What will be the FINAL PIECES OF MARK POPE'S FIRST UK ROSTER - AFTER ANSLEY ALMONOR'S COMMITMENT?!

On today's show @AaronTorres reacts to the news that Ansley Almanor has committed to Kentucky - as Torres wonders who the final pieces will be for Mark Pope's first roster?!

[@AaronTorres]

Get your "Hope in Pope" t-shirt.... HERE: www.aarontorresonline.com/product-page/hope-in-pope-ky-basketball-t-shirt Listen to full episodes of the Aaron Torres Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aaron-torres-sports-podcast/id1323396118 Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Aaron Torres KZbin channel: kzbin.info Follow on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/aaron_torres Instagram: instagram.com/aarontorrespod/ Facebook: facebook.com/AaronTorresWriter TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@aarontorrespod

[@lovingnativeenglishclintvi3626]

Thanks A.T. Love my shirt and he sent it to Barranco, Lima, Perú. Love your positiveness as Jack Pilgrim is "Where is our star?" Our stars are the team. 1 man does not stop a show, So I wil take what we have with a 34-4. Love from Perú to all. BBN Go Cats

[@kentuckyjones7242]

as an old head UK fan.. to many of the younger guys dont know what its like for a coach to recruit for his system. they are use to Cal recruiting the best HS kids and trying to figure it out. im LOVING this change

[@rainydaydiva6320]

I’m with you @kentuckyjones7242, I’m loving this change. We’re going to be playing men vs. 18 year old children, I’m ready. As I’ve said in my other comment, this is going to be an epic season. Finally, we’re going to get back to “MENS” college basketball. 💙🤍

[@jasonkeaton5140]

I as well. I mean I'm ready to see thus team play

[@BrandonGavin_EDC]

It’s definitely gonna take time but I’ve been watching the Cats since 1990 and that’s not even close to some people. Kentucky had always gotten great players and we will continue too. We just won’t stack 6 MCDAA a year because we won’t need too anymore.

[@Sunuvagunner312]

I’m an old head too lol. I was just sitting here trying to figure out who the last senior we had that played 4 years here! Was it Darius Miller? I also have the memory of an old B ball head.

[@garyjrsonny]

Chaz Lanier is the only piece I can see them adding outside of a prospect.

[@BluegrassJay]

Pope has brought together a team of veteran players who drove KY fans crazy. Players that fit his system instead of just getting the best square pegs and forcing them into a round hole. I haven't seen more than a handful of backdoor plays in the last 15 years with elite elite talent and was tired of watching a driver drive, layup, kick out or lob. Been ready for a long time for an offense with more depth of strategy. A more cerebral game.

[@JMFATZ47]

Exactly what UConn runs. So sick of Cal’s stagnant sets. The past season was much better due to John Welch. But of course Cal butted heads with him and ran him off….

[@BluegrassJay]

@@JMFATZ47 yeah this year was better but essentially we just shot more threes on kick outs and such. Said for years Cal is the checkers champion in the world of chess. Random basketball is a great theory but it gets you random losses when you don't have a generational player. He doesn't run BLOB'S and doesn't switch D after opposing coaches calls a TO. Most easily scoutable coach in college basketball and I too am tired of it.

[@kewlchick3765]

Im excited about this team. I hope they come out kicking & all the haters eat their words!

[@loganbolt9115]

Just like I hope Arkansas proves everyone wrong

[@sandrarains7026]

Thank you Aaron for all updates! KY has a new coach, what we wanted. Now let's trust Pope and his staff and his selections for the New 2024-2025 BBN team. It will be exciting!!!!!

[@mikesmith5799]

Lanier and Robinson will be the last two pieces, this team wont have the amount of talented freshman that Kentucky and Calipari were able to bring together, but they have an insane amount of talent and experience! And other than Garrison and Williams everyone else on the team are shooters!!

[@marcellusclayclay393]

I think they will be better fit for march too but good points

[@sbaby-np2qr]

Facts..... Garrison still developing tho, he ain't a slouch from either

[@MmaRicky]

i don't think we get robinson, I think Almanor signing is a indication of that. Jaxson was our 1st choice and Pope waited on him for as long as he could b4 he fill that position as he did with Almanor today. But I think we get Chaz Lanier i think UK will throw the house at him and get him to sign and it will be the best decision of his life.

[@mikesmith5799]

@@MmaRicky Almanor will come off the bench

[@MmaRicky]

@@mikesmith5799 yeah In a perfect world that would be the move But almanor wouldn’t have signed unless he had some kinda of assurance that his position wasn’t going to be filled further after his own signing. It’s recruiting 101. Now I’m not saying it’s impossible but I think it’s a very very slim chance we do get him. Either way Almanor might not start anyway.

[@jasoncarpenter502]

Totally agree… UK had a top 20 team 100%

[@jasoncarpenter502]

I think that’s enough players. I think UK has the best 1-11 roster in the country no doubt. #BBN

[@sterlingphoenix6353]

To be honest, the reason being they aren't getting much recognition is coach cal was and is considered a high caliber coach (except the last 3 or 4 years his game wasn't working, so now he is switching it up as he moves to another program). Mark Pope was just starting out and hasn't got the experience needed or players to showcase what he can do. Though these players that coach Pope is pulling aren't at high caliber programs like in the acc, sec, big 10, etc. All that being said, I like being considered underdog, having to prove throughout the year and running under the radar, so to say. Though it will be difficult to be under the radar with what has happened within the last month.

[@BrandonGavin_EDC]

Lanier or Robinson is a must.

[@garyjrsonny]

I don’t think Robinson would start at Kentucky at this point. I mean is he going to start over Carr or Oweh/Brea?

[@sbaby-np2qr]

I'm thinking the same thing, but he acted as the 6 last year and knows he will get his so it's still a lean for me

[@johnnystivers6788]

Yes he’s starting over everyone of those, if he’s the last player to commit you put him at the 3 Brea the 2 Carr at the 4 and you can have 2-4 different lineups you can have

[@eyawakening]

Robinson plays the 4..doesn't affect Oweh or Berea

[@garyjrsonny]

@@eyawakening yeah but we have two good 4’s.

[@kewlchick3765]

Lets FG! Big Blue! 🔥🔥

[@user-vh6uc7fi6y]

I WANT A MARCH POPE SHIRT

[@kevinhensley4643]

Take them both, nothing less.

[@panuk3]

I'm a practicing Catholic and a UK fan, so would it be sacrilegious to wear? Is there a Priest in the audience that can help?

[@bdp-wu9jc]

It’s sin to worship Mary or put faith in works or tradition, repent and believe the Gospel

[@garyjrsonny]

Beyond a shooting guard, I don’t think we need anyone else.

[@michaelbell5]

Personally as a Kentucky fan, I would use all 13 scholarships if possible for insurance in case of injuries on the roster during the season.

[@jasonomer346]

Pope already said they will use all 13. The two open spots are for Robinson and lanier. If they don’t come then Kentucky is already talking to other options. But they won’t move on those unless either Robinson and Lanier don’t come

[@eyawakening]

Chaz lanier and it's a wrap

[@RailsandStadiums]

Wish they could get both Lanier and Robinson without leading to a bunch of fights over playing time. Didn't they say Pope likes to go 10-11 deep on the bench? 1. Lanier, Butler, Krisse 2. Brea, Chandler, Perry 3. Robinson, Oweh, Noah 4. Carr, Almanor 5. Williams, Garrison

[@curtissidebottom7379]

I think Lanier would fit better at the 2 1 Butler, Krisse, Perry 2 Lanier,Chandler 3 Brea, Owen, Noah 4 Robinson, Carr, Almonor 5 Williams, Garrison

[@curtissidebottom7379]

But I think they probably only get one. If I had to guess...it would be Lanier. I also think that Robinson stays in the NBA draft

[@Viper_0713]

I wouldn't mind see UK being non rank at the start of the season, so they don't feel like they're under a lot of pressure. And prove to the media, they're a better than they think they are.

[@carlprivett7959]

Well as of right now we are 43rd so I guess we want be ranked but that's cool , we will be bye march

[@johngetsmoney676]

Kentucky fans will quickly realize the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Mark Pope has done nothing at BYU (which is not an impossible school to win at). All he did was maintain BYU's success that the previous coach had and nothing in the NCAAT.

[@ChrisHaynes-ds6rp]

Cal? That you? No He did more than maintain because BYU was never in a major conference prior to Pope and his team finished top 5 in the supposedly the best conference in college basketball. So yes he improved BYU success

[@brandon2107]

A bunch of coaches didn't win much in March before they got to a big school.

[@b.j.reuter7215]

Kid from oak hill coming

[@eyawakening]

Who?

[@randyrowland6744]

This team suffers an injury in the frontcourt and/ or gets in foul trouble? Stick a fork in Pope's ill thought out, constructed team...so far. Just saying. Need it be said? Sure is looking like it. 2 spots left and we only have 3 real, frontcourt players/ defenders? Wow! Talking about shortdsightedness = a sure fire recipe for disaster going forward? Don't waste em on more shooters. Need another big body. And lastly, add a 5 star freshman re- class, later this summer, perhaps with number 13? Or, Watterman would fill our frontcourt NEED instead! Add another tweener at 6' 5 guy and play him at power forward, out of position. You're an idiot, if you do. Lanier at 2 guard I'd understand and welcome. In a heartbeat. He makes sense.But not Jaxon. Not at the 4. We need another big body at that 4 spot. Not another tweener.

[@jaycehoward2771]

You wouldn't know basketball if I hit you with one in the face. Analytics are a thing and a goober who couldn't coach pee wee trying to say this team is ill thought out is hilarious.

[@jasonomer346]

It’s not 2001 anymore. You won’t need so many bigs.

[@eyawakening]

We have 4 bigs Einstein. Cal would always have 4 bigs. Almanor is a pf.

[@eyawakening]

Almanor is a pf. That's 4 bigs.

[@eyawakening]

What 5 star freshman is gonna be the 10, 11th or 12th player on a team. You have no clue.

[@TheTallhillbilly]

No way this kid is 6'7".... He's 6'5.5 In socks at best...

[@theblakex]

All basketball players have 1-2 inches added to their height

[@wesleygordon9413]

Im not as impressed as BBN media is with mediocre players. Not even in the top 25 in transfer portal but just like Calipari everyone is already screaming National Championship with no evidence whatsoever. Why cant we be skeptical until we see what the first 5 SEC games look like. Whats with the coronation before we even see whats going on. This fool is screaming top 15 before a shot is taken... Why the blind faith?

[@jaycehoward2771]

I haven't seen anybody claim a title. But they have the 3rd ranked portal class overall I think and these dudes are not mediocre. I'm confused are you a hater or just not very smart? Who is mediocre? Look at the actual analytics. I mean they could not gel but on paper they not mediocre. I know you like to gargle on Cals balls because of all the talent that he wasted year after year. It's mind blowing to call any of these dudes mediocre.

[@wesleygordon9413]

@@jaycehoward2771 interesting how those that disagreed with Calipari as Coach in the last 5 years were called haters and simply because we don't agree with a slightly above average coach hire and a poor transfer portal (I'm referring to the ESPN article where UK isn't even mentioned in the top 25). I just don't see the talent to win the SEC. I hope I'm wrong about all of this. But I was right about Calipari and I think I'm right here. A skeptical mind is usually not popular but most of the time correct in its assessment. We will see. Just don't understand the bandwagon on unproven coaches and players .. I hope your assessment plays out to be better than mine. I just don't see it.

[@jasonomer346]

I’m sure you said the same thing about UConn the last few years….

[@wesleygordon9413]

@@jasonomer346 the only comments I've made about UConn over the past year has been how good their big men are.

[@hunterslaptop6483]

NIT Cats

[@PineappaPres14]

Yeah i can see Arizona making the NIT as well

[@banjohero8352]

Not a chance

[@FEEZ2112]

And who is your team? SLAPNUTS!!!

[@rainydaydiva6320]

I can’t wait to watch this team play next year, I feel like it’s gonna be an epic season! 💙🤍💙🤍🏀

[@bobbyyoung4243]

You got that right!!! GO CARDS 😎