JQ Status? Vandy

Anon1760820894

Redshirt
Oct 18, 2025
8
6
3
don’t care and not surprised. I’m thinking MP made a very poor decision to bring this kid on seeing as how he had major surgery to repair his knee not long before. Why did Mark pay him? Doesn’t make sense. What a waste of money.
Kick his butt and tell him to DOR or give evidence why he can't play. If his knee is swelling on game day, ok fine. Otherwise go play in the d league. We went through this witj Cal and Vanderbilt. I didn't expect it from MP.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NociHTTP

katwest

Heisman
Feb 16, 2003
39,878
13,763
113
Anyone notice that Arkansas has nobody injured but Cal always had people hurt at Kentucky. Here it is mid season and they have a healthy roster, is it just at Kentucky people get hurt, kind of strange isn’t it.
 

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
12,301
19,245
113
Zero recruits so far how could it hurt
If he's able to play the portal better than he did coming into this season, then I see little need for the 'recruiting game'. He did just fine the first year. Pope is into building continuity, you don't get that with elite recruits who are gone after one season, recruits who aren't 5-star's but go somewhere else after their first season for more playing time elsewhere. Maybe I'm alone on this Island Of Wishery, but I want to think that Pope is sending a greater message here about how to deal with the changing landscape of college sports.
 
  • Like
Reactions: davtay

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
12,301
19,245
113
Anyone notice that Arkansas has nobody injured but Cal always had people hurt at Kentucky. Here it is mid season and they have a healthy roster, is it just at Kentucky people get hurt, kind of strange isn’t it.
Cal was doing load management here at UK, designed to protect guys who were looking for a bigger paycheck at the next level. With NIL they're getting paid to play in Arky.
 

Anon1759768907

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2025
2,282
3,692
113
If he's able to play the portal better than he did coming into this season, then I see little need for the 'recruiting game'. He did just fine the first year. Pope is into building continuity, you don't get that with elite recruits who are gone after one season, recruits who aren't 5-star's but go somewhere else after their first season for more playing time elsewhere. Maybe I'm alone on this Island Of Wishery, but I want to think that Pope is sending a greater message here about how to deal with the changing landscape of college sports.
okay but last years portal class wasnt mind blowing, and this years portal class was pretty poor for the most part, missing on all top targets
 

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
12,301
19,245
113
okay but last years portal class wasnt mind blowing, and this years portal class was pretty poor for the most part, missing on all top targets
I don't have an answer for this year's portal class, so you've maybe got that one. He wasn't the only one using the portal his first year, and there wree surely players who felt iffy about him being able to win against higher level of competition. Not everything is about recruiting.
 

Anon1759768907

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2025
2,282
3,692
113
I don't have an answer for this year's portal class, so you've maybe got that one. He wasn't the only one using the portal his first year, and there wree surely players who felt iffy about him being able to win against higher level of competition. Not everything is about recruiting.
most of what a team and programs makeup is recruting

coaches ability is what takes that talent to a championship level, but you cant run out there with ymca dudes and expect to win
 

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
12,301
19,245
113
most of what a team and programs makeup is recruting

coaches ability is what takes that talent to a championship level, but you cant run out there with ymca dudes and expect to win
Ane he isn't running out there with YMCA dudes. You're inventing an argument at this point. With the portal there isn't nearly as much recruiting as there would be with high schoolers or players from Europe. Otherwise, you're poaching players.
 

Anon1759768907

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2025
2,282
3,692
113
Ane he isn't running out there with YMCA dudes. You're inventing an argument at this point. With the portal there isn't nearly as much recruiting as there would be with high schoolers or players from Europe. Otherwise, you're poaching players.
i used the ymca thing as an example, im just saying that punting on a recruiting class and banking on portal guys wint work for many reasons, for example what if the portal is down like it was a couple years ago, what if we miss on a bunch of our top guys again, and what if the team doesnt blend well together
 

Hitman206

Senior
Jul 11, 2009
493
613
93
If he’s done playing for Kentucky.
Get him the F off our bench!
Sick of this continuing to happen to us.
If he’s really injured and wants to give it more time then I’m fine with that.
But him seeing Kam go down and it’s not lighting a fire in him to play than f him.
Cal wanted to tell Sharpe to pack his sh*t and leave but his handlers helped him get SGA and Jamal Murray and he didnt want to burn a bridge to the Canadian pipeline.

Sometimes you have to take it on the chin
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Nightman2

Hitman206

Senior
Jul 11, 2009
493
613
93
I don’t want to say anything bad about Jayden because I want him to be able to play. On the other hand I don’t want us to ever recruit someone that’s been hurt the previous year, because they will get here and can’t play for some reason or another. If we spent 20 mil on our roster, at least 5 million is not going to be playing anymore this year. This is ridiculous, then the other schools pay half of that and beat our a— or give us all we want with players making a lot less. Very frustrating!
Xavier paid $6 million for their roster.
 

Hitman206

Senior
Jul 11, 2009
493
613
93
Cal was doing load management here at UK, designed to protect guys who were looking for a bigger paycheck at the next level. With NIL they're getting paid to play in Arky.
Wheeler quit the team because he wasn't the starter anymore but Cal let him hang around so as not to hurt his transfer prospects. Kriss could have come back last season but he decided to have another year of eligibility and go to the portal after the season. Pope knew what.
 

Eastkybball

All-Conference
May 7, 2019
1,554
2,838
98
Cal wanted to tell Sharpe to pack his sh*t and leave but his handlers helped him get SGA and Jamal Murray and he didnt want to burn a bridge to the Canadian pipeline.

Sometimes you have to take it on the chin
JQ decommitted but came back after. I really don’t think it had much to do with handlers on this decision. I do believe he really wants to play and be a force for us but I hope it’s no one in his ear.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
45,176
81,560
113
Yeah man, you and RunninRichie have the answers. If only Pope didn't bring in bigs who were projected to go top 3 in the draft that 20 other schools wanted.
There was no world where JQ would go top 3 in the draft coming off an injury like this. Not with this high school class.
 

UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
3,407
5,856
113
There was no world where JQ would go top 3 in the draft coming off an injury like this. Not with this high school class.
Bullcrap. Coming into the season that is EXACTLY where he was projected to be. That has changed after his issues this season, but Pope recruited a guy that was absolutely considered a top 5 talent
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
45,176
81,560
113
Bullcrap. Coming into the season that is EXACTLY where he was projected to be. That has changed after his issues this season, but Pope recruited a guy that was absolutely considered a top 5 talent
There is 0 chance he would ever go before Peterson, Boozer, or Dybantsa even if they didn’t play a single college game. NBA teams know he was injured and they also know his offensive limitations. He is zero threat to score outside 8 feet. He may still go lottery but if he doesn’t play again I could see him tumble even further.
 

davtay

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2002
1,263
1,211
113
okay but last years portal class wasnt mind blowing, and this years portal class was pretty poor for the most part, missing on all top targets
No, this years portal class was what had fans and media speculating on a FF run. Now, they haven't panned out as such, but yes it was accepted that it was a very good portal class.
 

davtay

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2002
1,263
1,211
113
i used the ymca thing as an example, im just saying that punting on a recruiting class and banking on portal guys wint work for many reasons, for example what if the portal is down like it was a couple years ago, what if we miss on a bunch of our top guys again, and what if the team doesnt blend well together
Same argument with high school kids. Edwards is a perfect example. Preseason was expected to be one of the best in SEC, some articles even thought he could be #1 draft selection...but all that never came to be. Wagner on the same team was thought of as can't miss.

At least with portal players, you have evidence of their ability to play DIV 1 players.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kyjeff1

Anon1759768907

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2025
2,282
3,692
113
Same argument with high school kids. Edwards is a perfect example. Preseason was expected to be one of the best in SEC, some articles even thought he could be #1 draft selection...but all that never came to be. Wagner on the same team was thought of as can't miss.

At least with portal players, you have evidence of their ability to play DIV 1 players.
well yes but the risk reward ratio is going to be there no matter what

if u miss on portal guys having a stud freshman can help especially if the portals guys miss
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,689
71,049
113
What promises were made to those players?

Where can I find this information on what’s promised?
My gawd, are you still of the belief he didn't make promises? And how would one prove that?

If you don't think he made promises to Edwards, Boston, the Dragon, Wagner and for some readon, Wheeler, I have oceanfront property in Nebraska to sell you.

Believe what you want to believe, it's obvious to the rest of us.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NociHTTP

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,689
71,049
113
Yes, a resounding yes. Because it would do a number of things with recruits:

* show that he's serious about team-building, and that those hiding from competition won't get to compete

* show recruits that playing in a system where there is favoritism won't be an issue

* would help staff whittle out future players who might be candidates for SS/JQ type behavior
Today's kids don't care anything about team building, they want promises, money and a quick path to the NBA.
 
Last edited:

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,689
71,049
113
Anyone notice that Arkansas has nobody injured but Cal always had people hurt at Kentucky. Here it is mid season and they have a healthy roster, is it just at Kentucky people get hurt, kind of strange isn’t it.
Boogie Fland was hurt half the year last year.
 

sefus12

Heisman
Dec 22, 2007
7,104
18,910
103
You don't even know if the kid is cleared to play SMH. How about getting the story straight before publicly calling a kid out
Do you think I’m saying Pope should call JQ out? 100% the opposite. I don’t care if JQ’s handlers are holding him out or not, the last thing Pope should do is to publicly say that. Can only hurt recruiting going forward.