If the buzz surrounding the University of Kentucky's basketball version of Midnight Madness, called Big Blue Madness, is any indication of how good the actual squad will be, UK will making its way back to top of the polls.
Despite several consecutive seasons of disappointing NCAA tournaments, UK basketball fans will be coming out in droves for Big Blue Madness to see a team that should be improved from 2008.
Campus public safety has asked fans who want tickets to the Madness to line up no more than three days in advance. Over 23,000 people have packed Rupp Arena each of the last three years for Kentucky's first basketball practice.
The man leading the Wildcats in their first practice for the upcoming season, will be second year Head Coach Billy Gillispie.
Gillispie has a history of rapidly changing programs around, as he did at the University of Texas El Paso and Texas A&M. He'll try to work his magic in a weak Southeastern Conference and turn the program's 18 wins in 2008, to a 20+ win season in 2009.
He averages 13.5 wins in his first season at a new school, but 23 wins and an NCAA berth during his second year at a school.
There won't be a shortage of talent for Coach Gillispie to work with to make that hoped success, a reality. He retains a strong core of players and several stud freshmen to replace stars Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford.
Losing Bradley and Crawford, who combined for 34 points per game, isn't quite as devastating as it seems. Ken Pomeroy's statistics suggests Bradley and Crawford weren't the most productive offensive players on the floor. Their offensive ratings were actually pretty low for "star players."
Since both graced the hardwood in over 80% of the team's minutes, the low offensive ratings had a major impact on Kentucky's 81st best adjusted offensive efficiency rating. If you go back to 2004, the year Ken Pomeroy began keeping track of offensive efficiency, the lowest Kentucky ranks before 2008 is 25th.
In 2007, the Wildcats finished ninth—ninth to 81st is a pretty large drop in just one season.
Replacing Bradley and Crawford in the offense will primarily be Sophomore Forward Patrick Patterson and Junior Guard Jodie Meeks.
Patterson ranked above Bradley and Crawford in offensive efficiency as a freshman—natural progression suggests he should only get better in an offense that will operate through him in the low post.
Meeks on the other hand, struggled during an injury plagued sophomore season. He dealt with numerous injuries which limited him to just 11 games, but also affected the quality of his play.
Wildcats fans know what Meeks can do when healthy. In his freshman campaign, Meeks finished the season scoring in double-digits in eight straight games and also hit at least two three-pointers in seven of those eight games. His offensive rating topped both Bradley and Crawford in 2007.
Meeks became an immediate impact player, but lost his punch in 2008. A healthy Jodie Meeks means Kentucky will essentially be adding an all-conference caliber guard to an already good team.
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2 months ago
Nice article! The loss of Derrick Jasper in the offseason also hurts the Wildcats.
2 months ago
UK will struggle this season. They have Patterson and Meeks, but that's it. Is Liggins qualified to play yet?
from 2 months ago
Although Patterson and Meeks represent a decent chunk of this team, I'll still take them over almost every other SEC team. That conference simply isn't good this year.
From all the research I did, Liggins is on pace to play. All the season previews from other sites that I looked over as well as random news articles about UK basketball suggested Liggins will be in uniform.
I know you're a Louisville fan from your profile, don't bash on the 'Cats too much my friend, Brett and Joe here won't appreciate it haha.
from 2 months ago
yes he is cleared to play.
from 2 months ago
Ha - I'm capable of being objective Jameson. :)
I'm just basing my assumptions off of last year. Bradley and Crawford were basically the team by the end of the year, and UK played better with Patterson sidelined with the foot injury.
2 months ago
Patrick Patterson is an absolute beast. If he stays healthy, he'll be the best big man in the SEC.
2 months ago
Hmm, not sure how good they will be, may take another season or 2. Gillispie should have them playing some stingy D, though.
2 months ago
Very good column. Very accurate, I believe.
Thank you.
from 2 months ago
Your welcome. Glad you liked it.
about 1 month ago
I have to agree with you. The cats will be a better team this year then last. They have a lot of talent and Coach Billy G knows how to teach the fundamentals. Look for them to grace the top of the polls. This is going to be a surprise team this year in the NCAA.
from about 1 month ago
I'm not ready to say they will grace the top of the polls or anywhere close. I think this team if it peaks can reach at best 15th-20th in the polls. They will be good, but I don't think that good.
about 1 month ago
They will surprise you. This team, even though Crawford and Bradley are gone, will be better, quicker, stronger and able to score. You are entitled to your own opinion and I respect that.
from about 1 month ago
I feel ya that they will be better as I wrote in my mammoth preview. They will be much better than last year.
But here's my problem, I don't think they were much better than a top 45 team last year, so me calling them much better puts them at around 25 which is higher than most preview magazines and writers from other sites so at least I'm giving them that much respect haha.
about 1 month ago
I agree with you. It was hard for them buying into a new system with Billy G. It took them some time but they came around. It is a little hard to judge last year because of the many injuries they had. They did bring in help for now with the point guard spot, which is much needed.
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