With the latest NCAA injunction opening the floodgates for fifth-year seniors in the transfer portal, Kentucky’s options for the team’s long-empty final roster spot have suddenly exploded. As a result, Mark Pope has currently got his hands full with a fresh batch of potential additions that he and his staff are sifting through.
At the top of that list, it seems, is former Auburn Tiger Keyshawn Hall (per Jon Rothstein). Hall, who was a momentary target of Kentucky’s last offseason, has a scoring talent worth going all-in on. With a year in the SEC under his belt already, he’d make the perfect addition to an overhauled Cats roster on paper.
So, what’s the catch? Wherever he ends up, it’ll be his fifth school in as many seasons. Hall has yet to find a real long-term home and, at this point, he’ll only have one more season regardless of where he commits.
This poses a question for Kentucky: Is swinging on Hall worth any potential locker room spurs that come with a guy who hasn’t stuck anywhere for longer than one campaign? It’s a tight margin, and I wouldn’t blame any member of the BBN for falling on either side.
Is Keyshawn Hall Worth the Risk?
I would say that this risk feels especially high-stakes due to how severely the Wildcats struggled with chemistry and effort levels last season; both of which, I’d argue, are related directly to everyone being dedicated and on the same page in the locker room.
At their worst, that group was operating on an “F” teammate grade. I don’t know about the rest of Lexington, but I can’t take another 30-point blowout loss on a neutral floor. Up to now, however, the current squad looks extremely well put together.
That’s where you have to wonder if Hall disrupts that rhythm. I will say, however, that the dude can downright play. That’s what makes this debate so difficult.
Hall Can Hoop, and That’s the Problem
Last season as a Tiger, Hall averaged 19.3 points per contest to go along with 7.1 boards. He managed what was essentially a 38% rate from distance in a season that would almost certainly slot him in as a starter for Kentucky if he ended up in Lexington. The numbers are truly that compelling.
Imagining Milan Momcilovic and Hall manning the perimeter on offense in Kentucky'y starting five has me thinking about Final Four odds. But we all know that Coach Pope is concerened about character, as well as that name on the front of the jersey, to a serious degree.
Whether or not Kentucky ends up with Hall will likely be the only indicator as to which side of this debate Pope falls on. Personally, I think I've talked myself into it; swinging big may be worth the risk for an extra 20 points per game.
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