UK basketball (olive branch for PKM *kisses*)

[HighlandHomie]

I think I asked you in another thread a week or so ago, but forgot which thread thus can't see if you answered. How do you think next year's rotation shakes out with the glut of talented frontcourt players on the roster? Coach Cal was masterful in that he got this past season's group to come together for the Big Dance, so assuming he's back in Lexington (doesn't go to Lakers) I wouldn't bet against him in being able to keep Dakari, Cauley-Stein, Lyles, Towns, Poythress relatively happy and bought in to team.

I love that the Harrison brothers are returning. Andrew has a real chance to be the most dominant player in college this coming season as the primary ball-handler. When you have a point guard with that size and skill-set who can dictate the tempo of a game, and is rarely sped up by the defense, a team can be scary. He started to pick his spots in terms of attacking off the dribble to get into the lane and create much better during the tourney compared to when I watched during the regular season. I'd imagine he continues to polish his perimeter stroke this offseason. He's got the makings to be special.

I tuned into the Micky D's game and saw that little guy who is committed to UK and he looked like he's going to be very fun to watch in college. Obviously one viewing in a meaningless all-star game is hardly a good way to evaluate, so I'm curious what you and UK fans anticipate his role being next year? I'd imagine tick will be hard for him to come by assuming Andrew Harrison isn't in foul trouble or gassed.

 

[Dr. Jones]

So glad you asked.

We will have 9 McDonald All-Americans. It's quite unbelievable that instead of a freshman starting five with no vets, we will have 4 freshman, 6 sophomores, and 2 juniors. That's a veteran team (for UK anyway).

I love that Tyler Ulis will be backing up Andrew. Two completely different players. One massive and the other is the little lightening fast guy.
At SG we have the NCAA tourney phenom starting and being backed up by 6'5 sharp-shooter Booker.
Poythress will start and get a lot of minutes. I think we will at times see Andrew, Aaron, and Booker in a three guard lineup, and also at times see Trey Lyles get some burn at SF.
At PF and C it will be crazy having WCS, Johnson, Towns, Lee, and Lyles... those are likely all 5 future first rounders.

I could see Calipari (who is not going to the Lakers) playing two 7 footers.. especially with how good of a passer Towns is.

So many lineup options.. but one offensively scary one is;

Andrew
Aaron
Booker
Lyles
Towns

Everyone has 3pt range and all great rebounders and passers.

I predict we suffocate teams on the boards this year. We were dominant in that dept last year and we'll be better next.

 

[Dr. Jones]

PG - Andrew / Ulis / Hawkins
SG - Aaron / Booker
SF - Poythress / Aaron / Booker / Lyles / Willis
PF - Lyles / Lee / Towns
C - WCS / Johnson / Towns

It's so interesting that there is NO clear cut starter at the 4 or the 5 and a case could be made for EVERY one of them.