BBN is on edge during the transfer portal cycle every season, and trust me, I get it. This is the time when the roster is really built in modern college basketball, especially in the case of a relatively new coach working to build a reputation. After Rob Wright spurned the Cats and went back to BYU, everyone was in an uproar. But Mark Pope reeled in Zoom Diallo in response to quiet the crowd... for now.
What is Kentucky basketball's captain up to next? He has to get big, and plug a lot of holes, fast. Let's take a look at the current, confirmed roster before addressing what needs to be added:
Kentucky's Current Roster
Guard:
- Zoom Diallo
- Mason Williams
Forward:
- Kam Williams
- Trent Noah
Center:
- Reece Potter
Braydon Hawthorne said publicly that he planned to come back last month, but we haven't seen any official announcement from the school, so we can't count him just yet. And Malachi Moreno is testing the NBA waters, so we won't put him on the chart, either (even if his return looks likely).
We know Diallo dominately plays the one (although he can shift), and Mason Williams is a true point guard. But, even if Diallo slid to the two in a pinch, Kentucky has no depth in the backcourt.
It's even worse up front, where Reece Potter is the only guy we know for sure will be on the roster next season. It gets better if Moreno comes back, and with a loaded draft class, he's almost expected to. But you can't be sure.
Either way, Kentucky's top priority has to be a big man, followed by another scorer, and then additional depth at point guard. Luckily, Pope already has the guys visiting campus to fill those needs. I believe the Cats will land Colorado transfer Sebastian Rancik and Furman transfer Alex Wilkins.
Sebastian Rancik is a Plug-and-Play Space-Maker
Andrew Carr brought so much to Kentucky basketball in Mark Pope's first year. He had 17 points when the Cats rallied to knock off Duke early in the season, and his biggest win was the ability to score on multiple levels.
Rancik shoots a respectable 33% from deep, grabbed nearly six boards per contet, and shot it at 83% from the strike. He fits that Carr-carved role nicely. And, while Rancik isn't the best defender or most refined passer, he'd be a great backup big with instant impact potential.
Wilkins Scores at Will
While shooting an unfortunate sub-35% from deep, Wilkins still averaged 17 points and 4.7 assists per game. He's a guy who knows how to get to his spots and get his own shots. He notably scored 21 points against UConn in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, despite Furman's loss.
The turnovers have to come down, he averaged nearly 4 a game. But at 6'5 he brings a good skillset that would fit Mark Pope nicely.
Donnie Freeman is visiting, but I do expect him to at least visit UConn; Wilkins, on the other hand, I don't think Kentucky lets walk without a signature. Mark Pope has a lot of holes to fill, and players are now starting to make their choices in droves; if Kentucky plans to make a heavy-hitting move, Pope and his staff will have to keep the ball rolling right now.
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