Entering the portal - 2026

[bigdog1002]

I hope Louisville crashes and burns next season.
How do you build a team whem you spend that kind of money gir two players who are strictly mercenaries.
No Thanks....

Meh. Nobody knows the exact numbers. And Michigan just showed that spending money on the right players can get you to the top. I don’t know what Louisville has returning but if they feel like they’re a couple of players away, then you absolutely go for it

 

[RuffRuff]

He is leaving for more playing time, and you think that would get him to UK? Are you talking about the United Kingdom?

UK has a 5. So unless he’s going to back that guy up, not sure why he’s even looking a them.

 

[boog204]

UK has a 5. So unless he’s going to back that guy up, not sure why he’s even looking a them.

Because pope has spent the last two years just accumulating guys who don’t really fit together. They spent a zillion dollars on the 4th options from everywhere and then tried to fit square pegs into round holes. No real PG, endless redundant big men, etc. They’ll pay handsomely and will still be, for better or worse, in the spotlight.

 

[superjohn]

UK has a 5. So unless he’s going to back that guy up, not sure why he’s even looking a them.

Who?

 

[RuffRuff]

Who?

Malachi Moreno. He's testing the draft process, coming back. He's barely a second round pick. Out of HS last year, ranked just ahead of Reibe.

 

[superjohn]

Malachi Moreno. He's testing the draft process, coming back. He's barely a second round pick. Out of HS last year, ranked just ahead of Reibe.

So they have 1 center on the entire roster and he's going through the NBA draft process.

 

[RuffRuff]

Because pope has spent the last two years just accumulating guys who don’t really fit together. They spent a zillion dollars on the 4th options from everywhere and then tried to fit square pegs into round holes. No real PG, endless redundant big men, etc. They’ll pay handsomely and will still be, for better or worse, in the spotlight.

Yup - he accumulates profiles with no plan because no one wants to play for him, and only come for the $$. Then tries to sort it out after. He has a lot of heat on him because BBN wants him to get everyone.

So they have 1 center on the entire roster and he's going through the NBA draft process.

Yeah, but 99% coming back and their starter.

 

[superjohn]

Yup - he accumulates profiles with no plan because no one wants to play for him, and only come for the $$. Then tries to sort it out after. He has a lot of heat on him because BBN wants him to get everyone.

Yeah, but 99% coming back and their starter.

So he's either going to be drafted or come back and not be their starter, lolz.

 

[Scottzer]

I hope Louisville crashes and burns next season.
How do you build a team whem you spend that kind of money gir two players who are strictly mercenaries.
No Thanks....

I’m not sure to what extent I would classify Bidunga as a mercenary. He isn’t AJ Storr, Robert Wright, etc.

But, I’ve heard him described as significantly shorter than listed height, and it might make sense for him to ensure he gets paid while in college. That, and escaping Kansas, at this point in time, make sense to me.

 

[AllHusky]

The more I see the signings and availability of players in portal along with who we have on bench the more I think blowing our load to retain Mullins is a mistake! He is not gonna start as a 2 if Ball remains and the Landrew kid is one of the best small forwards in this class and is much bigger, tougher and athletic than Mullins as a 3… keeping Stewart and Ross Demary will cost less and we will have money to fill the 5 Diop or Hines and maybe also get a guy who can play 4 …and 5 in smaller lineup like the kid at Syracuse ….Also Furphy can play 2 or even 3 and is a versatile scorer and secondary ball handler who along with County can provide depth in the guard room …Retention and selective portal moves are how we have stayed at the top of the sport, I hope that continues and hope Mullins has great NBA career!

And if Braylon Mullins has said I’d like to stay if we can make the money work, should we say no thanks?

 

[AllHusky]

Don't sleep on Solo. He was injured all last year, and he still made some great plays. His rebounding in the NCAAs saved the Duke game, if not others. He may be a star again next year.

With you! Solo worked hard at improving things he was asked to. Another bump in his overall game and some health luck, and he’ll really be impactful.

 

[mauconnfan]

Dare I say this crap is ridiculous?

 

[Fan1978]

I’m not sure to what extent I would classify Bidunga as a mercenary. He isn’t AJ Storr, Robert Wright, etc.

But, I’ve heard him described as significantly shorter than listed height, and it might make sense for him to ensure he gets paid while in college. That, and escaping Kansas, at this point in time, make sense to me.

Louisville spent on mediocre guys, will not age well

 

[Bigbrad1029]

If we have to pay Mullins NBA money to stay here than yeah it is ridiculous when we are likely loaded at the 2 and the 3 , have to keep Demary, and have no centers whose price tags are like 3 to 5 million

 

[Rich]

Bizjack is in the portal. Hurley had nothing but good things to say about him both times we played Butler. I daresay Hurley was effusive in his praise.

 

[RuffRuff]

If Miami locks up Lewis as reported, they may be putting a squad together. They have money and an ex Duke assistant as HC. Another 5 off the board. I have to think Hurley is hustling on the 5 targets.



2 of the 6 top 30 centers are off the board. Diop is going to go for a load. We need at least one.

https://247sports.com/season/2026-basketball/transferportaltop/

 

[Excalibur]

What is going on in that situation if that is true? In no world does a kid pass up on millions. So either it's:

1) Not true
2) Something weird with UK NIL
3) NO one wants to play for Pope

It’s not true. This can be said with near 100% certainty.

 

[Excalibur]

Dare I say this crap is ridiculous?

It’s hard to continue to love this sport . . .

 

[Edward Sargent]

What is going on in that situation if that is true? In no world does a kid pass up on millions. So either it's:

1) Not true
2) Something weird with UK NIL
3) NO one wants to play for Pope

No Yaxel won the NC while demonstrating toughness and will be a lottery pick. That might not have happened at UK. Lesson in how to manage your long term finances

 

[Edward Sargent]

Yup - he accumulates profiles with no plan because no one wants to play for him, and only come for the $$. Then tries to sort it out after. He has a lot of heat on him because BBN wants him to get everyone.

Yeah, but 99% coming back and their starter.

Whats BBN?

 

[GampelGladiator]

Whats BBN?

Big Blue Nation (BBN) is the passionate, widespread fanbase for University of Kentucky (UK) athletics, particularly men's basketball, women's basketball, and football. Known for intense loyalty, BBN supports teams that frequently contend in the SEC, with recent news focusing on basketball roster changes under coach Mark Pope and spring football updates

 

[Edward Sargent]

Big Blue Nation (BBN) is the passionate, widespread fanbase for University of Kentucky (UK) athletics, particularly men's basketball, women's basketball, and football. Known for intense loyalty, BBN supports teams that frequently contend in the SEC, with recent news focusing on basketball roster changes under coach Mark Pope and spring football updates

Isn't Big Blue reference to Michigan? Now I understand we are dealing with Kentucky

 

[RuffRuff]

Big Blue Nation (BBN) is the passionate, widespread fanbase for University of Kentucky (UK) athletics, particularly men's basketball, women's basketball, and football. Known for intense loyalty, BBN supports teams that frequently contend in the SEC, with recent news focusing on basketball roster changes under coach Mark Pope and spring football updates

Otherwise known as a Luney Bin.

 

[Bigbrad1029]

Bizjack is in the portal. Hurley had nothing but good things to say about him both times we played Butler. I daresay Hurley was effusive in his praise.

Don’t need Bizjak, we have enough players like him…need centers

 

[RuffRuff]

Don’t need Bizjak, we have enough players like him…need centers

Order of priority

Our guys back & 5

Then a 4
Then a backup PG