Kohler/UK/Zoom call tom

Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
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All this, to me, just sounds like :

UK has - no doubt - wanted Kohler to consider seriously coming here, but BYU has been his primary focus with him and his camp, everyone has known that.

Since he hasn't already signed with BYU yet, and knowing the Mitchell case is yet to be determined, Pope has sent a definite signal that we're really pushing hard to help Mitchell out and we are awaiting to see if he gets cleared. He's our first option, I think Pope 100% has decided.

Kohler's gotta' feel like that, at this point. But he wants to keep his options open, because I think we're offering more. Significantly more.

The zoom call may be on the order of : Kohler is still very interested in the offer from Kentucky, and if it's significantly higher $$, then I would imagine that's one reason he hasn't signed with BYU yet.

UK is surely or has surely offered more then BYU from the get go. So maybe this is all just a confirmation on : if Mitchell isn't cleared, then will UK move on and is the offer still there for Kohler. Since Kohler got cleared, can UK still be a destination? The answer, most defeinitely, is yes.

But Coach Pope has gone "all in" on Mitchell. There's no backing out of this now. Unless he isn't cleared, then this becomes important as a pivot, a very major pivot. So why not both parties keep options open, since this is the crux of the matter?

Bottom line. No posturing or anything more need be done. Just clearing it up. For everyone.

.... but then again, what do I know?

I could be completely wrong and they're looking seriously at bringing someone else in as a total shock.

sidenote : Knock around some $$ for eaach player :

Has UK been in the 2$ - 3$ (or $4?) million range for Kohler? Has BYU been in the 2$ million 'ish area and not gone higher? So we're offering nearly a million more ? Maybe? maybe not.

And what about Mitchell.

I have heard some people saying $5 million? As high as that? Hell, even my Tennesse friend asked if UK was gonna get Mitchell for $5 million....

I seriously fielded the thought and my immediate reaction was : Can't be. Not that much. $3 - $4 million tops.

and I would stay behind that gut feeling. Which keeps it in the range of what we are offering (potentially) to Kohler. Each somewhere at the bottom end $2 Million, top end, $4.

Your thoughts? jut food for thought....

Either way, I like thinking about it, it's not my money to play with !

Go Big Blue !
 
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Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
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New nicknames

let’s go malmo!
I think in another thread I called them :

3'Migos !


Someone get your photoshop ON !
 
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*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
47,141
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I don’t disagree. I’m just saying all of the factors make it extremely unlikely. You’d have a real logjam with Moreno, Mitchell, Momcilovic, Kohler all being obvious starters with only three starting frontcourt spots. No big deal, right? Someone can just come off the bench. I just don’t think players of that caliber are going to be willing to do that without it causing problems. You’d then be pushing Kam, McBride, N’Diaye etc further down the rotation and that’s likely to cause more issues. You only have 200 minutes to give out, and while you want a talented team, you also need a cohesive team.

As for the money, we have no idea what is available there like you said. But if you are a big booster, why would you be willing to pay heavy money for another player even though adding the 16th guy has diminishing returns due to adding Kohler or Mitchell with the 15th slot, potentially upsetting the entire locker room and having to pull a scholarship from another player and force them off the roster? I don’t see it as feasible.
That is true. That is a log jam in the post. I’d say MM/MM and Mitchell or Kohler would be guaranteed the minutes they want. Same with Mitchell. McBride would really have his options dwindle a bit, but he looks fluid and could probably slot as a 3 if needed with his shooting.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
47,141
86,249
113
Give me Mitchell instead. Kohler's great, but he's looking for a pay bump. It's BYU for him.
I will say that Jerry guy was right a ton on who we actually had a shot with. He got tricked on the Rob Wright recruitment like many, but he changed his prediction way earlier than most did when it was evident he was playing around. He obviously has a good source on who we go after.
 

JimboBBN

Heisman
Jan 26, 2016
15,158
30,441
113
Take him or Mitchell, whoever is ready to commit first. I would prefer Mitchell but both guys move us up a level as far as potential
 

Son_Of_Saul

Hall of Famer
Dec 7, 2007
45,832
101,558
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Take Kohler, get MM eligible and take him too. Sit KAM for the season to heal and pay him or make Hawthorn’s brother go to practice squad or something. He’s not a guy that will play anyway, it is a business now.
This is what I was saying about a week ago. Kam can still collect NIL money and get fully healthy. It's a professional sport now. Time for the fans to start seeing it that way as opposed to the "these kids" narrative.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
47,141
86,249
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This is what I was saying about a week ago. Kam can still collect NIL money and get fully healthy. It's a professional sport now. Time for the fans to start seeing it that way as opposed to the "these kids" narrative.
It’s a hard reality the other way definitely. They wanted the pay, they take the NCAA to court. They have to know that if they don’t contribute to wins now that they will be gone.
 
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ScWildcat3

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Sep 27, 2005
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This is what I was saying about a week ago. Kam can still collect NIL money and get fully healthy. It's a professional sport now. Time for the fans to start seeing it that way as opposed to the "these kids" narrative.
Can’t do that. Has to be a medically approved season ending injury for Kam which I doubt it would be. Also can’t put people on the practice squad or whatever. Get 15 spots and that’s it.
 

Son_Of_Saul

Hall of Famer
Dec 7, 2007
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Can’t do that. Has to be a medically approved season ending injury for Kam which I doubt it would be. Also can’t put people on the practice squad or whatever. Get 15 spots and that’s it.
The roster is entirely malleable before the official season starts.

Just takes some creativity and a true desire to maximize opportunities to compete for a national title.
 

UKCowboys

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Oct 14, 2019
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This is what I was saying about a week ago. Kam can still collect NIL money and get fully healthy. It's a professional sport now. Time for the fans to start seeing it that way as opposed to the "these kids" narrative.
This isn't a "these kids" narrative....its a common sense narrative. Two high caliber players, that we would be bringing in to play the 4....which one do you think is going to accept backing up the other? Because we sure as Hell aren't sitting Momcilovic or Moreno...so we sign Kohler, and you call Mitchell back and tell him he will back Kohler up? Come on Dide LMAO
 

ScWildcat3

All-Conference
Sep 27, 2005
855
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This isn't a "these kids" narrative....its a common sense narrative. Two high caliber players, that we would be bringing in to play the 4....which one do you think is going to accept backing up the other? Because we sure as Hell aren't sitting Momcilovic or Moreno...so we sign Kohler, and you call Mitchell back and tell him he will back Kohler up? Come on Dide LMAO
Some people have zero logic when coming up with scenarios
 
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UKCowboys

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Some people have zero logic when coming up with scenarios
None at all...and if Pope signs one of these kids, some of his haters will call it a whiff on the other...even though we wouldn't have a spot or a starting job available. Amazing lol
 

ScWildcat3

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And Pope has integrity, so he isn't doing this BS to Kam either way
You can’t just tell Kam he can’t play and free up his scholarship. He would have to be medically declared out for the season which he won’t be. And I don’t blame pope for it either. He came back last year to try to help so leave it up to him. He will play and be fine this year.
 
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UKCowboys

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You can’t just tell Kam he can’t play and free up his scholarship. He would have to be medically declared out for the season which he won’t be. And I don’t blame pope for it either. He came back last year to try to help so leave it up to him. He will play and be fine this year.
People get on here and cry about Sharpe and JQ and blame Pope, but turn around and are willing to treat Kam like trash. Amazing
 

bnewt5

Senior
Feb 17, 2026
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This is what I was saying about a week ago. Kam can still collect NIL money and get fully healthy. It's a professional sport now. Time for the fans to start seeing it that way as opposed to the "these kids" narrative.
Yes it is and that has soured many on college athletics
Since it is now a business, it needs to be run as such.
If your chosen profession is sales and you don't deals, you will be terminated and replaced by someone that gets the deals. If a player is being paid nil and never produces or commits too many mistakes that cause losses, he should be replaced. Players and agents play each school against each other to get larger deals for their clients and themselves.
 
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bnewt5

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Feb 17, 2026
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All this, to me, just sounds like :

UK has - no doubt - wanted Kohler to consider seriously coming here, but BYU has been his primary focus with him and his camp, everyone has known that.

Since he hasn't already signed with BYU yet, and knowing the Mitchell case is yet to be determined, Pope has sent a definite signal that we're really pushing hard to help Mitchell out and we are awaiting to see if he gets cleared. He's our first option, I think Pope 100% has decided.

Kohler's gotta' feel like that, at this point. But he wants to keep his options open, because I think we're offering more. Significantly more.

The zoom call may be on the order of : Kohler is still very interested in the offer from Kentucky, and if it's significantly higher $$, then I would imagine that's one reason he hasn't signed with BYU yet.

UK is surely or has surely offered more then BYU from the get go. So maybe this is all just a confirmation on : if Mitchell isn't cleared, then will UK move on and is the offer still there for Kohler. Since Kohler got cleared, can UK still be a destination? The answer, most defeinitely, is yes.

But Coach Pope has gone "all in" on Mitchell. There's no backing out of this now. Unless he isn't cleared, then this becomes important as a pivot, a very major pivot. So why not both parties keep options open, since this is the crux of the matter?

Bottom line. No posturing or anything more need be done. Just clearing it up. For everyone.

.... but then again, what do I know?

I could be completely wrong and they're looking seriously at bringing someone else in as a total shock.

sidenote : Knock around some $$ for eaach player :

Has UK been in the 2$ - 3$ (or $4?) million range for Kohler? Has BYU been in the 2$ million 'ish area and not gone higher? So we're offering nearly a million more ? Maybe? maybe not.

And what about Mitchell.

I have heard some people saying $5 million? As high as that? Hell, even my Tennesse friend asked if UK was gonna get Mitchell for $5 million....

I seriously fielded the thought and my immediate reaction was : Can't be. Not that much. $3 - $4 million tops.

and I would stay behind that gut feeling. Which keeps it in the range of what we are offering (potentially) to Kohler. Each somewhere at the bottom end $2 Million, top end, $4.

Your thoughts? jut food for thought....

Either way, I like thinking about it, it's not my money to play with !

Go Big Blue !
I had never heard these $$ amounts for these players. Are they accurate? Didn't know Kohler was already eligible.
Torn between which would be better addition. Mitchell very tough inside and good rebounder, runs floor good assistant probably better athlete. Kohler is better 3 point shooter and would help open inside. Good rebounder, could play center, and is tough. Probably little less athletic than Mitchell . Either should help win games. Like others have said, probably take the 1st to sign.
 
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JonathanW2

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Aug 6, 2025
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I’d take either one. I’d prefer Kohler for possible fit and the fact he’s already eligible. But Mitchell would be a killer piece.
I agree, I'd take either. But think Kohler is the better fit, because our need is rebounding, defense & toughness. I think both can provide toughness. Defense I'm unsure about. But rebounding is definitely in Kohler's favor.
 

SenseMaker_Cats

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I agree, I'd take either. But think Kohler is the better fit, because our need is rebounding, defense & toughness. I think both can provide toughness. Defense I'm unsure about. But rebounding is definitely in Kohler's favor.
I like Kohler as a fit too. Don’t really believe he’s an option though (just an opinion).

Mitchell has some great offensive strengths that would help any team. Defensively, I’m not so sure he really engages there. In comparison to Momcilovic, who many are concerned about his defense. The below is total steals + blocks from last year.

Momcilovic: 39
Mitchell: 38
 

BBNinSCar

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Apr 23, 2013
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Take him or Mitchell, whoever is ready to commit first. I would prefer Mitchell but both guys move us up a level as far as potential
I worry that Kohler goes to BYU anyway and Mitchell feels like a second option at UK and goes to Louisville.
 
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Runt#1969

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I had never heard these $$ amounts for these players. Are they accurate? Didn't know Kohler was already eligible.
Torn between which would be better addition. Mitchell very tough inside and good rebounder, runs floor good assistant probably better athlete. Kohler is better 3 point shooter and would help open inside. Good rebounder, could play center, and is tough. Probably little less athletic than Mitchell . Either should help win games. Like others have said, probably take the 1st to sign.
I've aboslutely no idea how much money is involved for either. I've never heard numbers either, but I assume we're talking about either one being a million plus at a bare minimum, in my mind, they are probably looking at 2$ million plus, either one, at a minimum? Maybe my feeling is off on that. I've no idea.

And since the possibility opened up for getting that 15th roster spot filled, and with everything that has happened, I told myself "Pope needs to figure it out" ... and whomever he decides on, make it the biggest possible impact player for him and the team.

I landed on Kohler being the best fit, but only marginally better than Mitchell overall impact wise, and maybe even a bigger impact can be made by Mitchell, because I don't see Kohler taking over a game with Bama or Arkansas and going off for 30.

Hell, if he gets hot playing Bama' or Arkansas for UK, I say : get him the damn ball and let him tear them the hell up!

So I suppose in the end, I'm as torn on it too, bnewt.

Pope's a smart guy, but he has a steep uphill climb this year. The cold, stark reality for him is : he has to hit a home run for us this year. I want to believe him and the team can do it.

we shall see
 

Runnin'Ramel

Heisman
Jan 19, 2005
35,673
13,547
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I wish programs were more cut-throat in this NIL era. Hawthorne's brother has no business being on scholarship in this hyper-competitive era where every roster spot matters. We should be in position to take Kohler AND Mitchell and be loaded.
 

UKgrad22

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I wish programs were more cut-throat in this NIL era. Hawthorne's brother has no business being on scholarship in this hyper-competitive era where every roster spot matters. We should be in position to take Kohler AND Mitchell and be loaded.
Have to agree on this one, the Zyon add felt weird at the time, but now it’s just flat out stupid to use a spot on a practice player
 

BlueSince92

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The roster is entirely malleable before the official season starts.

Just takes some creativity and a true desire to maximize opportunities to compete for a national title.
Right? I want someone to show me from the rules and not out of their *** where “can’t put someone the practice squad or whatever” is legit and also means you can’t boot them off the team or move them to walk-on status. People talking about Pope having integrity: that only applies if Pope not only offered the ride but also guaranteed when he did it: “you will play on this roster this year and I stand behind that.” Zero reason to expect he would do that for anyone especially Zyon Hawthorne. It’s just business. It’s not too late for the kid to transfer somewhere else that wants to pay and play him if that’s what he wants to do in response. Pretty much any school will take a late application at this point, in addition to which I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the type of school that would want Zyon Hawthorne starting and would want to pay him is not gonna be full up with superstars one through fifteen even at this late date.
 
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