It will be extremely difficult for the UK Wildcats to retain a lofty #4 pre-season ranking.
Kentucky football beat rival Tennesee last Saturday and the Wildcats are 6-2 for the first time since 1977. As an avid, lifelong Wildcats’ fan, my excitement level is through the roof.
I wish I could say the same about Kentucky basketball. My excitement is diminished this year as the Wildcats prepare for the season opener against Utah Valley (November 10, SECN, 7p).
Kentucky comes into the season ranked fourth in the USA Today poll. But…. As the season unfolds it will be extremely difficult for the Wildcats to retain that lofting stature. I predict three factors will conspire against UK: lack of experience, the injury to Jarred Vanderbilt, and a difficult schedule.
Lack of Experience
‘Cats will miss Dominique Hawkins (photo, Spectrum News)
It’s no secret that Kentucky coach John Calipari is used to dealing with young players. The guy basically patented and trademarked college basketball’s “One-and-Done.”
But this season is over-the-top in youth, even by Calipari’s standards. The Wildcats have eight freshmen and no seniors on the roster. That will hurt. Last season, for example, the Wildcats had great leadership from home-state seniors, Dominique Hawkins and Derek Willis, as well as from sophomore guard Isaiah Briscoe.
The story is different this year. The go-to-guy for the ‘Cats will be junior forward Wenyen Gabriel. Although Gabriel averaged just 4.6 points per game last season, he was the ‘Cats fourth-leading rebounder at 4.8 boards per outing. If Gabriel is able to step up and be a leader both on-and off-the-court, then the Wildcats might be weather the season’s storm. If he doesn’t, it could be a long winter in Lexington.
The injury to Jarred Vanderbilt
UK’s Jared Vanderbilt (photo, Sea of Blue)
Despite youth and inexperience, this year Kentucky’s team does have a number of solid players. Unfortunately, the ‘Cats may be without top prospect—Jarred Vanderbilt—who injured his left foot in September. Vanderbilt could be out for the season. “If he’s not 100%, he won’t play,” Calipari said at SEC Media Day a few weeks ago. “If he can’t get ready this year, then he won’t play this year.”
Ranked 19th in the ESPN 100 for 2017, Vanderbilt is a 6-9 left-hander who handles the ball well and brings much-needed versatility to the team. It will be a devastating outcome for the ‘Cats if Vanderbilt can’t play.
And, yes…the loss of a heralded freshman player can make a big difference. Here’s a reminder of that assertion from the 2012-13 season:
–Freshman Nerlens Noel led the nation in blocks.
–Noel suffered a season-ending knee injury against 7th-ranked Florida.
–The ‘Cats missed the NCAA Tournament and lost to Robert Morris in the first round of NIT.
Tough Schedule
The Wildcats and John Calipari have ruled the SEC for years. UK will be seeking its fourth consecutive conference championship this season. But the path to the trophy will be met with strong resistance. That’s because the SEC is getting stronger.
Courtesy: Rock M Nation
–Florida is ranked seventh in the preseason poll.
–Coach Avery Johnson and Alabama slide in at #25.
–Texas A&M looks to be a serious contender behind the play of 6-10 junior center Tyler Davis.
–Missouri is reemerging on the national scene after the acquisition of #1 recruit, 6-10 small forward Michael Porter Jr.
The Wildcats will play Florida, Mizzou, and Texas A&M twice–making ’17-18 the toughest conference slate UK has had to face in years.
And it gets even tough because of non-conference match-ups.
Kansas, UCLA, Louisville, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech are five reasons. And, to make matters even more challenging, UK will play two mid-major opponents of note. There’s Harvard on December 2 and upstart Monmouth on December 9. Harvard is an extremely disciplined team that knocks off a Power 6 team just about every year. Monmouth burst onto the national scene a couple seasons ago when the Hawks knocked off UCLA, Notre Dame, USC, Georgetown, and Rutgers–all within a two-month period.
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Expectations are always high for Calipari and his Wildcats. That’s just the territory at Kentucky. But a lack of experience, the potential loss of Jarred Vanderbilt, and a tough schedule will make it very difficult for the Wildcats to achieve expectations this year.
So, fellow Wildcats fans, prepare for a potentially rough season. 2017-18 could be bumpier than a Kentucky back road where county maintenance ends.
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Cameron Brown is a former Webster County High School basketball player and an undergraduate student at Western Kentucky University, double majoring in journalism and history, with a minor in broadcasting. In addition to being a sportswriter and sports columnist, he is also the voice of South Warren Spartans football for the Sporting Times Broadcast Network. Contact him at cameron.brown288@topper.wku.edu
