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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 05-15-2015, 12:01 PM:

We have a legitimate chance as per the information below.

How To Talk Yourself Into Kentucky as The Champ:

Even without Towns and Cauley-Stein, Kentucky is capable of having one of the nation's best defenses. Upping point guard Tyler Ulis' minutes by 9-10 per game is bound to have a positive effect; he's a gnat who'll only get better at on-ball pressure as he adds strength. Wing Alex Poythress, who played just eight games before suffering a season-ending knee injury in December, has offensive limitations but is a high-level defender. When I charted every defensive possession of the Wildcats' first 20 games for an SI magazine project, opponents Poythress was guarding shot a team-low 12.8%. (Not a typo: 12.8%. Poythress just did not give up baskets.)

Kentucky's lack of front-line depth is alarming, but the likely starting 4-5 duo of Marcus Lee and Labissiere—both long-armed, athletic shot-blockers—will provide rim protection as long as they stay out of foul trouble. Historically at Memphis and now Kentucky, when the John Calipari-John Robic coaching duo has a long and defensively engaged roster, it usually results in an elite overall D. If they can mold Ulis, Briscoe and Labissiere into an respectable offensive trio, use Lee as an efficient lob-and-garbage collector and Poythress as an occasional slasher, they'll score enough to be in the thick of the title hunt.

Link

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 05-15-2015, 01:55 PM:

I like it, and am looking forward to next season. "Ulis is a gnat" is a great description.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 05-15-2015, 02:12 PM:

In a lot of ways I'm looking forward to watching this team more than the past year. Common sense tells me this team will not be near as good but I think it has a chance of being very good.

I was never a fan of the platoon system but I understood why we were playing it. I'm glad to see us back to a 7 or 8 man rotation.

I'm anxious to see how good the newcomers will produce.

Looking forward to see how Ulis will run this team and if Lee can become more offensively productive.

Can't wait to see if the old man, Poy, will come back from his injury and become a force.

Hoping Hawkins and Willis can become the players that many of us think is possible.

I know it's early but I'm also looking forward to the coming year.

[ 05-15-2015, 02:13 PM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 05-15-2015, 05:08 PM:

handy, the newcomers sound like they can become stars early in their careers and by tournament time can be stars. I like the combination young and older players and bet their attitudes will be great and will work together to become a very good team.

Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 05-15-2015, 05:39 PM:

Remember, we won a national championship in 2012 with three freshmen starters along with two sophmores and one Senior that was the sixth man. From what I have seen of our three Mickey D recruits, they appear to be very high quality basketball players. Can't wait till Midnight madness.

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 05-15-2015, 06:02 PM:

I'm hoping the buzz about Swanigan dies down. Sounds like an egotistical problem to me. I think we can do nicely without that kind of baggage.

Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 05-15-2015, 07:09 PM:

It sounds like that to me too Norm.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 05-16-2015, 09:00 AM:

Cal seems to have always brought in quality players both on and off the court. I really don't think he will start changing now either and if one does slip by he would take care of the problem in a hurry.