The University of Kentucky Wildcats' much-heralded basketball season has almost arrived. The Wildcats are back with blazing new uniforms, along with second-year coach Billy Gillispie.

The Wildcats are deeper this season than in recent years, even with the departures of Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford, and Derrick Jasper.

Coach Gillispie picked up some key freshmen and transfers last offseason. 

Point guard DeAndre Liggins, standing at 6'6", is one of the most heralded freshmen of the 2008 class. He is a smart and very talented point guard and was one of the top point guards of the 2008 class. Look for Liggins to start just a few games into the season.

Freshman Darius Miller, another very highly touted player, won Kentucky's Mr. Basketball last season as a senior in high school. He is a very talented, smooth, and smart player. He will step in and produce greatly.

JUCO transfers Josh Harrellson and Kevin Galloway will also step in this season. Harrellson is a big man, standing at 6'11", that can not only play inside but can also step out to the perimeter and drain the long ball. Galloway will also step in and help greatly at the point guard spot.

Let's not forget about Kentucky's returning All-SEC players in Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks.

Patterson, coming off a dominant freshman season that ended prematurely due to an ankle injury, will be the Cats' workhorse once again. He is in the top five big men in the country and the best in the SEC. Look for him to average 20+ points a game and double-digit rebounds. He is a dominant force inside.

Jodie Meeks is returning at 100 percent for his junior season. Meeks was injury-plagued all season long and hardly played any last season. He will be a key factor in the Cats' young backcourt. He is very athletic and has a sweet stroke from the outside.

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