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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One of Kentucky’s top portal targets has arrived in the Bluegrass State.

According to The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Syracuse transfer forward Donnie Freeman made it to Lexington on Tuesday night. Kentucky was quick to reach out to Freeman once he officially entered the portal last week. That led to a Zoom call between the two sides, and now a visit to UK’s campus.

A 6-foot-9 rising junior, Freeman averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per outing last season for Syracuse while shooting 47.4 percent from the field. On3 ranks him 20th overall and the fifth-best power forward to enter the portal so far this offseason. Alabama and UConn are also after the talented forward prospect.

A former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, Freeman spent the last two seasons with the Orange under head coach Adrian Autry. Freeman averaged 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per contest on 50.4 percent shooting as a true freshman, logging six double-doubles along the way. But both his college seasons have been marred by foot injuries. He’s played just 37 college games — 14 as a freshman, 23 more as a sophomore.

Kentucky has already hosted a couple of top portal guards since the weekend. Washington’s Zoom Diallo and BYU’s Rob Wright III have both been in Lexington over the last several days, as has five-star high school wing Tyran Stokes. Freeman is the fourth known visitor of the portal season so far. Kentucky is still searching for its first new commitment for the 2026-27 roster.

It’s Transfer Portal SZN on KSR+

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The Kentucky Blue-White Game is on the horizon. Saturday morning’s exhibition might be the only chance you get to see the new-look Wildcats in action before Will Stein‘s team takes the field this fall against Youngstown State. The SEC Network is not broadcasting the event, so be sure to secure your free tickets in advance.

Kentucky football fans will see plenty of new faces on the field. Stein added roughly 50 new players this offseason. Even folks like myself who cover the team regularly will struggle to figure out who is who. Before making your way to Kroger Field, do a little advanced scouting to spend less time looking at the roster during the Kentucky Spring Football Game.