The Quest Begins Today

Tonight at 7:30 PM the John Calipari era officially will begin with the first official UK basketball practice. The 2009-10 season promises to be fun. Most national college basketball analysts rank UK as preseason #1 or #2 right behind the Kansas Jayhawks. The Cats have 6 new players, an entirely new coaching staff, and a new offense: the dribble drive motion offense. Those close to the program rave about the new atmosphere in the UK basketball program. Gone are the days when players sat outside of the Joe Craft Center questioning whether or not they should walk through the doors. Basketball at UK is fun again. Fun for both the fans and the players. The 2009-10 Wildcats are arguably the most talented team in UK history, but also one of the youngest teams in UK history. Can the talent defeat the youth? Can a team composed of 7 returning players and 6 new players come together to advance to UK's first final four in 12 years? Can the team learn Calipari's dribble drive offense? I say yes!

Let's take a look at the 2009-10 Kentucky Wildcats.

Returning Players:

Patrick Patterson

Class: Junior

Position: PF

Hometown: Huntington, WV

2008-2009 Stats: Points/game: 17.9 Rebounds/game: 9.3 Blocks/game: 2.1  Minutes/game: 33.7

Patterson is the undisputed leader of this team. Patterson will finally have two true point guards in John Wall and Eric Bledsoe to feed him the ball. Patterson will also be able to shift to his more natural position of power forward with centers DeMarcus Cousins and Daniel Orton joining the team. Patterson will be an absolute beast on the court this season.

Darius Miller

Class: Sophomore

Position: SG

Hometown: Maysville, KY

2008-2009 Stats: ppg 5.3 rpg 3.1 apg 2 mpg 21.2

Darius Miller ended last season playing his best basketball of the year. After spending the summer on the Team USA U19 team Miller should be able to build on last years campaign and become a top contributor this season. Look for Darius Miller to thrive in Calipari's Dribble Drive Offense.

Perry Stevenson

Class: Senior

Position: PF

Hometown: Lafayette, LA

2008-2009 Stats: ppg 7.8 rpg 5.9 bpg 1.9 mpg 28.1

It will be interesting to see how the senior adapts to John Calipari's offense and the competition for his position. Perry has been lost in the excitement, but if he works hard should be a solid role player for this team.

Ramon Harris

Class: Senior

Position: SF

Hometown: Anchorage, AK

2008-2009 Stats: ppg 5.5 rpg 3.8 apg 1.6

Ramon has always been a defensive specialist, but can he produce the offensive numbers needed to see significant minutes? It is hard to tell, but I hope the senior flourishes this season.

Josh Harrellson

Class: Junior

Position: PF

Hometown: St. Charles, MO

2008-2009 Stats: ppg 3.6 rpg 2.5 mpg 9.3

Alot of people were surprised that Josh Harrellson made John Calipari's first UK roster, but it is clear that Coach Cal really likes Josh. Gillispie never gave Harrellson much of a shot last season, but when Harrellson got playing time it was clear that the big man was an excellent shooter. Hopefully with the new offense and the new coaching staff Josh Harrellson will shine.

 

DeAndre Liggins

Class: Sophomore

Position: Guard

Hometown: Chicago, IL

DeAndre Liggins may be the most grateful that Calipari is the new head coach at UK. Coach Cal favors tall, quick, and athletic point guards that can drive the ball deep into the paint and DeAndre Liggins fits that description perfectly. It should be fun to watch DeAndre's development under John Calipari.

Mark Krebs

Class: Senior

Position: SG

Hometown: Newport, KY

Mark Krebs was awarded the final scholarship on John Calipari's roster. The senior from northern KY grew up a die hard UK fan, and he dreamed of wearing the blue and white. Tubby Smith accepted him as a walk-on transfer from Thomas More College and Billy Gillispie honored the offer that Tubby Smith extended him. Mark Krebs is an excellent shooter that will likely make appearances in games where a 3 pointer is needed or the other team is in desperation foul mode.

The Newbies:

John Wall

Position: PG

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Wall is likely the best player in the country. Watching John Wall will be fun. The point guard is lightning quick with the ball and can take defenders off the dribble at will. Look for Wall to be a top 5 pick in next years NBA draft with a high likelihood that he will go #1 overall.

Darnell Dodson

Position: SG

Hometown: Greenbelt, MD

Dodson is a JUCO transfer that is a lights out shooter. Dodson will likely be a significant offensive contributor because he will likely be the teams best shooter.

Daniel Orton

Position: C

Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK

Orton is big and to quote DeMarcus Cousins "strong as an ox". Look for the young center to learn from Patrick Patterson and contribute as a great reserve player on this years team. Orton is a future superstar, but will probably have to wait his turn.

Jon Hood

Position: SG

Hometown: Madisonville, KY

Jon Hood is the reigning KY Mr. Basketball and put up amazing stats on a bad North Hopkins basketball team. Look for Hood to contribute off the bench this year. He is great on the drive and has a developing perimeter game.

DeMarcus Cousins

Position: C

Hometown: Mobile, AL

Cousins was one of the top centers in the 2009 recruiting class. He was a 2009 McDonald's All-American and a dominating player on the high school AAU circuit. Look for Cousins to come in right away and play significant minutes alongside Patrick Patterson in the UK front court. Good luck double teaming our big men this year with Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins making up one of the top front courts in all of college basketball.

Eric Bledsoe

Position: PG

Hometown: Birmingham, AL

If John Wall was the best PG in the 2009 recruiting class than Eric Bledsoe was a close second. Bledsoe is an excellent ball handler that can take defenders off the dribble and find open teammates for assists. If he is able to develop a consistent jump shot he could become a dominate offensive player.