Kentucky Wildcats
Southeastern Conference (21-11, 9-7)
Seed: #8
West Region
RPI: 13
Big Wins:
12/9 Indiana (59-54), 12/16 at Louisville (61-49), 1/28 Tennessee (76-57)
Bad Losses:
1/20 Vanderbilt (67-72), 1/24 at Georgia (69-78), 3/9 vs Mississippi
State (82-84)
Last NCAA
Appearance: 2006, Second Round loss to Connecticut
Coach:
Tubby Smith (28-12 in 13 NCAA appearances)
Probable
Starters:
Ramel Bradley,
Junior, Guard, 13.8 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.7 rpg
Derrick Jasper,
Freshman, Guard, 4.1 ppg, 3.1 apg, 3.7 rpg
Joe Crawford,
Junior, Guard, 14.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Bobby Perry,
Senior, Forward, 8.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Randolph
Morris, Junior, Center, 15.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.0 bpg
Key
Roleplayers:
Jodie Meeks,
Freshman, Guard, 8.5 ppg, 1.4 apg
Perry
Stevenson, Freshman, Forward, 3.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Sheray Thomas,
Senior, Forward, 2.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Lukasz Obrzut,
Senior, Center, 2.1 ppg, 1.1 rpg
Why They Can
Surprise:
Kentucky has a
deep frontcourt led by Randolph Morris and Bobby Perry. Morris leads the
team in points, rebounds and blocked shots and everything runs
through the 6-11 junior on the offensive end. Morris has done a wonderful
job staying out of foul trouble, an issue that plagued him as a sophomore.
Having that big body available for the entire game has done wonders for
Morris and the Wildcats.
Perry had a
couple great games in the NCAA Tournament last year and Kentucky fans hope
that will continue during the 2007 tournament. He is not a prolific scorer,
but can battle inside and hit the outside jumper. Sheray Thomas and Lukasz
Obrzut will provide the experienced depth off the bench. Thomas is a solid
rebounder and Obrzut uses his 7-1 frame to be a nuisance on the defensive
end. Freshman Perry Stevenson has seen his minutes diminish as the season
has progressed, but at least provides another big body for Kentucky.
Why They Can
Disappoint:
Perry at the
power forward spot is the weak link of the starting five. When the 6-8
senior starts knocking down his shots, it opens up the offense for the more
efficient scorers on the team. Unfortunately, Perry has been a very
inconsistent scorer all season long and he will tend to push his range a
little too much by going out beyond the three-point arc.
Who To
Watch:
Kentucky has a
big and dynamic backcourt. Derrick Jasper is a 6-6 freshman point guard who
is coming into his own, Ramel Bradley is a flashy scorer who can handle the
ball and Joe Crawford has finally become the explosive offensive weapon that
Coach Tubby Smith expected him to be. Add freshman Jodie Meeks, providing a
spark off the bench, and Kentucky has a very underappreciated and talented
perimeter group.
Joel’s
Bracket Says: Second Round loss to Kansas
