10 hours ago, sportsfan41 said:

Agreed that another backup PG would be great. But I also think that Pope will once again utilize his bigs to help distribute the ball this season. That's something that Garrison has shown glimpses of and should probably try to really work on this year. I think the Croatian and Quaintance are both capable of attacking the basket off the dribble from the 3 point line, so if those guys can distribute the ball as well that will be a big help.

I do agree that I think bigs distributing the ball is a big part of Pope’s offense. My concern with not a true backup pg is dealing with pressure. As we saw when Butler was out, the team struggled when teams pressured them especially full court. If our one current pg we have now gets hurt, we would be in a similar boat as last year. 

59 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

 

As it stands now, I look for Pope to work hard on Chandler being the back up point guard. Perhaps work with Oweh also on being more capable at point.

I am not sure Perry is ever going to get there. He needs big improvement on defense and ball handling. At this time, I see his peak as being similar to Cameron Mills.

I agree that may be the plan as of now, which is my concern. Now if the one true pg we currently have stays healthy, then I think those options are fine for the 10 or so minutes he may not be on the court. My worry is what we dealt with this year in regards to injuries. Once Kerr was done for the year, this team really struggled dealing with pressure when Butler was out injured and no true pg playing. Which would put us in the same boat this year, if the one true pg we have gets hurt or even in foul trouble. 
 

Which is why I would like to see them go get Xavian Lee who is a pg from Princeton but can also play off the ball, and can shoot. Currently looks like they are in a good spot for Lamar Wilkerson who is a two guard and an amazing shooter and would do really good here. I just think Xavian Lee would make the overall roster and depth better too, because of how he can play point or off the ball. 

Lost Wilkerson to the Hoosiers, we really needed him, have to dig deeper in the portal.

38 minutes ago, nikeman49 said:

Lost Wilkerson to the Hoosiers, we really needed him, have to dig deeper in the portal.

Would have been nice to have him but I think Pope will find a good fit for that last scholarship. 

3 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Lost Wilkerson to the Hoosiers, we really needed him, have to dig deeper in the portal.

Are there options in the portal? Going to be tough with this roster to convince someone to come aboard.

44 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Are there options in the portal? Going to be tough with this roster to convince someone to come aboard.

I'll admit my recruiting knowledge is limited, but how much longer until the portal closes? I'd imagine they could land a late addition. What about high school shooters? Europe? I'm sure there is someone out there but the pick 'ins would seem slim at this point.

11 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

I'll admit my recruiting knowledge is limited, but how much longer until the portal closes? I'd imagine they could land a late addition. What about high school shooters? Europe? I'm sure there is someone out there but the pick 'ins would seem slim at this point.

I believe the deadline for people to enter the portal is April 22nd. However, obviously players have much longer to decide on where to go, once they decide to enter. 

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

Are there options in the portal? Going to be tough with this roster to convince someone to come aboard.

There are still some good options available, however guys that could also play the point is limited. My main target would be Xavian Lee from Princeton who plays pg, but can also play off the ball and shoot. With that said sounds like UK may be too late to get in the game with him, as all indications are he is down to Florida and St. John’s. 

Now with that said if you can’t find another guy than can also handle the ball at the point. Then I think you try to go add the best player available still in the portal is RJ Luis from St. John’s. He was the Big East player of the year, and if he doesn’t stay in the draft he would be a great addition. 
 

A guy I really like that is only going to be a sophomore, but was player of the year in his small conference as a freshman is SG Blake Harper.  He is 6 foot 8 and averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists a game. He shot 40 percent from three on a 100 threes taken. Plus he shot over 260 free throws on the year at an 82% clip. Which shows he must be good at attacking the rim and creating fouls. His skill set seems similar to what RJ Luis would bring, but is younger. 

 

On 4/16/2025 at 12:30 PM, Voice of Reason said:

Are there options in the portal? Going to be tough with this roster to convince someone to come aboard.

I've read that 20% of players who enter the portal never sign with anyone.  247Sports still shows 3 and 4 star guys available.  As someone said, players from overseas are an option as well.

From KSR.

Aberdeen was a very nice addition by Pope. He can be our back up point guard and bring size and defense to point guard.

UK fits what Hawthorne is looking for. He would be a project and his impact would be more his sophomore year than his freshman year.

Travis Perry has entered the portal.

30 minutes ago, All State Baseball said:

Travis Perry has entered the portal.

Just saw that too, it’s not surprising though. I would love to see him end up in state still like a WKU or NKU.  

10 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Just saw that too, it’s not surprising though. I would love to see him end up in state still like a WKU or NKU.  

Maybe even Morehead St University!

14 hours ago, All State Baseball said:

Travis Perry has entered the portal.

 

13 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Just saw that too, it’s not surprising though. I would love to see him end up in state still like a WKU or NKU.  

That's the right move for Perry. Find a school you can start at next season. Get experience, improve then back into the portal when capable of starting for one of the big schools.