If Kentucky misses on Kusturica.

I thought it was already pretty much a done deal to UCLA? Do we still even have a chance?

We will be making large offers to Spears and Rosser regardless of whether Kusturica comes or not

Cronin is such a little dweeb.

rick64 said:

Cronin is such a little dweeb.

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I will never know why anyone wants to play for that clown.

Son_Of_Saul said:

Kentucky is not out. I still think we have the highest offer out there and Trilly still thinks we lead. But if Kusturica wants to play for the Shady Leprechaun for less, there's really no stopping him.

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Unfortunately all European born players are from major cities from what I’ve heard on here and only want to go to other major cities if they move here. Sucks but it is what it is I guess.

I don't believe that number

I say we invest that money in some good summer camps for Potter and roll.

Son_Of_Saul said:

Kentucky is not out. I still think we have the highest offer out there and Trilly still thinks we lead. But if Kusturica wants to play for the Shady Leprechaun for less, there's really no stopping him.

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Cronin does have two Serbian assistants on his staff, so that's the pull.

Why do you not include Momcilovic in your 27/28 lineup? I would think he will be in the same position next year as he is this year, draft-wise. The only player losing eligibility is Kepnang.

SenseMaker_Cats said:

Unfortunately all European born players are from major cities from what I’ve heard on here and only want to go to other major cities if they move here. Sucks but it is what it is I guess.

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Kusturica is from Nova Sad, a smaller city than Lexington.

And this just isn't true either. Gonzaga has 3-4 Int'l players a year going to Spokane and Arizona has them going to Tucson. Durham, Gainesville, Baton Rouge, Columbia (SC), Champaign...none of these are large cities and the coaches are pulling multiple Int'l players to their campuses.

howitis_rivals115807 said:

I thought it was already pretty much a done deal to UCLA? Do we still even have a chance?

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Trilly likes UK's chances

SenseMaker_Cats said:

Unfortunately all European born players are from major cities from what I’ve heard on here and only want to go to other major cities if they move here. Sucks but it is what it is I guess.

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Wtf?!

My bad guys. I thought that was goofy enough to be an obvious joke.

SenseMaker_Cats said:

My bad guys. I thought that was goofy enough to be an obvious joke.

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Sorry I read it completely different

I'd like to hear from @Rainmaker (seriously)

Is there a NCAA required date when a decision has to occur?

Son_Of_Saul said:

Evidently UK is offering 2 years, $12-14 million total for the Serbian sensation. If we miss, let's pivot and use that money for Spears and/or Rosser instead. Bring back Diallo, Wilkins, Kam, and one of either McBride or N'Diaye (I'll go with McBride here), Potter, Mason Williams, Noah, Morton, and Hawthorne. Obviously you add Hampton.

Kusturica would have made $6-7 million/year plus we need to factor in the $3.5-4 that Moreno is getting paid (which comes off the books if he jumps to the league). Plus factor in whatever Kepnang/N'Diaye are making, and you're looking at $12-14 million to bring in Hampton, two portal bigs, Spears, and a raise for your returners. Even if you lose one of Hawthorne/Kam due to a potential logjam at the wing positions, you still have solid depth and even more finances to add more pieces.

I think Spears wants to play the 4. Fine. Then you take the money that would have gone to Rosser and spend it on a high-level portal big man and a decent backup.

C - Portal - Portal - Potter
F - Spears - McBride - K. Williams
F - K. Williams - Hawthorne - Noah
G - Wilkins - Hampton - Noah
G - Diallo - M. Williams - Morton

That's doable, and would be Pope's most talented roster.

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If we can have McBride and Ndiaye for two more years than I’d take both

But seriously I think this year we are going to be surprisingly great best kentucky team in past 6-7 years but if Zoom and Wilkins stay a second I think we’d best insanely good

like if Zoom needs a breather on the bench we could have
Pg Wilkins
Sg Hampton
Sf k Williams
Pf spears
C Ndiaye?

UKreturntogreatness said:

Is there a NCAA required date when a decision has to occur?

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Not exactly. There is no NCAA requirement date. The NCAA leaves that to the universities and conferences (for athletes). The biggest "date" hurdle is Universities who have enrollment deadlines for the fall semester. It varies from University to University. Kentucky has some hard deadlines, Aug 1st generally being the fall enrollment deadline, but do extend "late" enrollment into late August for an additional fee.

Things get a little more convoluted when you consider Kusturica is international, not a graduating senior, and doesn't "have" to enroll in college at all for this fall. I don't know of an imposed NCAA requirement date, especially for international non-seniors.

Funnel that money to Spears and/or Rosser yesterday imo. Kusturica was a shooting guard who hit a growth spurt and hasn’t shot well since.

Sure, he *could* adjust to his body and start hitting at that clip again, and then he really would be worth a lot. (Whether he’d be worth six million freaking dollars a year is a different question. But he’d be worth a lot.)

But he’s shown no signs that he will regain his old shooting touch at his new size. (Currently he’s peaking at 30% from outside in streaks). Everybody and his brother seems to be betting this guy will be the next Anthony Davis with no real reason to expect that so it all looks like emperor’s new clothes stuff to me.

The emperor is buck naked, people.

If we shell out twelve million dollars for him I hope he grows a nice suit.

-BBH- said:

I will never know why anyone wants to play for that clown.

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SenseMaker_Cats said:

Unfortunately all European born players are from major cities from what I’ve heard on here and only want to go to other major cities if they move here. Sucks but it is what it is I guess.

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He'd be making enough here to travel wherever he wants via private jet. Lexington is a flight away from cities large and small. And the Caribbean. He's not going to be sitting in a dorm with no spending money and no transportation.

SenseMaker_Cats said:

Unfortunately all European born players are from major cities from what I’ve heard on here and only want to go to other major cities if they move here. Sucks but it is what it is I guess.

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Then they have no idea what “Gods Country” looks like!!
Who in hell would want to live in LA?
not this old country boy.

SenseMaker_Cats said:

Unfortunately all European born players are from major cities from what I’ve heard on here and only want to go to other major cities if they move here. Sucks but it is what it is I guess.

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LA vs LEXINGTON.

SenseMaker_Cats said:

Unfortunately all European born players are from major cities from what I’ve heard on here and only want to go to other major cities if they move here. Sucks but it is what it is I guess.

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Did you ask ChatGPT to make up excuses or something?

Edit: I just saw you were playing. You got me.

RedwoodHigh said:

LA vs LEXINGTON.

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If that’s the case send him to LA for a week. He will be offering to pay UK to come here.

Son_Of_Saul said:

I just don't think he comes back for another year. I hope I'm wrong. I think Pope gets the most out of him this year. Pope's done a above-average job of maximizing player potential while he's been here.

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Com'on man!! What player improved under Pope?

Skyguyb27 said:

Did you ask ChatGPT to make up excuses or something?

Edit: I just saw you were playing. You got me.

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No problem my friend. When you miss, you miss and I obviously missed on that joke. One of those that sounded funny in my head at the time.

The context in my mind (at least) was that some were acting like why come to Lexington when you can go to LA//Miami. Not everyone wants that, even some young athletes imo.

Son_Of_Saul said:

Evidently UK is offering 2 years, $12-14 million total for the Serbian sensation. If we miss, let's pivot and use that money for Spears and/or Rosser instead. Bring back Diallo, Wilkins, Kam, and one of either McBride or N'Diaye (I'll go with McBride here), Potter, Mason Williams, Noah, Morton, and Hawthorne. Obviously you add Hampton.

Kusturica would have made $6-7 million/year plus we need to factor in the $3.5-4 that Moreno is getting paid (which comes off the books if he jumps to the league). Plus factor in whatever Kepnang/N'Diaye are making, and you're looking at $12-14 million to bring in Hampton, two portal bigs, Spears, and a raise for your returners. Even if you lose one of Hawthorne/Kam due to a potential logjam at the wing positions, you still have solid depth and even more finances to add more pieces.

I think Spears wants to play the 4. Fine. Then you take the money that would have gone to Rosser and spend it on a high-level portal big man and a decent backup.

C - Portal - Portal - Potter
F - Spears - McBride - K. Williams
F - K. Williams - Hawthorne - Noah
G - Wilkins - Hampton - Noah
G - Diallo - M. Williams - Morton

That's doable, and would be Pope's most talented roster.

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That looks like a potentially really good roster. Of course, we know UK could lose some of those guys to the NBA draft. I would kind of like to see an expected multi-year freshman – a big bodied kid with good hands required (and hopefully good feet too) – as the backup Center. I think some roster continuity with key players is crucial and I believe it could be easier to develop that properly with freshmen (although the 5 for 5 rule may make it easier to get multiple year guys from the portal who are willing to be developed and earn their way into a starting role).

Skyguyb27 said:

If that’s the case send him to LA for a week. He will be offering to pay UK to come here.

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UCLA is in Westwood - next to BEL AIR & Beverly Hills.

TheResistance said:

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Nikola Kusturica on the verge of saying goodbye to Barça

All signs point to another of the *Blaugrana* basketball team's top prospects leaving the club to embark on an NCAA adventure. He has yet to inform the club of his decision.

I posted a few weeks ago about how UK had a 2 yer offer that was 2nd year loaded as that was the only way to ensure he stays 2 years at one school. I find it odd that he would go somewhere else for less (over the 2 years) if he actually planned on playing college ball for 2 years. I feel like they could be looking for the biggest one year deal and then another route if he does indeed go elsewhere.

BlueSince92 said:

Funnel that money to Spears and/or Rosser yesterday imo. Kusturica was a shooting guard who hit a growth spurt and hasn’t shot well since.

Sure, he *could* adjust to his body and start hitting at that clip again, and then he really would be worth a lot. (Whether he’d be worth six million freaking dollars a year is a different question. But he’d be worth a lot.)

But he’s shown no signs that he will regain his old shooting touch at his new size. (Currently he’s peaking at 30% from outside in streaks). Everybody and his brother seems to be betting this guy will be the next Anthony Davis with no real reason to expect that so it all looks like emperor’s new clothes stuff to me.

The emperor is buck naked, people.

If we shell out twelve million dollars for him I hope he grows a nice suit.

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I didn't know Anthony Davis was considered a shooting guard.

Son_Of_Saul said:

Evidently UK is offering 2 years, $12-14 million total for the Serbian sensation. If we miss, let's pivot and use that money for Spears and/or Rosser instead. Bring back Diallo, Wilkins, Kam, and one of either McBride or N'Diaye (I'll go with McBride here), Potter, Mason Williams, Noah, Morton, and Hawthorne. Obviously you add Hampton.

Kusturica would have made $6-7 million/year plus we need to factor in the $3.5-4 that Moreno is getting paid (which comes off the books if he jumps to the league). Plus factor in whatever Kepnang/N'Diaye are making, and you're looking at $12-14 million to bring in Hampton, two portal bigs, Spears, and a raise for your returners. Even if you lose one of Hawthorne/Kam due to a potential logjam at the wing positions, you still have solid depth and even more finances to add more pieces.

I think Spears wants to play the 4. Fine. Then you take the money that would have gone to Rosser and spend it on a high-level portal big man and a decent backup.

C - Portal - Portal - Potter
F - Spears - McBride - K. Williams
F - K. Williams - Hawthorne - Noah
G - Wilkins - Hampton - Noah
G - Diallo - M. Williams - Morton

That's doable, and would be Pope's most talented roster.

Click to expand...

I feel like you guys know how this thing works, but in reality, you don’t know how it works. I mean, all the figures the numbers they’ve been thrown around for the most part of been way off. And this guy does euro I think ship is sailed, but I think he’s all locked up for UCLA. But still it’s not like money that didn’t get used for one player that it goes for another. All this dreaming daydreaming about what rosters could be no one‘s ever been close. It’s not like if we pay the euro we can’t pay these other guys. There’s plenty of money to go to go around if our boosters will put it out there.. and I’m going to tell you that boosters are holding their money right now. I don’t know where they’re getting the money for this euro if that is true I mean, I don’t believe those figures are true at all or it would be a no-brainer.. you know we got a season right here in front of us where we have to win if you want to see your boy Mark Pope on the sideline next year. You can’t just pull in a couple of recruits which is what’s going on here. He picked up a good recruit one for this season is one lined up for next year. Pope said more guys back out more. Top recruits back out, then end up on campus. I know a guy put a ton of money to NIL runs a big bank in the Bluegrass put a ton of money to NIL a massive supporter on all front. He’s holding his money in Basketball only money. He’ll put up is ear Marked specifically for the football team. Our basketball team has to make a major turnaround and when 10 losses and popes gone.

UKCowboys said:

We will be making large offers to Spears and Rosser regardless of whether Kusturica comes or not

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This is the overall point I’m trying to make is nothing. One thing isn’t contingent upon another when it comes to NIL. It’s not like you can’t have both that you if you give money to the euro you’re not gonna be able to get a top guy in the class that’s just like I don’t know what it’s some old school thinking if there’s a stud that wants to play for Kentucky and they say pay me this and that’s in the market value Kentucky’s gonna pay them that they’re gonna get the money. Problem is right now. Pope isn’t getting the money so people are thinking he’s gotta choose between one or the other, but when it’s presented to boosters to people who pay the Nil every player is judged on their own merit and there’s no cap at the market called for UK men’s basketball to generate 40 50 million dollars to buy a roster. In my last thing is this this guy Spears if he hasn’t already he gonna sign with Nike so if you were to come to Kentucky, the majority of his NIl money is gonna come from Nike. If he command say 7 million from UK he’s gonna get another 10 from Nike. There’s no real rule here so they’re just gonna continue to do what they do trying to buy players and at the end of the day Connecticut’s gonna pay the same as UK will for the top guy in the class. I mean, they may get a bit of a discount but at the end of the day it is all about the Coach. It’s not about the money. Stud player is gonna get paid if it’s at Kentucky or anywhere else.. and the boosters right now they need reason to fully buy back in. Which means a blockbuster season. A team that gets to the final four or loses in a razor, thin close game in elite eight. This is season three this is the season you have to win. This isn’t the season. You can start trying to pack your roster for the next season season three is to do what we haven’t done in 12 seasons and get to the final four. Or get pope out of there in favor of someone who will. Because all these dreams, scenarios of rosters Pope still a weird guy that hasn’t changed. Really nothing’s changed. He’s had a decent off-season by UK standards and he’s been as a coach below average. 10 losses season couple blowouts.. I feel like we need to go into the tournament as a one or two seed to have any shot. But hey that’s just me I’m just waiting like the rest of you. Just waiting for this tenure for a coach every UK fan melted down about the night was hired. Just waiting for the end. Year three new athletic director wouldn’t even think about next season roster yet.

SenseMaker_Cats said:

Unfortunately all European born players are from major cities from what I’ve heard on here and only want to go to other major cities if they move here. Sucks but it is what it is I guess.

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LA is a cesspool and super high taxes. Would never live there.

rick64 said:

Cronin is such a little dweeb.

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And Mark Pope is an extremely tall dweeb.