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Best case scenario?

Stenchymouse

Stenchymouse

All-American
Jul 31, 2005
12,760
6,558
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Okay, I think we can all agree that this offseason has been horrific and Pope is a failure, so lets not beat that dead horse.

At this point, what do you think is our best case scenario is at this point?

I'll start...

Diallo, Freeman, someone like an Alex Wilkins, a few more filler pieces and hope to God that this team over-achieves.
 
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TFCat11

TFCat11

Heisman
Mar 25, 2019
5,928
10,633
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Stenchymouse said:
Okay, I think we can all agree that this offseason has been horrific and Pope is a failure, so lets not beat that dead horse.

At this point, what do you think is our best case scenario is at this point?

I'll start...

Diallo, Freeman, someone like an Alex Wilkins, a few more filler pieces and hope to God that this team over-achieves.
Click to expand...
Not sure about any of the players you listed, but I do know this… Next season’s team will be less talented than the team that just transferred out, so take from that what you will.

But, I was also expecting as such, so my expectations are exactly where they were before this portal cycle started.
 
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MegaBlue05

MegaBlue05

Heisman
Mar 8, 2014
10,827
21,370
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Best case is he gets guys who fit the system and buy in early. Maybe Pope goes S16 or better.

A potential best case for long term outlook is for 26-27 to be a dumpster fire and we hire a new coach this time next year.

I like Mark and really want him to succeed, but patterns and trends seem like that ain’t happening. Theoretically, recruiting should have gotten easier and better. Not harder and worse.
 
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Stenchymouse

Stenchymouse

All-American
Jul 31, 2005
12,760
6,558
113
TFCat11 said:
Not sure about any of the players you listed, but I do know this… Next season’s team will be less talented than the team that just transferred out, so take from that what you will.

But, I was also expecting as such, so my expectations are exactly where they were before this portal cycle started.
Click to expand...
Hopefully we get a group together that plays hard and has great chemistry.

I think have a winning record next season might be best case honestly...
 
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Stenchymouse

Stenchymouse

All-American
Jul 31, 2005
12,760
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MegaBlue05 said:
Best case is he gets guys who fit the system and buy in early. Maybe Pope goes S16 or better.

A potential best case for long term outlook is for 26-27 to be a dumpster fire and we hire a new coach this time next year.

I like Mark and really want him to succeed, but patterns and trends seem like that ain’t happening. Theoretically, recruiting should have gotten easier and better. Not harder and worse.
Click to expand...

MegaBlue05 said:
Best case is he gets guys who fit the system and buy in early. Maybe Pope goes S16 or better.

A potential best case for long term outlook is for 26-27 to be a dumpster fire and we hire a new coach this time next year.

I like Mark and really want him to succeed, but patterns and trends seem like that ain’t happening. Theoretically, recruiting should have gotten easier and better. Not harder and worse.
Click to expand...
Thank you for giving an un-emotional, thoughtful reply.
 
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Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,405
15,515
78
Stokes signing with Kentucky would be the best scenario for Pope. I believe letting Pope go after this coming season would be the best thing for the program. When you got the resources he does at our program there is no excuse for missing on so many players. He missed on important guys last year and we’re getting a replay of that again unfortunately.
 
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Stenchymouse

Stenchymouse

All-American
Jul 31, 2005
12,760
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Woodrow24 said:
Stokes signing with Kentucky would be the best scenario for Pope. I believe letting Pope go after this coming season would be the best thing for the program. When you got the resources he does at our program there is no excuse for missing on so many players. He missed on important guys last year and we’re getting a replay of that again unfortunately.
Click to expand...
I think that everyone except Pope has accepted that Stokes isn't coming.

I honestly hope that Pope quits focusing on Stokes and stops letting the remaining decent players in the portal go elsewhere.

Our offer is out there, and he's visited twice, so there is no more "recruiting" to do with him.
 
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FLBBNFAN

FLBBNFAN

All-Conference
Mar 25, 2025
754
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Stenchymouse said:
That depends on whether Barnhardt is allowed to creep around and influence decisions going forward.
Click to expand...
I think 2 years would be extremely tough to pull off. Its one thing for the fanbase to have pitchforks and torches but now the national pundits are getting their licks in while were down. No way the school can allow that to happen for 2 more years.
 
theBlues

theBlues

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2025
1,424
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Stenchymouse said:
Okay, I think we can all agree that this offseason has been horrific and Pope is a failure, so lets not beat that dead horse.

At this point, what do you think is our best case scenario is at this point?

I'll start...

Diallo, Freeman, someone like an Alex Wilkins, a few more filler pieces and hope to God that this team over-achieves.
Click to expand...
Normally UK fans would love an under-talented team that overachieves but next year would not be a normal year. If Pope puts together a team without talent to compete with the top teams, not very many people will want him to overachieve himself into another year.

Kentucky should never be that scrappy, overachieving team.
 
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K

KYWC36

All-Conference
Jul 11, 2013
1,342
1,970
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UNDEFEATED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Season 9 GIF by The Office
 
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P

peterpiper09

All-Conference
Mar 19, 2006
1,149
2,266
112
Continuing to hammer Pope every 10 seconds does nothing to help our program. It’s sad really. Give the guy a chance to coach at least one season in which half the team isn’t injured. Damn.

I’ll bet your wives or girlfriends, if you guys have one, really love seeing you all pull in the driveway.
 
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Rainmaker

Rainmaker

All-Conference
May 13, 2015
1,144
2,918
113
Stenchymouse said:
Okay, I think we can all agree that this offseason has been horrific and Pope is a failure, so lets not beat that dead horse.

At this point, what do you think is our best case scenario is at this point?

I'll start...

Diallo, Freeman, someone like an Alex Wilkins, a few more filler pieces and hope to God that this team over-achieves.
Click to expand...

Incoming
Zoom Diallo
Tyran Stokes
Alex Wilkins
Cruz Davis
Donnie Freeman
Sebastian Rancik
Paul Osaruyi
Mason Williams

Returning

Kam Williams
Malachi Moreno
Braydon Hawthorne
Trent Noah
Reece Potter

This is a best case scenario IMO. That would be the best team we’ve had since 2017. That’s a lot of mouths to feed though. We are likely to get 5-6 of those listed on the incoming list IMO. In a perfect world we get them all.
 
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2

20MRoster

All-Conference
Nov 16, 2018
795
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Stenchymouse said:
Ain't that the truth!

I DO understand the frustration, sadness, and disappointment, but I'm searching for SOMETHING to salvage.
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There ain't anything to salvage, my brother. You have a good attitude though, respect. I can't bring myself to be excited for this pathetic shitshow.
 
KOF98

KOF98

Sophomore
Apr 10, 2025
74
109
33
1 Diallo
2 McNeil
3 Stokes
4 Momcilovic (or Graves)
5 Moreno

Need a backup guard to cover 1/2 minutes, backup forward to cover 4/5 minutes, and then Kam is your other main rotation player.

Then hope they can somehow figure out how to play defense with that bunch. Stokes would probably have to put up numbers that are at least 80% as good as Flagg and Boozer (roughly 10 BPR/BPM). It's the only way I can see this roster competing for titles.
 
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T

TTTblue24

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2004
3,848
2,689
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Rainmaker said:
Incoming
Zoom Diallo
Tyran Stokes
Alex Wilkins
Cruz Davis
Donnie Freeman
Sebastian Rancik
Paul Osaruyi
Mason Williams

Returning

Kam Williams
Malachi Moreno
Braydon Hawthorne
Trent Noah
Reece Potter

This is a best case scenario IMO. That would be the best team we’ve had since 2017. That’s a lot of mouths to feed though. We are likely to get 5-6 of those listed on the incoming list IMO. In a perfect world we get them all.
Click to expand...
Pope would go nuts again trying to play all those players, just like earlier this season and tried to fool us with the “fatigue” nonsense on playing times.

This season probably is based on Stokes, if and huge if, we can get him then add Cox or Wilkins along with Freeman….. I’d almost say the roster may be done possibly another shooter at the 4 would be it. Stokes would be that “name” to show he can get someone but then if the season becomes another like last…..then we have to move on & Mitch & Eli need to go as well. Someone at uk or affiliated has to show MB that he is NOT the puppet master over this program and the program will survive without Mitch influencing it.
 
T

TommyMansky

All-Conference
Dec 5, 2025
625
1,049
93
Rainmaker said:
Incoming
Zoom Diallo
Tyran Stokes
Alex Wilkins
Cruz Davis
Donnie Freeman
Sebastian Rancik
Paul Osaruyi
Mason Williams

Returning

Kam Williams
Malachi Moreno
Braydon Hawthorne
Trent Noah
Reece Potter

This is a best case scenario IMO. That would be the best team we’ve had since 2017. That’s a lot of mouths to feed though. We are likely to get 5-6 of those listed on the incoming list IMO. In a perfect world we get them all.
Click to expand...
I think Pope’s first year was his best chance for success before the injuries piled up. He does best with multiple three point shooters and veteran leaders.
 
S

SkyPrince

Senior
Jul 7, 2025
583
954
93
Rainmaker said:
Incoming
Zoom Diallo
Tyran Stokes
Alex Wilkins
Cruz Davis
Donnie Freeman
Sebastian Rancik
Paul Osaruyi
Mason Williams

Returning

Kam Williams
Malachi Moreno
Braydon Hawthorne
Trent Noah
Reece Potter

This is a best case scenario IMO. That would be the best team we’ve had since 2017. That’s a lot of mouths to feed though. We are likely to get 5-6 of those listed on the incoming list IMO. In a perfect world we get them all.
Click to expand...
Total fantasy.
We couldn't afford it and the players mentioned would never agree to backup roles that several would have to take.
 
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