BBN's Choice: Mitchell or Kohler

[JimboBBN]

If things go well and we get one of these two kids for our final roster spot, which player would you rather have?

My vote is for Mitchell. Not as good on the boards but a bucket getter when you need one. Also can stretch the floor if needed. Had some huge scoring games for Missouri last season, including the SEC tournament against Kentucky.

 

[WeWant9]

My vote is Kohler, but I wouldn't be upset with the end result being Mitchell. Would just like to land one of them.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

I vote Kohler by a smidge. He is Andrew Carr 2.0 and can slide into the Center spot to spell Moreno and gives us injury depth if Frank can't stay healthy or god forbid Moreno goes down. Mitchell is the better player in my opinion, but I think Kohler helps the team (as currently assembled) more with his versatility and rebounding.

 

[-BBH-]

Gladly take either. Afraid we get neither.

 

[Major_Tom]

I would take either. Kholer fills more of what we need, but Mitchell is a star and we can certainly work around that.

 

[Crazy4Blue]

I think Kohler would inprove our rebounding significantly and make us much tougher in the paint. I would love to have Mitchell but there are just too many obstacles at this point and time. Take Kohler if you can get him. If you can't, pray that Mitchell gets eligible or we are going to get shut out again.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Mitchell gives us size, playmaking and scoring at the wing and has familiarity with the SEC.

Kohler also gives us size as well as bruising ability in the low post and gives us something we really need - rebounding.

Mitchell is probably a better fit for Pope, but Kohler gives us proven rebounding at an elite level.

I would be thrilled with either.

 

[JimboBBN]

I think Kohler would inprove our rebounding significantly and make us much tougher in the paint. I would love to have Mitchell but there are just too many obstacles at this point and time. Take Kohler if you can get him. If you can't, pray that Mitchell gets eligible or we are going to get shut out again.

I think it’s close enough, we should absolutely take whoever is available and ready to commit first. Too many questions this late in the offseason to worry about favoring one a lot more than the other.

 

[TFCat11]

I chose Kohler ONLY because he’s guaranteed to be eligible, because I believe Mitchell is a slightly more versatile player.

Let’s also not forget, UK’s new AD has an inside track with Kohler, being his former AD!

Worst case scenario, UK will make BYU have to “overpay” for his services, and might still end up with Mitchell!

 

[Starrcade]

Can't wait to read how the season is over before it starts if we get neither. It will either be that or if we get one, they'll be all kinds of garbage posts about how we whiffed on the one we didn't get and how Pope has to go.

 

[Runt#1969]

A case can be made for either one improving the roster. I would say Kohler slightly nudging out Mitchell, but there's a higher upside with Mitchell, I believe. Dunno exactly why my gut is telling me that.

At least we should know by Friday ?

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Just need to get one. I picked Mitchell but Kohler would be good too. Either helps the teams ceiling immensely.

 

[GreenCheckRex0807]

Whichever commits first imo. Neither have such a big advantage that you wait on them.

 

[LongliveWildcatDon]

I think Kohler is a better fit for Pope's offense and a better rebounder which we need. But Mitchell is more of a dynamic player that teams will have to focus on and will give Mom more open looks. I will gladly take the first one to sign and be happy.

 

[ORCAT]

I voted for Kohler because his eligibility seems much more solid and I'd prefer a big body like his for this team right now. Unfortunately, I believe he's BYU's to lose at this point. Mitchell seems like a better offensive threat and all around better athlete but his eligibility issues trouble me. Either one would be great with me if we can get one of them.

 

[GoBIG BLUE]

How much more may we truly know tomorrow, given a favorable ruling from the Louisville Court case... how is Kohler guaranteed eligible versus Mitchell's situation; is it that Kohler entered the portal as a 5th year senior?
I'll take the most guaranteed to play for UK this season. I do worry some about our rebounding ability this season, Moreno is just too thin to brute around like alot of sec centers... and Mitchell looks like he would be a better rebounder than he has shown, possibly because he is so offensive focused. If we get Mitchell, I hope he can play within a team offense and step up his defense and rebounding a notch. High hopes!

 

[Bungalow Bill]

Mitchell for me and I don't think we have a chance for Kohler. Would love to have either.

 

[JonathanW2]

Kohler and it's not even close.

I don't care that Mitchell scores more. Our OFFENSE looks to already be our strength. We need rebounding, defense, and a physical presence.

FG% - Mitchell shot nearly 5% better, but both shot well (55% & 50%)
3pt shooting - Kohler, they shot nearly an identical % (39%), but Kohler attempted 3X as many, thus his % is more reliable (as we saw w/ MoD last year)
FTs - slight edge Mitchell, Mitchell gets to the FT line a LOT MORE (4X more) and this is why he scores more; but Kohler is a much better (20% better) FT shooter (87% to 67%) so late in a game you'd rather have Kohler there
Rebounding - Kohler, and it's not even close, the per30min stats have Kohler at 9.6reb compared to 4.6 for Mitchell so Kohler gets 2X as many rebounds, and rebounding is probably our biggest need, along with Defense
Defense - Kohler, Kohler is rated as a "+ defender", where as Mitchell's defense is flagged as a "major weakness"

 

[JonathanW2]

If things go well and we get one of these two kids for our final roster spot, which player would you rather have?

My vote is for Mitchell. Not as good on the boards but a bucket getter when you need one. Also can stretch the floor if needed. Had some huge scoring games for Missouri last season, including the SEC tournament against Kentucky.

"can stretch the floor if needed". You do know, Kohler made significantly more 3's than Mitchell (both making the same %)

 

[WallMash]

I don't remember the players well, but I got won over by arguments on here for Kohler's rebounding. I think we got offense. We need defense and boards.

 

[The Ganner]

I think, in the abstract, Mitchell is the better player. But we're not starting with one of these guys, we're adding one of these guys as the final roster spot. And I think Kohler is a better fit, and better addresses some things we lack, than Mitchell. Add Mitchell and we're starting 3 ball dominant players who are mediocre shooters. Add Kohler and we have 2 very good to great shooters for our 2 ball dominant guards to pass to, and we address a weakness in rebounding. Additionally, we get a player who in a pinch can back up the 5, nice to have been our backup 5 is injury prone. I'll gladly take Mitchell, but my first choice is Kohler.

 

[BlueSince92]

Kohler and it's not even close.

I don't care that Mitchell scores more. Our OFFENSE looks to already be our strength. We need rebounding, defense, and a physical presence.

FG% - Mitchell shot nearly 5% better, but both shot well (55% & 50%)
3pt shooting - Kohler, they shot nearly an identical % (39%), but Kohler attempted 3X as many, thus his % is more reliable (as we saw w/ MoD last year)
FTs - slight edge Mitchell, Mitchell gets to the FT line a LOT MORE (4X more) and this is why he scores more; but Kohler is a much better (20% better) FT shooter (87% to 67%) so late in a game you'd rather have Kohler there
Rebounding - Kohler, and it's not even close, the per30min stats have Kohler at 9.6reb compared to 4.6 for Mitchell so Kohler gets 2X as many rebounds, and rebounding is probably our biggest need, along with Defense
Defense - Kohler, Kohler is rated as a "+ defender", where as Mitchell's defense is flagged as a "major weakness"

These are great points. I would have said it’s Kohler and not too close because of what his heavily-battle-tested perimeter firepower does to our offense. Add that to what he would bring to our defense and Bingo.

All the same, Mitchell has a lot of that gritty, multipurpose, get-it-done, winner motif that is hard to quantify. Like a Randall Cobb or a Chuck Hayes. We get him and I think we’ll be getting more than his numbers on paper indicate, even while granted his defense would need to be handled carefully as you say.

With either one, I think we’d be primed to have our roster so far make them better as they make us better. Would be exciting. Here’s hoping it happens.

 

[ThreeDogNight2]

These are great points. I would have said it’s Kohler and not too close because of what his heavily-battle-tested perimeter firepower does to our offense. Add that to what he would bring to our defense and Bingo.

All the same, Mitchell has a lot of that gritty, multipurpose, get-it-done, winner motif that is hard to quantify. Like a Randall Cobb or a Chuck Hayes. We get him and I think we’ll be getting more than his numbers on paper indicate, even while granted his defense would need to be handled carefully as you say.

With either one, I think we’d be primed to have our roster so far make them better as they make us better. Would be exciting. Here’s hoping it happens.

Averaging like 5 rebounds per game in sec is pretty good. And Mitchell can definitely gaurd

 

[JonathanW2]

Averaging like 5 rebounds per game in sec is pretty good. And Mitchell can definitely gaurd

Uh....no!
Google/Bing/CoPilot/Claude it, and the response is that Mitchell is not a good defender.
And 5 rebounds in 33mpg is NOT good for a Forward. Mitchell rebounded 4.6 per30min last year. That was only 0.2 more than our Guard Oweh last year and 0.3 less than Oweh 2 yrs ago. 1.9 less than Noah

 

[JimboBBN]

Kohler and it's not even close.

I don't care that Mitchell scores more. Our OFFENSE looks to already be our strength. We need rebounding, defense, and a physical presence.

FG% - Mitchell shot nearly 5% better, but both shot well (55% & 50%)
3pt shooting - Kohler, they shot nearly an identical % (39%), but Kohler attempted 3X as many, thus his % is more reliable (as we saw w/ MoD last year)
FTs - slight edge Mitchell, Mitchell gets to the FT line a LOT MORE (4X more) and this is why he scores more; but Kohler is a much better (20% better) FT shooter (87% to 67%) so late in a game you'd rather have Kohler there
Rebounding - Kohler, and it's not even close, the per30min stats have Kohler at 9.6reb compared to 4.6 for Mitchell so Kohler gets 2X as many rebounds, and rebounding is probably our biggest need, along with Defense
Defense - Kohler, Kohler is rated as a "+ defender", where as Mitchell's defense is flagged as a "major weakness"

I'd be ecstatic with either. You make a good case for Kohler here.

 

[JimboBBN]

If you think rebounding is going to be a problem, I see the want for Kohler. I don't think its a strength, but I don't think its necessarily a weakness. To me, especially against more talented teams, it helps to have "a guy" that can get his own shot and out talent someone to score. I think Mitchell can do that better than Kohler. And as others have mentioned, SEC experience is huge.

 

[ThreeDogNight2]

Uh....no!
Google/Bing/CoPilot/Claude it, and the response is that Mitchell is not a good defender.
And 5 rebounds in 33mpg is NOT good for a Forward. Mitchell rebounded 4.6 per30min last year. That was only 0.2 more than our Guard Oweh last year and 0.3 less than Oweh 2 yrs ago. 1.9 less than Noah

“Um actually ”

maybe use your brain and eyes and not just rely on Google/Bing/CoPilot/Claude

 

[ThreeDogNight2]

If you think rebounding is going to be a problem, I see the want for Kohler. I don't think it’s a strength, but I don't think it’s necessarily a weakness. To me, especially against more talented teams, it helps to have "a guy" that can get his own shot and out talent someone to score. I think Mitchell can do that better than Kohler. And as others have mentioned, SEC experience is huge.

We could use
defense
Rebounding
Oweh type offensive dog

kohler could only do 2 of those things at a very high level
Mitchell could do all three but onl 1 at a very high level

 

[Snarks]

I’m confused, if we’re still in it for Kohler are we not a lock for Mitchell? If Kohler can get eligible in CA and go anywhere, couldn’t Mitchell get eligible in KY and go elsewhere?

I doubt Pope would take a commitment from Mitchell contingent on the court decision and then get Kohler before the decision comes out. Pope is too nice for that:

 

[BBNinSCar]

I like both players too. But, I’m opting for Kohler at this point. He slides in perfectly into the starting line up and gives us the tough inside rebounder we need.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

“Um actually ”

maybe use your brain and eyes and not just rely on Google/Bing/CoPilot/Claude

I like Mitchell but certainly not for his defense. No need for google. Total steals + blocks last year.
Momcilovic- 39
Mitchell - 38

Theres a lot of things to like about Mitchell’s game. Defense isn’t one of them.

For comparison, Terrance Jones first year total is 115.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

For me it’s Mitchell but either would be great.

I know he can be a star if we need him to be. Kohler I don’t think has that capability. Kohler has one season in college basketball with over 8 PPG and it took one of the best assist seasons in modern history at PG to get him there.

 

[ThreeDogNight2]

I like Mitchell but certainly not for his defense. No need for google. Total steals + blocks last year.
Momcilovic- 39
Mitchell - 38

Theres a lot of things to like about Mitchell’s game. Defense isn’t one of them.

For comparison, Terrance Jones first year total is 115.

Not every good defender has the tendency to block or steal. If Mitchell could competently guard at the SEC level than that’s good enough

But I agree have one less than Milan doesn’t look good

 

[JimboBBN]

For me it’s Mitchell but either would be great.

I know he can be a star if we need him to be. Kohler I don’t think has that capability. Kohler has one season in college basketball with over 8 PPG and it took one of the best assist seasons in modern history at PG to get him there.

Very true. Really think it boils down to what you as a fan think the biggest weakness for the team is. Two pretty different players we might get.

 

[JonathanW2]

If you think rebounding is going to be a problem, I see the want for Kohler. I don't think its a strength, but I don't think its necessarily a weakness. To me, especially against more talented teams, it helps to have "a guy" that can get his own shot and out talent someone to score. I think Mitchell can do that better than Kohler. And as others have mentioned, SEC experience is huge.

I get the desire to want a go-to guy. Every year I say we need at least 3 guys who "can go get you a basket, when you need one". Whether that is via a drive, a post-up, or creating his own 3. I think Zoom is 1, I think Momcilovic is 2, I think Moreno is 3, and Wilkins is 4. Would I take a 5th guy (and Mitchell would be one of the top 2), yes. But we have other areas of greater NEED!

As for rebounding, On an A-B-C-D-F grading scale, Moreno is a B rebounder, Kepnang is a B rebounder (when not hurt), N'Diaye is a C+, McBride is a C, Momcilovic is a D-, Kam is an F, Hawthorne we've no data but given his frame he likely is no higher than a C.

 

[JimboBBN]

I get the desire to want a go-to guy. Every year I say we need at least 3 guys who "can go get you a basket, when you need one". Whether that is via a drive, a post-up, or creating his own 3. I think Zoom is 1, I think Momcilovic is 2, I think Moreno is 3, and Wilkins is 4. Would I take a 5th guy (and Mitchell would be one of the top 2), yes. But we have other areas of greater NEED!

As for rebounding, On an A-B-C-D-F grading scale, Moreno is a B rebounder, Kepnang is a B rebounder (when not hurt), N'Diaye is a C+, McBride is a C, Momcilovic is a D-, Kam is an F, Hawthorne we've no data but given his frame he likely is no higher than a C.

Good stuff. Definitely doesn't hurt to have some physical rebounders in the SEC. Especially with Moreno being on the slimmer side.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

Not every good defender has the tendency to block or steal. If Mitchell could competently guard at the SEC level than that’s good enough

But I agree have one less than Milan doesn’t look good

Your first sentence is a very fair point. I just feel as an inch taller than Momcilovic and much more athletic that those numbers should be higher.

Let me restate, I would be excited to get Mitchell. I just don’t think the difference he’ll make will be on the defensive side.

I believe the difference he would make is being a 6’9” guy that can create his own shot and score when things aren’t going so well. Also being able to see over most defenders and he’s a very good and willing passer.

 

[MethodUK]

For me Mitchell is that guy that can go get a bucket. I feel like we haven't had that type of player since Pope is in charge. But... Kohler fits Popes system better. He plays that high post and runs the offense through the big man to create more spacing and cuts... Just my 2 cents... The other question is who is better defensively? To me that's just as important

​

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Kohler​

 

[JonathanW2]

“Um actually ”

maybe use your brain and eyes and not just rely on Google/Bing/CoPilot/Claude

Looks like YOU are the one NOT using your BRAIN. Stats also demonstrate what I said, where Mitchell only averaged 1.2 STOCKs/gm. That's not good for a player playing 33mpg. That's 1 every 28 minutes. For comparison sake, the past 2 years the 2 worst non-guards for UK in STOCKs were Almonor (an atrocious 1 every 51 min) & Kam Williams 1 every 21 min.
So, both statistics/metrics and scouting reports say Mitchell is a bad defender.

What's your proof otherwise? Oh, "because you said so".

 

[JonathanW2]

We could use
defense
Rebounding
Oweh type offensive dog

kohler could only do 2 of those things at a very high level
Mitchell could do all three but onl 1 at a very high level

Mitchell does not defend well, and does not rebound well. So, now you are just making stuff up to support your case. Just be honest and say that you value offense much more than defense and rebounding. I may not disagree with that, but at least I would respect it.