Some of the best talent in the NBA today have walked through the halls of the University Of Kentucky. Superstars Anthony Davis and Karl Anthony-Towns had tenures at the school before they were drafted No.1 overall in their respective draft classes. Hall Of Fame Coach John Calipari began his tenure in 2009 and transformed the Wildcats into a yearly powerhouse.
After 15 years at Kentucky, Calipari has amassed an incredible 410-122 coaching record. In 2012, he guided Davis and his team to the NCAA Championship, where they defeated the Kansas Jayhawks to win their eighth national championship.
In the present day, the current roster has maintained the standard of the Wildcats culture. They finished the regular season ranked 4th in the Southeastern Conference with a 23-9 record. Freshman Point Guard Reed Sheppard has increased his notoriety with his performances, and his draft stock has risen exponentially. In his first year, he has the highest 3-point field goal percentage in the college basketball circuit at 52.6%.
He made seven 3-pointers against the Stonehill Skyhawks on November 17th and seven 3-pointers against the Tennessee Volunteers on March 9th. Scouts were impressed by the performance against the Volunteers because they were ranked #1 in the SEC, and they couldn’t gameplan defensively for his offensive prowess. Sheppard also has good playmaking vision, making him a great fit alongside classmate Rob Dillingham.
Dillingham and Sheppard have shined together in their first season under Calipari. They have developed a chemistry that has become a problem for opposing backcourts, and broadcasters have nicknamed the duo “Rob & Reed.” Both are predicted to be top 10 picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, and their skill sets combine for one of the best offensive tandems in recent memory.
Sheppard’s 3-point shot draws attention from the defense and provides more spacing so Dillingham can utilize isolations. Dillingham has a dynamic play style with his ball-handling skills, and his crossover is an excellent weapon against defenders. He can finish at the rim with contact, and his floater is elite at a young age. Compared to other guards, his wingspan is shorter, but his effort makes up for his physical disadvantages. He is one of the best sixth-men in college basketball and supplies instant offense when he steps on the floor.
Starting Senior Guard Antonio Reeves sets an excellent example for the freshman with his approach to the game. Reeves leads the team in scoring with 20.2 points per game and has averaged double-figures every season during his three-year tenure. He transferred from Illinois State University and blended into Calipari’s system. He is a consistent shooter with a good shot IQ, and he is an adequate rebounder for the guard position as well.
The Wildcats have become notorious for having some of the best guards in college basketball right now. D.J. Wagner, Justin Edwards, and Adou Theiro have all shown potential to develop under Calipari, and they have good chemistry. They also have seven-footers who are improving rapidly at the college level. The game's speed is different. Freshman Zvonimir Ivisic is from Croatia and is adjusting to the American-style pace.
He is 7’2, averaging 5.6 points per game while shooting 54.2% from the field. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per game, but he is gaining experience, which involves timing his jump for rebounds. Before Kentucky, he played for SC Derby in Podgorica, Montenegro, and the competition in the SEC is at a different level.
They also have Aaron Bradshaw, who is 7’1 and averages 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He shot 57.1% from the field, and when given the playing time, he showed flashes of being a starting-caliber center. He was given 29 minutes in the CBS Sports Classic and recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds after shooting 7-12 against Penn State.
Bradshaw and Ivisic will have an interesting dynamic as they grow together in the next few seasons unless a transfer occurs. None of them have declared for the draft, so it will be interesting to see the young core develop together during their tenure.
The roster struggled against Texas A&M in the SEC Quarterfinal, losing to the Aggies 97-87. They must make the proper adjustments to make a deep run during March Madness. Wagner and Edwards both shot under 50%, and Dillingham had 27 points on 19 shot attempts. Depending on the matchup in the tournament opener, Calipari must decide what starting lineup is the most efficient.
The Wildcats have multiple offensive weapons, but an aggressive defense can nullify their dynamic offense. They have extreme depth among the bench, and their second unit will be the key to a deep run. They must perform better than the opposing second unit after the starting lineup lays the foundation at the beginning of the game.
The closest they’ve come to the NCAA championship since 2012 was their Final Four appearance in 2015 with Karl Anthony-Towns, but this roster is one the best in recent years. Depending on how their tournament run goes, we will know how good they really are.
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