College Basketball 2026-27 Season Thread

[Rock]

Tyran Stokes, the number one player for next year, is going to announce his college decision at 6:30EST on the Inside the NBA program. It’s apparently either between Kansas or Kentucky. I believe he had a crystal ball or two put in for him for Kansas in January but then he has gone back-and-forth, being somewhat trollish, until wherever he announces tonight.

Whatever fan base doesn’t get him is going to absolutely implode. We’re talking all time meltdown. If Kansas doesn’t land him, they may not even make the NIT next year. If Kentucky doesn’t land him, their fan base may January 6th the admin w/ a gallows built for Mark Pope.

Amusingly, I have heard he is going to be a troublemaker and off the court challenge for whatever coach he decides to play for. Kid has talent for sure but his rumored price of eight or $9 million or whatever may seem like a waste in 11 months. Or not.

 

[donbosco]

Sounds like he'd fit at Kansas.

 

[Rock]

Sounds like he'd fit at Kansas.

Bill Self definitely doesn’t care if players have red flags. UNC has dealt with a thing here or there but KU has had some bad incidents over the years.

 

[Rock]

Was kind of a gross announcement. Multiple sponsorships he had to plug, etc.

 

[Bigs23]

The field of 76!

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48544901/2026-nfl-draft-analysis-every-selection-257-picks-32-teams-fits

 

[BillOfRights]

Why Tyran Stokes’ decision day was a horrible look for Mark Pope and his staff | A Sea Of Blue https://share.google/n1kWN0yXcwALO9oCP

Interesting read

 

[Calheel]

Why Tyran Stokes’ decision day was a horrible look for Mark Pope and his staff | A Sea Of Blue https://share.google/n1kWN0yXcwALO9oCP

Interesting read

Pope has a burning hot seat. He may not even make it through next year.

 

[TurdFerguson]

Was kind of a gross announcement. Multiple sponsorships he had to plug, etc.

You'd think they could give him an adult size hat.

 

[SnoopRob]

I went over to Rupp Rafters to see how the UK fan base is doing. It's not pretty.

But I did learn that those who still support Pope are called either Pope Pumpers or Pope's Dopes. The latter cracked me up pretty good.

 

[SnoopRob]

There was also this...

 

[hedge]

Hard to believe a blue blood fan base would be that hard on a coach who is also a former player for the program...

 

[MOUNTAINH33L]

Hard to believe a blue blood fan base would be that hard on a coach who is also a former player for the program...

 

[Bigs23]

You'd think they could give him an adult size hat.

Giving off some Lamello vibes in that pic.

 

[Zoo_View]

The field of 76!

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48544901/2026-nfl-draft-analysis-every-selection-257-picks-32-teams-fits

The “Coaches and AD’s Jobs Preservation Act.”

 

[Zoo_View]

Pope has a burning hot seat. He may not even make it through next year.

If I was Mark Pope, I’d hire someone to start my car(s).

 

[dukeman92]

The field of 76!

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48544901/2026-nfl-draft-analysis-every-selection-257-picks-32-teams-fits

They’re gonna ruin it.

 

[BillOfRights]

They’re gonna ruin it.

I can't understand how adding eight more teams is gonna ruin the tournament. Just don't watch the tuesday wednesday games. Start watching on Thursday and you'll be fine.

 

[Calheel]

I can't understand how adding eight more teams is gonna ruin the tournament. Just don't watch the tuesday wednesday games. Start watching on Thursday and you'll be fine.

It probably does more to ruin the regular season than the NCAAT.

 

[dukeman92]

I can't understand how adding eight more teams is gonna ruin the tournament. Just don't watch the tuesday wednesday games. Start watching on Thursday and you'll be fine.

While more basketball is rarely a bad thing, this move effectively kills the bubble drama as we know it.

We're trading the high stakes anxiety of Selection Sunday for the safety net of participation trophies.

This move is about one thing and one thing only. Money. It doesn’t make the tournament better to include a bunch of 16-15 P5 teams.

 

[BillOfRights]

It probably does more to ruin the regular season than the NCAAT.

There are currently over five thousand six hundred regular season games. I don't see how adding four tournament games impacts the regular season in any significant way.