"Poor state" Kentucky will likely have a ton of money to spend next season, too.

[Son_Of_Saul]

UK evidently had $5 to 7 million to offer Kusturica, and they used some of that to help land Mitchell. We know Milan was in the $6 to 7 million range. Moreno is reported to have returned for around $3.5 to 4 million. Kepnang is likely around $1 million.

That's a ton of money to work with for next year if Pope has success this season, anywhere from $13.5 million to upwards of $19 million for those four players who go off the books. You likely return all of your guards (Diallo/Wilkins) and wings, add Hampton, and bring back a few critical role players in N'Diaye, McBride, Kam, Hawthorne, etc.

The part that BBN should get excited about is that this money was available about a pretty terrible season last season. The money is there and will likely always be there for Kentucky. People tend to forget that another "poor state" - Oklahoma with a similar average household income and population - has a pro NBA team. Their fans support the team because they're the only team in the state. I think in a similar way, the state of Kentucky has and will continue to rally around the Wildcats and treat them like an alternate pro team (which has been a reality in our history anyway).

You don't get the shared revenue like the Thunder do from the NBA, but you do get a similar fan support, if not more so. Being in the SEC certainly helps from a financial standpoint.

I know there had been questions about whether or not a state like Kentucky could compete in the wild west of the NIL, and it looks like that question has been answered with an emphatic, "yes", as well as be a top 3 player in the sport every year in terms of spending.

This should offer some confidence going forward. If UK can land the #1 portal class after a 22-14 season, it looks like our spending and support will never end for the basketball program, even in this current wild west landscape of NIL.

 

[RunninRichie]

Pope is out of excuses this year. He has to win big.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

you wont find more than 5-8 teams that spent the money UK has between last year and this year. either we are the dodgers or the mets.....thats for pope to determine.

 

[Wunky]

you wont find more than 5-8 teams that spent the money UK has between last year and this year. either we are the dodgers or the mets.....thats for pope to determine.

When he was hired I said we need an FF within four years, mainly because Cal left a mess. Felt like that was reasonable and still do. If he does it in three, I’ll be very impressed. If he can’t do it in four, then I think it’s time to look elsewhere, and no hard feelings. The resources will never be a problem at UK.

 

[TFCat11]

Pretty good war chest, but still well below the likes of Duke. Arkansas, Illinois, Texas, and maybe a couple of others. But right now, I’m just excited to watch the team Pope just assembled, because on paper, it’s a 3rd weekend level team, with an E8 being the floor.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

When he was hired I said we need an FF within four years, mainly because Cal left a mess. Felt like that was reasonable and still do. If he does it in three, I’ll be very impressed. If he can’t do it in four, then I think it’s time to look elsewhere, and no hard feelings. The resources will never be a problem at UK.

totally agree. you cant spend 60M+ plus over a 3 year span and have little to nothing to show for it.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

We are a poor state. We happen to have a major benefactor who is unfortunately aging. Finding more money is j batts biggest job. Going to be tough considering UL had a two year head start.

That is just one of the many reasons stein was such a homerun hire. He can help get into some Louisville money we couldn't before. Ya it wont be whales but it will be some big fish that together can make up a whale.

 

[jedwar]

 

[Johnnie Africa]

Unfortunately Kentucky is a “poor state” with lots of children that are undoubtedly suffering. I’m as happy as the next guy that we can pay the college players competitively but this thread is also somewhat off putting when you start to really think about it.

 

[Bowfreak.]

Unfortunately Kentucky is a “poor state” with lots of children that are undoubtedly suffering. I’m as happy as the next guy that we can pay the college players competitively but this thread is also somewhat off putting when you start to really think about it.

Kentucky does have poor people and children suffering. Poor people with children are suffering everywhere and it is so much more complicated than money. There are many things that lead to poverty and keep people poor with finances only being one of several factors.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

UK evidently had $5 to 7 million to offer Kusturica, and they used some of that to help land Mitchell. We know Milan was in the $6 to 7 million range. Moreno is reported to have returned for around $3.5 to 4 million. Kepnang is likely around $1 million.

That's a ton of money to work with for next year if Pope has success this season, anywhere from $13.5 million to upwards of $19 million for those four players who go off the books. You likely return all of your guards (Diallo/Wilkins) and wings, add Hampton, and bring back a few critical role players in N'Diaye, McBride, Kam, Hawthorne, etc.

The part that BBN should get excited about is that this money was available about a pretty terrible season last season. The money is there and will likely always be there for Kentucky. People tend to forget that another "poor state" - Oklahoma with a similar average household income and population - has a pro NBA team. Their fans support the team because they're the only team in the state. I think in a similar way, the state of Kentucky has and will continue to rally around the Wildcats and treat them like an alternate pro team (which has been a reality in our history anyway).

You don't get the shared revenue like the Thunder do from the NBA, but you do get a similar fan support, if not more so. Being in the SEC certainly helps from a financial standpoint.

I know there had been questions about whether or not a state like Kentucky could compete in the wild west of the NIL, and it looks like that question has been answered with an emphatic, "yes", as well as be a top 3 player in the sport every year in terms of spending.

This should offer some confidence going forward. If UK can land the #1 portal class after a 22-14 season, it looks like our spending and support will never end for the basketball program, even in this current wild west landscape of NIL.

Any coach here will always have enough resources to win a ship period. It’s up to them to recruit the right players and then coach them to said title.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Unfortunately Kentucky is a “poor state” with lots of children that are undoubtedly suffering. I’m as happy as the next guy that we can pay the college players competitively but this thread is also somewhat off putting when you start to really think about it.

It’s off putting no matter where you look at it. Even in huge cities how many homeless are there? Athletes make money everywhere where most people live check to check.

 

[preacherfan]

It’s off putting no matter where you look at it. Even in huge cities how many homeless are there? Athletes make money everywhere where most people live check to check.

I was thinking the same thing. I just got back from Los Angeles and sometimes the stark contrast just feels so wrong. I was in a car sitting at a traffic light and as I looked around I saw 3 different luxury model cars sitting at the intersection and right on the corner was a homeless encampment.

What always amazes me about LA is how dirty the entire city is and how bad the roads are. You can walk past houses that are worth mega millions and a few minutes later be stepping over homeless people who have just collapsed or fallen asleep on the sidewalk. It is very depressing.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I was thinking the same thing. I just got back from Los Angeles and sometimes the stark contrast just feels so wrong. I was in a car sitting at a traffic light and as I looked around I saw 3 different luxury model cars sitting at the intersection and right on the corner was a homeless encampment.

What always amazes me about LA is how dirty the entire city is and how bad the roads are. You can walk past houses that are worth mega millions and a few minutes later be stepping over homeless people who have just collapsed or fallen asleep on the sidewalk. It is very depressing.

That’s California in a nutshell.

 

[BookofMormon]

UK evidently had $5 to 7 million to offer Kusturica, and they used some of that to help land Mitchell. We know Milan was in the $6 to 7 million range. Moreno is reported to have returned for around $3.5 to 4 million. Kepnang is likely around $1 million.

That's a ton of money to work with for next year if Pope has success this season, anywhere from $13.5 million to upwards of $19 million for those four players who go off the books. You likely return all of your guards (Diallo/Wilkins) and wings, add Hampton, and bring back a few critical role players in N'Diaye, McBride, Kam, Hawthorne, etc.

The part that BBN should get excited about is that this money was available about a pretty terrible season last season. The money is there and will likely always be there for Kentucky. People tend to forget that another "poor state" - Oklahoma with a similar average household income and population - has a pro NBA team. Their fans support the team because they're the only team in the state. I think in a similar way, the state of Kentucky has and will continue to rally around the Wildcats and treat them like an alternate pro team (which has been a reality in our history anyway).

You don't get the shared revenue like the Thunder do from the NBA, but you do get a similar fan support, if not more so. Being in the SEC certainly helps from a financial standpoint.

I know there had been questions about whether or not a state like Kentucky could compete in the wild west of the NIL, and it looks like that question has been answered with an emphatic, "yes", as well as be a top 3 player in the sport every year in terms of spending.

This should offer some confidence going forward. If UK can land the #1 portal class after a 22-14 season, it looks like our spending and support will never end for the basketball program, even in this current wild west landscape of NIL.

Money is helpful, but it's not everything. A competent coach with a system and plan is ultimately the most important

I'n not convinced hoarding a bunch of high priced transfers is the winning formula year over year. Smashing a bunch of dudes together with unique agenda's annually build doesn't build "team". Let's see this year. The more I look at the roster on paper, the more I think they should be competing for the SEC title.

 

[chroix]

I always feel bad for the less fortunate but basketball is not what made them poor.

 

[Buckwheat Otay Is Dead]

Kentucky does have poor people and children suffering. Poor people with children are suffering everywhere and it is so much more complicated than money. There are many things that lead to poverty and keep people poor with finances only being one of several factors.

UK will always have money for basketball no matter who coaches them. UK and Kentucky are two different situations. And as far as poor kids, LA, Chicago, and NYC have millions as in multi millions compared to Kentucky.

 

[Bowfreak.]

UK will always have money for basketball no matter who coaches them. UK and Kentucky are two different situations. And as far as poor kids, LA, Chicago, and NYC have millions as in multi millions compared to Kentucky.

No doubt.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

UK will always have money for basketball no matter who coaches them. UK and Kentucky are two different situations. And as far as poor kids, LA, Chicago, and NYC have millions as in multi millions compared to Kentucky.

We will but we wont be the big financial dawg we once were. Before, only a handful of schools spent big on basketball. Now several schools are. That directly coincides with our slide.

Dont believe me, just look at our last coaching search. Pope was way down the list but no one else would've said yes, except maybe Pearl.

UK never stopped spending or caring. Now they just have alot more company and are yet to figure out how to win with a level basketball playing field.

 

[Anon794131]

Poverty has many factors: poorly educated parents, grandparents, etc. Children not monitored at young ages and "run wild" as teens. Parents that never read or cannot read to their children. Chaotic home life with no father and multiple male figures wandering around. Generation of poverty and lack of stable family life, etc. There is a reason that educated folks that grew up in those neighborhoods, move far away with their families.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

So where is it all the money coming from. The Crafts?

 

[TarHeelInCharlotte]

UK evidently had $5 to 7 million to offer Kusturica, and they used some of that to help land Mitchell. We know Milan was in the $6 to 7 million range. Moreno is reported to have returned for around $3.5 to 4 million. Kepnang is likely around $1 million.

That's a ton of money to work with for next year if Pope has success this season, anywhere from $13.5 million to upwards of $19 million for those four players who go off the books.

Wait, do you think the players give back the money when they leave UK?

The NIL coffers don't just magically refill by the same amount every time a player turns pro or graduates. Someone from the program has to fundraise to get more NIL money each season.

If the boosters are happy and can afford it, they'll give money. If the economy has hit them, they may give less. If they suddenly decide they want a coach gone, they can refuse to donate at all.

 

[TarHeelInCharlotte]

Pretty good war chest, but still well below the likes of Duke. Arkansas, Illinois, Texas, and maybe a couple of others. But right now, I’m just excited to watch the team Pope just assembled, because on paper, it’s a 3rd weekend level team, with an E8 being the floor.

BYU may have the biggest NIL chest. It's absurd what their boosters are willing to spend to get players.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

The true reality is if top flight schools with rich alumni bases like Notre Dame, Stanford, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, etc were to put the full court press on for donations, UK would be far back in the rear view mirror.

 

[chroix]

The true reality is if top flight schools with rich alumni bases like Notre Dame, Stanford, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, etc were to put the full court press on for donations, UK would be far back in the rear view mirror.

And yet here we are.