2024 Roster; or, The Waking Nightmare That is UK Basketball

[Catsrock]

Reeves had a couple real bad games this year and they were both at bad times—especially the last one. But there were also games when he was literally our best player. Particularly while Wallace was a little banged up.

I still hope all the freshman show up. But I’d absolutely love to have Reeves, Toppin, Ugonna and Theiro back to go with them. Would be happy to have Oscar and/or Ware as well. Hope we don’t find ourselves needing much from the portal but I’d bet there will be some value there if someone is willing to be strictly a role player.

[CATHYnKY]

On paper, next year sounds good. IMO, Cal is on the hot seat. I know he has a lifetime contract, but no improvement next year, could be the nudge he needs to move on. Totally my opinion as a life long UK fan.

[TrueblueCATfan]

On paper, next year sounds good. IMO, Cal is on the hot seat. I know he has a lifetime contract, but no improvement next year, could be the nudge he needs to move on. Totally my opinion as a life long UK fan.

I agree..If this class is as great as I'm hearing then Cal needs to do something with it

[Will Lavender]

On paper, next year sounds good. IMO, Cal is on the hot seat. I know he has a lifetime contract, but no improvement next year, could be the nudge he needs to move on. Totally my opinion as a life long UK fan.

Trouble is, you can't talk about Cal being on the traditional "hot seat" because of the contract. But I think everybody and his mother thinks next year is probably it for him.

The downshot for UK is that recruits know this and they'll likely stay away, which means whoever follows Cal is going to have a very difficult time of it in the short term.

[matt colvin]

Trouble is, you can't talk about Cal being on the traditional "hot seat" because of the contract. But I think everybody and his mother thinks next year is probably it for him.

I think that if things were to continue on the current path and he tried to return, it would become historically ugly and he wouldn’t put himself and the family through that. After next year we’re looking at ~ 33 million and I think you could negotiate some to get him outta here, because frankly you’re at a point where you can’t afford to continue the path of destruction…the program would have to cut their losses before irreparable damage occurs.

The downshot for UK is that recruits know this and they'll likely stay away, which means whoever follows Cal is going to have a very difficult time of it in the short term.

That was always going to be the case and we need to just accept it. Make the right hire and during this age of free agency we can throw a roster together much in the same way as we’ve been doing for years now in this era. You know, seat of the pants style.

[KCKUKFan]

I still think Dillingham makes it here and plays. This is based on a conversation I had with my connection in the athletic department. He/she told me specifically, "his case isn't as complicated as most people think. He will be here."

So take that as you will.

[justafan]

I never was a ‘I wonder what the roster will look like’ person, but since Cal’s arrival it seems pointless other than to guess. It’s clear no one can accurately predict who will go in the draft, who will transfer, who will show up, who will stay and who will actually play.

I could see a scenario where Oscar enters the portal. It seems just as likely as any other speculation.

Heck, I could speculate that Cal’s already agreed to go to Texas and the non-KY recruits will follow. 🤷♂️

[Jody Porter]

The downshot for UK is that recruits know this and they'll likely stay away, which means whoever follows Cal is going to have a very difficult time of it in the short term.

Yep, and I think that's was always going to be the case whenever Cal decided to leave. Actually heard some talk this year that Cal KNOWS next year is it for him, has an idea of who the replacement is gonna be, and is trying to recruit for that coach (this came up with Travis Perry's recruitment; the kid is great, will be a good college player for someone despite some obvious limitations, but is definitely not a "Cal" player.)

Of all the rumors I've heard, this is probably the least likely. No way they'd be able to keep the name of the next coach a secret. I do find Perry's recruitment interesting, though.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Read where Livingston says he came to Kentucky to be one and done but could also see himself returning to Kentucky. NIL changes everything.. Now instead of Cal pushing off a player to get the money he now has leverage to say hey, YOU CAN MAKE AS MUCH HERE AND PLAY without the 82 game schedule or G League, why not get paid and be the big man on campus??

[GOCAT15]

I think that if things were to continue on the current path and he tried to return, it would become historically ugly and he wouldn’t put himself and the family through that. After next year we’re looking at ~ 33 million and I think you could negotiate some to get him outta here, because frankly you’re at a point where you can’t afford to continue the path of destruction…the program would have to cut their losses before irreparable damage occurs.



That was always going to be the case and we need to just accept it. Make the right hire and during this age of free agency we can throw a roster together much in the same way as we’ve been doing for years now in this era. You know, seat of the pants style.

I used to worry about this, but with the Wild West transfer rules now, as well as NIL I think that if a good replacement is brought in that a decent team can be pieced together. Not saying they will be a top 25 team but that's all going to depend on who is brought in. Just think of how ugly it could've been here the last number of years if we didn't get those transfers out of the portal.

[justafan]

Nil, etc will never be equal across schools. There is no salary cap. UK won’t be, necessarily, fighting FDU for a recruit.

UK will always have the rockstar status, every-single-game on TV, multiple national CBS games, etc.

Likewise, we will no longer see players riding the bench just because it’s UK. The transfer portal eliminated the ‘transfer penalty’. Time will tell if the ‘free agency’ nets better results for UK than not.

[justford]

Ahron Ulis in the portal. Thoughts??

[Matt Dillon]

Lots of chatter that Livingston may be transferring.

[Downes Van Zandt]

Ahron Ulis in the portal. Thoughts??

Not good enough.

[Downes Van Zandt]

Lots of chatter that Livingston may be transferring.

Have any links?