Sounds like Hampton might be joining this yrs squad

wildcatdon

Heisman
Oct 17, 2012
10,560
13,499
113
You guys that are stubborn about info from the KSR guys are so weird. It’s fine not to like them or Matt and his politics. Whatever. But to think that Goose, Tom, and any other former player or media member don’t talk to them about what they’re seeing in practice is so mind numbingly shortsighted. Hell, Ryan is as connected as probably anyone in the media. You won’t believe the negatives but will just buy hook line and sinker the positive stuff? Interesting.
I dont buy into any of it until i see the first few games. I played, i coached for 8 years and officiated for 50 years. I know the game inside and out. I dont put any stock into what someone in the media says about a summer practice. Most of them are lucky to have a job. Goose is great but i dont read a lot about what he has to say. Probably because he doesnt see a lot of summer practices. Peace.
 

Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
42,898
65,300
113
You guys that are stubborn about info from the KSR guys are so weird. It’s fine not to like them or Matt and his politics. Whatever. But to think that Goose, Tom, and any other former player or media member don’t talk to them about what they’re seeing in practice is so mind numbingly shortsighted. Hell, Ryan is as connected as probably anyone in the media. You won’t believe the negatives but will just buy hook line and sinker the positive stuff? Interesting.
Goose? The guy pushing Hawthorne last year because of how he was practicing. That Goose? He talks to KSR?
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,417
5,941
82
zoom and OO were a rebound apart per game. DA was lower than zoom in rebounding.
Different teams, different leagues, different schedules. And lets not forget the other part of that tandem isn't a rebounder at all. Fwiw, one rebound a game difference isn't anything to sneeze at either. There's no world the two starting guards are anywhere near what DA and OO were defensively. I'll give you the offense, or at least a chance of it. I know you've seen him a lot, but Furman is a far cry from the level of play he's going to see in the SEC. I know, I know...UConn and all. One game. Where he hit shots. It's an extremely small sample. There are many others against way lesser teams where he struggled. He could be good, he could also be completely overwhelmed. There were probably 5-6 players on last years team that could've gotten his numbers in the SoCon. I need to see him do it before I'm sure he can.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,417
5,941
82
I dont buy into any of it until i see the first few games. I played, i coached for 8 years and officiated for 50 years. I know the game inside and out. I dont put any stock into what someone in the media says about a summer practice. Most of them are lucky to have a job. Goose is great but i dont read a lot about what he has to say. Probably because he doesnt see a lot of summer practices. Peace.
I can buy the waiting to see the first few games. It's where I'm at. Skeptical we are any better than his first two team. Cautiously optimistic all the pieces fit and the stars align.
 

Threedognight

Senior
May 26, 2026
388
589
93
Different teams, different leagues, different schedules. And let’s not forget the other part of that tandem isn't a rebounder at all. Fwiw, one rebound a game difference isn't anything to sneeze at either. There's no world the two starting guards are anywhere near what DA and OO were defensively. I'll give you the offense, or at least a chance of it. I know you've seen him a lot, but Furman is a far cry from the level of play he's going to see in the SEC. I know, I know...UConn and all. One game. Where he hit shots. It's an extremely small sample. There are many others against way lesser teams where he struggled. He could be good, he could also be completely overwhelmed. There were probably 5-6 players on last years team that could've gotten his numbers in the SoCon. I need to see him do it before I'm sure he can
You go from talking about rebounds to defense. They are not the same thing.
 
Aug 23, 2024
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I think this is clearly popes best roster on paper. Im confident they make a sweet 16.

Im also confident they dont win the sec reg or tourney or make a ncaa final 4.

So the debate becomes for the new UK AD is two sweet 16s n 3 seasons spending all this moneu worth another year of this experiment. The new AD didnt hire Pope and probably would hire a coach based on resume and not where he played college ball (barney only rubric). So pope better perform this season.
I must have forgotten when BCG and Cal played for UK.
 
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Padsfs07

All-Conference
Jan 19, 2013
3,922
3,755
108
I haven’t seen anything that he’s considering reclassifying.

Not that I’ve heard anything either but most players usually wait until after the Peach Jam to do so. Also, he is older than Stikes, Holt, etc so he probably could.

Pope might be waiting to see if there’s a 5th year senior available too. It’s not like there’s a rush to do so here in July.
 

BlueSince92

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
10,933
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Skill level we’ll have to see how well it translates if he plays.

But his skill set is exactly what we’ve been needing to round out the team.
 
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ScWildcat3

Senior
Sep 27, 2005
649
959
93
Different teams, different leagues, different schedules. And lets not forget the other part of that tandem isn't a rebounder at all. Fwiw, one rebound a game difference isn't anything to sneeze at either. There's no world the two starting guards are anywhere near what DA and OO were defensively. I'll give you the offense, or at least a chance of it. I know you've seen him a lot, but Furman is a far cry from the level of play he's going to see in the SEC. I know, I know...UConn and all. One game. Where he hit shots. It's an extremely small sample. There are many others against way lesser teams where he struggled. He could be good, he could also be completely overwhelmed. There were probably 5-6 players on last years team that could've gotten his numbers in the SoCon. I need to see him do it before I'm sure he can.
DA wasn’t a rebounder either. He was a ball hog/tunnel vision type at point guard. Do you even watch the games or just go off what narrative the media and negative fans push? I’ll take my 2 lead guards who are willing passers and can make plays over 2 who are get mine type guys. Loved OO and DA but won’t miss their style of play necessarily. Don’t win a lot of games playing that way.
 
Jun 10, 2026
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DA wasn’t a rebounder either. He was a ball hog/tunnel vision type at point guard. Do you even watch the games or just go off what narrative the media and negative fans push? I’ll take my 2 lead guards who are willing passers and can make plays over 2 who are get mine type guys. Loved OO and DA but won’t miss their style of play necessarily. Don’t win a lot of games playing that way.
As far as letting media control the narrative and all that...I feel the same against our fanbase when they downplay what Oweh was.

Was he the number one pick like Anthony Davis and John Wall? Na but I did just see him average basically 20 a game in the SEC. The strongest SEC we've ever seen according to just about everyone. DA yea he's average and I agree with your take on him.

But as much as I didn't like Owehs attitude or body language a lot of the time I'm not going to let that interfere with what he actually was and how he produced. Two years straight he saved Pope from total embarrassment.

Averaged 20 a game and was runner up for SEC player of the year behind Acuff and maybe the guy from Tennessee. He was a stud. No way around that.

So I'm not going to put our new guards on his level until they produce like him. Oweh did it against the best league in college basketball.

Also Oweh was great on defense when he locked in. He was good for at least one steal break away dunk each game.
 

ScWildcat3

Senior
Sep 27, 2005
649
959
93
As far as letting media control the narrative and all that...I feel the same against our fanbase when they downplay what Oweh was.

Was he the number one pick like Anthony Davis and John Wall? Na but I did just see him average basically 20 a game in the SEC. The strongest SEC we've ever seen according to just about everyone. DA yea he's average and I agree with your take on him.

But as much as I didn't like Owehs attitude or body language a lot of the time I'm not going to let that interfere with what he actually was and how he produced. Two years straight he saved Pope from total embarrassment.

Averaged 20 a game and was runner up for SEC player of the year behind Acuff and maybe the guy from Tennessee. He was a stud. No way around that.

So I'm not going to put our new guards on his level until they produce like him. Oweh did it against the best league in college basketball.

Also Oweh was great on defense when he locked in. He was good for at least one steal break away dunk each game.
I never said Oweh wasn’t very good player and very good for UK. I just said he wasn’t a great defender and was very selfish at times. Sometimes he had to be obviously to get the win. Him not being a vocal leader hurt us last year some I believe. I said Oweh and Milan were basically a wash. My main thing was Chandler and DA imo are not as good as Wilkins and Zoom will be.

Oweh yes would get 1 breakaway steal dunk a game. But he also would give up numerous wide open looks going for that 1 steal. But people who only casually watch see that as a huge play and say he’s a good defender. He could’ve been a great defender but he went for the highlight play too much and ball watched a lot.
 
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ScWildcat3

Senior
Sep 27, 2005
649
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I think Pope isn’t a good coach. I don’t know him, so I don’t hate him.

I will never root against UK. Ever. This is just such a lazy viewpoint.

Was I blinded last offseason too?
I think pope is a very good coach. To do what he has done with all the injuries isn’t easy. Are they Kentucky standard seasons? Absolutely not. But take starting pg off any team 2 years in a row and numerous other weird injuries and see how other coaches fair. He def has his flaws and if he doesn’t adapt and fix them he will be gone. But every coach has flaws. Healthy rosters sure do help a coach look good though.

Who do you see as the top coaches?
 
Jun 10, 2026
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I never said Oweh wasn’t very good player and very good for UK. I just said he wasn’t a great defender and was very selfish at times. Sometimes he had to be obviously to get the win. Him not being a vocal leader hurt us last year some I believe. I said Oweh and Milan were basically a wash. My main thing was Chandler and DA imo are not as good as Wilkins and Zoom will be.

Oweh yes would get 1 breakaway steal dunk a game. But he also would give up numerous wide open looks going for that 1 steal. But people who only casually watch see that as a huge play and say he’s a good defender. He could’ve been a great defender but he went for the highlight play too much and ball watched a lot.
And what I said wasn't really a jab at you or anything I kind of was referring to a lot of fans that completely act like Oweh was a cancer and stuff.

A break away steal for a dunk is a good play no matter if you're casual or not tho. And as far as ball watching yea he did that sometimes. He dribbled the ball off his foot a lot also. It don't take away from him being the best player the last two years. He literally won several games on last second shots. Two against his former team and then saved us from being put out in the first round.

So while I don't think you are saying he's a bad player and I don't even think the ones im talking about said he was a bad player. I just can't stand how people downplay him. He was a freaking stud point blank.

Name a player that produced like him in Cals 15 years. I'm not saying you can't name anybody but you cant name a lot. He will also end up having a solid career in the NBA as a hustle D man imo.

Just always confused on how BBN downplays him. I guess when you produce every single game you don't get celebrated as much as if Noah comes in and hits two threes and gets ten threads about he can play at this level.

Oweh averages 20 a game and all people say is he's selfish and not a good leader. More like Pope doesn't recruit athletes and he was forced to do 90% of the things BBN complains about.

20 loss season without him last year.
 
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ScWildcat3

Senior
Sep 27, 2005
649
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And what I said wasn't really a jab at you or anything I kind of was referring to a lot of fans that completely act like Oweh was a cancer and stuff.

A break away steal for a dunk is a good play no matter if you're casual or not tho. And as far as ball watching yea he did that sometimes. He dribbled the ball off his foot a lot also. It don't take away from him being the best player the last two years. He literally won several games on last second shots. Two against his former team and then saved us from being put out in the first round.

So while I don't think you are saying he's a bad player and I don't even think the ones im talking about said he was a bad player. I just can't stand how people downplay him. He was a freaking stud point blank.

Name a player that produced like him in Cals 15 years. I'm not saying you can't name anybody but you cant name a lot. He will also end up having a solid career in the NBA as a hustle D man imo.

Just always confused on how BBN downplays him. I guess when you produce every single game you don't get celebrated as much as if Noah comes in and hits two threes and gets ten threads about he can play at this level.

Oweh averages 20 a game and all people say is he's selfish and not a good leader. More like Pope doesn't recruit athletes and he was forced to do 90% of the things BBN complains about.

20 loss season without him last year.
Yea the team was built with him as the star. Popes first team was how he was best suited on a team. He didn’t have to worry about much except for getting buckets. He’s a guy you can win big with if the right pieces are around him. A healthy butler and Jax in year 1 would’ve been an elite 8 final / 4 type team.

I agree last year would’ve been rough without him. He also caused some of that roster being not very complimentary by waiting until the last minute to come back. If he announces earlier it’s easier on Pope to know exactly what pieces need to be added. Not saying it’s wrong or right but it helps when you announce early.

I’m going to miss watching him just for how hard he played when he was locked in. But I’m looking forward to see guards who can facilitate and hopefully get back to Popes style of ball.
 
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Lameguy

Junior
Mar 20, 2026
181
367
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DA wasn’t a rebounder either. He was a ball hog/tunnel vision type at point guard. Do you even watch the games or just go off what narrative the media and negative fans push? I’ll take my 2 lead guards who are willing passers and can make plays over 2 who are get mine type guys. Loved OO and DA but won’t miss their style of play necessarily. Don’t win a lot of games playing that way.
Absolutely, DA slowed the whole offense down because he couldn’t play fast without losing the ball. His whole mindset was holding the ball dribbling for 10-15 seconds until he figured which way to drive then not passing to the open guy
 
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Lameguy

Junior
Mar 20, 2026
181
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As far as letting media control the narrative and all that...I feel the same against our fanbase when they downplay what Oweh was.

Was he the number one pick like Anthony Davis and John Wall? Na but I did just see him average basically 20 a game in the SEC. The strongest SEC we've ever seen according to just about everyone. DA yea he's average and I agree with your take on him.

But as much as I didn't like Owehs attitude or body language a lot of the time I'm not going to let that interfere with what he actually was and how he produced. Two years straight he saved Pope from total embarrassment.

Averaged 20 a game and was runner up for SEC player of the year behind Acuff and maybe the guy from Tennessee. He was a stud. No way around that.

So I'm not going to put our new guards on his level until they produce like him. Oweh did it against the best league in college basketball.

Also Oweh was great on defense when he locked in. He was good for at least one steal break away dunk each game.
How often did he actually lock in on defense, maybe first year against Duke then name another where he shut anyone down?
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,417
5,941
82
I think pope is a very good coach. To do what he has done with all the injuries isn’t easy. Are they Kentucky standard seasons? Absolutely not. But take starting pg off any team 2 years in a row and numerous other weird injuries and see how other coaches fair. He def has his flaws and if he doesn’t adapt and fix them he will be gone. But every coach has flaws. Healthy rosters sure do help a coach look good though.

Who do you see as the top coaches?
Pope has an 11 yr coaching history. He's never won a conference title, conference tourney title, and has three NCAAT wins total. In a results driven business, I find it hard to define that as "very good". I think he's finished second in his respective conference four times. The other seven seasons have been fifth or worse. Again, hard for me to define that as very good. I get "very good" is subjective, but still.

Guys that win conferences and conference tourney titles are at the far top of the list. To be very good, that's what Pope has to do. If I name a bunch of guys, all you're going to do is use extremely small samples or "their first two years" to disprove it. Mark Pope has to win and people have to stop "Popesplaining" his "successes". Then you can start talking about him being a "very good" coach.

I'll leave you with this...If UK fires Pope at the end of the season...let's say it's a season where the team has some version of the first two years record and a second round NCAAT exit...Who hires him? What kind of job do you think he would get? Tubby left for Minny. Clyde got fired and went to TTU. Cal bounced for Arky. Do you think Pope could get a job equal to that? I, personally, do not.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,417
5,941
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LMAO. Defensive rebounding is rebounding. Defense is Defense. When you know less than 3rd grade Little Cats players, you know you're in trouble lol
Good lord dude. I'm simply replying so you will continue to prove how little you know about basketball. Answer a couple questions for me.

Is getting a stop defense?

List the ways to get a stop without getting a defensive rebound?
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,417
5,941
82
And what I said wasn't really a jab at you or anything I kind of was referring to a lot of fans that completely act like Oweh was a cancer and stuff.

A break away steal for a dunk is a good play no matter if you're casual or not tho. And as far as ball watching yea he did that sometimes. He dribbled the ball off his foot a lot also. It don't take away from him being the best player the last two years. He literally won several games on last second shots. Two against his former team and then saved us from being put out in the first round.

So while I don't think you are saying he's a bad player and I don't even think the ones im talking about said he was a bad player. I just can't stand how people downplay him. He was a freaking stud point blank.

Name a player that produced like him in Cals 15 years. I'm not saying you can't name anybody but you cant name a lot. He will also end up having a solid career in the NBA as a hustle D man imo.

Just always confused on how BBN downplays him. I guess when you produce every single game you don't get celebrated as much as if Noah comes in and hits two threes and gets ten threads about he can play at this level.

Oweh averages 20 a game and all people say is he's selfish and not a good leader. More like Pope doesn't recruit athletes and he was forced to do 90% of the things BBN complains about.

20 loss season without him last year.
I struggled to watch Otega play. He was frustrating as all get out sometimes. He was also the best player on the floor for the Cats almost every single game he was here. The fact people think some sophomore that played at Furman last year is DEFINITELY going to be better than that...it's just mind-boggling to me.
 
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SenseMaker_Cats

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
1,886
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How often did he actually lock in on defense, maybe first year against Duke then name another where he shut anyone down?
A microcosm of Oweh’s defense is at the end of the UT home game last year. With about a minute to go he lets Ament go right by him for the go ahead layup. Then about 30 seconds later he fights through a screen and causes Ament to take a tough shot which he missed.

Over gambled in the passing lanes way too much. Has the strength and athletic ability to be a great defender but not the will to do it consistently.
 

Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
42,898
65,300
113
He’s a goalpost mover. Soon as his point is proven flawed he moves them to fit his narrative. Now it’s Zoom didn’t see the level of talent so his rebounds are lesser. Even though the big ten was basically even with the SEC and won the national championship.
Hard to argue that the B1G was not the best basketball and football league last year, at least at the top of the conference.
 

SenseMaker_Cats

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
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One of the most important indicators of a good defensive player.
lol. Unless you’re playing one on one it has nothing to do with it. You can be a lock down defender and not be a great rebounder. I think you guys are conflating team rebounding with individual defensive abilities.
 

ScWildcat3

Senior
Sep 27, 2005
649
959
93
I struggled to watch Otega play. He was frustrating as all get out sometimes. He was also the best player on the floor for the Cats almost every single game he was here. The fact people think some sophomore that played at Furman last year is DEFINITELY going to be better than that...it's just mind-boggling to me.
Nobody has compared Oweh to Wilkins. Idk why you keep making that comparison. You said we are worse than last year. I strongly disagree.

zoom = da (I think zoom is better but I’ll give a wash to make you happy) he’s def a better pg though.
Wilkins > Chandler. One dimensional player was Chandler.
milan = OO. Milan is better for pope style in every way and will open way more up for ppl than Oweh did. But production wise I’ll say a wash.
Ousmane > Jelavic. There is absolutely no way he can be worse. More athletic and longer.
MM this year will be better.

bench
McBride > Mo. McBride is a better shooting version.
morton > jasper. No explanation needed.
Kam will be better than last year. He was shooting it better as year went on and game slowed down for him. He also defends at a high level.
Mason Williams will be a solid pg option too. Kid is vastly underrated talking to aau ppl I know.
The backup 5 is spot im not sold on yet. Which is why Hampton isn’t on the roster yet. Still looking for options if they come up.
 
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ScWildcat3

Senior
Sep 27, 2005
649
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Defensive rebounding is a huge part of defense. Pretty hard to get a stop if you can’t rebound. 🤷🏻‍♂️
Just because you got a rebound doesn’t mean you played good defense either or that it was the first rebound made on that possession meaning offensive rebounds that Oweh gave up a lot as well.