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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 08-31-2017, 12:08 PM:

Most of the sports world is bracing for the start of college football this weekend (after a soft opening last weekend), but fans in Kentucky are also keeping one eye on the clock counting down to basketball season.

It reads: Big Blue Madness in 44 days, home opener at Rupp Arena in 72 days, showdown with Kansas in Chicago in 76 days, Final Four in 212 days.

The first of those milestones will be here in a blink, and everything thereafter will fly by in a blur. John Calipari has his youngest team ever — three sophomores, eight freshmen, zero juniors and seniors — and not much time to get them ready for the coming roller coaster.

What the Wildcats look like on opening night will be quite different than the team Calipari imagines cultivating by March, but he’ll have to start somewhere. So today, as the season hurtles ever closer, we’re predicting the Day 1 rotation and some of the most likely combinations fans will see with this baby-faced yet super-talented team. Here goes:

Starters

PG Quade Green (freshman)

SG Hamidou Diallo (redshirt freshman)

SF Kevin Knox (freshman)

PF P.J. Washington (freshman)

PF Wenyen Gabriel (sophomore)

Second wave:

PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (freshman)

SG Jemarl Baker (freshman)

SF Jarred Vanderbilt (freshman)

PF Sacha Killeya-Jones (sophomore)

C Nick Richards (freshman)

Analysis

At this point, it would be a surprise if Green, Diallo, Knox and Washington don’t start. That fifth spot might be up for grabs. Earlier this summer, we projected Killeya-Jones to take that starting job, but Gabriel (who started 23 games as a freshman games before fading in February) apparently had a transformational offseason — both in mind and body — and will make it difficult for Calipari to keep him on the bench.

Furthermore, Calipari and his recent obsession with “positionless” basketball means he won’t hesitate to play without a true 5 man. If he wants one, though, look for the towering freshman Richards (whose game is just beginning to take flight and whose work ethic is already impressing in Lexington) to seize a starting job.

Whatever happens, Kentucky’s top 10 guys will play real minutes —with Baker perhaps getting the fewest if other outside shooters emerge. I doubt Calipari wants to go back to platoons, but he has the horses to do it this season in spurts if the occasion calls for overwhelming an opponent with numbers.

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[ 08-31-2017, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: Old Norm ]

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 08-31-2017, 02:30 PM:

Don't forget Wynyard. He could upset someone's apple cart.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 08-31-2017, 10:23 PM:

I still lean more for Vanderbilt than Washington as the starter. I am guessing there will be a og fight for that position. It was hinted that Cal could have another platoon team at times if he so desires. I went ot Wildcat Warehouse in Lex. today and bought me a new UK T shirt with all 8 championships on it. That could be an oman. The last two times I've done that they have won a championship, 1998 and 2012. I think they win a championship just so my new shirt won't have the current championship on it. I hope they do it again and I'll buy another one. They were on 50% off so it only cost $13.00.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 08-31-2017, 10:59 PM:

Bama,

All of the Big Blue Nation thank you for your purchase. I am booking my final four travel plans now to celebrate number nine. [Smile]

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 09-01-2017, 03:05 AM:

I made plans for new Orleans in 2012 before the season started, I'm doing the same this year. I truly believe this team has everything it takes to win #9.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 09-01-2017, 11:34 AM:

In 54 minutes of Kentucky playing time Tai has scored 11 points, g 5-6 from the field,1-3 from the line and 13 rebounds