Kentucky Finally Healthy

It's not hard to imagine that a program with 1,954 wins isn't used to losing. Factor in that the team is Kentucky and you'll realize how long of a season this has been for the Big Blue Nation.

A few months ago, the city of Lexington was overjoyed with the arrival of new head coach Billy Gillispie. That initial moment of bliss has been replaced with a tense feeling of uncertainty.

The Wildcats (6-6) recently got over a streak that saw them lose five of six games, three of those coming to unranked UAB, Houston, and San Diego. Despite the early tough losses, there is new reason for optimism in Kentucky.

Sophomore point guard Derrick Jasper returned to the court against San Diego after microfracture knee surgery—there was question whether Jasper would return at all this season. Fellow sophomore guard Jodie Meeks fractured his pelvis in November and returned against Houston after missing key games against North Carolina and Indiana.

For the first time this season, Kentucky had all hands on deck against Florida International on New Year's Eve. Meeks and Jasper both impressed in their own way in the 92-49 win—Meeks scored 21 points while shooting five of nine from beyond the arc; Jasper chipped in with four points, a team high ten rebounds, and five assists.

So why should all of this put smiles on UK fans' faces?

The team has played the entire year without a true point guard. Ramel Bradley has filled in the best he could, but he is not a true college point guard, and shines best when he plays the two-guard position. Meeks' return gives the team a guy who can get to the basket and score from anywhere on the court, something that had been missed. Having a steady point guard takes the pressure off star freshman Patrick Patterson; he no longer feels the need to create and can remain as the dominant inside force for the Wildcats. 

If all of this news doesn't give reason for optimism, Gillispie's knack for recruiting will. He already has two big names locked up for next year's freshman class. Five-star point guard DeAndre Liggins (No. 5 rated PG) has committed to play for the Wildcats in the fall of this year. Liggins will bring much needed depth to the point guard position and will continue the Wildcats' trend with size at the point guard position at 6'5". He shows great perimeter presence and his passing ability is unmatched in this year's recruiting class.

The other big recruit Gillispie has landed is in-state small forward Darius Miller. At 6'6", 215 lb., Miller provides a much-needed swing man in the Kentucky offense. Miller has dominated the Kentucky high school season the past four years at Mason County High School, the same school as current Tennessee guard Chris Lofton. Miller provides great inside-outside strength, but will have to improve his range if he wants to be considered one of the NCAA's best small forwards. However, his wingspan gives him tremendous shot blocking ability and his overall defense continues to improve.

It's not time to hit the panic button yet in Lexington. What Kentucky has shown thus far is that they will be patient with the new head coach. Gillispie's start is very similar with ex-UK coach Rick Pitino's start in 1989, but Gillispie inherited a team of seniors compared to Pitino's group of freshman and sophomores.

Time will tell if the newly healed Cats can reel of a couple of big wins. They can start this Saturday when Rick Pitino and Louisville come into Rupp Arena for Kentucky's own civil war.