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Men's Basketball

KY Insider Preview: Sweet Sixteen Edition

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Kentucky will take on Houston on Friday, in a battle of the logos.

The Cougars are enjoying their best season since the 1980’s and the “Phi Slamma Jamma” days. This Houston team is much different than the one that featured two Hall of Famers, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olujuwan.

Instead this Houston team is undersized, gritty, and tough and will make their opponents fight for everything. Houston takes pride in their defense, as they rank No. 12 in defensive efficiency and is No. 1 in the country in opponent field goal percentage. Houston is a good team, but they have one big knock. The Cougars only have 1 win over a KenPom top-25 team, that win coming back in December against LSU at Houston.

This will be a gritty, tough it out type of game, let’s look at Kentucky needs to do give themselves the best chance to win.

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PJ Washington

The Big Blue Nation got a well needed shot of good news when PJ Washington tweeted this video on Wednesday.

To me, when Calipiari retweeted PJ with an “uh oh”, it confirmed that PJ will return against Houston. It doesn’t make any sense to set the team and the fans up for something that’s not going to happen.

In today’s press conference PJ told reporters, “It’s good, I feel good. It’s about going out there and seeing if I can do stuff on the court”. PJ participated in today’s practice, and while the media was sent to the back during the Wildcat’s contact drills, they were able to catch this video.

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Calipari went on to tell reporters that doctors told PJ that he can’t further injure himself by playing. Cal said, “If that were the case. I wouldn’t let him play”.

While there are still some question marks, I would be shocked if PJ didn’t play on Friday.

Efficient Offense and Good Shot Selection

Against Wofford, Kentucky simply failed to execute well on offense for a majority of the game. Kentucky will be facing a much stingier Houston defense Friday night.

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Kentucky is Top 25 in offensive efficiency and field goal percentage, and the Cats will need to display that. If PJ is on the floor this is a much easier task as he is able to space the floor and provide scoring that Kentucky didn’t have the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Tyler Herro will have a tough defensive assignment against Houston’s Corey Davis, the Cougar’s leading scorer. Unless he can match that defensive effort and hold Davis to single digits, Kentucky can’t afford for Herro to shoot 2-11 again. There were too many times against Wofford that Kentucky just settled. While Cal will want to take advantage of Kentucky’s size advantage, Kentucky’s guard will need to produce more offense.

Guard Play

I am a firm believer in that this game will be decided by the guard play.

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Houston has one of the best backcourts in the country with Corey Davis and Armoni Brooks. Davis and Brooks combine for an average of 30 points and both have made over 100 three pointers with over 38% 3P.

So far in the tournament Davis has averaged 23.5 points, 40.5% FG, 39% 3P. While Davis isn’t shooting a great percentage from the field, most of his attempts are from three and he made seven

It’s not just Davis and Brooks, one of Houston’s biggest strengths is their depth, especially on the perimeter. Houston’s guards account for 75% of their points, meaning Kentucky’s guards will have to stay in front because of their quickness and stay home because of their shooting ability.

On the other hand, Kentucky’s guards haven’t played their best basketball in the NCAA tournament and they will need to step up.

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One bright spot has been Ashton Hagans. Hagans biggest knock has been his turnover rate, which has improved in NCAA Tournament play averaging only 1.5 turnovers in addition to 8 points, 4 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1 steal. Not to mention, Jemarl Baker, who will likely see some more playing time and provide some shooting and defense.

If the Wildcat guards can outplay the Houston guards, Kentucky’s chances to win look a lot better.

Rebounding

John Calipari’s Kentucky teams have always been strong on the boards, and this year is no different. Kentucky is ranked 35th in both offensive and defensive rebounds per game.

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It’s not often that Kentucky faces a team just as good on the boards, but they will again on Friday.

Houston ranks top 20 in both offensive and defensive rebounds per game and are as tough and gritty as any team Kentucky has played this season. However, they aren’t as good as keeping their opponents off the board ranking over 200th in the country in all rebounding categories.

If Houston’s defense is able to limit Kentucky on offense, the Cats will need to crash the boards with a purpose and give themselves extra opportunities. With the size advantage, the Cats have no excuse not to capitalize.

Prediction

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While the Cougars don’t shoot great from outside, they shoot A LOT from outside. If the Cats don’t show up ready to play or the Cougars are lighting it up from outside, Kentucky could be in trouble.

However, Kentucky will have a substantial size advantage at every position, and will need to use that to their advantage on both ends of the floor. With PJ back in the lineup, I expect for Kentucky to have a much better offensive night. At this point in the season, the Cats are simply more battle tested than Houston.

According to Houston’s Breaon Brady, Kentucky is “just another team. Everybody is hyping Kentucky, and we love that”. I anticipate the Cats to respond on the court and show that they are more than just “another team”.

Kentucky: 76

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Houston:69

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky Has Contacted Nation’s Leading Scorer, Four-Star Transfer Jaron Pierre Who Is “Definitely” Interested in the Cats

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Jacksonville State transfer Jaron Pierre has been contacted by Kentucky.
Jacksonville State Athletics

There are more than a thousand players in the transfer portal, meaning names are flying left and right. As of April 1st, Kentucky has one commitment in Kam Williams (Tulane), and is projected to land top 25 transfer Magoon Gwath (San Diego State).

That said, the Kentucky staff has been in contact with more than a dozen players, and there is another notable player to add to that list.

KY Insider can report that Kentucky has contacted Jaron Pierre from Jacksonville State. Pierre is currently a four-star transfer prospect and ranked as the 34th ranked prospect in 247Sports‘ transfer portal rankings.

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At Jacksonville State last season, Pierre scored more points than anyone else in college basketball (777 points), averaging 21.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 38.2% from 3-point range (9.0 attempts per game). He scored 30 points or more in six games, and only had one game where he did not score in double digits. His impressive play earned him Conference USA Player of the Year honors.

Pierre also had prior stops at Southern Miss and Wichita State, where he spent two years at each school, and will be going into his sixth season of college basketball. Pierre has also declared for the NBA Draft, but is not currently projected on any mock drafts.

While still early in his recruitment, Pierre tells KY Insider that he is “definitely” interested in Kentucky, but no Zoom meeting or visit has been scheduled.

“I love it Big Blue Nation,” Pierre said of the Kentucky program. He also really liked what Mark Pope was able to do in his first season in Lexington. “He was able to pick up right where it left off.”

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The level of competition is always a question when evaluating a mid-major talent, but Pierre’s athleticism jumps off the page and a 38.2% clip from three on nine attempts per game is nothing to slight at.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Receives Predictions for 7-Foot, Top 25 Transfer Magoon Gwath

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7-footer Magoon Gwath, a top 25 transfer prospect, is predicted to commit to Kentucky.
San Diego State Aztecs

Magoon Gwath, the 7-foot freshman from San Diego State, has received a crystal ball to Kentucky. No, ladies and gentlemen, this is not an April Fools prank.

Gwath entered the transfer portal on Mar. 24 after he averaged 8.5 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and 2.6 blocks per game for the Aztecs. His play earned him Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors in the Mountain West Conference. Kentucky was one of the first schools to contact Gwath, and Lamont Butler is even reported to be helping recruit Gwath to Kentucky.

At approximately 12 p.m. on April 1st, Travis Branham, a 247Sports Basketball Analyst, awarded the big man with a crystal ball prediction that has Gwath becoming a Wildcat. On3’s Joe Tipton has also chimed in, following Branham’s prediction and mentioning Michigan as a top destination as well. 

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This isn’t a guess, this is a calculated report. Now, Mark Pope and his staff will await the decision of Gwath in the coming days.

According to 247Sports transfer rankings, Gwath is the No. 22 transfer portal player in the country, ranking fourth among centers. The class of 2023 recruit was unranked, and due to a foot injury, was redshirted for the 2023-24 season.

With a 7-foot, 205-pound frame, Gwath needs to fill out some to help with his strength. However, he is an elite shot-blocker with good defensive instincts. On the offensive side, he has good vision for his size, which Mark Pope loves, and is comfortable putting the ball on the deck with his face-up game.

With the departure of Amari Williams and Andrew Carr in the frontcourt, the addition of Gwath would be major for the Pope and the Wildcats.

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Get familiar with Gwath’s game BBN.

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Men's Basketball

Transfer Portal Tracker: Tracing Kentucky’s Involvement Thus Far

Mark Pope built a tournament roster almost entirely out of the transfer portal last season – where is he looking to repeat his success?

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Chet White | UK Athletics

Despite having only opened this past Monday, the transfer portal has already amassed enough players and prospects to fill out an entire league of their own. In this new era of NIL-fueled college basketball, programs, some of which are actively participating in the NCAA Tournament, are scrambling to sift through the masses and find pieces for their next roster.

Mark Pope, who built this Sweet 16 Kentucky team almost entirely out of the transfer portal last year, is no stranger to the process. In fact, he’s already landed a transfer in Kam Williams, a freshman wing from Tulane. You can learn more about him here.

In addition to coaching the ‘Cats towards a historic tournament appearance this year, Pope and his staff have already made waves in the transfer market as well. Here’s a list of players they’ve either already contacted, or are expected to.

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Dedan Thomas Jr.

A point guard out of UNLV, Thomas Jr., at this stage, seems like the other most likely possibility to land in Lexington. With two years of eligibility left, a 16/5/2 average split and one of the best catch-and-shoot efficiencies in the country (95th percentile) Thomas Jr. would look to fill the hole left by Lamont Butler’s graduation and the ominous possibility of Kerr Kriisa’s transferring.

Either way, he’s a high-level scorer with a lot of room to grow; he’d have a spot on the roster either way. Thankfully for Kentucky, the interest isn’t a one-way ordeal. UK is reportedly one of his top schools, with a zoom meeting between Coach Pope and Thomas Jr. happening as soon as later this week. ‘Cats fans should keep a close eye on this one as the portal grows ever more populated.

Magoon Gwath

Gwath, a 7’0″ big from San Diego State and reigning Mountain West defensive player of the year, is a name that many have attached Kentucky too early on in this transfer portal process. Just about every report has the recruitment coming down to UK and Michigan, with no clear indicator of preference in either direction.

If he does land in Lexington, Gwath brings nearly three blocks per game, solid shooting numbers across the board, and three years of eligibility remaining to grow through. He’s easily one of the most intriguing prospects in the portal, and would be a pitch-perfect fit in Pope’s notoriously big-centered offense.

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Silas Demary Jr.

The recruitment of Demary Jr. is the most interesting, and fastest moving, on this list. Just a few days ago on a zoom call with the Georgia guard, Pope reportedly asked what his plans for dinner were, in jest. The joke led to a dinner with Demary and, apparently, a scholarship offer, too.

While that may seem like a hasty decision on the surface, a talent like Demary’s is a rare find in the transfer portal. In his sophomore year in the SEC, the 6’5″ guard averaged 14 points, four rebounds and three assists, leading the Bulldogs to wins over multiple ranked opponents, Kentucky included. His athletic frame and offensive upside make him a solid candidate to fill Lamont Butler’s shoes, and if Mark Pope has his way, it won’t be long before pen hits paper on this one.

Alvaro Folgueiras

While Robert Morris is a name that many Kentucky fans would be happy to forget, perhaps landing this forward transfer would work to wash away those memories. Alvaro Folgueiras nearly averaged a double-double for the Colonials this past season, and with two years of eligibility remaining, he could serve as a (potentially) solid replacement for Andrew Carr with added longevity. Not to mention his 41% stroke from long range, which fits the Pope offense to a tee.

Kentucky has been involved from the jump, and with that spot in the rotation inevitably opening up, Folgueiras finding his way to Rupp next season bares a distinct plausibility.

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Reed Bailey

Bailey, similar to Foulgueiras, is a stretch four from a smaller school who would bring high-level offensive capabilities to the Wildcats next season. While he only has one year of hoops left, Bailey nearly averaged 20 points per game last season on 48% shooting. Put lightly, he’s a lethal scorer.

And at 6’10”, there are few players of his size that move as quickly and efficiently as he does. Pairing Bailey with a center who can dominate the glass and hold down the fort defensively would give Kentucky the kind of versatility in the paint that leaves opposing teams helpless on either end. Luckily for ‘Cats fans, Kentucky is heavily rumored as a suitor so far.

Keyshawn Hall

“They’ve had number one draft picks, and they’re the number one fanbase in the country. It’s sold out every night,” said Hall, a soon-to-be senior guard from the UCF Knights. Hall (6’7″, 235) averaged 19 points and seven boards this past season, making himself a highly touted transfer in spite of arguably subpar shooting percentages.

Even so, the physical talent is hard to deny, and there are few offensive systems built to refine a player to the same extent as Mark Pope’s. With a zoom call set for Monday, March 31, it appears that Pope and his staff are ready to have a conversation with Hall, at the very least.

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Abdi Bashir Jr.

Bashir Jr., a Monmouth guard that has garnered at least a base level interest from Kentucky, called his potential suitors the “bluest of blue bloods.” A good sign for Kentucky folks who may be high on him as a prospect.

Averaging a 20/3/2 split, it’s hard not to be a little intrigued, even given his 37% shooting metric. Bashir has two years of eligibility remaining, too, giving him an edge over many players entering their final year in terms of improvement and longevity.

Taylor Bol Bowen

Florida State forward Taylor Bol Bowen, whom Kentucky is reported to have visit on April 1st, is one of the more versatile prospects to have entered the portal thus far.

At 6’10”, Bowen is an agile big with a reliable pull-up jumper, averaging almost as many rebounds as he does points. With two, if not more, pieces in their front court leaving after this season, a player like Bowen has obvious potential for the Wildcats.

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Josh Dix

While Dix’s ultimate destination may be the muddiest on this list, one interesting factor in his portal journey demands the BBN’s attention. When it was announced on social media that the 6’6 guard from Iowa was entering the transfer portal, Evan Turner, former NBA player and Big Ten extraordinaire, replied “He’s going to Kentucky.”

So while we don’t know much about Dix and his ties to Kentucky beyond that tweet, it’d be hard not to turn your head at such a statement. Dix’s scoring ability (15 PPG on 51% shooting) would be a welcome addition to any team, though, and it’s safe to assume that he’ll at least look the way of the blue and white.

Yaxel Lendeborg

UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg may be the most broadly coveted transfer currently in the forward, exhibiting versatility on both ends of the floor and, standing at 6’9″, providing the best of both world as a sort of middle-man who fits in anywhere on the floor.

While Kentucky is already confirmed to be in contact, what team isn’t for a player who averaged 18/11/4? The battle for Lendeborg will likely be the most intense of them all, though the ‘Cats being involved this early is certainly a good sign.

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Far From Over

These are just the names that, so far, seem to be clouded in blue smoke. But with 1,200+ athletes in the portal already, where the team will actually end up is completely and utterly unpredictable.

If fans can trust anyone with the matter, it’s Mark Pope, who said in an NCAA Tournament press conference, “I think guys have seen the massive success that our transfers have had this year, and I expect that we’re going to have great success recruiting the portal.” Coach isn’t playing coy.

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