How about this finish to the roster?

philstat

Heisman
Jan 3, 2004
10,883
10,283
56
Retain Moreno
Add Victoryous Miller

done.

Sounds to me like Momcilovic is gonna take a pro route if its good enough.

Think Moreno comes back. Miami isn’t taking him at 13, they’re looking 41.
Not bad, just don’t see it going that way, predict we lose MM, and VM goes elsewhere, it’s just where things are at.
 

Farsight Clone

All-American
Aug 30, 2025
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I just feel like Moreno wants to go pro and will if he's promised a spot. First or second round.
To me if Moreno truly wanted to come back he would. Just my inclination, is that Moreno is trying every way possible to stay in the draft. I don't think he wants to come back and play for Pope. I could be wrong, but just what I am feeling.
 

BBNSZN914

Heisman
Apr 9, 2024
4,667
11,940
102
To me if Moreno truly wanted to come back he would. Just my inclination, is that Moreno is trying every way possible to stay in the draft. I don't think he wants to come back and play for Pope. I could be wrong, but just what I am feeling.
I think the true unknowns are- why did he withdraw from the scrimmages- and what happened when Pope got to Chicago. At this point you can spin it either way.

The Heat looking at him after the Knicks is encouraging. I just dont see them shopping him at 13, that seems more certain than anything. Maybe- maybe indicates that he isn’t assured anything by NYK at 24.
 

philstat

Heisman
Jan 3, 2004
10,883
10,283
56
I think the true unknowns are- why did he withdraw from the scrimmages- and what happened when Pope got to Chicago. At this point you can spin it either way.

The Heat looking at him after the Knicks is encouraging. I just dont see them shopping him at 13, that seems more certain than anything. Maybe- maybe indicates that he isn’t assured anything by NYK at 24.
I believe he goes first round, this isn’t a deep draft, he’s an up and coming big with solid fundamentals and known to be easy to coach and work with. In 12 months, he’ll look like a graffiti painting, tattoos, 😂
 
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UKVACats0107

Sophomore
Jan 19, 2026
122
161
43
Retain Moreno
Add Victoryous Miller

done.

Sounds to me like Momcilovic is gonna take a pro route if its good enough.

Think Moreno comes back. Miami isn’t taking him at 13, they’re looking 41.
I can rock with that!

Maintain Moreno : overall i feel confident in his return. HE WANTS TO BE HERE. What a legacy recruit he becomes, if he makes lottery next year. This happens,with a deep run in the tournament ?? He is saying the right things @ the combine, his name is ringing out!!! Play the game!! Im kool with that.

Ultimately he makes more coming back to where he quickly made it clear where He Wants to be. In college, @ UK!!!!
 
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BBNSZN914

Heisman
Apr 9, 2024
4,667
11,940
102
Moreno coming back or staying isnt turning the rest of this roster into contenders. Moreno is an average college center.
This right here is a data point of the state of things.

We have a guy who is one of the closely watched decisions for a first round pick in the. Nba draft- who took the starting job from a former mcda aa junior- who would be on the short list as a top returning center- a potential lotto pick next year..

but he is not a very good college center, and not a difference maker.

The truth is somewhere between Eeyore and Debbie Downer.
 

UKVACats0107

Sophomore
Jan 19, 2026
122
161
43
KU and Texas are the only two teams I’ve seen tied to him, though I’m sure there are others
Thought i read on another thread that Kansas was the spot until they signed another player.

It looks like it could be a very low key recruiting move on UK' s part 🤔..

I know this kid got a smoothness to his game.. Athletic, imo can get his shot, has a nice mid range ,and can shoot the 3 at decent clip.

Has played in both SEC & BIG 12.

@ this point in the Portal would be highly effective Portal addition.
 

philstat

Heisman
Jan 3, 2004
10,883
10,283
56
Thought i read on another thread that Kansas was the spot until they signed another player.

It looks like it could be a very low key recruiting move on UK' s part 🤔..

I know this kid got a smoothness to his game.. Athletic, imo can get his shot, has a nice mid range ,and can shoot the 3 at decent clip.

Has played in both SEC & BIG 12.

@ this point in the Portal would be highly effective Portal addition.
Oh I agree, though it’s going to be like the Oklahoma gold rush when the draft deadline comes, everyone will scramble to snatch up the last players, we will have competition
 

L.O.D.

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2024
1,156
1,485
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What looks better - this coming up UK Roster or Tubbys worst roster , 89 team ? Of those 3 which is worse with or without Moreno?
 

FitchandMurray29

All-American
Dec 11, 2021
2,693
5,637
61
Moreno coming back or staying isnt turning the rest of this roster into contenders. Moreno is an average college center.
Average college center feels a tad underselling to me. Here are UK’s higher ranked player seasons(than MM last year) using Evan Miya’s player ratings site over the last 5 years:

-Oweh and Mo D in 2025
-Amari, Carr, Butler in 2024
-Sheppard and Rob in 23
-Oscar and Cason in 2022
-Oscar, TyTy, Wheeler in 2021

So analytically speaking he is comfortably above an average contributor imo, before taking into account any improvements this offseason.
 

Im The Village Idiot

All-Conference
Sep 7, 2025
430
1,259
93
What looks better - this coming up UK Roster or Tubbys worst roster , 89 team ? Of those 3 which is worse with or without Moreno?
Seriously? The 89 team by far.


I'd say this roster minus Moreno is probably close to the same, but slightly worse than the 2007 Kentucky team.
 

JPFisher

Heisman
Jul 24, 2013
6,802
13,159
113
Retain Moreno
Add Victoryous Miller

done.

Sounds to me like Momcilovic is gonna take a pro route if its good enough.

Think Moreno comes back. Miami isn’t taking him at 13, they’re looking 41.
VM would be a great addition, but I want someone a little taller who can slide into that 3 spot whenever Kepnang's leg gives out.

If/when Kepnang gets injured, I see NDiaye backing up Moreno while playing the 4, with McBride and Kam splitting the rest of the minutes at the 4. I want a taller 2/3 in that case, but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.
 
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ThroughBlue

Junior
Feb 3, 2014
143
399
63
Average college center feels a tad underselling to me. Here are UK’s higher ranked player seasons(than MM last year) using Evan Miya’s player ratings site over the last 5 years:

-Oweh and Mo D in 2025
-Amari, Carr, Butler in 2024
-Sheppard and Rob in 23
-Oscar and Cason in 2022
-Oscar, TyTy, Wheeler in 2021

So analytically speaking he is comfortably above an average contributor imo, before taking into account any improvements this offseason.


he was our third best player on a very under whelming season. thats about where he will be this season probably with better stats.
This right here is a data point of the state of things.

We have a guy who is one of the closely watched decisions for a first round pick in the. Nba draft- who took the starting job from a former mcda aa junior- who would be on the short list as a top returning center- a potential lotto pick next year..

but he is not a very good college center, and not a difference maker.

The truth is somewhere between Eeyore and Debbie Downer.

I want him back obviously but in my humble opinion with moreno on the roster we are a 21-12 type team without him probably 2-3 less wins. I think he can be a very solid contributor for a good team but he isnt taking us from bad to good by any means. just not his game.

I would love nothing more than to see him come in next season posting hard and demanding the ball on the offensive end and securing balls that he gets his hands on on the defensive end.
 
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UKgrad22

Senior
Apr 9, 2026
370
902
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The hope for this roster is that they gel better than any team in the country and play complimentary ball. We’re not (no matter who we add at this point) not going to out talent contending teams 1-5, just won’t happen. But we have the chance to (as corny as it sounds) play as a unit like the first Pope team did pre-injury. Gotta hope 1-2 guys step into stardom along the way, but that’s my read on the situation as it stands now. We’ve all seen mega talented rosters fizzle out and lose to teams that played connected, just gotta hope we can do that here.
 

philstat

Heisman
Jan 3, 2004
10,883
10,283
56
The Ky SHIP is not sinking & NEVER will.
BBN needs make an honest appraisal of what Lexington & UK has to offer a 19yr old millionaire compared to Miami - LA - Columbus - Nashville - AUSTIN etc etc.
Times have changed .
I do agree, it’s a much harder sell
 

RedwoodHigh

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2025
797
1,121
93
To me if Moreno truly wanted to come back he would. Just my inclination, is that Moreno is trying every way possible to stay in the draft. I don't think he wants to come back and play for Pope. I could be wrong, but just what I am feeling.
Moreno will be back & make another $20million over the next 5 years by doing so.
It’s not about POPE - it’s about his roots & the MONEY$$$$$$
 
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RedwoodHigh

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2025
797
1,121
93
I believe he goes first round, this isn’t a deep draft, he’s an up and coming big with solid fundamentals and known to be easy to coach and work with. In 12 months, he’ll look like a graffiti painting, tattoos, 😂
Deepest Draft in many years.🏴‍☠️
 

RedwoodHigh

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2025
797
1,121
93
VM would be a great addition, but I want someone a little taller who can slide into that 3 spot whenever Kepnang's leg gives out.

If/when Kepnang gets injured, I see NDiaye backing up Moreno while playing the 4, with McBride and Kam splitting the rest of the minutes at the 4. I want a taller 2/3 in that case, but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.
What about Hawthorne? He’s the highest rated player to sign with Ky other than JJ & MM?
 
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BlueSince92

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
10,741
3,347
230
Retain Moreno
Add Victoryous Miller

done.

Sounds to me like Momcilovic is gonna take a pro route if its good enough.

Think Moreno comes back. Miami isn’t taking him at 13, they’re looking 41.
That would be serviceable and would give us something comparable to what we had last year without Quaintance or Lowe——but could play out a little better because we wouldn’t start with a three-month question mark at PG.

Either way to really be effective and leverage Pope’s system, and possibly be longshot contenders if things play out right, we need two more, not one more, shooters of Miller’s potential. Momcilovic would be ideal as one of them because he also insulates us from a Moreno departure somewhat. But if we are getting Moreno back Momcilovic is a want, not a need. Two more shooters plus no gaping hole in the paint, like we’ll have if Moreno leaves and doesn’t really get functionally replaced, is what we need to make Pope’s third year worth the trouble. And if he delivers the equivalent of that, one way or another, I’ll be one hundred percent behind him. He’s not a bad guy. He’s just got us in a really precarious position right now.
 
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