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Author
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Topic: Early look at 2016-2017 roster
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catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 04-16-2016 11:22 AM
Point Guard: De'Aaron Fox, Isaiah Briscoe
As Kentucky fans wave their white handkerchiefs in solemn farewell to Tyler Ulis, who will likely make the jump to the NBA after his stellar sophomore season, those tears will be traded for smiles once Fox steps on campus.
The top-rated point guard in the land can score, averaging 23.8 points per game his senior season at Cypress Lakes. At 6-4, he fits the mold Calipari typically likes in his point guards, giving UK size and length for defense and rebounding.
Briscoe is the wildcard for the Wildcats. He will surely test the waters and participate in the NBA combine in May, but will he perform well enough and get good enough feedback that he decides to take the leap? Or does he decide to return to school and try to mesh with two new guards? It's tough to be the guy that gets left behind, but should Briscoe stay, his defense, rebounding and experience could be a huge bonus and even allow Calipari to play with three guards again, should he choose.
Shooting Guard: Malik Monk, Dominique Hawkins, Charles Matthews, Mychal Mulder
Monk is the top-rated shooting guard prospect in the country and will almost certainly secure a starting role right away. An uber-athletic slasher and scorer, Monk likely won't have the outside firepower to replace Jamal Murray on his own, but he'll have some reinforcements behind him in Hawkins, Matthews and Mulder.
Hawkins role may again primarily be defensive spot duty, but he can be a shot-maker at times, too. Matthews showed flashes as a freshman and could make sizeable improvements in the offseason. Mulder had a brief cameo in 2015-16, but could bolster UK's perimeter shooting if he lives up to his reputation as a senior.
Small Forwards: Wenyen Gabriel, Derek Willis
Gabriel is listed as the No. 4 power forward in America, but it might make sense for Calipari to slot him on the win. At 6-9, he is skilled and active on the glass, can block shots and is a good enough shooter to garner respect from opponents.
With the almost certain return of Willis, Kentucky will have back a serious 3-point threat. For Willis, though, the key is to improve his defense, rebounding and motor. If he does, UK could be formidable at the three position, not the norm for a Calipari-coached team.
Power Forward: Edrice Adebayo, Sacha Killeya-Jones
The call him "Bam" for a reason. Adebayo's motor and physicality have drawn rave reviews from those who watch him play. The 6-9, 232-pound third-ranked power forward averaged 22.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in his senior season at High Point (N.C.) Christian Academy and could immediately be the sort of inside presence UK sorely lacked this season given the inconsistency of Alex Poythress and Skal Labissiere, who is a virtual lock to be a first round draft pick.
Killeya-Jones led Lynchburg Virginia Episcopal School to a state title his senior season, posting 23 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and six blocks in the final. The 6-10, 207-pound has a versatile skillset that could complement the brute force of Adebayo well.
Center/Power Forward: Marques Bolden, Marcus Lee, Isaac Humphries, Tai Wynyard
It is yet to be determined if Bolden, the nation's No. 2 center, will join the Cats or not. 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions currently sit at 50 percent Kentucky and 25 percent Duke. Should the 6-10, 254-pound big man choose the Cats, it would erase any doubts about UK lacking anything down low this season. A senior Lee to go with Humphries and redshirt freshman Wynyard would give UK as deep a frontcourt as its had under Calipari.
If Bolden is added and everyone else on this list returns, that nudges UK over the limit of 13 scholarships by one, leaving Calipari with a numbers game to solve. If Briscoe opts to leave, the point is moot, but if not, it's a dilemma that must be addressed.
Another key piece of the puzzle UK would like to retain: associate head coach Kenny Payne. With so many young players filling out the Cats' frontcourt, Payne's value as big-whisperer can't be overestimated. With his name sure to be oft-mentioned for several openings this offseason, UK fans could be asking "Will he stay or go?" about a coach for a change.
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Posts: 186359 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
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catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 04-16-2016 02:42 PM
It would be fun to watch Briscoe-Fox and Monk on the court at the same time. We are going to have plenty of options next season and should be awfully tough to beat come tournament time.
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http://www.ukfightsong.com/
Posts: 186359 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
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catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 04-18-2016 09:58 AM
If Bolden would realize what we have at the guard position and shooters we have what to open the inside he would see how much it would help him down low.
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http://www.ukfightsong.com/
Posts: 186359 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
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EnterpriseCat
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Member # 2881
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posted 04-18-2016 10:33 AM
I had to laugh out loud when I saw Charles Matthews listed as a SG. He has to be one of the worst shooters at UK in a long time. I love his hustle, but shooting is not his strong point.
[ 04-18-2016, 10:34 AM: Message edited by: EnterpriseCat ]
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Romans 8:38-39
JD4U
Posts: 2307 | From: Enterprise, AL | Registered: Oct 2007
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Tiptree
Administrator
Member # 844
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posted 04-18-2016 11:50 AM
EC,
Matthews and Brick-so (oops... Briscoe) make for a dismal shooting pair.
BUT, there is ever hope for improvement, sometimes substantial, in players year-over-year. I think Briscoe showed considerable improvement over the last few weeks of the season in both his shooting from the field and from the FT line. If he becomes just an average shooter, he will be an awesome rebounder and defender, who can drive to the rim but must be respected as a shooter too.
Ditto for Matthews... if he can hit 45-50% of his shots overall, his defense, hustle, and rebounding will put him on the floor.
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Tiptree
“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” Thomas Jefferson
Posts: 13622 | From: Terre Haute, IN | Registered: Sep 2000
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