It is a fool's errand to justify criticizing the leadership of a 38-1 team. However, last year's season and this coming season are completely independent of one other. I will make a case for why this year we will see better leadership and how it will make us better than some expect. This section I will need to preface with the fact that I am certainly not disparaging last year's team. I am guessing he LOVES it when he hears the word "can't." Leadership Tyler Ulis comes into play here as well he is the poster boy for underdog role. I would even be willing to bet Pat Forde has an article already written. They will hear the naysayers opine on the "beginning of the end," of the Calipari era of dominance. This team will be the perfect embodiment of that my guess is he is already pushing that narrative to his guys. John Calipari got to where he is by bucking the odds, nobody loves playing the "us against the world" card more than he does. Relishing the Underdog Role ( relative to the last two years, of course) In just his eight games, Poythress had 12 blocks. Prior to the 2015 season Chad Ford had Alex rated as his 28 th best NBA prospect and likely #1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns said Poythress was by far his favorite on the team to watch operate. I am confident that Coach Cal will avoid putting Alex in a position to fail this season, allowing him to play his natural role and unleash his beast mode. Looked like a super Glue Guy as a 4 in Bahamas.Īlex Poythress' per-40 minute averages through four games in the Bahamas: 30.5 points, 14.5 rebounds. During those six games against professionals and grown men, Alex went for a cool 12 points, 6 rebounds per game, and shot 75% from the floor in only 19 minutes per game.īiggest thing I'm tracking with UK's platoon system? How will Alex Poythress produce as a 3. What you have to remember though, is in the Bahamas he was able to play the 4-spot with Cauley-Stein and Lyles missing. I know for his eight regular season games, the Bahamas "Beast mode" Alex did not carry over. Alex PoythressĪlex Poythress may end up being the most underrated player in America next season. Ulis' leadership is another reason I think we will be better next season I address that in-depth later. ![]() I wrote this article last June about why Big Blue Nation would love Ulis I think we will see an exponential manifestation next season. While Ulis will certainly be part of any discussion regarding the best overall point guards in America next season he will actually be one of, if not the best pure point guard.Īt any point, during any game next season, nobody on the floor will have a higher basketball IQ than Ulis will. Tyler UlisĪnother reason I believe we will exceed expectations, ironically happens to be my biggest reason. ![]() With so many 2015 recruits spread out across the country on mediocre teams and so many underclassmen leaving, the organization chart for 2016 NCAA title contenders is as flat as a mountain in Kansas. I do not believe there is any one team next season that would be able to beat any of that trio. This year was of course Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Duke's year to dominate. Not necessarily overall, but there is not a team or two at the top expected to dominate. The first reason that comes to mind when wondering about our chances next season is that it seems to be a somewhat down season ahead of us. To get some perspective though, the worst being a top 10 team with the #3 recruiting class and the #1 player in Skal Labissiere. ![]() I know they have Jamal Murray still out there but for arguments sake, let us assume the worst. ![]() What I think is going to surprise many people is just how good they are going to be.Ĭoach Cal has essentially "struck out" this spring with his recruiting targets. The 2015-16 version of the Kentucky Basketball team is going to be very different from last year's team, which is understood.
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