It is funny just how far from grace UK has fallen in the last 10 years. Not only in the eyes of the competition but in the eyes of the general public. The last three seasons have seen the most talent rich program in college basketball be second fiddle to programs like Butler and Ohio State.
This is not intended to be a Tubby bashing opportunity, but the man absolutely did nothing to keep this program at the top. Three consecutive National Title appearances quickly turned into desperation and panic in Big Blue country. He did not recruit top athletes worthy of playing for Kentucky. He ignored the AAU circuit, and had guys like Jim Calhoun, Roy Williams, and Bill Self running circles around him on the recruiting trail. He was not worth the $3 million a year he took home. He is a great basketball mind, but a second tier coach. I will argue that point to anyone and win.
So the question on a lot of minds these days is how much better is the program going to be under the regime of Billy Gillispie. Whether ESPN likes it or not, the answer is "much better". The Wildcats have already started filling out future lineups with talent that hasn't been seen since Pitino. Add that to Gillispie's ability to develope players into professional level athletes, and the fact that he coached UK into the NCAA tournament in 2007-2008 without a single key player playing in every game.
In the land of blue, however, you must win...and win immediately. So lets focus on 2008-2009. What kind of team will grace Caywood Court for the men in blue? The answer?
Who the hell knows.
There are to many questions to predict how good UK will be. I can assure you they will not win a National Title with only one guy who can hit a big 3. But can they win the SEC title? Hmmm...
UK returns two established scorers in Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson. Patterson will once again be a focal point in the offense, and Meeks will provide the perimeter shooting. However, who else will UK be able to use in big moments of the game when a basket is needed? That question will remain unanswered until UK takes the court in November.
Perry Stevenson seems to be a guy that can step it up in scoring. However, his lack of physicality will limit his ability to play the post game. He is never going to dominate on the perimeter, so when it comes to averaging 15 points a game...don't hold your breath.
Ramon Harris is known more for his incredible defense and the hitch in his shot. I think he will give up minutes to Galloway and Miller. Porter will not play a lot after the first couple weeks. I think at first you may see him playing PG a lot. But that will not last long.
Jared Carter is a guy who can be the scorer UK needs but his defense may be what keeps him off the court. He is 7'2 and enjoyed a hell of a trip to Africa. Maybe this is the year he breaks out?
UK brings in some very talented players. Darius Miller is a big wing. He is only 6'6, but he is very strong and very good defensively. UK will need him to score. He will log big minutes and he must be able to get to the basket to get the shut-down defender, Harris, off the court. Joey Galloway brings a lot of athletic ability and speed, but is also not an established scorer. Josh Harrelson is a big man with a perimeter game, but has not been playing ball that long. He will not be looked at as much more than a guy that can play the high-low game with Patterson.
That brings us to DeAndre Liggins. If he qualifies he will likely be pushed into the Lead Guard role immediately as a freshman. Liggins, like Galloway, has never been a scorer. He is a distributer. However, in order for UK to win the SEC, Liggins will need to turn over a new leaf. He HAS to score for UK to enjoy the success expected from the fans. Otherwise, get ready for another early exit in the post season.
Thats if he qualifies!
