After all signs earlier this week seemed to point at Robert Wright being Kentucky's answer at point guard, the BBN went ahead acquainted themselves with the high-scoring floor general. Banners were hung on houses in Lexington and, in droves, fans followed Wright and posted about him online. It seemed surefire, in part because everyone outside of the bluegrass seemed to think so.
Until they didn't and, suddenly, it wasn't. BYU pages began to come out of the woodwork and claim a Wright return to Provo was imminent. The confidence dropped off completely on Kentucky's front, and what at first seemed like a naer-certainty turned into a toss-up. Of course, Cats fans reacted in anarchy.
But beyond the panic and potential pain of losing arguably the best guard in the portal, Mark Pope may already have the perfect backup plan in place. If Wright ultimately decides elsewhere, previous visitor Zoom Diallo should slot right in as Kentucky's obvious preference at point guard.
Pope's Perfect Backup Plan
Diallo not only visited prior to Wright but, for a time, looked like Kentucky's preferred option. Until Wright was brought on campus alongside No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes, Diallo was hanging out with Coach Pope at Keeneland. What's more, the only other major suitor for the guard, in Arizona, just added two players in their backcourt.
Effectively, it seems, the runway if clear for Kentucky to pay Diallo and bring him on board. Wright's indecision can only hold Pope and his staff hostage for so long; pivoting to "Plan B" isn't necessarily a bad thing and, in this case, could even be a better outcome for the Wildcats.
Diallo is a textbook SEC guard who is likely to come at a lower financial rate than Wright, too. As far as I'm concerned, Kentucky may as well pull the trigger now.
Pivoting to Diallo to Prioritize the Roster
If Pope and Kentucky are in a bidding war for Wright, what does it look like if the staff waits a few more days to land him? Especially if the price is further raised, Kentucky could miss out on an array of solid complimentary pieces.
Wright played alongside AJ Dybantsa last season at BYU and, in spite of that ultra-exciting combo, the Cougars were a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. Not that Wright wouldn't be a good addition but, if he puts off a decision much longer, Pope could be better off pursuing Diallo before it's too late.
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