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@wilkinstruther

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- 8x National Champions
- 31x SEC Champions
- 135 NCAA Tournament Wins
- 2444 All-time Wins

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Mark Mitchell… the final piece? 👀

With the crazy eruption of college basketball eligibility today, there’s been some intriguing names hitting the “2nd portal”. Mark Mitchell was announced to be entering, and I can’t help but to already be dreaming of adding another MM 😼.

Kentucky 2026-2027 Potential Starting Five:

| **Zoom Diallo** | PG | 15.7 | 3.9 | 4.5 |
| **Alex Wilkins** | SG | 17.8 | 2.0 | 4.7 |
| **Milan Momcilovic** | SF | 16.9 | 3.1 | 1.0 |
| **Mark Mitchell** | PF | 18.3 | 5.2 | 3.6 |
| **Malachi Moreno** | C | 7.8 | 6.3 | 1.8 |

Now this is a team I can get VERY delusional about… how we feeling BBN? Would you like to see Mark Mitchell be added to the squad? Or do you prefer a guy like Cade Tyson 🤔 LMK!

#kentucky #cbb #transferportal by @wilkinstruther

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3 months ago

It seems as if Pope is about to land one of, if not THE best 2027 international prospect. I don’t know about you, but whatever voodoo Pope has been using… he needs to keep it up. Recruiting MASTERCLASS 😼💙🤍

Nikola Kusturica:

-Birth Date: April 30, 2009
-Nationality: Serbian
-Current Team: FC Barcelona (Liga ACB / EuroLeague)
-Position: Small Forward / Wing
-Height: 6’8” (2.03 m)

Strengths:

Playmaking & Handling: Kusturica functions as a “big wing” or hybrid guard who is comfortable initiating the offense. He possesses advanced ball-handling for his size, allowing him to create shots off the bounce and navigate pick-and-roll situations with high-level feel.
Slashing & Rim Finishing: His primary offensive weapon is his ability to attack the lane. With long strides and a quick first step, he can cover ground rapidly, effectively putting opposing wings on their heels. Once near the rim, he utilizes his reach, hang time, and body control to finish through contact.
Shooting Versatility: While his perimeter shooting percentages have fluctuated due to the high degree of difficulty in the shots he creates, he has shown flashes of being a capable three-level scorer. He is particularly comfortable with mid-range pull-ups and turnaround jumpers, and his high free-throw percentage (consistently near 80%) suggests a strong foundation for long-term shooting development.

Achievements:

-2025 FIBA U16 EuroBasket MVP (Gold Medalist).
- 2026 Adidas NextGen Finals Champion.
-Youngest player to debut and score for FC Barcelona’s senior team.

If Pope can pull this one off, in which it seems he’s going to, i’m going to be extremely insufferable 😼

#kentucky #cbb #nikolakusturica #bbn by @wilkinstruther

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4 months ago

Mark Pope has been on a recruiting heater, and big help from Mo Williams is helping reshape some recruiting narratives that Pope has had on his back his entire tenure in Lexington.

With the recent commitment of Ryan Hampton, the staff definitely has some new found confidence in recruiting, and I wanted to share some of my favorite 2027 recruits.

CJ Rosser: A fluid, 6’10” athlete who uses his elite length to space the floor and defend multiple positions.

Marcus Spears Jr.: A versatile, high-motor hybrid forward who impacts the game with his physical scoring and defensive intensity.

Beckham Black: A high-IQ lead guard who excels at orchestrating the offense and creating scoring opportunities for himself.

Adan Diggs: An explosive three-level scorer who combines power and finesse to create pressure on the defense.

Paul Osaruyi: A dominant 6’10” rim protector who utilizes verticality and mobility to anchor the interior.

Demarcus Henry: A long, high-upside wing with the physical tools to become a versatile perimeter scoring threat.

Reese Alston: A crafty floor general known for his pace, elite decision-making, and consistent perimeter shooting.

Dawson Battie: A modern, switchable forward who can stretch the floor as a shooter and handle the ball.

Chase Lumpkin: A skilled shooting guard who thrives
as a high-volume scorer with deep range and self-creation ability.

Jason Gardner Jr.: A relentless, explosive point guard who attacks the rim with elite speed and facilitates the offense.

I’ve left off plenty of elite prospects, so tell me, who am I sleeping on? My personal favorite is that man CJ Rosser😼

#kentucky #kybasketball #markpope #collegebasketball by @wilkinstruther

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4 months ago

Mark Pope has been changing narratives these last few weeks… 😼
- Milan Momcilovic (Consensus top 3 Portal Prize)
- Retained Malachi Moreno (Projected 25-35 in the NBA Draft)
- Ryan Hampton (Consensus top 10 High School Recruit

Ryan Hampton is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the class of 2027. A 6’6” (sometimes listed at 6’7”) wing, he has established himself as a dynamic, high-level scorer with significant upside.

Strengths and Game Breakdown:

-Three-Level Scoring: Hampton is a polished offensive threat capable of scoring from the perimeter, the mid-range, and at the rim. He is particularly noted for his ability to create his own shot off the dribble.
-Positional Size and Frame: His frame is a major asset, allowing him to shoot over smaller guards and defend multiple positions across the wing. He has shown consistent development in his physical growth and is considered to have a frame that will continue to fill out as he progresses.
-Athleticism and Finishing: He is an above-average athlete who uses his body control and explosiveness to finish through contact. He is effective in transition and shows a knack for acrobatic finishes in traffic.
-Basketball IQ and Feel: Beyond his raw scoring ability, scouts often highlight his high basketball IQ. He is capable of making the right reads within the flow of an offense and is beginning to grow as a secondary facilitator.
-Shot-Making: He is a reliable perimeter shooter who can stretch the floor, often using a smooth stroke off the catch or creating space with step-backs and pull-up jumpers.
-Versatility: His skill set allows him to impact the game in various ways, including rebounding from the guard/wing spot and providing defensive
versatility due to his length.

Overall, Hampton is viewed as a high-upside perimeter prospect whose ability to score at all three levels—combined with his ideal size—makes him one of the most productive and sought-after players in his class.

Ryan is also related to number one overall recruit Marcus Spears Jr… something to keep an eye on BBN 😏😼

#bbn #kentucky #markpope #kentuckybasketball by @wilkinstruther

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4 months ago

It’s going to be a high-stakes year for the Wildcats with some massive games already on the calendar:

Champions Classic: The season kicks off with a major test against Kansas in Chicago on November 10.

Neutral Site Showdown: Kentucky faces Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on November 20—a game expected to be one of the highest-attended regular-season matchups in college history.

Battle for the Bluegrass: The annual in-state rivalry against Louisville returns to Rupp Arena on December 12.

CBS Sports Classic: The Cats head to Madison Square Garden to face North Carolina on December 19, a game already confirmed for a national broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.

Road Trip: The team will also travel to Charlottesville to face Virginia, with the date currently to be determined.

Which of these games are you looking forward to the most, and how do you think the Cats will do? 😼

#BBN #KentuckyBasketball #CollegeBasketball #GoBigBlue by @wilkinstruther

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4 months ago

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4 months ago

MILAN MOMCILOVIC CHOOSES THE CATS 😼

The commitment of Milan Momcilovic to Kentucky is easily one of the biggest mic-drop moments of the offseason. After entering the transfer portal and testing the NBA draft waters, the 6-foot-8 forward withdrew his name and chose Mark Pope’s Wildcats, giving UK a legitimate blue-chip cornerstone.

Mark Pope’s offensive philosophy relies on space, rapid ball movement, and an aggressive volume of three-pointers. For a coach who wants his teams hunting open look after open look, landing Momcilovic is like handed a master chef a Michelin-star ingredient.

At 6-foot-8, Momcilovic plays the “stretch 4” or a massive wing role. Because defenders cannot leave him under any circumstances, his mere presence on the floor creates massive driving lanes for Kentucky’s guards. If an opposing defense collapses on a drive, it’s a death sentence; Momcilovic catching a kick-out pass is practically an automatic three points.

Up until his commitment, Kentucky’s roster looked solid and deep with quality rotation pieces, but it was visibly lacking a “go-to” star player who demands the opposing scouting report’s full attention. Momcilovic immediately fills that void. He gives Coach Pope a definitive number-one option who can carry the scoring load when the offense stalls.

With his combination of size, historic shooting metrics, and a coach who will design an entire offense to maximize his trigger-finger mentality, Momcilovic is positioned to be a plug-and-play All-SEC caliber superstar in Lexington.

MILAN MOMCILOVIC | IOWA STATE (2025-26 SEASON)

TRADITIONAL PER-GAME STATS:
- Games Played / Started: 37 / 37
- Minutes Per Game: 30.5
- Points Per Game: 16.9
- Rebounds Per Game: 3.1
- Assists Per Game: 1.0
- Steals Per Game: 0.8
- Blocks Per Game: 0.2
- Turnovers Per Game: 0.8

SHOOTING SPLITS & VOLUMES:
- Field Goal % (FG%): 50.6% (208/411)
- 3-Point % (3PT%): 48.7% (136/279) *Led NCAA
- Free Throw % (FT%): 87.8% (72/82)
- Effective Field Goal % (eFG%): 67.2%
- Total 3-Pointers Made: 136 *Iowa State Single-Season Record by @wilkinstruther

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4 months ago

Here’s the 2026-2027 Kentucky men’s basketball roster as of May 2nd! Guard depth and size are huge upgrades from last year, with this team expected to be a top 10 team in height per Kenpom. Still, they need someone to step up and fill the scoring gap. Potential is there, but they might need another key addition. Relying on player improvement isn’t the best strategy heading into a crucial year, so what’s Mark Pope’s game plan? What do you think of Pope’s third-year roster? Who should Pope go after… Ryan Hampton? Milan Momcilovic? 😼

#kentucky #bbn #sec by @wilkinstruther

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5 months ago

Kentucky has officially bolstered its roster with two solid portal depth additions: Justin McBride (JMU) and Jerone Morton (Washington State). Both players bring much needed shooting and veteran depth to Lexington.

Here’s the lowdown on our newest Wildcats 😼

Justin McBride | Forward | James Madison (JMU)

2025-2026 Season Stats:
• PPG: 15.3 | RPG: 5.6 | APG: 1.5
• Shooting: 49.4% FG | 40.0% 3PT | 78.2% FT
• Size: 6’7” (201 cm) | 240 lbs (109 kg)
• Impact: 10 games with 20+ points; started 30 of 31 games.

• Elite “Stretch Four” Shooting: McBride is a legitimate perimeter threat for his size. By hitting 40% from deep, he forces opposing centers out of the paint, creating massive spacing for the offense.
• Transition Power: Despite his 240-pound frame, he excels in an “up-and-down” tempo. He runs the floor remarkably well and is a highly efficient finisher at the rim.
• High-Motor Competitor: He isn’t just a finesse shooter; McBride uses his bulk to carve out space on the boards and plays with a relentless energy that scouting reports consistently highlight.

Jerone Morton | Guard | Washington State (WSU)

2025-2026 Season Stats:
• PPG: 7.8 | RPG: 1.9 | APG: 2.6
• Shooting: 43.8% FG | 38.8% 3PT | 82.0% FT
• Size: 6’4” (193 cm) | 180 lbs (82 kg)
• Season Highs: 16 pts (vs. Gonzaga); 9 asts (vs. Saint Mary’s).

• High-Level Facilitation: A natural “true” guard, Morton prioritizes ball movement and tempo management. He thrives in structured offenses and is known for reducing turnovers and finding the open man.
• Perimeter Efficiency: While a lower-volume shooter, his 38.8% accuracy from deep makes him a dangerous floor-spacer that defenders cannot afford to leave open on the wing.
• Veteran Maturity: Coming in as a senior transfer, Morton brings a “calm” presence to the floor. He is a primary communicator and provides the veteran leadership necessary for high-stakes SEC play.

What do we think of our new veteran Cats, BBN? 😼🙌

#bbn #kentuckybasketball #ky #sec #collegebasketball by @wilkinstruther

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6 months ago

Kentucky went all-in on Tyran Stokes, and we know how that turned out. With Mark Pope's job on the line, they'll need to bring in some big names ASAP. One potential game-changer for '26-'27 is this international phenom 👀💫

Stefan Joksimović:
• 6’7
• 205 lbs
• SF/SG (Wing)
• 2008

Tercera FEB stats:
• 22.8 PPG
• 4.1 RPG
• 3.2 APG
• 2.0 STL
• 68/42/73

Strengths:
• Versatile “Dribble-Pass-Shoot” Skillset: Rare for his age and 6’6” size, he operates as a secondary playmaker. He has a high “feel” for the game, often making the right read within the flow of the offense rather than forcing shots.
• Three-Level Scoring Potential: He is a legitimate shooting threat, especially from deep. In high-level junior tournaments (like the NextGen/ANGT), he has shown the ability to explode for high-scoring games (e.g., 38-point performances) using a smooth lefty stroke.
• Off-Ball Intelligence: Unlike many young stars who need the ball to be effective, Joksimovic is excellent at finding space, cutting, and spacing the floor. His 3FG% has hovered around a respectable 40% in various samples, making him a dangerous “gravity” player.
• High-End “Point-Forward” Archetype: He has the ball-handling ability of a guard but the frame of a wing. This allows him to initiate transition breaks or run pick-and-rolls against smaller defenders who can’t handle his length.
#bbn #kentuckyhoops #ky #markpope by @wilkinstruther

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6 months ago

Mark Pope and Kentucky are in need of a STAR ⭐️. With the 5 year rule possibly being implemented/grandfathering in graduating seniors, Tounde Yessofou entering the portal while testing the NBA waters, and Kentucky still heavily going after Stokes, here are three players that could be Kentucky’s next STAR 💫 😼

Otega Oweh:
• Position: SG/SF
• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 215 lbs
• Class: Senior
Key Season Stats (2025-2026)
• Points Per Game: 18.6
• Rebounds Per Game: 4.8
• Assists Per Game: 2.7
• Steals Per Game: 1.8
Shooting Splits
• Field Goal %: 46.5%
• 3-Point %: 33.3%
• Free Throw %: 73.1%

Tounde Yessofou
• Position: SF/SG
• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 210 lbs
• Class: Freshman
Key Season Stats (2025-26)
• Points Per Game: 17.8
• Rebounds Per Game: 5.9
• Assists Per Game: 1.6
• Steals Per Game: 2.0
• Blocks Per Game: 0.6
Shooting Splits
• Field Goal % (FG): 46.5%
• 3-Point % (3P): 29.3%
• Free Throw % (FT): 74.6%

Tyran Stokes
• Position: SF/PF
• Height: 6’8”
• Weight: 230 lbs
• Class: Senior (Rainier Beach HS)
Key Season Stats (2025-26)
• Points Per Game: 33.1
• Rebounds Per Game: 12.2
• Assists Per Game: 7.1
• Steals Per Game: 4.2
• Blocks Per Game: 1.8
Shooting Splits
• Field Goal % (FG): 54.8%
• 3-Point % (3P): 36.5%
• Free Throw % (FT): 81.2%

Who would you prefer out of these 3 if all circumstances came to reality?
#bbn #kentucky by @wilkinstruther

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6 months ago

Did Mark Pope just find his starting PF? 👀

Player Bio: Ousmane Ndiaye
• Position: Power Forward / Center
• Height: 6’11” (211 cm)
• Weight: 210 lbs (95 kg)
• Age: 22 (Born: March 19, 2004)
• Wingspan: 7’3” (Approximate)
• Nationality: Senegalese
• Latest Team: Vanoli Cremona (Italy - Lega Basket Serie A)
• College Commitment: Kentucky (2026-2027 Season)
2025-2026 Season Splits (Serie A - Italy)
•Playing for Vanoli Cremona, Ndiaye has shown significant growth as a modern “stretch” big man.

Strengths:
• Modern Versatility: Ndiaye is a “twitchy” 6’11” athlete who moves more like a wing than a traditional center. He is highly mobile in transition and can “turn the corner” on the perimeter to drive to the rim.
• Floor Spacing: He has a high-volume 3-point stroke (5 attempts per game in Italy). While 32% is developing, his 82.8% free-throw shooting suggests he has the touch to become a knockdown shooter in Mark Pope’s system.
• Defensive Potential: His 7’3” wingspan and lateral quickness allow him to switch onto smaller players. He is a high-motor rebounder, especially effective at crashing the offensive glass from the perimeter.
• System Fit: Pope’s offense prioritizes bigs who can pass, shoot, and handle the ball. Ndiaye’s ability to play the 4/5 “versatility” role makes him an ideal replacement for the modern frontcourt archetypes Kentucky is recruiting.

Areas for Improvement:
• Physical Strength: At 210 lbs, he still has a lean “prospect” frame. He will need to add muscle to handle the physicality of SEC centers and to finish more consistently through contact.
• Decision Making: International reports suggest he can sometimes be “shoot-first” or force difficult shots. Adapting to a structured college offense will require him to improve his assist-to-turnover ratio.
• Defensive Discipline: He has the tools to be an elite rim protector but can occasionally be caught out of position or fall for pump fakes due to his “frenetic” playing style.

The Consensus: Ousmane Ndiaye is a pro-level international pickup with NBA-caliber physical tools. While he is 22 and brings maturity from the Italian and Spanish top leagues, his game remains as of today high-ceiling. by @wilkinstruther

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6 months ago