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The Center spot ???

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megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
15,937
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Right now, it appears we have Moreno and Potter as our BIG men in the Center spot. I'm not sure that is enough and I hope Pope is looking for another big guy, besides Santos (he may not come here). Most here seem to think there are not many quality candidates and I understand that, based on based on my review of the portal, but I still like the idea of getting someone to compete with Potter as the back-up ... assuming Moreno will be here and start. Do most folks here think Pope still needs to land a back-up ?? I know he's currently looking at Santos, but I wonder if the staff is looking at others, too ??

What about Malique Ewin, as I think he is still available ??
www.sports-reference.com

Malique Ewin College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Malique Ewin - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more
www.sports-reference.com www.sports-reference.com


 
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UK BasketballFan

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megablue said:
Right now, it appears we have Moreno and Potter as our BIG men in the Center spot. I'm not sure that is enough and I hope Pope is looking for another big guy. Most here seem to think there are not many quality candidates and I understand that, based on based on my review of the porta, but I still like the idea of getting someone to compete with Potter as the back-up ... assuming Moreno will be here and start. Do most folks here think Pope still needs to land a back-up ?? I know he's currently looking at Santos, but I wonder if the staff is looking at others, too ??

What about Malike Ewin, as I think he is still available ??
www.sports-reference.com

Malique Ewin College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Malique Ewin - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more
www.sports-reference.com www.sports-reference.com
Click to expand...

He is a no contact player
 
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JPFisher

JPFisher

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Jul 24, 2013
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If we don't get another 5, I think it'll be Malachi getting backed up by N'Diaye, who will also get most of his time at the 4. I see it playing out as follows...

5: Malachi - 30 minutes, Ousmane - 10 minutes

4: Ousmane - 20 minutes, Kam 10 minutes, McBride 10 minutes

That said, I think we get another C. Malique isn't bad as a backup option. Just not sure how useful he'd be when tasked with passing or shooting, which we really need from our bigs.
 
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moses1uk

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megablue said:
Right now, it appears we have Moreno and Potter as our BIG men in the Center spot. I'm not sure that is enough and I hope Pope is looking for another big guy. Most here seem to think there are not many quality candidates and I understand that, based on based on my review of the porta, but I still like the idea of getting someone to compete with Potter as the back-up ... assuming Moreno will be here and start. Do most folks here think Pope still needs to land a back-up ?? I know he's currently looking at Santos, but I wonder if the staff is looking at others, too ??

What about Malike Ewin, as I think he is still available ??
www.sports-reference.com

Malique Ewin College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Malique Ewin - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more
www.sports-reference.com www.sports-reference.com


Click to expand...

Why do you think Pope flew to the Middle East . Was you asleep . Ewin sucks get real
 
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UKgrad22

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Think it’s Santos or another euro big (not sure who’s on radar), I don’t see us going into next season with just Moreno nor do I think Potter is good enough to be a solid backup.
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

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Anon668007 said:


there are options but Pope is without much help since he wanted to do this all himself.
Click to expand...

That's a very good point. I don't know why Pope thinks doing all of this with very little help is the way to go.
Duke hired that Nike executive and she is the one that came up with that Amazon deal.
I know first hand that trying to do everything yourself, will limit your growth. You need other voices and ideas.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

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wildcatdon said:
Pope needs to get Jordan Burks back here. Good numbers and a good player. Why he let the Diop fellow get away to Gonzaga is beyond me. Pope better wake up quick. Time and players are getting away from him.
Click to expand...
It seems like he's going after undervalued guys that specific traits, it worked his first year, but we knew we were at a talent disadvantage in a lot of games. We were okay with it, because it was year 1.
But you need top end talent. He tried to get Stokes, but Stokes trolled him, so now it's time to go get a guy that can have the same impact.
Maybe he's been talking to a few guys that are currently going through the draft process. If so, that would explain why he isn't going hard after Juke, McNeil, Diop and Burks.
I do like a lot of the pieces and I think the starting backcourt has 2 potential stars, but Pope needs to land a bigtime star at the SF spot.
 
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megablue

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moses1uk said:
Why do you think Pope flew to the Middle East . Was you asleep . Ewin sucks get real
Click to expand...
YES, I understand, but what if Santos goes elsewhere ?? That is what I was saying ... if Pope is also looking at others, perhaps Ewin might be a good candidate, but he is DO NOT CONTACT, apparently, which I didn't know. However, I don't think he sucks. He's been pretty productive as a back-up, I think.
Statistically, he compares favorably with Moreno ... so, I thought they might make a good tandem for the 5 spot, splitting time:
www.sports-reference.com

Malachi Moreno College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Malachi Moreno - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more
www.sports-reference.com www.sports-reference.com
www.sports-reference.com

Malique Ewin College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Malique Ewin - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more
www.sports-reference.com www.sports-reference.com

Kentucky at Arkansas (January 31, 2026)

www.bigbluehistory.com www.bigbluehistory.com
 
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Buckwheat Otay Is Dead

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Many euro and African bigs. Especially if backups but anyone sold on Moreno without improvement will be disappointed. Remember, everyone writes off players because Cal recruited no Kentucky, players but kids from Kentucky play hard for Kentucky.
 
RedwoodHigh

RedwoodHigh

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Potter will be the back up 5 . Why everyone doubts his ability is pure negativity.
I see him as a valuable addition to the team as a backup center & he’s a way better 3 point shooter than MM. LETS give the young man a chance to prove himself to BBN.
BTW Moreno is projected as a mid 2nd round pick in NBA draft & made all SEC Frosh team. He would have been in top 30 if he entered Portal at a $4+ million value.
 
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theBlues

theBlues

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RedwoodHigh said:
Potter will be the back up 5 . Why everyone doubts his ability is pure negativity.
I see him as a valuable addition to the team as a backup center & he’s a way better 3 point shooter than MM. LETS give the young man a chance to prove himself to BBN.
BTW Moreno is projected as a mid 2nd round pick in NBA draft & made all SEC Frosh team. He would have been in top 30 if he entered Portal at a $4+ million value.
Click to expand...
The only thing about him I question is his health; Pope said he was dealing with a long term health problem but gave no further clues to my knowledge. Potter was clearly the most offensively talented big we've had the last couple years but was too skinny at Miami; if he's put on weight and is healthy he'll be a better big than AJ or BG.
 
paulcalhoun_rivals397471

paulcalhoun_rivals397471

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wildcatdon said:
Pope needs to get Jordan Burks back here. Good numbers and a good player. Why he let the Diop fellow get away to Gonzaga is beyond me. Pope better wake up quick. Time and players are getting away from him.
Click to expand...
I like Burks but he is not a center. Is Aaron Bradshaw still available?
 
A

Anon1751335390

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Moreno was second in the nation out of all freshman centers in BPM.

In the SEC, he ranked 3rd in BPM. He is a legit threat to be all conference first team at the position next season.

Given his age, position, and production as a freshman, he would’ve been one of the most coveted players in the portal.
 
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JASUN74

JASUN74

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megablue said:
THANK YOU ... I didn't know that. I thought he looked pretty good and was hopeful.
Click to expand...
I think we need one but apparently they have a different view. Maybe they have saw a lot of improvement in Reese or are wanting to play more small ball. It’s kinda funny how much different Mark is now from when he got the job and was sharing with the fan base. At least then everyone had a clue about the direction we were heading. Maybe he makes fools of us all and brings in a stud center, Momcilovic and another big power forward rebounding machine. 😆
 
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JASUN74

JASUN74

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megablue said:
YES, I understand, but what if Santos goes elsewhere ?? That is what I was saying ... if Pope is also looking at others, perhaps Ewin might be a good candidate, but he is DO NOT CONTACT, apparently, which I didn't know. However, I don't think he sucks. He's been pretty productive as a back-up, I think.
Statistically, he compares favorably with Moreno ... so, I thought they might make a good tandem for the 5 spot, splitting time:
www.sports-reference.com

Malachi Moreno College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Malachi Moreno - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more
www.sports-reference.com www.sports-reference.com
www.sports-reference.com

Malique Ewin College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Malique Ewin - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more
www.sports-reference.com www.sports-reference.com

Kentucky at Arkansas (January 31, 2026)

www.bigbluehistory.com www.bigbluehistory.com
Click to expand...
He would be about as good an add as anyone available who would come off the bench as a backup. And Pope went 12 hours to watch a guy play and Will Wade made one call, we all know what’s going to happen with that. He probably just asked for too much money for us to get a star and him is what I’m hoping happen. Doubt it but trying to give mark a little benefit of the doubt.
 
W1LDCAT22

W1LDCAT22

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megablue said:
Right now, it appears we have Moreno and Potter as our BIG men in the Center spot. I'm not sure that is enough and I hope Pope is looking for another big guy, besides Santos (he may not come here). Most here seem to think there are not many quality candidates and I understand that, based on based on my review of the portal, but I still like the idea of getting someone to compete with Potter as the back-up ... assuming Moreno will be here and start. Do most folks here think Pope still needs to land a back-up ?? I know he's currently looking at Santos, but I wonder if the staff is looking at others, too ??

What about Malique Ewin, as I think he is still available ??
www.sports-reference.com

Malique Ewin College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Malique Ewin - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more
www.sports-reference.com www.sports-reference.com


Click to expand...

If we go into the season with only Moreno and Potter manning the 5, it might get even uglier than we all thought. If Pope doesnt bring along another big, just another reason of many that he should be gone!
 
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Rainmaker

Rainmaker

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It's likely to be Wini Silva IMO, but wouldn't be surprised with Ruzic or Santos either. There are more options beyond that but I'd love to land Silva personally as he can play the high pick and hit the 3 when needed. If we could land Silva and Dennis Parker Jr somehow I'd be content. Obviously I'd prefer Joksimovic, Casarin, Momcilivic or Hampton reclass but I'm just looking at a realistic standpoint at this point. Adding Parker Jr at the 3 and Silva as a backup 5 would put us top 25 IMO. Not Kentucky standard but with a good chance to compete and if some players end up better than advertised could end up being a dangerous team.
 
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UKgrad22

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Rainmaker said:
It's likely to be Wini Silva IMO, but wouldn't be surprised with Ruzic or Santos either. There are more options beyond that but I'd love to land Silva personally as he can play the high pick and hit the 3 when needed. If we could land Silva and Dennis Parker Jr somehow I'd be content. Obviously I'd prefer Joksimovic, Casarin, Momcilivic or Hampton reclass but I'm just looking at a realistic standpoint at this point. Adding Parker Jr at the 3 and Silva as a backup 5 would put us top 25 IMO. Not Kentucky standard but with a good chance to compete and if some players end up better than advertised could end up being a dangerous team.
Click to expand...
I’m not a scout and my eye for talent might just not be that great, but absolutely nothing I saw from Silva screamed SEC caliber backup 5, maybe you can shine some light onto what he would add
 
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KYAnywhereEverywhere

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Of all the craziness of the off-season, the lack of movement on another 5/4 is at the top of the crazy pile. Besides watching one undersized Euro with bad stats there's barely been hints of Kentucky's involvement with another 5. What happens if MM gets in early foul trouble? Is Potter really equipped for a 20minute game? What if MM gets hurt? What if MM and Potter both get in foul trouble? I really, really want/need to see some positive news about UK bringing in another 5, hopefully one that can play some 4 too. I'd honestly be fine with the roster as is with one more 4/5 on board; I'd quit checking this board every damn day.
 
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megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
15,937
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KYAnywhereEverywhere said:
Of all the craziness of the off-season, the lack of movement on another 5/4 is at the top of the crazy pile. Besides watching one undersized Euro with bad stats there's barely been hints of Kentucky's involvement with another 5. What happens if MM gets in early foul trouble? Is Potter really equipped for a 20minute game? What if MM gets hurt? What if MM and Potter both get in foul trouble? I really, really want/need to see some positive news about UK bringing in another 5, hopefully one that can play some 4 too. I'd honestly be fine with the roster as is with one more 4/5 on board; I'd quit checking this board every damn day.
Click to expand...
I have the exact same thoughts as you on the need for another BIG MAN that is capable of contributing in a meaningful way. To me, it is a MUST.
 
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BlueSince92

BlueSince92

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JPFisher said:
If we don't get another 5, I think it'll be Malachi getting backed up by N'Diaye, who will also get most of his time at the 4. I see it playing out as follows...

5: Malachi - 30 minutes, Ousmane - 10 minutes

4: Ousmane - 20 minutes, Kam 10 minutes, McBride 10 minutes

That said, I think we get another C. Malique isn't bad as a backup option. Just not sure how useful he'd be when tasked with passing or shooting, which we really need from our bigs.
Click to expand...
This
 
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