|
Author
|
Topic: 5 questions facing UK basketball
|
catmandoo
Player
Member # 1284
|
posted 11-01-2017 09:22 PM
1. When will Jarred Vanderbilt play?
No preseason storyline has been more strange to follow than that of freshman forward Jarred Vanderbilt’s injured foot. UK announced on Sept. 30 that Vanderbilt would “likely need surgery” and was expected to miss the next three months after suffering a left foot injury. Two weeks later, UK coach John Calipari suggested Vanderbilt could be back earlier than expected and might not need surgery. Six days later, Calipari told ESPN Vanderbilt could miss the entire season. By UK’s exhibition opener on Oct. 26, Vanderbilt was out of his walking boot. On Monday, Calipari said the staff now had a “good timetable” for Vanderbilt’s return but did not elaborate on when fans could expect him on the court. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess when Vanderbilt will play, but if he does, the five-star recruit would be a major boost to the roster as perhaps the most versatile player on an already versatile squad.
2. Is there enough outside shooting?
Kentucky’s roster has no shortage of athleticism or length, but the Wildcats will enter the season with lingering questions about 3-point shooting. Freshman Jemarl Baker, projected as possibly the best shooter on the roster, is out with a knee injury and might not have earned a spot in the primary rotation even if healthy. With Baker out, freshman Kevin Knox might be the team’s best 3-point shooter, but he was just 2 for 7 from that range in the Blue-White scrimmage and first exhibition. Point guards Quade Green and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forward Wenyen Gabriel will also need to be threats outside. “Our forte is not going to be, ‘That’s a shooting team,’” Calipari said. “But how many of my teams have been that?”
More: Kentucky freshman Quade Green not worried about point guard battle
You may also like: Kentucky Wildcats pull away from Morehead State in exhibition win
3. What should we expect from Hamidou Diallo?
When a player tests the NBA draft waters before ever playing a game in college, lofty expectations are sure to follow. That’s the situation redshirt freshman guard Hamidou Diallo finds himself in after enrolling at UK for the spring semester, electing not to play last season and then declaring for the draft before ultimately returning to school this summer. Diallo’s performance for Calipari’s U.S. team at the FIBA U19 World Cup and preseason showings this fall have left little doubt there’s work to be done, though. Shooting is a major concern for UK’s projected starting two-guard. His athleticism should create plenty of highlight-reel dunks, but he also has been tasked with taking on a leadership role thanks to his one semester of practice.
4. Will UK’s lone experienced player start?
Calipari went with an all-freshman starting lineup in Kentucky’s first exhibition game, electing to bring sophomore forward Wenyen Gabriel, the only current player who saw significant minutes last season, off the bench. Gabriel’s energy translates well to a sixth-man role, but can Kentucky afford to leave its most experienced player on the sideline to start games? Gabriel seems almost certain to be on the floor in late-game situations, but his role as a swingman at the three and four positions is among the most intriguing on the team. At SEC media day, Calipari called Gabriel one of the team’s three best players. Is that enough to earn a starting role?
John Calipari: ‘We’ve got a high school team plus six months’
College Hoops Preview: Meet the 2017 Kentucky Wildcats players
5. How good can the defense be?
With Gabriel coming off the bench early in UK’s preseason slate, freshman 6-foot-11 forward Nick Richards has taken a starting role at the five. Richard’s shot-blocking ability — he swatted eight shots in the Blue-White scrimmage — could be a major defensive weapon, but his length only adds to an embarrassment of riches in that category for Kentucky. Green, Diallo, Gilgeous-Alexander, a healthy Vanderbilt and PJ Washington could all be defensive weapons as well. Calipari will always emphasize defense first. He has the kind of athletic roster that could make that strategy pay off if young players buy into the vision.
Link
--------------------
http://www.ukfightsong.com/
Posts: 186362 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Cold Spring Cat
Player
Member # 14751
|
posted 11-03-2017 04:46 PM
1. Vanderbilt is definitely a "wait and see" - IF he can make it on the floor and be productive, I believe it takes us to a whole other level in terms of how they can play. Time will tell on this one.
2. I don't see shooting being an issue with this team. Knox is an excellent shooter and our guards will be fine.
3. Diallo will be a beast - you will see him attack the basket every opportunity he gets. I think his quickness and ability to play above the rim, gives him an advantage over many of the players tasked with guarding him this season. He is a freakish athlete and needs to play within himself.
4. Ultimately, I see Gabriel coming off the bench. I see Cal going with a 3-guard lineup in addition to Knox and PJ Washington.
5. I think defensively, this team has the ability to be one of Cal's best since he has been here. They are long, quick and athletic.
Posts: 140 | From: Cold Spring, KY | Registered: Sep 2017
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic