|
#8 Kentucky
Wildcats
Southeastern
Conference
2004-05: 28-6,
14-2, 1st East
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
The Wildcats season
ended with a disheartening double overtime loss to Michigan
State in the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky doesn’t rebuild, they
reload and despite the lack of experience in the frontcourt,
there is far from a lack of talent.
Who’s Out:
Kelenna Azubuike left Lexington after his junior campaign.
Azubuike led the Wildcats with 14.7 points and added on 4.7
rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. Forward Chuck
Hayes was a major presence under the basket. As a senior, Hayes
averaged 10.9 points and a team high 7.7 boards. Guard Josh
Carrier saw limited action in 26 games as a senior.
Who’s In: The
frontcourt has plenty of incoming help with Rekalin Sims and
Jared Carter. Sims averaged 19.4 points and 9.6 rebounds as a
sophomore last year at Salt Lake Community College. The 6-8,
200 pound power forward has the potential to replace Chuck
Hayes. The difference between the two is that Sims can step out
and hit the three as well as battle in the paint. Carter will
be the third 7-footer on the Kentucky roster this year. The
7-2, 240 pound center needs to add some strength, but he has a
pretty polished game for a kid his size. Carter averaged 16.3
points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.4 blocks per game as a senior at
Scott County High School in Georgetown, Kentucky. During his
junior campaign, Carter was ordinary at best. If he can
continue to improve, Carter will make a big impact sooner or
later. The backcourt is too talented for Adam Williams to see
much playing time. The 6-4 shooting guard is experienced for a
freshman, spending last year playing prep ball at IMG Academy.
Williams has a nice shot and can use his quickness to get to the
basket.
Who to Watch:
Rajon Rondo is one of the best point guards around and fellow
backcourt mates Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford are poised for
big years, but the key to the Wildcats is Patrick Sparks. Not
only is Sparks the senior leader on the team, he’s also the
returning leading scorer and will once again do much of the
scoring. Last year Sparks did a fine job leading the young
backcourt, averaging 11.0 points and 3.6 assists per game. This
year, without as much proven frontcourt help, Sparks will get
the opportunity to put up more points.
Projected
Conference Rank: In a weakened SEC, the title is Kentucky’s
to lose. With such a deep and talented backcourt a 1st
place finish is most likely. The frontcourt doesn’t have a
whole lot of experience, but Bobby Perry, Sheray Thomas, Shagari
Alleyne and Lukasz Obrzut all saw decent minutes last year and
have the talent to play a bigger role this year. The status of
center Randolph Morris is still in question. It is believed
Morris will return, with the bigger question regarding when that
will happen. If and when he does return, the frontcourt won’t
have many depth issues.
Projected
Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Rajon Rondo,
Sophomore, Guard, 8.1 points per game
Patrick Sparks,
Senior, Guard, 11.0 points per game
Joe Crawford,
Sophomore, Guard, 3.2 points per game
Rekalim Sims, Junior,
Forward, DNP last season
Randolph Morris,
Sophomore, Center, 8.8 ppg (when eligible)
|
