Our best players in order

[#1 cat fan]

Zoom's +/- of -7 begs to differ.
TTU's biggest runs in the first and second half was with Zoom on the floor.
He's not the answer at PG.

+/- for am exhibition game isn't a stat you want to go by. He played with the worst lineup both times they all came in. The reserves that won't play much

 

[UKCowboys]

I wonder how some of you come to the conclusions you do. Your take on Milan was just exactly opposite of what I saw. I thought he competed his butt off on defense and has great timing and awareness. You mentioned he is the best shooter you have ever seen which im not sure thats true but if it is wouldn't you think that alone would be enough of a reason to need to have him out there?

Agree with this

 

[kyjeff1]

+/- for am exhibition game isn't a stat you want to go by. He played with the worst lineup both times they all came in. The reserves that won't play much

I'm a guy that is in Zoom's corner, I think he will develop rather quickly and be a good guard for us, but he is his own worst enemy right now. He doesn't play efficient basketball at all and he dribbles too much.

His issues are easy to fix though.

 

[SkyPrince]

I'm a guy that is in Zoom's corner, I think he will develop rather quickly and be a good guard for us, but he is his own worst enemy right now. He doesn't play efficient basketball at all and he dribbles too much.

His issues are easy to fix though.

Let's hope so or he's an expensive mistake.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

+/- for am exhibition game isn't a stat you want to go by. He played with the worst lineup both times they all came in. The reserves that won't play much

Individual +/- in a one game look is just a bad stat. For a single game, lineup +/- carries way more weight. Accumulative +/- for individual players is best judged over the course of an entire season. In a one game look, who they're on the court with is a huge pull on their numbers. It's just ineffective in a single game.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

1. Momcilovic - still our go-to

2. Mason Williams - just flatout the best basketball player on the team. he is so overlooked.

3. N'Diaye - just too unique of a combination of... things. highest ceiling.

4. Wilkins - so raw and junkey at times, but the flashes are hot

5. Kepnang - i'm sorry but i just think this guy is our best center. malachi just looks so unthreatening on boards and d.

1-Mom needs to get shots. He's not a bucket getter, but he's definitely a shot maker.

2-If Mason truly is this best teams player (I don't think he will be, but I'm definitely coming around on him being a lot better than I thought he'd be), this team is in trouble. Low ceiling if that's the case.

3-I somewhat agree here. Biggest caveat is how he responds to physicality. That will tell the story of how good he will be.

4-Wilkins looks very "no-no-YES". This tracks after looking at his game logs from last season. He had some very good games and some real clunkers against really bad teams. He's got to find a way to be more consistent. His decision-making on offense is the key here. He also really needs to learn how to defend. In two exhibition games he's given up way too many straight line drives. He's just bad on the ball defensively. Has to get better and no reason he can't.

5-Malachi has a motor problem and there are rumblings of his lackadaisical practices. That has to change. Kepnang has zero offensive skill. He's nothing more than a lurker/dunker on offense. I think he's serviceable on defense, but his foul rate is pretty high. Expecting anything more than 15 mins/game for him is a stretch.

 

[kyjeff1]

1-Mom needs to get shots. He's not a bucket getter, but he's definitely a shot maker.

2-If Mason truly is this best teams player (I don't think he will be, but I'm definitely coming around on him being a lot better than I thought he'd be), this team is in trouble. Low ceiling if that's the case.

3-I somewhat agree here. Biggest caveat is how he responds to physicality. That will tell the story of how good he will be.

4-Wilkins looks very "no-no-YES". This tracks after looking at his game logs from last season. He had some very good games and some real clunkers against really bad teams. He's got to find a way to be more consistent. His decision-making on offense is the key here. He also really needs to learn how to defend. In two exhibition games he's given up way too many straight line drives. He's just bad on the ball defensively. Has to get better and no reason he can't.

5-Malachi has a motor problem and there are rumblings of his lackadaisical practices. That has to change. Kepnang has zero offensive skill. He's nothing more than a lurker/dunker on offense. I think he's serviceable on defense, but his foul rate is pretty high. Expecting anything more than 15 mins/game for him is a stretch.

Great post.

Only thing I have an issue with, is #2. We don't know how good Mason actually is and I don't think those that rate HS players do either.

What we do know, is it's not far fetched to believe he will be our best guard. When your father is as good as Mo is, it's easy to see how that could happen.

Also, back in October 2017, who would have thought SGA would be our best player and a future NBA POY? We all would have laughed at anyone suggesting such a thing.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Great post.

Only thing I have an issue with, is #2. We don't know how good Mason actually is and I don't think those that rate HS players do either.

What we do know, is it's not far fetched to believe he will be our best guard. When your father is as good as Mo is, it's easy to see how that could happen.

Also, back in October 2017, who would have thought SGA would be our best player and a future NBA POY? We all would have laughed at anyone suggesting such a thing.

When was the last time a 6'2" freshman PG was the best player on a really good team? I'm asking this out of pure curiosity, because I have no freaking clue. This is regardless of their ranking too. I truly don't know. That's my only point. If THAT DUDE is our best player, the ceiling is low. And this is coming from someone whose opinion on him has changed quite a bit in the past week.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

When was the last time a 6'2" freshman PG was the best player on a really good team? I'm asking this out of pure curiosity, because I have no freaking clue. This is regardless of their ranking too. I truly don't know. That's my only point. If THAT DUDE is our best player, the ceiling is low. And this is coming from someone whose opinion on him has changed quite a bit in the past week.

First guy that came mind was Isiah Thomas. Not a long list for sure though.

 

[davtay]

When was the last time a 6'2" freshman PG was the best player on a really good team? I'm asking this out of pure curiosity, because I have no freaking clue. This is regardless of their ranking too. I truly don't know. That's my only point. If THAT DUDE is our best player, the ceiling is low. And this is coming from someone whose opinion on him has changed quite a bit in the past week.

Not that Mason is as good, but answering your question, DeAron Fox was prolly best player on the team. (Although he was 6'3"). We aren't going to quibble over an inch, are we? lol

Also, I know there were several awesome talents on that team, but as the one season played out, Fox maybe was the best.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

Not that Mason is as good, but answering your question, DeAron Fox was prolly best player on the team. (Although he was 6'3"). We aren't going to quibble over an inch, are we? lol

Also, I know there were several awesome talents on that team, but as the one season played out, Fox maybe was the best.

If we’re jumping up to 6’3” then Derrick Rose is on the list.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

First guy that came mind was Isiah Thomas. Not a long list for sure though.

Mine was Wall...I know he was a bit taller than that, but my point wasn't to be THAT picky.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Not that Mason is as good, but answering your question, DeAron Fox was prolly best player on the team. (Although he was 6'3"). We aren't going to quibble over an inch, are we? lol

Also, I know there were several awesome talents on that team, but as the one season played out, Fox maybe was the best.

I always thought Monk was the best player on that team. He was your go get a bucket when you gotta have one guy. But that team was really good and I can listen to an argument where Fox was their best player. No way in hell I'm squabbling over an inch! Given the stories I tell my wife, that would be pretty hypocritical of me!

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

If we’re jumping up to 6’3” then Derrick Rose is on the list.

Another good one! Yeah...I mean, heck even 6'4" is good by me. My point was really, if a frosh PG...especially one that's not got great size...is your best player your ceiling is probably pretty low.

Over the last 50 yrs or so, we are up to about four or five. I don't like those odds. Reminds of the folks that said JQ would be ready because some dude on here said his kid and one other NBA player came back. Just ignore the other 99.9999999% of people that took much longer. I always thought I was in bizzarro world back then.

FWIW...I don't think there's a snowballs chance in hell Mason Williams is this teams best player at the end of the year. I do, however, think he will be a solid piece. And I didn't think that 7-10 days ago.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

If we’re jumping up to 6’3” then Derrick Rose is on the list.

Man...just for the record...talking about this sort of stuff sure is more fun than "Pope sucks, Pope's my hero" stuff.

 

[K_TIME]

1. Momcilovic - still our go-to

2. Mason Williams - just flatout the best basketball player on the team. he is so overlooked.

3. N'Diaye - just too unique of a combination of... things. highest ceiling.

4. Wilkins - so raw and junkey at times, but the flashes are hot

5. Kepnang - i'm sorry but i just think this guy is our best center. malachi just looks so unthreatening on boards and d.

Kepnang over Moreno....shows you didn't look at much to me.....

And Moreno will be our 2nd best player behind Milo IMO

 

[kyjeff1]

When was the last time a 6'2" freshman PG was the best player on a really good team? I'm asking this out of pure curiosity, because I have no freaking clue. This is regardless of their ranking too. I truly don't know. That's my only point. If THAT DUDE is our best player, the ceiling is low. And this is coming from someone whose opinion on him has changed quite a bit in the past week.

Tyler Ulis

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Tyler Ulis

Ulis wasn’t the best player man. I loved him, but there’s no argument you can make that he was the best player. Murray was unquestionably the best player on that team.

 

[kyjeff1]

Ulis wasn’t the best player man. I loved him, but there’s no argument you can make that he was the best player. Murray was unquestionably the best player on that team.

Sure, he wasn't the best player on that particular team, because there was an NBA all star on it, but if you were to put Ulis on this team, he would be our best player and we would be fine with that.

My point is, a 6' 2" guard most certainly can be your best player on a very good team, because Tyler Ulis, at sub 6' can.

 

[HolySmokes]

Sure, he wasn't the best player on that particular team, because there was an NBA all star on it, but if you were to put Ulis on this team, he would be our best player and we would be fine with that.

My point is, a 6' 2" guard most certainly can be your best player on a very good team, because Tyler Ulis, at sub 6' can.

A marquis teague is always perfectly fine. Tyler ulis or any other small guard.

 

[HolySmokes]

Its not the dog in the fight. Its the fight in the dog DJ. Cadillac gas money spent.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Sure, he wasn't the best player on that particular team, because there was an NBA all star on it, but if you were to put Ulis on this team, he would be our best player and we would be fine with that.

My point is, a 6' 2" guard most certainly can be your best player on a very good team, because Tyler Ulis, at sub 6' can.

The point was a frosh PG that’s 6’2” being your best player means your ceiling is low.

 

[CincyUKFan]

1-Mom needs to get shots. He's not a bucket getter, but he's definitely a shot maker.

2-If Mason truly is this best teams player (I don't think he will be, but I'm definitely coming around on him being a lot better than I thought he'd be), this team is in trouble. Low ceiling if that's the case.

3-I somewhat agree here. Biggest caveat is how he responds to physicality. That will tell the story of how good he will be.

4-Wilkins looks very "no-no-YES". This tracks after looking at his game logs from last season. He had some very good games and some real clunkers against really bad teams. He's got to find a way to be more consistent. His decision-making on offense is the key here. He also really needs to learn how to defend. In two exhibition games he's given up way too many straight line drives. He's just bad on the ball defensively. Has to get better and no reason he can't.

5-Malachi has a motor problem and there are rumblings of his lackadaisical practices. That has to change. Kepnang has zero offensive skill. He's nothing more than a lurker/dunker on offense. I think he's serviceable on defense, but his foul rate is pretty high. Expecting anything more than 15 mins/game for him is a stretch.

Not sure why you say that about Williams? NBA dad, fundamentally sound as hell, uses screens well, hits open threes, has a deadly floater, hustles his *** off (did you see him slide on the floor and dish to Milan?), has PG NBA size. Just because the dude was a 4-star doesn't mean him being our best player is a problem. Coaches at other blue bloods would start this guy in a minute.

 

[RedwoodHigh]

When was the last time a 6'2" freshman PG was the best player on a really good team? I'm asking this out of pure curiosity, because I have no freaking clue. This is regardless of their ranking too. I truly don't know. That's my only point. If THAT DUDE is our best player, the ceiling is low. And this is coming from someone whose opinion on him has changed quite a bit in the past week.

Darius Acuff - Arkansas last year

 

[megablue]

The Three M's, Milan, Malachi and Mason ... after that our next best players will change from game to game.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Not sure why you say that about Williams? NBA dad, fundamentally sound as hell, uses screens well, hits open threes, has a deadly floater, hustles his *** off (did you see him slide on the floor and dish to Milan?), has PG NBA size. Just because the dude was a 4-star doesn't mean him being our best player is a problem. Coaches at other blue bloods would start this guy in a minute.

Because about a handful of teams in the last 40 yrs have been good that a frosh PG is their best player. Thats all. No knock on Mason. He just can’t be our best player and the team be legit good.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Darius Acuff - Arkansas last year

Was Arkansas really good last year?

 

[TheGyeroMan]

Was Arkansas really good last year?

They went 28-9, won the SEC Tournament, then lost in the Sweet 16 to a 35-2 Arizona team that made the Final Four before losing to the national champs.

That would easily be the best season Mark Pope would have ever had in 12 years of coaching.

And spoiler alert: this team ain't winning 28 games this year or doing anything of consequence.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

When was the last time a 6'2" freshman PG was the best player on a really good team? I'm asking this out of pure curiosity, because I have no freaking clue. This is regardless of their ranking too. I truly don't know. That's my only point. If THAT DUDE is our best player, the ceiling is low. And this is coming from someone whose opinion on him has changed quite a bit in the past week.

Not to be condescending at all. Last year Darius Acuff (6'2") was the best player on Arkansas.
Bob Cousy Award Winner (Best Point Guard in the Nation)
SEC Player of the Year
SEC Freshmen of the Year
SEC Tournament MVP (which they won as a team as well)
First Team All-American
First Team All-SEC
SEC All-Freshmen Team
Wooden Award Finalist
Naismith College Player of the Year Finalist

Obviously, Mason Williams is not Darius Acuff. But the last time a 6'2" freshmen was the best player on a really good team was last year.

PS: I see Acuff had already been mentioned before I posted and caught up reading the rest of the thread. LOL

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Not to be condescending at all. Last year Darius Acuff (6'2") was the best player on Arkansas.
Bob Cousy Award Winner (Best Point Guard in the Nation)
SEC Player of the Year
SEC Freshmen of the Year
SEC Tournament MVP (which they won as a team as well)
First Team All-American
First Team All-SEC
SEC All-Freshmen Team
Wooden Award Finalist
Naismith College Player of the Year Finalist

Obviously, Mason Williams is not Darius Acuff. But the last time a 6'2" freshmen was the best player on a really good team was last year.

PS: I see Acuff had already been mentioned before I posted and caught up reading the rest of the thread. LOL

Again, I'm not sure Arky was REALLY good, but for arguments sake let's just say they were. Still, 2nd in the SEC, won the SECT and got beat in the NCAAT by a very good Zona team. That's like 6 teams in 40 yrs, give or take. Right?

Wall
Zeke
Rose
Acuff
Fox (but I still think Monk was the best player and that team was LOADED with talent)

So maybe five. And if we add Cousy we're going back some 65 yrs. It just doesn't happen often enough to make me think a team where Mason Williams, a 6'2" true frosh PG, is a really good teams best player. But again, I don't think he will be this teams best player. I do think we will be very good. Just need Wilkins and Milan to be better. And Malachi, please dude, start playing with some aggression.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Not sure why you say that about Williams? NBA dad, fundamentally sound as hell, uses screens well, hits open threes, has a deadly floater, hustles his *** off (did you see him slide on the floor and dish to Milan?), has PG NBA size. Just because the dude was a 4-star doesn't mean him being our best player is a problem. Coaches at other blue bloods would start this guy in a minute.

It's no knock on him. It's just that a frosh PG, especially one that's his size, normally isn't the best player on really good teams.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Again, I'm not sure Arky was REALLY good, but for arguments sake let's just say they were. Still, 2nd in the SEC, won the SECT and got beat in the NCAAT by a very good Zona team. That's like 6 teams in 40 yrs, give or take. Right?

Wall
Zeke
Rose
Acuff
Fox (but I still think Monk was the best player and that team was LOADED with talent)

So maybe five. And if we add Cousy we're going back some 65 yrs. It just doesn't happen often enough to make me think a team where Mason Williams, a 6'2" true frosh PG, is a really good teams best player. But again, I don't think he will be this teams best player. I do think we will be very good. Just need Wilkins and Milan to be better. And Malachi, please dude, start playing with some aggression.

It depends what your goal posts are for "really good" team are honestly. And certain people's definition will differ from others. I get both sides of it. Arkansas last year in my opinion was an average team made really good by Darius Acuff. They were not a "great team", those 5 losses and under teams.

I also do not think Mason Williams is the best player on our team, but I could agree he might be the most consistent.

 

[KentuckyGuy85]

Give me this starting 5
Mason
Wilkins
Milan
McBride
Moreno

 

[kyjeff1]

The point was a frosh PG that’s 6’2” being your best player means your ceiling is low.

Problem is, every school out there lies when they list the heights of these players, so we don't know the true measurements of these players.

But, if we had 2014/15 Ulis running point on this team, we would be very happy. Kid was a boss from the start and it proves that it's about heart and toughness, not size.

Mason is the son of a great NBA guard, so we're not talking about a regular, ordinary freshman pg here, this is a kid that has a huge advantage and has obviously been in the weight room.

I would rather he not be our best player, but I wouldn't mind it if he was our best guard.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Problem is, every school out there lies when they list the heights of these players, so we don't know the true measurements of these players.

But, if we had 2014/15 Ulis running point on this team, we would be very happy. Kid was a boss from the start and it proves that it's about heart and toughness, not size.

Mason is the son of a great NBA guard, so we're not talking about a regular, ordinary freshman pg here, this is a kid that has a huge advantage and has obviously been in the weight room.

I would rather he not be our best player, but I wouldn't mind it if he was our best guard.

I agree with everything you just said. The initial comment I made was in response to him being THE BEST PLAYER on this roster. I don't think he will be (however, I think he'll be much better than I thought/very good), but if he is I'll maintain the ceiling for the team is lower than it needs to be. That's more of an indictment on some other players not reaching the level of play they could/should for this team to be good. But again, I don't think that will be the case.

 

[Runt#1969]

1-Mom needs to get shots. He's not a bucket getter, but he's definitely a shot maker.

2-If Mason truly is this best teams player (I don't think he will be, but I'm definitely coming around on him being a lot better than I thought he'd be), this team is in trouble. Low ceiling if that's the case.

3-I somewhat agree here. Biggest caveat is how he responds to physicality. That will tell the story of how good he will be.

4-Wilkins looks very "no-no-YES". This tracks after looking at his game logs from last season. He had some very good games and some real clunkers against really bad teams. He's got to find a way to be more consistent. His decision-making on offense is the key here. He also really needs to learn how to defend. In two exhibition games he's given up way too many straight line drives. He's just bad on the ball defensively. Has to get better and no reason he can't.

5-Malachi has a motor problem and there are rumblings of his lackadaisical practices. That has to change. Kepnang has zero offensive skill. He's nothing more than a lurker/dunker on offense. I think he's serviceable on defense, but his foul rate is pretty high. Expecting anything more than 15 mins/game for him is a stretch.

Great points. There are some really good points being made in this thread, and a good discussion...

I'll take a stab with my thoughts, if I may.

1 -Momcilovic (" Big Chill" to me ) - Eagles nailed it. He's not bad defensively either, he holds his own. Can be shfty to get his shot, but I'd like to see him drive and get to the rim and possibly get fouled too, as well as move more on the poerimeter when the ball is not in his hands. They all need to work much harder to get open. ALL OF THEM.

2 - Moreno : I still think he can be a double double machine this year. But he has only showed flashes of how good he will ultimately be. I'm trying to stay positive with him, but he really needs to be much more assertive physically. I can understand if everyone scoffs at my thought he's the second best player on our team as well....

3 - Kam Williams - even though we haven't gotten him on the floor yet, I think ultimately, he will be our third best player overall.

4 - Mason ! Williams - he's proving it every time on the floor. Well done, young man ! He's a freshman, he will have some growing pains, I expect, but man .... keep on playing like that and he will more than make up for any errors he makes.

5 - Wilkins - Streaky players are what streaky is. Defensively, Eagles opnce again nailed it. Needs to improve defensively with lateral speed to keep other guards from blowing by him on straight line drives to the rim. PERIOD.

6 - Ndiaye - Could be the biggest surprise on the team.

7 - Zoom - He needs to show immediate improvement. I think if he can get an early shot to go in and get some early confidence going in a game, it can really turn him around. He isn't THIS bad. Or as bad as some make him out to be. He's not as good as we hoped so far. He will get a chance to prove himself.

Noah
McBride
Kepnang
Hawthorne
Morten
& then the rest

I think Pope is going to continue to start Zoom. Give him a chance to really get his feet under him for the first cupcakes, hopefully he will respond and show up and show out. If he does, he will probably still be starting against Kansas. If he is midling in the first 2, he should be benched for the Kansas game. We need to be firing on all cylinders from the outset when we play them.

But as far as that goes, we need that every single game from the beginning from everybody.

 

[megablue]

Notable True Freshmen First-Team All-Americans

• • Wayman Tisdale (Oklahoma, 1982–83): Became the first true freshman in NCAA history to be named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press.
  • Kevin Durant (Texas, 2006–07): Earned consensus first-team All-American honors and swept national player of the year awards as a freshman.
  • Greg Oden (Ohio State, 2006–07): Named a first-team All-American alongside Durant during the 2006–07 season.
  • Michael Beasley (Kansas State, 2007–08): Put up historic scoring and rebounding numbers to claim first-team All-American status.
  • Kevin Love (UCLA, 2007–08): Formed a rare freshman duo on the AP first team during the 2007–08 season.
  • John Wall (Kentucky, 2009–10): Led the Wildcats and earned first-team All-American recognition.
  • DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky, 2009–10): Joined college teammate John Wall on the first-team All-American list in 2010.
  • Anthony Davis (Kentucky, 2011–12): Dominated defensively and earned consensus first-team All-American honors before winning a national title.
  • Jabari Parker (Duke, 2013–14): Led the Blue Devils and secured first-team All-American accolades.
  • Jahlil Okafor (Duke, 2014–15): Anchored Duke's frontcourt as a dominant freshman first-team All-American.
  • Ben Simmons (LSU, 2015–16): Filled the stat sheet to earn first-team All-American honors.
  • Trae Young (Oklahoma, 2017–18): Led the nation in scoring and assists, making the AP first-team All-American squad.
  • Deandre Ayton (Arizona, 2017–18): Dominant one-and-done big man named to the AP first team.
  • Marvin Bagley III (Duke, 2017–18): Part of the historic trio of freshmen to make the AP first team in 2018.
  • Zion Williamson (Duke, 2018–19): Claimed consensus first-team All-American and national player of the year honors.
  • Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State, 2020–21): Named consensus first-team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year.
  • Evan Mobley (USC, 2020–21): Honored as a consensus first-team All-American.
  • Cooper Flagg (Duke, 2024–25): Unanimous first-team All-American and national player of the year.
  • Cameron Boozer (Duke, 2025–26): Unanimous AP first-team All-American selection.
  • AJ Dybantsa (BYU, 2025–26): Earned consensus first-team All-America honors as a freshman.
  • Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas, 2025–26): Named a first-team AP All-American.

 

[KyLegacyBBN]

Uh, where’s Moreno.

 

[BlueBloodKyFan72]

Hot take… I’d take M. Williams over any other freshman guard in the country… Yes, over Rippey and Smith Jr!

 

[rivercatinfl]

I was slightly disappointed in McBride. I thought there was more to his game rebounding and offense rebounding would be where he helped us. Other than a couple 3’s he looked lost and wasn’t as aggressive as I’d like to see him.
probably gonna need Kam and Noah to shore up that spot.
McBride may come around but he didn’t impress me last night.