BB: Kentucky Basketball Pro Day

[kyjeff1]

Mark Pope before coaching at UK

0 conference championships
0 NCAAT wins
Coached under Mark Fox and Dave Rose
Awful recruiter

And went to a sweet 16 his first year at UK with massive injuries and played at top 3 SOS. Who cares what he did at freaking Utah Valley State?

Tommy Lloyd
Coached under Mark Few and recruited many great players there, went to the NCAAT in 2017 as an assistant
Final four and multiple conference titles at Arizona
AP coach of the year
Great recruiter

So we're giving credit to Tommy Lloyd for what Mark Few accomplished? Wow man, that's a reach.
Lloyd has had a huge collection of talent at Arizona and played weak schedules each season. What did he do in the NCAAT with all that talent and the high seeds? Nothing.

Jai Lucas
Coached under John Calipari at UK and John Scheyer at Duke
Won 26 games his first season, after Miami went 7-24 the year before, reached the 2nd round. Something Mark Pope has done only twice, as a head coach for 10 years.
Great recruiter

Who gives a sh*t who Jai Lucas coached under? Cal is a terrible bench coach, what exactly did Jai Lucas gain? How to yell "GOOOO" and "RUUUUN"?
What did he learn under Scheyer? How to lose with a boatload of talent? He already learned that under Cal.

Is this a serious take?

Uh yeah, you're talking out of both sides of your mouth.

 

[RunninRichie]

Are you pathetic enough you want a banner put up for that? I sure don’t. I was just responding to an idiotic statement that said Hurley didn’t want Brea.

Who said that? Norlander reported that Uconn stopped recruiting Brea after Mahaney committed. I guess you have inside sources within the Uconn program?

 

[RunninRichie]

And went to a sweet 16 his first year at UK with massive injuries and played at top 3 SOS. Who cares what he did at freaking Utah Valley State?

So we're giving credit to Tommy Lloyd for what Mark Few accomplished? Wow man, that's a reach.
Lloyd has had a huge collection of talent at Arizona and played weak schedules each season. What did he do in the NCAAT with all that talent and the high seeds? Nothing.


Who gives a sh*t who Jai Lucas coached under? Cal is a terrible bench coach, what exactly did Jai Lucas gain? How to yell "GOOOO" and "RUUUUN"?
What did he learn under Scheyer? How to lose with a boatload of talent? He already learned that under Cal.

Uh yeah, you're talking out of both sides of your mouth.

Typically you want coaches who have been mentored by other great coaches.

"Lloyd has had a huge collection of talent at Arizona and played weak schedules each season. What did he do in the NCAAT with all that talent and the high seeds? Nothing."
I guess nothing is 3 sweet 16s and a final four. We have 0 final fours in 11 years, 1 sweet 16 since 2019. But sure, i guess?
Not to mention the two coach of the year awards in different seasons, 3 conference titles.... And are you saying the big 12 is a weak conference? Lol

 

[kyjeff1]

If his religion is getting in the way of performing, it’s absolutely a problem. But even among Mormons, Pope is considered an oddball according to BYU fans. But I do wonder if being a Mormon can be an issue for someone not working at BYU. You’re kind of between having to compete with BYU for Mormon players and non-Mormons thinking you’re weird (not even to bring up the issue African-Americans may have with Mormons which is a whole entire issue in of itself). But I imagine it’s mostly how “Mormon” do you act. Whittingham at Michigan is a Mormon and doesn’t appear to have a problem recruiting players. But he did spend most of his career at a non-religious school.

But it honestly wouldn’t shock me if being religious beyond reason (assuming that is an issue, which I am not really sure) is why Mitch hired him. Dude really tried running the athletic department like he was at a religious institution.

Guess it's possible, but he would be smart to leave religion out of his time with his players. I don't recall hearing Pope say anything about religion and even though he has missed on some guys, he has still landed a lot of talented, non-mormon players.

 

[kyjeff1]

Nobody cares if Calipari "produced" them. Recruits know him as the "NBA guy". That's the point. Pope can't point to any of that. Amari Williams (2nd rounder) and Koby Brea (2nd rounder), both on two-way contracts, aren't moving the needle for elite high school talent. Jai Lucas recruited a lot of NBA players, which he can point to. Pope can point to..?

I mean, if what you care about is HS talent, go cheer for Arkansas, the rest of us are interested in winning titles and if you look at the teams winning titles, you are seing junior and senior heavy rosters.

You seem to he dead set on coming up with every reason possible to hate Pope. You do you man.

 

[kyjeff1]

What are you talking about? No one was concerned that Butler was "ball dominant" they were mainly concerned if he was good enough offensively and was enough of a playmaker. He was seen as a defense savant, clutch, experienced, and a winning player.

Basically the exact opposite of Diallo.

Just because a banana and a frozen cup of piss are both yellow doesn't mean they're both yummy.

Okay, you got me there, the reasons aren’t exact, but we had very similar concerns offensively about Butler, but what we ended up with was a well coached kid that adjusted nicely to Pope's offense.
Zoom has great size and athleticism, there will be an adjustment period, but as long as he stays healthy, we're going to be glad we have him.

 

[Johnny_Jeepers]

Are you pathetic enough you want a banner put up for that? I sure don’t. I was just responding to an idiotic statement that said Hurley didn’t want Brea.

Wow you're dumb lol. Wooosh.

 

[RunninRichie]

I mean, if what you care about is HS talent, go cheer for Arkansas, the rest of us are interested in winning titles and if you look at the teams winning titles, you are seing junior and senior heavy rosters.

You seem to he dead set on coming up with every reason possible to hate Pope. You do you man.

You're missing my point, lmfao. We were talking about why Pope can't recruit. You somehow manage to make that, into me only caring about high school recruiting titles. Pope gets his *** kicked on the recruiting trail im the portal too. "The rest of us are interested in winning titles", yet, you're defending the 2nd worst coach in UK history tooth and nail, because he "really wants to win". This is why you never hire a former player.

You think Pope is gonna magically turn it around in year 3, I don't. That's the disconnect between us. I don't care if Mother Theresa is the coach, if she's losing, it's time to go. The same guys who got bought by Calipari's personality. Are no different than the guys bought by Pope's nostalgia act.

 

[kyjeff1]

View attachment 1477420

This is funny, I don't care who you are.

But the point stands, Hurley moved on to Muhaney, because he knew he wasn't getting Brea, but we have a large group on here that refuses to give Pope credit for anything, so the narrative HAS to be that Hurley didn’t want him and had nowhere else to go, but UK.

Weird thought, but okay, I guess.

 

[RunninRichie]

This is funny, I don't care who you are.

But the point stands, Hurley moved on to Muhaney, because he knew he wasn't getting Brea, but we have a large group on here that refuses to give Pope credit for anything, so the narrative HAS to be that Hurley didn’t want him and had nowhere else to go, but UK.

Weird thought, but okay, I guess.

"Hurley moved on to Muhaney, because he knew he wasn't getting Brea," Source?

Norlander says Uconn stopped recruiting Brea after Aidan commited. And the backcourt was finalized. Are you more connected than Matt Norlander?

 

[kyjeff1]

Jai Lucas is mostly for the fact that we aren’t “sure” we can even get an established coach. We looked at UNC who ran a legitimate coaching search and ended up with a washed-up NBA coach nobody in the NBA wanted. Admittedly if you ask UNC fans, they think their AD is pretty incompetent, and considering he hired a washed up Belichick nobody in the NFL wanted (kind of a pattern), I can see where they’re coming from.

Do I hope we can hire an established coach like we did when we hired Calipari? It’d be nice. But is it realistic? If it’s not realistic, Shertz and Lucas are probably our best case scenarios.

But that's not what they are saying. They are saying Jai and Lloyd are their top choices.

You can't say it Pope never should have been offered the job, because he did nothing prior to UK, then say your top 2 choices are Jai and Lloyd, because they were assistants for other coaches that won more than Pope did.

 

[kyjeff1]

JFC

No, my initials are JCC.

 

[kyjeff1]

You're missing my point, lmfao. We were talking about why Pope can't recruit. You somehow manage to make that, into me only caring about high school recruiting titles. Pope gets his *** kicked on the recruiting trail im the portal too. "The rest of us are interested in winning titles", yet, you're defending the 2nd worst coach in UK history tooth and nail, because he "really wants to win". This is why you never hire a former player.

You think Pope is gonna magically turn it around in year 3, I don't. That's the disconnect between us. I don't care if Mother Theresa is the coach, if she's losing, it's time to go. The same guys who got bought by Calipari's personality. Are no different than the guys bought by Pope's nostalgia act.

Check UK's portal rankings the last 3 years and tell me again how Pope cant recruit.

This is where you go back to telling me about High School kids being more important.

 

[kyjeff1]

"Hurley moved on to Muhaney, because he knew he wasn't getting Brea," Source?

Norlander says Uconn stopped recruiting Brea after Aidan commited. And the backcourt was finalized. Are you more connected than Matt Norlander?

My source is "common sense".

Again, are you going to tell me Muhaney was the better choice?

 

[RunninRichie]

But that's not what they are saying. They are saying Jai and Lloyd are their top choices.

You can't say it Pope never should have been offered the job, because he did nothing prior to UK, then say your top 2 choices are Jai and Lloyd, because they were assistants for other coaches that won more than Pope did.

You can. Lloyd has been to a final four, coach of the year x2. Lucas coached under a hall of famer in John Calipari. And under Jon Scheyer, who's not a slouch. I'm offering those guys over Mark Pope. You would too. Just imagine Pope played for Minnesota or something.

 

[RunninRichie]

Check UK's portal rankings the last 3 years and tell me again how Pope cant recruit.

This is where you go back to telling me about High School kids being more important.

Are we supposed to forget all the whiffs over the years? There's a reason those "Whiff god" memes are a thing.

 

[RunninRichie]

My source is "common sense".

Again, are you going to tell me Muhaney was the better choice?

Ask Hurley, he seemed to think so. Typically coaches take who commits first.

 

[kyjeff1]

You can. Lloyd has been to a final four, coach of the year x2. Lucas coached under a hall of famer in John Calipari. And under Jon Scheyer, who's not a slouch. I'm offering those guys over Mark Pope. You would too. Just imagine Pope played for Minnesota or something.

Honestly, I think Lloyd is Cal light. Another talent collector and poor bench coach. He’s another Sean Miller, gets great talent, but gets his *** beat by the big boys.

Jai Lucas doesn't have the resume. Who cares who he was an assistant for, he has been a head coach for 5 minutes and you want to make another mistake by offering the most pressure packed job to him. Come on man, that's a terrible idea.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

Wow you're dumb lol. Wooosh.

No. Just tired of the BS. Started for me during the year last year. Couldn’t even talk basketball on here because of all the said BS.

Poster: Sucks we can’t beat Fla. but one positive to take away is they rebounded with them. Maybe that will continue.

Idiotic poster: OMG!! Are we hanging banners for rebounding now? We’re IU now.

Every single thread. Couldn’t even talk basketball and still can’t.

The above is not even close to hyperbole.

 

[RunninRichie]

Honestly, I think Lloyd is Cal light. Another talent collector and poor bench coach. He’s another Sean Miller, gets great talent, but gets his *** beat by the big boys.

Jai Lucas doesn't have the resume. Who cares who he was an assistant for, he has been a head coach for 5 minutes and you want to make another mistake by offering the most pressure packed job to him. Come on man, that's a terrible idea.

My number one choice is Nate Oats, honestly think he's the best coach out there for UK.

 

[kyjeff1]

Are we supposed to forget all the whiffs over the years? There's a reason those "Whiff god" memes are a thing.

LOL, no, we shouldn't forget about the whiffs, but damn, it's pretty remarkable that he's missed on so many, some of which he moved on from, but still got top 3 portal classes.

 

[kyjeff1]

Ask Hurley, he seemed to think so. Typically coaches take who commits first.

Oh no doubt, but in that situation, if you think you can get Brea, you don't settle for Muhaney. Brea was miles better than Muhaney.

He was great in those Police Academy movies though.

 

[kyjeff1]

My number one choice is Nate Oats, honestly think he's the best coach out there for UK.

Yup, that's who I would go aftee.

 

[Johnny_Jeepers]

No. Just tired of the BS. Started for me during the year last year. Couldn’t even talk basketball on here because of all the said BS.

Poster: Sucks we can’t beat Fla. but one positive to take away is they rebounded with them. Maybe that will continue.

Idiotic poster: OMG!! Are we hanging banners for rebounding now? We’re IU now.

Every single thread. Couldn’t even talk basketball and still can’t.

The above is not even close to hyperbole.

 

[megablue]

AI Overview

The 2026-27 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball roster is not the tallest team in program history, though it is exceptionally large with four 7-footers (Franck Kepnang at 7'0", Ousmane N'Diaye at 7'0", Malachi Moreno at 7'0", and Reece Potter at 7'1"). [1]

• Previous Tallest Rosters: Past Kentucky teams under John Calipari—most notably the 2017-18 Wildcats—held a higher average height (~6'7 1/3" to nearly 6'8") with a massive 9-man rotation over 6'5" and a 6'11" average wingspan. [1]
• • Individual Height Records: Individual players in Kentucky history have been taller than anyone on the active 2026-27 roster, such as Shagari Alleyne (7'3" in 2004–2006) and Zvonimir Ivisic (7'2" in 2023–24). [1, 2]

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

So meaningless exhibition games show you who you are. But a full season shooting 40% like Kam did freshman season doesn’t mean anything. You and the other guy can’t actually believe the stuff yall post.

Alex is the most talented played on our roster. He has everything you want in a guard. He’s shifty, quick, plays at multiple speeds, can shoot it with ease, has high basketball iq and the list goes on. He was a late bloomer but has all the tools. Also has the size and ability to play the 1 or 2. There is a reason Nate oats the guy y’all are obsessed with wanted him so bad.

I’m not sure who you’re confusing me with. I don’t think I’ve ever commented on exhibition games and their meanings. For the record, I don’t put much stock in them. They are what they are, an exhibition. Straight mixed bag. Designed for the coaches to see their team against someone else in games that don’t matter in the standings.

Kam was 9-27 from 3 in the SEC. He was 15-44 against P4/5 teams. Save a one off game against a far inferior opponent where he was 8-10, he was 20-68 on the season. There’s one anomaly in all of that. Hes got to do it consistently against good teams to show he can be a good shooter. 40% at Tulane means nothing. He has to be able to do it at the level he’s playing at now. It’s kind of odd to me you refuse to see the actual numbers rather than just the overall stats that are greatly skewed by one game vs a bad team.

Wilkins very well could be what you say he is. He could also very well be someone not equipped to be that good that quickly in this league and against good teams night after night. The only evidence that currently exists is a guy that scored 17ish/game in an extremely bad conference and in doing so had some real stinker games against really bad teams. He had one good performance against a good team on a big stage, so there’s certainly reason for hope. But again, that’s one game. Can he do it consistently? Time will tell.

 

[ScWildcat3]

I’m not sure who you’re confusing me with. I don’t think I’ve ever commented on exhibition games and their meanings. For the record, I don’t put much stock in them. They are what they are, an exhibition. Straight mixed bag. Designed for the coaches to see their team against someone else in games that don’t matter in the standings.

Kam was 9-27 from 3 in the SEC. He was 15-44 against P4/5 teams. Save a one off game against a far inferior opponent where he was 8-10, he was 20-68 on the season. There’s one anomaly in all of that. Hes got to do it consistently against good teams to show he can be a good shooter. 40% at Tulane means nothing. He has to be able to do it at the level he’s playing at now. It’s kind of odd to me you refuse to see the actual numbers rather than just the overall stats that are greatly skewed by one game vs a bad team.

Wilkins very well could be what you say he is. He could also very well be someone not equipped to be that good that quickly in this league and against good teams night after night. The only evidence that currently exists is a guy that scored 17ish/game in an extremely bad conference and in doing so had some real stinker games against really bad teams. He had one good performance against a good team on a big stage, so there’s certainly reason for hope. But again, that’s one game. Can he do it consistently? Time will tell.

Kam biggest problem early was speed of the game. Once he slowed his shot down he shot way better as the season went on. He has a great stroke. Great FT shooter too. He will get a lot of good looks with zoom and Alex. And I have tons of faith in Alex. I got the privilege of seeing him a lot last year due to being close to Furman. Love his game and the coaches around that area and program said almost immediately he was gone to a bigger program not long after he got there

 

[RunninRichie]

I’m not sure who you’re confusing me with. I don’t think I’ve ever commented on exhibition games and their meanings. For the record, I don’t put much stock in them. They are what they are, an exhibition. Straight mixed bag. Designed for the coaches to see their team against someone else in games that don’t matter in the standings.

Kam was 9-27 from 3 in the SEC. He was 15-44 against P4/5 teams. Save a one off game against a far inferior opponent where he was 8-10, he was 20-68 on the season. There’s one anomaly in all of that. Hes got to do it consistently against good teams to show he can be a good shooter. 40% at Tulane means nothing. He has to be able to do it at the level he’s playing at now. It’s kind of odd to me you refuse to see the actual numbers rather than just the overall stats that are greatly skewed by one game vs a bad team.

Wilkins very well could be what you say he is. He could also very well be someone not equipped to be that good that quickly in this league and against good teams night after night. The only evidence that currently exists is a guy that scored 17ish/game in an extremely bad conference and in doing so had some real stinker games against really bad teams. He had one good performance against a good team on a big stage, so there’s certainly reason for hope. But again, that’s one game. Can he do it consistently? Time will tell.

He also got locked up once Uconn adjusted for him. I'm not sold on Wilkins, will need to see how he performs in the SEC.

 

[Catastic5]

Yup, that's who I would go aftee.

I’d love Oats, but with his wife working with him at Alabama, it feels like he has his roots firmly planted in Tuscaloosa. He’ll never win anything there beyond SEC regular and tournament championships and the occasional final four, but maybe he’s satisfied with what he has. Heck if I know.

 

[davtay]

Terrible take RR.

Rob Wright didn’t want to leave BYU, he was only leaving if someone gave him an obscene amount of money and why would Pope overpay for that kid?

Donnie Freeman? The guy that has a long list of injuries? The guy gets injured rolling out of bed and I guess you didn't hear, but Pitino took him and 2 weeks later, DF got injured and is out for the season, bit you're mad at Pope for not overpaying for an injury prone loser?

Pope is getting blasted for taking JQ last year and also taking Jaland Lowe, because of his long list of injuries and you want Pope to make the same mistake again?

You wanted him to take Freeman, so you had another reason to bomb him apparently.

Yeah, no matter which way he goes, they are going to complain. It is just agenda posting at this point. The only thing that MAY silence them is winning... and even then it may not.

Bottom line, Pope needs a good season. I only ask that they wait until the season is lost, but they won't.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Pope could win a title and a lot on here would say well he won’t ever do it again it was just luck.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Kam biggest problem early was speed of the game. Once he slowed his shot down he shot way better as the season went on. He has a great stroke. Great FT shooter too. He will get a lot of good looks with zoom and Alex. And I have tons of faith in Alex. I got the privilege of seeing him a lot last year due to being close to Furman. Love his game and the coaches around that area and program said almost immediately he was gone to a bigger program not long after he got there

That’s simply not true with Kam, as far as shooting better as the season went on. He was a 33% shooter in league play. I too think he can be a good shooter. But he hasn’t done it yet at this level. And you are correct about the speed of the game. That’s always my concern, mixed with the sheer difference in size of defenders, with guys who come from smaller leagues. Some figure it out, some don’t.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

He also got locked up once Uconn adjusted for him. I'm not sold on Wilkins, will need to see how he performs in the SEC.

Agreed. Gotta see it first. He’s awfully thin too. Gonna get pounded on. Doesn’t mean he can’t take it, just means it’s a completely different level.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Pope could win a title and a lot on here would say well he won’t ever do it again it was just luck.

He could also lose 12-14 games each year and there’d be a litany of excuses from some. One certainly seems more likely than the other given the evidence we have.

 

[ScWildcat3]

That’s simply not true with Kam, as far as shooting better as the season went on. He was a 33% shooter in league play. I too think he can be a good shooter. But he hasn’t done it yet at this level. And you are correct about the speed of the game. That’s always my concern, mixed with the sheer difference in size of defenders, with guys who come from smaller leagues. Some figure it out, some don’t.

Considering he was air balling and rushing stuff non stop early in the season he shot better imo. He had a lot in conf play that was just back rim. He was air mailing things early which was weird. The plus is he was usually on target just long or short. That’s sign of a good shooter.

 

[ScWildcat3]

He could also lose 12-14 games each year and there’d be a litany of excuses from some. One certainly seems more likely than the other given the evidence we have.

Yea I know. Just stating some don’t care what he does they just hate pope for whatever reason. And some just love complaint and misery.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Agreed. Gotta see it first. He’s awfully thin too. Gonna get pounded on. Doesn’t mean he can’t take it, just means it’s a completely different level.

He’s also 6’6. Not like he’s 6’1-6’2 and thin.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Considering he was air balling and rushing stuff non stop early in the season he shot better imo. He had a lot in conf play that was just back rim. He was air mailing things early which was weird. The plus is he was usually on target just long or short. That’s sign of a good shooter.

At this level, making shots is a sign of a good shooter. I agree though, a good deal of his misses were EXTREMELY bad. He doesn’t have an overly quick release and lays it off on his shoulder quite a bit. My thought is he’s probably a decent spot up guy but is not very good when you make him move off the ball or create. That’s pretty easy to scheme. Just ask Chandler.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

He’s also 6’6. Not like he’s 6’1-6’2 and thin.

There are plenty of 6’6” guards in P4/5 basketball.

 

[ScWildcat3]

At this level, making shots is a sign of a good shooter. I agree though, a good deal of his misses were EXTREMELY bad. He doesn’t have an overly quick release and lays it off on his shoulder quite a bit. My thought is he’s probably a decent spot up guy but is not very good when you make him move off the ball or create. That’s pretty easy to scheme. Just ask Chandler.

Yea I think he will flourish with Wilkins and zoom finding him. Aberdeen wasn’t exactly a passing type of guy. As far as Wilkins i understand that there are plenty of 6’6 guards. The way he plays with different speeds and his shiftiness helps with that lack of weight. Obviously he’s not going to be posting anyone up. Shai was essentially the same size and he didn’t bother him.