I just want to add that while JJ played point and two last year, Noah and Williams only played at the three. I think I can guarantee that both can defend at the two better than JJ did at both positions. And while it is possible that one or both would turn the ball over more or shoot worse...no, after thinking about it, it is not possible. Not what you'd design in a lab but better at just the two guard reserve position than last year.
Who is the 3rd? I assume you mean the 3 star freshman. Sure, he could be good, but that seems like wishful thinking. Are any other top teams relying on such a player as the only guard off the bench?
Can’t perform worse
Well he’s a four star that has good shooting numbers.
Milan said Mason is the third best shooter on the staff. Nancies, start your panic!!!
We are going to need him to be more than a shooter to be an effective point guard. I really hope he lives up to the hype but he looked like the worst defender I saw on the floor at Pro Day. I figured he’d be better on that side of the ball, but he is a freshman. His dad wasn’t a good defender but was at least scrappy and assignment sound.
Keaton Wagler of the Illinois Fighting Illini went from an under-recruited consensus three-star high school prospect (ranked around No. 261 nationally) to one of the greatest freshman breakout stars in college basketball history during the 2025–26 season. [1, 2, 3]
Keaton Wagler of the Illinois Fighting Illini went from an under-recruited consensus three-star high school prospect (ranked around No. 261 nationally) to one of the greatest freshman breakout stars in college basketball history during the 2025–26 season. [1, 2, 3]
Yeah, that was my insinuation. I think they’re about on the level of Popes first two teams.
I think as bad as JJ was most of the time last year, that’s team was bad enough that if either of them could’ve handled the role they’d have been given an opportunity. There’s a reason they never played the two last year when the team lacked guard play. It’s just not what their skillset allows. It’s a lot tougher than you make it out to be. Chandler was far better suited for that role, and he struggled when it was him as the secondary handler. If you can’t dribble it’s hard to play that spot. (Yes, I know they can dribble, but so can my 7 yr old).
Yes. No, at least not to this level. There’s a reason he’s never played it. And it’s not because there was a long line in front of him last year.
He was about the 125th ranked player in his HS class. He’s currently the first and only guard off the bench as a true freshman. For that role, his ranking is most certainly poor. The obvious hope (learning to hate that word in regards to UK basketball) is that he plays above that ranking.
I know this is an odd concept for you folks that only see black and white, but it’s completely possible to think this team isn’t going to be very while also not being stressed about it.
It can certainly be done. But like JQ coming back in record time from an ACL injury, it’s not very likely.
Have you ever seen Kam dribble the ball or penetrate? Me neither.
We will need him to be a combo guard. Both Zoom and Alex can play PG.
Month? Try weeks. And we’re already dealing with a potential season-long injury of a major backup piece. That’s not something you can write off. We have zero depth at the 1 and 2 right now. We can’s expect Wilkins and Zoom to play 40 minutes a game. We’ve vulnerable when either one of them are off the court.
This is the problem everyone is having with this coming season: we have to expect every single one of our players to be perform beyond their expectations. This is such an underdog mentality. We do it in football because we’re a perennial doormat in the SEC. Basketball is expected to be elite Every. Single. Year.
What he said is probably exactly what’s coming except maybe the Kansas win. Pope will win a few nobody expected which will bring the pumpers out beating their chest. He will also drop 5-6 games he has no business losing and will finish with about 12-15 losses. I just pray Batt has the balls to fire him.
I'm going to hope for the best and be completely open to us surprising everyone and playing above projections, but... if the season is "just ok" and we finish somewhere 4-8 in the SEC, have 10+ losses and lose in the first or second round of the NCAA tournament, I hope to god we have the foresight/courage to cut bait rather than rolling the dice on one more year. I also hope that J. Batt has a list of names with back channels and feelers out to agents which is just basic AD due diligence when a coach is facing a year like the one Pope has coming up.
This is why it's so hard to listen to the "you must be fun at parties" types in here. I'm completely open to us flipping the expectations on their head, but doing that is going to be like winning a 10 team parlay bet in that EVERYTHING has to go perfectly to have a chance.
Unrealistic and don’t see it happening as this is his best team, maximum of 10 losses imo
Agreed. We should be looking, on a standard night, at something like:
KSR Football
SEC Availability Report: CJ Baxter is questionable, Nic Anderson is probable
KSR
Mark Pope uses Will Stein, Kentucky Football to make a point about polls
KSR Football
Will Stein Show Recap: Kentucky's offense can get better
KSR Cats in the NBA
Otega Oweh will miss entire season with Achilles injury
KSR Basketball
Milan Momcilovic is ready to show the world he's more than just a shooter
