Kentucky Basketball 2024-25 Season Preview: Predictions & Players To Watch

Blake Lovell and Max Barr start their 2024-25 SEC basketball preview series with thoughts on Kentucky basketball, where things stand with Mark Pope, expectations for the Wildcats' backcourt led by Kerr Kriisa and Lamont Butler, the versatility of Amari Williams, the shooting prowess of the talented transfers like Jaxson Robinson, Koby Brea, and Ansley Almonor, why there's lot of potential with a stretch forward like Andrew Carr, picks for the Team MVP and X-Factor, predictions for Kentucky's season, and much more.
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[@jjsneed8060]

Pope is going to surprise a lot of people !!!

[@Honkey_Tonker]

I honestly believe the team as a whole will surprise a lot of naysayers

[@sonoseal]

Been a Kentucky fan since 78, and this team will finish season in the top 20 nationally

[@oakleyjack7600]

Ky had some Great teams and a few gained a Moniker at the end of March, like the Unforgettable’s. I will call this team the Unknowns . You failed to discuss Chandler, Perry and Noah. Perry and Noah represented their high school teams and didn’t play in any circuit leagues, both have flown under the radar but are difference makers and Chandler will surprise and be an impact out of the gates. Perry has the point guard IQ, and is a 3 point assassin and team player. I think this team as a whole will gel quicker than most think and I’ll predict that they win the first two quad1 games and be in the top ten teams nationally mid season.

[@johnnystivers6788]

I think they are mainly talking about this year, I love all 3 of those guys, but Chandler hasn’t played 5 on 5 basketball against a team in over 2 years idk if you play basketball or not but if you stop for 2 years it’s really hard to get back to what you were yes Pope has experience with that type of stuff and Collin will be just fine he’s probably a future pro he might have a role this year but he won’t make real impact until next year his junior season he could be an all American, Travis is offensively ready to go right now he’s smart best shooter in his class but if he’s on the floor Otega and Lamont will have to be on the floor as well to make up for his defense again he will have a role im sure but he probably won’t play much until he can play a little defense which will be hard at his size he has to build muscle and not super fast because it might effect his shot , really I like Noah more in year one because he’s a knockdown shooter and he’s 6’6 idk if he’s strong enough to guard the 4 or fast enough to guard the 3 but he can shoot over people really high IQ and good passer, if any of them want to play a big role they will have to play very well early in the season because you have 7 seniors and a JR and sophomore who have played high level basketball those 3 will probably wait a year maybe 2 in five cases, also I think we can beat Duke and if the offense is really good early in the season we might but I doubt it, it’s a bad matchup, I think Amari will have his was maybe Lamont gives Proctor to much trouble and we shoot lights out and win if the offense is in mid season form they have a good chance but Cooper is hard to guard and really hard to score on Caleb Foster is a big guard who can shoot and Kon is a 6’7 48 percent 3 point shooter, they will be very good at both ends of the floor so it’s going to be hard but I think we beat Gonzaga and Clemson

[@cordercorder8785]

@@johnnystivers6788think Collin is a freshman when it comes to class.

[@johnnystivers6788]

@@cordercorder8785 yeah he is

[@johnnystivers6788]

@@cordercorder8785 I was saying he will play more next year but I expect him to be a top 25 player in his junior season

[@cordercorder8785]

@@johnnystivers6788 I see what you are saying. I think if he sticks around and gets back into game shape and form he is going to be something special. And he may be ready right now but nobody really knows much about him since his mission. Plus his body is a lot more developed than most freshman.

[@Bleedsblue]

Yeah Carr might actually end up being the x factor for sure

[@AsTheWickedScatter]

BBN

[@kevinhensley4643]

I agree for the most part. I believe they will be close to 25 wins before the SEC tournament. Thanks for sharing, guys!!

[@SamuelSmith802]

Coach Cal and the Cats are back. Got a feeling we turn back the clock and put the past couple of years behind us. Go Cats

[@Bleedsblue]

Cals biggest mistake was not talking Oscar into staying for that final year. And his defensive strategy

[@MGnKntkY]

That mustache is phenomenal

[@Southernsoul2234]

Go Big Blue!!!

[@brandonwalker4098]

“We gon shock da world” 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@wildcats2360]

Stache barr

[@MGnKntkY]

Guys, when are we doing live streams again?

[@SamuelSmith802]

@@MGnKntkY every Saturday at 9 AM EST, you can join myself and Chris Lee right here

[@Bleedsblue]

Brea has been forgotten about because that's all he's got is a shot! No d no rebounding can't run and gun.

[@jaycehoward2771]

That's all Pope needs him to do in this offense. How many dudes are millionaires from being a great shooter. Lots and lots.

[@Bleedsblue]

@@jaycehoward2771 they also are conditioned. Can play defense or pass. They bring something to the game other than shooting. Everyone can shoot these days. I've watched too many Dayton games. And offenses are gonna go right at him. He stays injured and can't keep up in a fast paced game. Hopefully he's better conditioned than last season. At the very least he can come in and put 5 hard fouls on somebody

[@Bleedsblue]

@@jaycehoward2771 shooting isn't even the staple in the actual offense. It's moving without the ball. Making the right reads and passing. I know everyone gets caught up in the three pointers. But the actual goal is to get easy layups and dunks. Their shooting the quick three while defense is outta position. But in the half court. They're keeping the paint open and trying to get cuts inside

[@jaycehoward2771]

@@Bleedsblue was we not talking about 1 player or the team? As I said Brea just needs to be Brea in this system. I didn't say the 3 was or wasn't the staple or not. You don't go after and get the best 3 point shooter in the entire country for his defense or play making skills. So I'm not really sure what you are talking about with the reply because thar had literally nothing to do what was commented by you what I said back.

[@Bleedsblue]

@@jaycehoward2771 you said. In popes system all he needs him to do is shoot threes! Just running the offense takes skills Brea lacks. He was Dayton's 3rd or 4th option on offense. And I was replying to your statement about 3 point shooters making millions. Those players bring something more to the game than just shooting! Everyone! Breas minutes are gonna get took by one of the freshman maybe even Collin Chandler . Cause he's killing it in practice. That would be my expectation. Besides there's something up with Brea . When I see the team out playing hes never running or even on the court. I think he's still injured