Mark Pope is officially the new head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing John Calipari and leaving Big Blue Nation caught off guard. Can the former BYU coach and UK alumnus recruit well enough in Lexington to lead this program back to the Final Four? Or will Pope's lack of NCAA Tournament success lead to a quick tenure with the 'Cats?

Kentucky HIRES BYU coach and former Wildcat Mark Pope! | Correct choice over Billy Donovan? | BBN reacts!

Locked On College Basketball podcast is the daily podcast that keeps you ahead of all the games and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info in college hoops. Hosted by Isaac Schade and Andy Patton, the Locked On College Basketball podcast provides your daily college basketball fix with big-name expert opinions, player and coach interviews, recaps, local analysis, and coverage of all things college basketball. You’ll get all the heart-pounding action, buzzer-beating shots, and Cinderella stories that make college basketball so special. The Locked On College Basketball podcast takes you beyond the headlines for the inside scoops from the biggest stories inside every conference locker room. The Locked On College Basketball podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

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News broke on Sunday evening that DJ Wagner is headed to Fayetteville, Arkansas to join Coach John Calipari and his Kentucky teammates Zvonimir Ivisic and Adou Thiero (plus the incoming freshmen of Boogie Fland, Karter Knox, and Billy Richmond. Will Wagner give the Hogs the point guard skill set they need? Perhaps, but the Hogs should target one with one of their five remaining scholarships. 

Chaz Lanier, last season’s most efficient scorer per Synergy, has committed to Tennessee over Kentucky and BYU. The move further elevates Rick Barnes team and gives them a dynamic scorer, similar to what they had last year with Dalton Knecht. 



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Does Arkansas have their PG in DJ Wagner? Maybe | Chaz Lanier: Tennessee's next big transfer scorer

The deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to college basketball is less than one week away, and we discuss the players whose decision will have the biggest impact on college hoops - including Villanova's Eric Dixon, Wake Forest's Hunter Sallis, Alabama's Mark Sears, and Arizona's Caleb Love. We also discuss players in the draft as well as the transfer portal, including Coleman Hawkins, JT Toppin, Trevon Brazile, Arthur Kaluma, and Jaxon Robinson.

2024 NBA draft withdrawal deadline: Who will return to college basketball? | UNC lands transfer big!

Kyle Neptune and the Villanova Wildcats were dealt tough news when Max Shulga decided to return to VCU and his longtime coach Ryan Odom, rather than play for 'Nova out of the transfer portal. Neptune's squad is already in rough shape and could struggle to finish in the top half of the Big East, now they desperately needed at least one of Eric Dixon to return or Wooga Poplar to commit to salvage a disaster offseason.

Max Shulga SPURNS Villanova and Kyle Neptune is in trouble | Georgia Tech generating buzz in the ACC

The 2024 NBA draft combine wrapped last week and multiple college basketball stars saw their draft stock rise with strong performances, including Purdue star Zach Edey and UConn national champion Stephon Castle. A pair of energy bigs looked good at the combine as well in Yves Missi from Baylor and Adem Bona from UCLA, who should both be first round picks.

Zach Edey, Stephon Castle among NBA draft stock RISERS after combine | What to make of Bronny James?

The NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (11:59pm ET on May 29) is just eight days away. Who will come back to college? Who will stay in? Some names have started trickling in of those who will come back, including Notre Dame’s Markus Burton, Arizona’s KJ Lewis, Ohio State’s Meechie Johnson, and more. 

We will once again get a power-5 matchup on Opening Day (Texas vs. Ohio St), but we need more of these games!

Mississippi State’s Chris Jans gets a contract extension. USC and Clemson might have just finalized their rosters. 



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Kentucky HIRES BYU coach and former Wildcat Mark Pope! | Correct choice over Billy Donovan? | BBN reacts!

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