Norlander Predicting UK for Milan

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
46,164
84,152
113
Not what im saying, at all.

I am still firmly "out" on Pope until I see some serious turnaround this year on MULTIPLE fronts. Coaching, communication, accountability, recruiting. Do you not remember how bad we looked early in the season? If he answers the majority of these questions and we get an elite8 or beyond? OK, then you might have convinced me to finance him. And if you think he deserves that now? Thats certainly one way to see it. But I think the rest of us fans have a right to look towards the future and save this money for the next coach (or just get rid of Pope now).
Game planning is a big one for me. Preparation, two halves of basketball.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,168
61,514
113
Game planning is a big one for me. Preparation, two halves of basketball.

Year 1 we saw a lot of good things, and some not so good things. But that was a very experienced roster, a lot of guys having 5 years experience.

But last year was an unmitigated disaster. Almost every area needs decent improvement. And just because he picks up recruiting, let's say.. if his defense, adjustments and motivation stay suspect.. then thats not enough to keep him.
 
Jun 30, 2025
525
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I think we are top 15 ish with Milan.

Gonna need Moreno to morph into a SEC Player of the Year level big and/or one other player step up.

We look bad in Barttorvik 2027 projection because Wilkins and N’Diaye are projected to play 60+% of available minutes and be subpar. If one of both of those players are solid to good, we can crack the top 10.
 
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UKVACats0107

Sophomore
Jan 19, 2026
130
164
43
Why are these guys so afraid to say Milan to Kentucky. Not something Vague like rumored leader, or a new team has jumped out in front. Milan will be committing to Kentucky and it has been known since about 1:30 yesterday. (Been the leader for a while now but finalized negotiations yesterday)

I just laugh at how they continually use click bait titles instead of just stating what actually is. The worst part is people keep clicking on them, wondering well what “if” etc. Milan will be a Cat, now we need to put in the off season work and November can’t come see on enough!
Message!

Just amazing Pitino/Tounde : posters were talking about him as a backup plan to Milan and hours later he withdraws committed to ST. John's already

My story .. your story ...the narrative of Pope is what they playing on.. so be it.

Milan is a Cat!!! We get this win!!
 

Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
21,225
8,726
113
Diallo and Wilkins certainly appear to be the 2 primary guards and ball handlers we will have to lead us next year. But maybe I haven't been as observant as to the depth we will have. Enter Morton and Williams. The guard spot looks like we have solid enough bench players to cover for when Diallo or Wilkins are not on the court.

Surely there will be times, due to the unfathomable horrid & putrid officiating in the SEC, one or both Diallo and Wilkins may be in foul trouble, in addition to the fact they are simply both going to need competent reserves to come in and play very meaningful minutes to give them a breather.

With that thought, and the memory of the incerdibly painful season behind us, watching our guys legitimately having extreme difficulty handling the ball in general, pushing it up the court thru a press or pressure on ball defense, etc. ... when you see this year's team compared to what we had last year at guard (basically - nothing outside of Aberdeen when Lowe went down) - you cannot be but greatly relieved to see we have not one or two, but at least 4 guys that can handle the rock, and multiple guys that can immediately address that issue. And we have a good deal of experience there as well. These guys shouldn't get rattled under pressure.

With the guards we have now, we should have fewer turnovers as a whole & better decision making at both guard spots, with guys that should feel configdent in playing within Pope's system. They should have faith that if they can protect and value the ball, they will get good, consistent offensive cohesiveness and flow, and get quality looks at the basket for all.

The chemistry of our team is immediately upgraded - we simply should not have the kind of issues at guard that we have had under Pope's tenure so far.

Unless they really want another SG to come in and play some backup minutes, we look good to go.
 

Lameguy

Sophomore
Mar 20, 2026
106
173
43
Watching Morton, I am confident he is better than last year’s JJ. Now, JJ has skills that make him a potential first rounder some day, but he ain’t there now. Morton may have hit is ceiling, but that is better than JJ was last year. Dominque Hawkins is who I would compare him to.

Time will tell with Mason. He has a college ready body, the deficiency that contributed to JJ’s woes. So, maybe he can give us solid minutes.
I agree with everything except JJ‘s first round potential. He showed exactly zero first round potential. He was horrible,
 

Phil_The_Music2

Heisman
Nov 29, 2010
3,286
13,152
113
We dont know how good he is or isnt? Im pretty confident we have seen enough from him at UK and before to say thay hes not of the caliber this program deserves. I dont know how much more time you think he needs. Im willing to give this ONE more year, but thats generous.

And give him resources? Was he not handing out million dollar NIL deals last year? Using the same Kentucky "brand" and facilities that Cal used to turn us into a force in the 2010s?
He's getting a 3rd year. He needs to put up or shut up this year, I'm fine with that. But give him what he needs and don't handicap him. I don't see why that's so hard to understand. Anyone who doesn't want to give him that wants him to fail because they don't like him. You should never put a coach above the program but putting your own likes or dislikes above the program is just as bad.
 

CalCat57

Heisman
Mar 23, 2003
27,043
38,563
113
Why are these guys so afraid to say Milan to Kentucky. Not something Vague like rumored leader, or a new team has jumped out in front. Milan will be committing to Kentucky and it has been known since about 1:30 yesterday. (Been the leader for a while now but finalized negotiations yesterday)

I just laugh at how they continually use click bait titles instead of just stating what actually is. The worst part is people keep clicking on them, wondering well what “if” etc. Milan will be a Cat, now we need to put in the off season work and November can’t come see on enough!
Love your confidence but unfortunately I don't think that is the case.
 

Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
21,225
8,726
113
... And to think I have wanted Milan to suit up for us since the end of last year.... and now we actually have the chance to get him, and I voted "No" that we wouldn't because I have been beaten down by all the WHIFFS - it was frankly annoying. And there have not been all whiffs in my book, but everyone has opinions. I just get tired of trying to remain optimistic from Pope's past failure in getting big time players here since he began. We need a guy like Milan to cancel out the BUST of JQ coming, frankly. And a lot more success recruiting. It needs to show NOW.

Meawnwhile If Momcilovic announces he's coming to Kentucky signed, sealed, delivered ?????

The collective BBN explosion will go viral and trend worldwide - won't be "Just another BOOM...." haha no way!

It'll be a resonating Cat-astrophe and Cat -aclysm of a KA-POWWWW for the legion of Kentucky haters out there.

We're channelling all our cokllective BBN positive mojo to put this team together with all the right pieces in it's place.... finally. Pretty much for the first time (healthy and together) in Pope's time here.

The monkey will not be off his back at all, though. There will be doubts until we see them play and how they are coached because let's face it, this is a make or break year. New A.D. and a new direction coming with a breath of fresh air, and it will be, and a return to winning big time under Pope will cure a lot of what ails us. Has ailed us for too long of a time around here. Pope has got to get it ALL together this year and deliver bigtime.

Thankfully he's a smart guy, learning hard lessons, but learning. And I trust he knows that. He can understand that assignment now, for real.

I have faith things will be alright. Stayin' loyal and faihful, bleeding blue until I finally perish from this Earth.

Go Big Blue !
 
Aug 23, 2024
2,445
5,443
113
Year 1 we saw a lot of good things, and some not so good things. But that was a very experienced roster, a lot of guys having 5 years experience.

But last year was an unmitigated disaster. Almost every area needs decent improvement. And just because he picks up recruiting, let's say.. if his defense, adjustments and motivation stay suspect.. then thats not enough to keep him.
Complaints about last season are extremely overblown by a bunch of chicken littles. It was disappointing but far from the unmitigated disaster that was 2021. Coaching was obviously not perfect but a good but not great roster, injuries, and schedule all played major roles in our record being what it was.
 

4UK4life1

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2004
3,153
1,331
111
Jesus. Idk thats not worth it. Certainly not with a very mid coach at the moment. Idk where exactly this money is coming from.. but whether its a business, or something within the school, either way it would be better served to be held onto a little bit. Im tryingnto give Pope a bit of a chance snd not **** on him, but he in no way deserves to be spending $4mil on 3rd option type players. You earn that, and that certainly wasnt earned last season.

We dont know all the NIL details yet, but I dont believe this money is infinite. Whoever gave this $4mil, it wont always be there. This move sort of feels like were building a bridge for Pope when he doesnt exactly have the means to get across it. We will see.
The way things are moving now, there won’t be any decent players available for less than that in a couple years. If the money isn’t there then I’d assume those teams will cease to exist eventually lol
 

NoJuice

Redshirt
May 27, 2026
40
39
18
Complaints about last season are extremely overblown by a bunch of chicken littles. It was disappointing but far from the unmitigated disaster that was 2021. Coaching was obviously not perfect but a good but not great roster, injuries, and schedule all played major roles in our record being what it was.
Comparing Pope with unlimited resources and full fan support to Cal and a season during a global pandemic when nobody cares about. Basketball..lol
 

Son_Of_Saul

Heisman
Dec 7, 2007
45,461
99,849
113
Predictions don't mean crap. Mom would have already committed like the guy did to St. Johns if it was a done deal. He's still shopping IMO. Everything has to be drawn out for us. It's infuriating.
That's because there is always massive uncertainty about playing for Mark Pope.

Elite kids don't trust him with their futures. I'll be surprised if he lands Momci.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,168
61,514
113
He's getting a 3rd year. He needs to put up or shut up this year, I'm fine with that. But give him what he needs and don't handicap him. I don't see why that's so hard to understand. Anyone who doesn't want to give him that wants him to fail because they don't like him. You should never put a coach above the program but putting your own likes or dislikes above the program is just as bad.

I have to imagine finding $4mil for a single transfer player isnt exactly easy to procure, not when 3 years prior we didnt have to spend a nickel for players. $4 million, maybe more. For a guy who is going to play 1 year, on a team that looks like its still not gonna be top10 even with him. This sort of reeks of desperation. Like a bad NFL coach trading future picks to get a star WR: its a move that doesnt neccesarily help the team do anything now, and instead just spends future assets in an attempt to save a job. (Just an analogy, its not exactly the same. I know that). We are hearing rumblings that programs ar unable to afford this NIL era and are spending more than they have. That worries me.

Im not saying you hamstring him, but I dont know if Pope has earned himself a bidding war for this type of player where we are seemingly going to spend whatever it takes. Again, this money isnt free. We spend $4mil for this guy, that money might not be there for the next coach.

All that's to say, its just my two cents. Im not gonna be pissed if we sign Mom for that money, I just wont neccesarily agree with it. Now if he turns into an absolute weapon, and we win a F4 and this fixes Popes problems, then ill be glad to admit im wrong.
 
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LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,168
61,514
113
The way things are moving now, there won’t be any decent players available for less than that in a couple years. If the money isn’t there then I’d assume those teams will cease to exist eventually lol

When Pope was hired, NIL was still so new and no one had any ideas what can and cant be done. If it is indeed true that Pope isnt the guy for the job, than you move on. And kentucky now has a bit of advantage here where we can entice coaches with a top 99 percentile of roster spending. The next coaching hire could look a lot different now. And if boosters are willing to spend $4mil for a single Pope player, than you tell someone like Billy D/Maye/etc "you have $25mil a year to spend".. thats gonna turn a lot of heads.
 
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Im The Village Idiot

All-Conference
Sep 7, 2025
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When Pope was hired, NIL was still so new and no one had any ideas what can and cant be done. If it is indeed true that Pope isnt the guy for the job, than you move on. And kentucky now has a bit of advantage here where we can entice coaches with a top 99 percentile of roster spending. The next coaching hire could look a lot different now. And if boosters are willing to spend $4mil for a single Pope player, than you tell someone like Billy D/Maye/etc "you have $25mil a year to spend".. thats gonna turn a lot of heads.
The fact that you think “Maye” would consider coming to Kentucky due to NIL shows how little handle you have on this topic. I like your posts typically but you don’t seem to be well-rounded or well-informed on this topic based on what I see here.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,168
61,514
113
The fact that you think “Maye” would consider coming to Kentucky due to NIL shows how little handle you have on this topic. I like your posts typically but you don’t seem to be well-rounded or well-informed on this topic based on what I see here.

Im used to talking a lot more about Drake Maye lately. I also dont really care if I spell a name wrong on a forum. Your big takeaway from what I wrote was "hey, he spelt something wrong!".

The point wasnt to say those two guys specifically, thats why I put "etc" at the end of it. Its for *any* potential coach we want next.
 

Im The Village Idiot

All-Conference
Sep 7, 2025
598
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Im used to talking a lot more about Drake Maye lately. I also dont really care if I spell a name wrong on a forum. Your big takeaway from what I wrote was "hey, he spelt something wrong!".

The point wasnt to say those two guys specifically, thats why I put "etc" at the end of it. Its for *any* potential coach we want next.
No, I’m saying UM has far deeper pockets than UK. May is going nowhere
 

Rainmaker

All-Conference
May 13, 2015
1,608
4,698
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Your track record is so good I can't imagine why anyone would doubt you
Congrats on hitting 93 posts before getting banned this time, quite the accomplishment for you. Bold of you to talk about anyone’s track record when your entire existence on this board is a masterclass in bringing zero value with your grade school trolling ability. You have the intellect of a sack of potatoes , the maturity of a toddler, and everyone is thoroughly exhausted by your pathetic, repetitive cry for attention. You are the definition of pathetic.