious. That is the single best thread I have ever seen on here. “She’s a great mother, and has a great ***!”

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

You dont think the judge would pause a moment when the SEC's lawyer points out that UK voted for this rule to be put into place?

No I don’t think a judge would care. He didn’t think he could play so no reason to enter. That changed when he won a legal case months later. Now he should get a chance to transfer like the order states. If he restricts him going from SEC to SEC then they would challenge the other kids who did earlier in the year. It’s the same thing, just an artificial constraint set against a player who couldn’t do it at the time.

 

[wildcatdon]

Ut oh. We’re doomed

Leaked zoom call schedule:
30 mins of Pope calling random objects in his house beautiful
1 hour history lesson
25 minutes of trivia
1 hour Pope comedy routine
Final 15 minutes: Pope asks Mitchell about converting to Mormonism; if he doesn't, he cannot join the team

Stupid post.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

No I don’t think a judge would care. He didn’t think he could play so no reason to enter. That changed when he won a legal case months later. Now he should get a chance to transfer like the order states. If he restricts him going from SEC to SEC then they would challenge the other kids who did earlier in the year. It’s the same thing, just an artificial constraint set against a player who couldn’t do it at the time.

Exactly right, brother!

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Oh man that would be hilarious. That is the single best thread I have ever seen on here. “She’s a great mother, and has a great ***!”

Lmfao WOW! That IS what he said, wasn’t it?!

 

[TarHeelInCharlotte]

Look at this butthurt cheaters fan! Nobody here gives a **** if you find this weird or not. Guarantee if it were the cheats recruiting a former duke player in the same fashion, you wouldn’t find it quite so weird. Lmao

Your guarantee isn't worth anything. I've been clear for years that I would refuse to cheer for a dookie if we ever had a coach dumb enough to recruit one from the portal. The difference here is UNC and dook are rivals. You've made it very clear that dook is not a rival of UK, and I accept that you feel that way. If you want me to scoop you up a Mitchell Duke jersey off the discount rack and ship it to you, let me know.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Does anyone here care that Trollheel would not cheer for a portal player who once played at Duke? He keeps repeating himself and acting like that is a superior position. Does anyone care? If so, do you now have it so he can end with the redundant posts and move to something or somewhere else?

 

[Anon1730326584]

Tar

Does anyone here care that Trollheel would not cheer for a portal player who once played at Duke? He keeps repeating himself and acting like that is a superior position. Does anyone care? If so, do you now have it so he can end with the redundant posts and move to something or somewhere else?

Tarheel leave this board and go somewhere else,I know Duke beats the crap out of you every year ,go back to your board

 

[Stenchymouse]

Your guarantee isn't worth anything. I've been clear for years that I would refuse to cheer for a dookie if we ever had a coach dumb enough to recruit one from the portal. The difference here is UNC and dook are rivals. You've made it very clear that dook is not a rival of UK, and I accept that you feel that way. If you want me to scoop you up a Mitchell Duke jersey off the discount rack and ship it to you, let me know.

You'd cheer for Mitchell if he put on a Tarheel jersey.

 

[TheBestThereEverWas]

Does anyone here care that Trollheel would not cheer for a portal player who once played at Duke? He keeps repeating himself and acting like that is a superior position. Does anyone care? If so, do you now have it so he can end with the redundant posts and move to something or somewhere else?

I don't understand the stance. We are morally superior than you because we would never allow a former rivals player come to our school.

I'd take Conwell from last year's Louisville squad and Cooper Flagg in a heartbeat lol

 

[kyjeff1]

Your guarantee isn't worth anything. I've been clear for years that I would refuse to cheer for a dookie if we ever had a coach dumb enough to recruit one from the portal. The difference here is UNC and dook are rivals. You've made it very clear that dook is not a rival of UK, and I accept that you feel that way. If you want me to scoop you up a Mitchell Duke jersey off the discount rack and ship it to you, let me know.

You’re looking at it the wrong way. Mitchell thought duke was a good fit, tried it out, then realized he didn't like it and left. I would think you would appreciate MM for leaving.

 

[kyjeff1]

Does anyone here care that Trollheel would not cheer for a portal player who once played at Duke? He keeps repeating himself and acting like that is a superior position. Does anyone care? If so, do you now have it so he can end with the redundant posts and move to something or somewhere else?

If it was duke that got away with a 20 year AFAM course, he would be disgusted and call them cheat-U daily on here, but since it was uNC that did it, he looks the other way and pretends uNC is still an upstanding university.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

I don't understand the stance. We are morally superior than you because we would never allow a former rivals player come to our school.

I'd take Conwell from last year's Louisville squad and Cooper Flagg in a heartbeat lol

April 2026: “Have you heard the news? Boozer wants to come back for another year but he wants to play for UNC”

Tarheelfan:” Pfft, No thanks”

 

[KOF98]

Does anyone here care that Trollheel would not cheer for a portal player who once played at Duke? He keeps repeating himself and acting like that is a superior position. Does anyone care? If so, do you now have it so he can end with the redundant posts and move to something or somewhere else?

He's ****posting the same slop on reddit and who knows how many other sites. Seems to be covering all bases lol.

 

[TarHeelInCharlotte]

You'd cheer for Mitchell if he put on a Tarheel jersey.

I absolutely would not.

Just admit you dont consider dook a rival anymore.

 

[TarHeelInCharlotte]

You’re looking at it the wrong way. Mitchell thought duke was a good fit, tried it out, then realized he didn't like it and left. I would think you would appreciate MM for leaving.

Mitchell left because Cooper Flagg was coming to take his starting spot.

I did appreciate how much Mitchell struggled on defense. I would have really appreciated Mitchell if he stayed and took even a few of Cooper Flagg's minutes.

 

[TarHeelInCharlotte]

April 2026: “Have you heard the news? Boozer wants to come back for another year but he wants to play for UNC”

Tarheelfan:” Pfft, No thanks”

On what planet do guaranteed top 3 picks pass on the draft so they can transfer to the arch rival of the school they have literally cheered for their entire life.

You could at least attempt to come up with a plausible example.

 

[preacherfan]

This guy is the former LEXHEELFAN, or whatever his name used to be. The "lived in Lexington" gives it away.

Remember when he got caught claiming that European lingerie model was his girlfriend on the old Rivals National Board? Somebody did a reverse search on the image and exposed his pitiful lie, and everyone in the country laughed in his face. An all time classic humiliation. And he's back for more.

That was certainly one of the more entertaining events to happen on this board. I remember it well.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

On what planet do guaranteed top 3 picks pass on the draft so they can transfer to the arch rival of the school they have literally cheered for their entire life.

You could at least attempt to come up with a plausible example.

It was a joke you freaking moron.

 

[Runt#1969]

Thought I'd dump this in the Mitchell thread just for discussion purposes....

1. Going from preseason top 15-20 to top 6-10 :

I was curious as to how UK would look in statistical categories across the board if we can get Mitchell. I think the consensus is that adding Mitchell takes UK from a top 15 - 20 team into a preseason top 6 - 10 range.

That said, on first blush, the immediate stat that jumps out to me is offense. (please forgive any number discrepancies you may find, as I am not a statistician nor do I have the time nor inclination to deep delve into all the stats)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Tennessee
Terrence Hill Jr. (15.0 PPG at VCU)
Tyler Lundblade (15.6 PPG at Belmont)
Juke Harris (21.4 PPG at Wake Forest)
Jalen Haralson (16.2 PPG at Notre Dame)
Miles Rubin (11.3 PPG at Loyola Chicago)
79.5

UK
Mitchell (18.3 PPG)
Momcilovic (16.9 PPG)
Wikins (17.8 PPG)
Diallo (15.7 PPG)
Moreno (7.8 PPG)
71.4

Florida
Boogie Fland (11.7 PPG)
Denzel Aberdeen (13.5 PPG at Kentucky)
Thomas Haugh (17.1 PPG)
Alex Condon (14.9 PPG)
Rueben Chinyelu (11.2 PPG)
68.4

Texas
Isaiah Johnson (16.9 PPG at Colorado)
Austin Goosby (No. 21 in SC Next 100) (15)
Elyjah Freeman (9.2 PPG at Auburn)
David Punch (14.1 PPG at TCU)
Matas Vokietaitis (15.7 PPG)
55.9 (+15[?] = 70.9)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. We will be an elite offensive team, any way you look at it (on paper, in the preseason)

1. Only Tennessee has a roster with more avg. PPG incoming nationally.

2. UT, UK, Florida, (and I am adding Texas) starts a roster with a projected 70+ PPG (Vandy sits just behind in the 60's)

Top tier Offensive units

70+ PPG :
Tennessee
Kentucky
Florida
Texas

60+ PPG
Vandy
Nebraska

Nationally, it's a fairly steep dropoff after that ...

1. A few schools are in the 50's range
2. Most of the projected preseason top 25 are in the 40's

------------------------------------------------------------------------

this is all just eyeballing things

I know offense is only a part of the overall picture, but looking up and seeing Kentucky as having the #2 top avg. PPG incoming roster is pretty surprising to me, considering how everything went this offseason.

3. Rebounding & Defensive concerns :

Of course, the real question will revolve around defense and rebounding. We all know that. We will have one of the tallest lineups in the nation, the length is also elite. The coaching staff needs to stress rebounding and defense (physicality, toughness, athleticism) and beat that horse until it's dead.

There's no question we *should* be one of the elite offensive teams in the country next year with Mitchell, and if the team can embrace the rebounding and defensive challenge, we may very well have a squad that can finish in the top 10 in both categories by season's end. With our offense, even if we're in the top 25 defensive range, we're in great shape. That's provided the starting 5 can hold a 70+ avg. PPG mark across the season.

I suppose the media will not mention anything about this fact. Bury it behind the dUKe and UConn hype and superlatives. I'm fine with everyone downplaying Kentucky. If we play to our ability, this is a team that has the offensive firepower to win a lot of games, and the length/height to be a very good defensive team as well.

The consensus sweet sixteen ceiling for what we have now raises to a elite eight / final four caliber team. If a team can get to the Final Four, they are a legit title contender. In other words, a legit national title contending team is what we will have with Mitchell.

4. Takeaways :

1. A national #2 incoming offensive avg. PPG is elite
2. A starting 5 that compares favorably to any other roster in the country
3. The schedule is favorable, winning ALL home games is crucial to the season's success.

5. Projections & Expectations :

We've got a great opportunity to have a great season. Start off strong vs. Manhattan & JMU, then make Kansas our first blue blood victim of the season. Go from there with confidence.

20 games into the season and this team should - at worst - sit at 2 losses or less. If it's going to be an Elite Eight or better season, that needs to happen. And that may be a tall task, considering the OOC schedule is very tough. But it's all manageable and winnable.

From there, 4 or 5 losses in conference seems reasonable, perhaps inevitable, but again, Coach Pope & the team need to think of doing better. Even if it doesn't happen, they need to hold themselves to the highest standard if they are going to be successful come March.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry for a really long post, but I just thought it interesting that after all that has gone down in the offseason, we end up (on paper) looking like this could be a really great year.

Reasons to be optimistic outweigh the negatives, by far. Just get Mitchell here. The rest should fall into place.

Go Big Blue !!!!!