With the news from yesterday and today with Milan taking a zoom call with us, speculation that Pope flew to see Cameron Houindo, and reports that we are talking with Pavle Backo, I would like to know how y’all feel the roster will end up shaping out? Do we land all, none, or some of the names listed? What role would they play? All speculative and hopeful as most portal posts are, but just something to think about/discuss!
Final Additions
- Thread starter UKgrad22
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Here's an animated illustration of how it will play out, with Milan Momcilovic up first, Cameron Houindo, second, and Pavle Backo third:
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MM would greatly elevate to Top 20-25 discussions but really light on ball handlers....again.
Let's talk once Pope lands none of these players (which is most likely).
I LOVE Looney Tunes. I get tired of the constant Pope bashing, but that's a nice reference regardless.
We got 4- 5 guards & Kam . 3 PG’s who have started 140+ D1 games between them
Throw in Lil Mo & Ball handling is the least of our concerns.
Some people just gotta B%#ch & Moan in May about a team that won’t play till November
A guy starts a thread asking a legitimate question trying to discuss UK basketball. Of 9 replies he gets 7 ridiculing his attempt and only 2 actually on topic. You guys SUCK!@#. If we get 1 of these guys we would be much improved l. 2 top25 caliber and all 3 we would be in the " hunt" IMO.
You do realize Wilkins and Diallo are both PGs?
To me at least , what we are light on is outside shooting. I hope somebody surprises me.
The pope recruiting cycle is just too painful to keep up with nor do I think it matters. He’s losing a minimum of 12 regular season games next year regardless of roster.
Yes. You do realize that there is no quality depth behind them, our SFs are not very good ballhandlers, and the PFs are also not? The best teams can attack you at every position and get the defense moving. We also have to hope Zoom shoots well enough that the defenses don't slough off him. Another huge key is if Moreno can develop to command a double team. Are you saying getting MM makes us a contender?
Played with without a PG last year. Will have 2 in the starting lineup next year. Ball handling and passing won’t be an issue this year. Was a major problem last year.
Pure speculation only, my best guess is Milan and Backo. Wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t end up Hampton reclass and another Euro big either but realistically I believe Milan and Backo is the most feasible and something that could actually happen.
Think we could be an exceptional passing team if we add MM
The OP requested opinions and discussion which he clearly stated, so spare us the snark.
I don't think we get Milan and Houindo together, probably more like one or the other if I had to guess. I think Backo is a real possibility but wouldn't count my chickens yet. I'd probably go 30/70 on Hampton reclassing and coming here. We are both in a good spot and a bad spot at the same time. Missing on Stokes and some other big name portal players means we have generational talent money. But at the same time, we look weak and desperate to said generational talent. And it is known if you want to go somewhere else, make UK believe they have a shot at you to raise your market value. There's definitely a world where we don't get someone anyone on this board is happy with and we backfill with unproven Euro's.
Both look like combo guards to me. Especially Wilkins. Diallo will start at the point, but he’s got some work to do if we’re going to be playing in March.
Here is a new clean list of Big Board targets. We need 2 or 3 of these to round out the roster. (In Bold are the players I believe we need 2-3 of the most and are more likely to get than the others)
2026 Class
Alex Constanza 6-8 PF 2026 Class
Christian Gibson 6-6 CG/SF 2026 Class
Preston Wade 6-9 PF 2026 Class
2027 Class- Reclass options
Ryan Hampton 6-6 SF 2027 Class
Dawson Battie 6-8 PF 2027 Class
Chase Lumpkin 6-4 SG 2027 Class
Paul Osaruyi 6-10 C 2027 Class
Gabe Nesmith 6-5 SF 2027 Class
Reese Alston 6-2 PG 2027 Class
Marcus Spears Jr 6-9 PF 2027 Class
Jaylan Mitchell 6-7 SF 2027 Class
International
Egor Amosov 6-7 SF 18 years old
Hugo Yimga 6-8 PF 17 years old
Klark Riethauser 6-8 SF 18 years old
Pavle Nikolic 6-7 SF 20 years old
Bogoljub Markovic 6-11 C 20 years old (drafted 27th in 2025 draft)
Juom Maker Bol 6-11 C 17 years old
Cameron Houindo 6-9 PF 18 years old
Alexandros Samodurov 6-11 PF 21 years old (UNC lean currently)
Michael Ruzic 6-11 C 19 years old
Luigi Suigo 7-3 C 19 years old
Bassala Bagayoka 6-10 C 19 years old
Pavle Backo 7-0 C 18 years old
Portal
Milan Momcilovic 6-8 SF
Ugnius Jarusevicius 6-11 PF Senior (injured last year and rehabbing needs exemption to play but only played 1 game last season)
Christian Bliss 6-4 CG Senior
Hamad Mousa 6-8 CG/SF Junior
I’m not going to guess who might sign with us. Other than Milan, I don’t see any needle movers. We do need a reliable backup plan for MM, but I think if MM gets into shape this year he can stay on the floor longer. Last year he asked to come out way too many times for a 18-19 year old. IMO
Will we fill out the roster to 15 players? I think Pope only adds 2 players and leaves an open scholarship option for later on in case we can get someone at Christmas. G League dropout
Will we fill out the roster to 15 players? I think Pope only adds 2 players and leaves an open scholarship option for later on in case we can get someone at Christmas. G League dropout