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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 10-02-2014, 09:27 PM:

If he plays up to his abilities we are going to be one big bad basketball team.

Alex Poythress called Kentucky’s preseason trip the Bahamas a “great starting point” for him to this season. Now he’s ready to have the breakout season he and coach John Calipari know he’s capable of having his junior season.

“It showed what I can do, the progress I’ve made, and what I need to do to build on,” Poythress said. “I feel from a mental standpoint, I’m doing all the right things, doing what I need to do. I feel like I’m attacking more, just trying to be in attack mode all the time.”

And when Poythress is in “attack mode,” it’s all the better for the Wildcats. The 6-foot-8 junior, who is also a two-time All-SEC academic team member, was the Wildcats’ sixth man last year, averaging 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in 40 games, all off the bench. As a freshman, Poythress started 31 of 33 games and averaged 11.2 points and 6.0 rebounds.

“It’s Cal’s responsibility to decide who plays and who doesn’t play and how many minutes guys get.”

What Poythress brings to the table is his ability to get out on the floor, shoot the 3-pointer and his athleticism.

“Just play to my strengths out there, use my athleticism to my advantage. A lot of people aren’t gifted athletes like I am, I just have to try to use what God gave me,” he said.

Poythress shot 42 percent from 3-point range as a freshman and is a career 33 percent 3-point shooter. He said that is one area — along with defense and rebounding — in which he can stand out and earn minutes.

On Kentucky’s Bahamas trip, where the Cats went 5-1, Poythress averaged a team-high 11.8 points and 5.7 boards in 18.8 minutes per game. He also had four assists, four blocks and six steals.

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Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 10-03-2014, 03:35 AM:

I like Alex and hope he has a banner year that gets him a high draft position next year. He is a fine young man who certainly is a credit to our UK basketball program.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 10-03-2014, 10:01 AM:

Ray your so right and it was Poy who was a big part of the turn around last year. He called a team meeting of the players after the poor showing and loss to LSU. The players all banded together and promised they all would work together and play as a team. They won 6 of the next 7 games and played fantastic in the tournament. He also is a fantastic student with straight A's and if I'm not mistaken he already has enough credits to graduate. He is thought of as being the gentle giant.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 10-03-2014, 10:42 AM:

He can be the player that pushes us over the top. You can have 10-12 good players but you need 5 guys who can bring it in most of our games. He is one of those 5 that we need to be there when the going gets tough. He has aspects of every facet that is needed to be a tough guy on both offense and defense. Hope this is his year to shine.

Posted by Green-Bean (Member # 13551) on 10-03-2014, 11:43 AM:

He owns that baseline, when he comes along that baseline get out of the way, hes dunking it.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 10-03-2014, 10:26 PM:

Alex is a smart kid. He'll be a great leader this year as well!

Posted by Green-Bean (Member # 13551) on 10-03-2014, 10:42 PM:

Call me crazy well I may be, but if we are going to win the championship, Poy will have to perform when we need it. similar to miller. Poythress has always been a favorite of mine since he came to ky.