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Men's Basketball

Mitch Barnhart Addresses Relationship with John Calipari, Responds to Claims of Hampering Basketball Program

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Mitch Barnhart sitting next to basketball coach John Calipari.

On Thursday, some damning claims were released against Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. Kyle Tucker of The Athletic, leaked some information coming from the Kentucky men’s basketball program, that was concerning.

According to Tucker, Barnhart and Calipari’s divide has grown deeper and suggests that Barnhart has hampered the Kentucky basketball program behind the scenes. The article alleges that Barnhart: told Calipari not to apologize following “basketball school” comments; refuses to proceed with planning a practice facility, with Calipari raising ~$30 million in pledges; declined Calipari’s request for additional support staff.

On Friday morning, after receiving emails for “24-48 hours”, Barnhart went on Kentucky Sports Radio to respond to the claims. Here is what he had to say.

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On the current basketball season and where the basketball program stands

“Obviously, we all want to win. Our coaches are fully engaged in that. As I look back at March of last year we were 26-7 and one win away from being a one-seed. Had a National Player of the Year… We’re not where we want to be, no one is.

Cal is a Hall of Fame coach and he has been unbelievable in the past of finding a way to get our team better as we go through the season… I have seen Cal do this many, many times… I have confidence in this guy. He has done it before, and he can do it again.”

Are there changes the basketball program needs to make?

“I have never micromanaged our coaches. They are the CEO’s of their shift. I don’t get into the daily grind of how they prepare. That’s what they do, that’s what they are paid to do, and they do it well… I am confident that Cal knows the buttons to push to get us in the right spot.”

Is true that John Calipari has $30 million in pledges for a new practice facility, and have you told him “no’?

“If you look at our history, we’ve done almost half a billion dollars in capital construction since I have come on as Athletic Director for all of our sports programs, including basketball on multiple fronts. That does not include the almost $200 million dollar renovation of Rupp Arena. That is not my DNA to turn away help or capital construction.

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Those are also “hopes”. When say you have $30 million dollars, you think you can do $30 million dollars. Those are not pledges in hand… Those processes in construction are 18-24 month processes… to go through design, group funding, the approvals through the trustees and the state, as well as shoveling ground and get it going.

We also have to make sure we are in cahoots with the master plan of the University for spacing as well as Title IX and gender equity… That facility is probably a $75-$80 million dollar facility. You’re not even halfway home… Even if we had pledges in hand, it is not going to allow you to start building. We are not against facility expansion.

We have had conversations about a facility. He [Cal] would like to have a new facility. I get that. At the end of the day, there is a significant process and we have explained that to everyone.

*KSR’s Matt Jones asks Barnhart if he explicitly told Calipari “no.”*

It wasn’t “no”, it was here is the process.

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On if he told Calipari not to apologize following the “basketball school” comments

“I was coming back from off the road and I said, ‘Lets stop the chatter’. We didn’t need to get into more public debate. I wanted the two guys to be able to work to get put it behind them. For them to visit and move on. They have done that. Both have said they talked, it’s behind them. That is where we are.

*KSR’s Matt Jones asks Barnhart if he explicitly told Calipari that he could not apologize.*

Yeah, I did say ‘stop the chatter’. No, I didn’t say no one couldn’t apologize. I would hope, absolutely, that my two most high-profile coaches are on the same page and moving forward.”

On if the press conference with Stoops was a good idea just days following the “basketball school” comments

Hindsight is always 20/20. At the time, I didn’t think it was healthy. I always take the podium in the fall when we begin our season, usually the same day as fan day. However, I was at CFP or SEC meetings. I came back and said I will my normal deal that I normally do and address some of this stuff.

We are a big ol’ family. If you don’t think families have squabbles from time to time, you’re wrong… At the end of the day, I do know one thing. I do know how much Mark Stoops loves Kentucky… I know that Cal loves Kentucky… I know I love Kentucky… I know with some of the venom from the emails I have gotten in the last 24-48 hours, people wish I wasn’t from here. That’s okay, they have the right to that… We want to make Kentucky the best we can.”

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On if Calipari has requested additional support staff

“I don’t know. Again, I am not going to micromanage his staff. Cal has done this for four decades. He knows what he needs to move forward. If he has some requests or things that he needs on staffing issues, I thought we. [stops]

We made some staffing adjustments over the last couple years. I have tried to fulfill those as we can. There’s some new legislation passed by the NCAA… a conversation about volunteer coaches. You can have volunteers but they must be paid. Everyone nationally is going to have to take a new look and adapt.

I think we have been helpful to that. I don’t know that any request that has come, we have not tried to be helpful. I will always be helpful in that. I will always try to give our coaches what they need. We have done that in every sport.”

On his relationship with Calipari.

“We talk all the time. I visit with him after every game. I sit in his office and we chat about what’s going on at the game. My closing question is, ‘what can I do to help you?’ And that doesn’t make it a perfect relationship. Do we share coffee time every day or do we go to dinner often? No, it’s not. I don’t do that with most of my coaches, I’d say hardly any of my coaches. I let them do their deals.

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They have all-consuming jobs. And I think it’s important that there’s a little bit of separation there for them to do that. But I will check in frequently and just say, ‘Man, what’s going on,’ stick my nose in. I have watched practice from up above in the observatory on many occasions.

At the end of the day, I do care deeply about Cal. I want to make sure that he knows how much we appreciate what he’s done here and I want him to know, man that this is probably one of the top five or six hardest jobs and all of college sports and certainly, it’s one of the top most pressure-packed jobs of sports in general. And so yeah, I want him to know I care.

I don’t think it’s for anybody on the outside to judge my relationship with him. That’s for him and me and if it works for us, then like any other marriage, sometimes marriages look different for different people. They work in different ways. And the way some people have managed their relationship is much different from others, but ours has worked for 13 years. Doing pretty good. And because we’re going through a rough patch, all of a sudden we have a marriage that’s in disarray, and I would disagree wholeheartedly with that.”


The full interview can be listened to below, starting at the 23:41 mark.

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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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