Expectations if we land Momcilovic?
- Thread starter NociHTTP
- Start date
I believe the rational expectation is that Kentucky will win more games with him on the team than not on the team.
Truth hurts but it will be ok someday in the future when this BARNHART experiment expires
We are not signing Milan or any other top player they are not going to play for a coach that has been black balled by top players and their agents early on for erratic behavior in trying to close. This was posted early on about Pope being cast as someone weird with his approach and getting upset during negotiations.
Milan is a guy that I've really wanted for awhile. He would make me much more excited about next season compared to now, but my expectations would still be pretty low until Pope proves that he is capable of coaching a top level team. I'll keep my expectations in check until I see a good product on the floor.
We need Moreno to come back for certain... that said ... If we land Milan ( with Moreno back), it obviously raises expectations. How much so ? Right now, UK is only in the fringe top 25 - 30 range, if that, as the roster currently stands. We might be lucky if the current roster can even make that tier.
So much is dependant on how well Zoom and Wilkins can lead the team on the court. I feel like they are being undervalued and overlooked by the national media. If they can perform to expectations, and perhaps above it, then we are a very dangerous team.
Yeah, at that point, a very dangerous team. I have to think at the minimum, UK would be projected as a top 15 team, and even if they manage to get that bump, I think it only lights a fire for them to do better than where they will be ranked in the preseason.
Possibly 25+ win season with 9 or so losses ? Maybe better ? Yeah.
A Sweet Sixteen team, yes, I'd guess they can make the elite eight, if they can get that far... Maybe as high as a 3 seed with a shot at a 2, they will have to really collectively step thier games up to make a 1 seed or a final four, but it can be done.
Bottom line is we will still need the guys to be better than what they were before coming here to play. It's a tall ask, but it is doable.
So much is dependant on how well Zoom and Wilkins can lead the team on the court. I feel like they are being undervalued and overlooked by the national media. If they can perform to expectations, and perhaps above it, then we are a very dangerous team.
Yeah, at that point, a very dangerous team. I have to think at the minimum, UK would be projected as a top 15 team, and even if they manage to get that bump, I think it only lights a fire for them to do better than where they will be ranked in the preseason.
Possibly 25+ win season with 9 or so losses ? Maybe better ? Yeah.
A Sweet Sixteen team, yes, I'd guess they can make the elite eight, if they can get that far... Maybe as high as a 3 seed with a shot at a 2, they will have to really collectively step thier games up to make a 1 seed or a final four, but it can be done.
Bottom line is we will still need the guys to be better than what they were before coming here to play. It's a tall ask, but it is doable.
I think he does come to UK at this point.
Don't do this to yourselfs that guy will not commit to ky and your gut feeling knows it.Denial is a hell of a river to drown in.
With Momo we are last year’s team minus injuries IF we get Moreno back and avoid injuries. The national media would hype us beyond that, partially because interesting news is scarce and partially because they all feed off each other.
If we get Momo, keep Moreno, and sign one highly capable guard with range then they honestly wouldn’t hype us too much more but suddenly the hype would be justified.
If we get Momo, keep Moreno, and sign one highly capable guard with range then they honestly wouldn’t hype us too much more but suddenly the hype would be justified.
With Milan: 23-12 s16 exit
Without Milan: 21-14 first rd exit.
Without Milan: 21-14 first rd exit.
Please explain , who are “ folks nationally”? Other fans, coaches, players, agents, media?
They don’t think very highly as of now for sure. With MM back and Momcilovic, I’m thinking they’ll rank us around 21-22 in their preseason rankings. Personally, I’d rank us in that 18-20 range so they’re not too far off. I’ve said before, that gives us a lot of room to improve, and prove them, and me wrong. I 100% hope they do.
So should everyone be tickled pink losing ten to fifteen games a year and being made fun of by the national media? Do you think Kentucky Basketball became a powerhouse by being happy and content with losing? If we don’t care about winning, why even watch the games, travel and spend millions of dollars every year? No one is happy being the loser, well, until five minutes ago, when kids were raised up with participation trophies ! Would there even be a Kentucky Wildcats if Rupp was happy losing 15 games a year?
What makes you believe that? I haven’t heard much of anything about him favoring us or even returning yet? I see nothing on HOB about him either. Just curious if you heard some stuff?
Things to consider for Pope’s teams while at UK:
2024-2025 (Sweet Sixteen)
1.) Lamont Butler: MWC DPoY, 3x MWC, All-Defensive team, Third Team All MWC
2.) Amari Williams: 3x CAA DPoY, 3x All-CAA
3.) Jaxson Robinson: BIG 12 6th Man of the Year
4.) Koby Brea: 2x A-10 6th Man of the Year, NCAA three-point percentage leader
5.) Ansley Almonor (All-NEC First Team)
6.) Otega Oweh: All-SEC third team
2025-2026 Round of 32
1.) Otega Oweh: All-SEC third team
2.) Kam Williams: AAC All-Freshman team
3.) Malachi Moreno: SEC All-Freshman team
4.) Jaland Lowe: ACC third team
5.) Jayden Quaintance: Big 12 All-Freshman, Big 12 All-Defense
2026-2027
1.) Malachi Moreno: SEC All-Freshman team
2.) Kam Williams: AAC All-Freshman team
3.) Justin McBride: All-Sun Belt
4.) Alex Wilkins: All-Southern Conference, National Association of Basketball Coaches All-South Atlantic District
If we land Momcilavic and keep Moreno, I think our PEAK is a Sweet Sixteen and 4th place in the SEC. Unfortunately, that's enough to keep Pope another season.
2024-2025 (Sweet Sixteen)
1.) Lamont Butler: MWC DPoY, 3x MWC, All-Defensive team, Third Team All MWC
2.) Amari Williams: 3x CAA DPoY, 3x All-CAA
3.) Jaxson Robinson: BIG 12 6th Man of the Year
4.) Koby Brea: 2x A-10 6th Man of the Year, NCAA three-point percentage leader
5.) Ansley Almonor (All-NEC First Team)
6.) Otega Oweh: All-SEC third team
2025-2026 Round of 32
1.) Otega Oweh: All-SEC third team
2.) Kam Williams: AAC All-Freshman team
3.) Malachi Moreno: SEC All-Freshman team
4.) Jaland Lowe: ACC third team
5.) Jayden Quaintance: Big 12 All-Freshman, Big 12 All-Defense
2026-2027
1.) Malachi Moreno: SEC All-Freshman team
2.) Kam Williams: AAC All-Freshman team
3.) Justin McBride: All-Sun Belt
4.) Alex Wilkins: All-Southern Conference, National Association of Basketball Coaches All-South Atlantic District
If we land Momcilavic and keep Moreno, I think our PEAK is a Sweet Sixteen and 4th place in the SEC. Unfortunately, that's enough to keep Pope another season.
Thanks for confirming my point. We haven't played or lost a game yet and the whining has already started. We have a coach who walked into a bad situation and no roster against the toughest schedules we have ever played. Would it kill you to give a him chance without all the negativity? It is all but guaranteed he is our coach this upcoming season so I will be rooting for him and hope for the best.
24-25 we had an injured but courageous Butler and Robinson was out and made the sweet sixteen. 25-26 we did not have Lowe, or JQ and Williams was just returning from injury. Our lack off ball handling gave us no chance against the ball pressure of a quality Iowa ST team.
No, I just think we have more money and time to offer than Loserville. I think he benefits from exposure against good sec players regardless how good or bad we are next year. Just a guess.
Of course i am, and have always supported Mark! I can support him all I can, but I also have eyes and a brain! Also, you can smile and be as happy as you want, without being upset when others tell the truth and give their opinions. Agree or disagree all you want, but you’re not the last word in who’s right or wrong here.
The truth is, a-lot of people believe Mark isn’t living up to expectations as the head coach of Kentucky right now. He has a chance to turn it around this year and I certainly hope he does, but you just don’t get to keep this job (and all the money and celebrity that goes with it), because you love Kentucky basketball!
Everyone here loves Kentucky, but we need to be realistic about our ability to run this program. Again, I hope he kills it this year, but I’m not going to act like he’s been great so far because I like and support him.
No one is acting like it's been great so far but he has only been here two seasons. It has not been as bad as many make it out to be either. All the negativity only works against our team and our recruiting. It would have been totally unreasonable to have fired him after two seasons under the circumstances and probably would have done UK more harm than good.
Last edited:
I agree, and am glad he got another year to prove he can get us back to where we should be. I really do like Mark and want him to be great here, more importantly, I want Kentucky to be great. If those two things happen, all is well in the world with my Basketball Fandom. lol. Honestly, I’m not trying to be negative and I hate not believing we can win at a high level, but now is the time to make it happen, because I’m afraid time is running out if we don’t make a big run this season.
We are losing 12 plus games next year regardless of roster. Our current roster boast only 2 players who will start and/or play meaningful minutes that played at a P5 school last season. Those two players both played at Washington who finished below .500 last year. Without MM and Mom I expect to be a bubble team and possibly miss the expanded field which would be comical. With them I expect to be no better than last year and still have numerous games we are blown out. Pope can’t game plan or teach defense. This team with or without the M & M boys is going to be popes worst defensive team here. That is why we will suck.
Every time someone suggests that we're going to land an elite player, I feel like Red in Shawshank when Andy gives him the harmonica as a gift. I'm afraid to play it because I've nearly lost all hope in landing elite players under Pope.
Momcilovic is an interesting player in that he does one really important thing exceptionally well, but his impact might be dependent on the team around him. He's an A+ shooter but his impact in other areas is limited. He thrived on an Iowa State team that had a good big guy in the paint and an athletic point guard that could create problems for the defense that left shooters open. But there were games where the opponent smothered him (like Iowa State's loss to Tennessee right after they beat UK).
So I'm not sure he's really worth huge dollars. But I still want him. He's a major weapon, and watching UK shoot threes last season was painful at times.
So I'm not sure he's really worth huge dollars. But I still want him. He's a major weapon, and watching UK shoot threes last season was painful at times.
Every team that wants to contend must have one superstar. Much will be determined by whether or not MM comes back. But MM is not a dependable scorer so having MOM will fill that need. Then it will be up to the coaching staff to create the chemistry needed to make a run. Either MM or MOM will make a difference. Getting Both will make a huge difference and put us in the discussion. Otherwise we will be in for a long year in a tough SEC I am afraid and will likely be playing again on Wednesday in Nashville.
Momcilovic would be a nice addition, but bottom line he can’t be the only guy making outside shots or he becomes easy to guard.
Zoom, Wilkins, Kam, N’Diaye have to hit open shots at a respectable (35%) clips to keep defenses honest. I think a lot will depend on confidence and style of play.
IMO with Mom UK can be a top 15 team. Without him will be a stretch to be a top 25-30 team.
Zoom, Wilkins, Kam, N’Diaye have to hit open shots at a respectable (35%) clips to keep defenses honest. I think a lot will depend on confidence and style of play.
IMO with Mom UK can be a top 15 team. Without him will be a stretch to be a top 25-30 team.
Expectations are for UK to be a top 10 type team. To compete for SEC regular season and tournament championships. To always be a threat in the NCAA tournament. Cal did not get that done his last 4 to 5 years and so far, Pope has fallen short. Mostly due to injury but his record is his record and if he cannot meet those expectations then UK needs to look elsewhere. I think a 3rd season is fair but results matter and this is a telling season.
I am excited about the guard on next year's team. I think this is the best set of starting guards since the 2019 season. If Moreno comes back and they can add a shooter like Mom this team on paper has the ability to reach the level of expectation at UK. Now the team and the Coach of that team has to achieve that level.
I am excited about the guard on next year's team. I think this is the best set of starting guards since the 2019 season. If Moreno comes back and they can add a shooter like Mom this team on paper has the ability to reach the level of expectation at UK. Now the team and the Coach of that team has to achieve that level.
He gave his opinion yet you’re the one going on a tangent, crying about crying. You’re the one sounding entitled. Especially since you suck off anyone who bashes Pope or even questions him. What a loser.
I just don't see the case for this team (with Moreno) being worse than last year
Louisville seems to be flush with cash right now so I don’t know about that. If he does withdrawal I hope we pay whatever it takes. We need him badly.
Google Mark Pope, select images. Pick out your favorite picture and stare at it for one minute. There’s your answer!!!
Yes, the negative Nancy's will jump all over it about Pope always whiffs etc. but at this point if he pulls out of the draft which I expect him to do Kentucky would be the favorite to land him.
Since you're apparently close with "Milan" why don't you use those connections to get the Serbian Sniper/Bo/Los here.