Kentucky Basketball: Predicting Wildcats' Most Improved Players in 2015-16

With seven key contributors from the 2014-15 squad now in the NBA, the Kentucky Wildcats will need to receive more out of the returning group during the 2015-16 season. 

Although there may seem like a slim number of choices to select most improved players from, the Wildcats do possess a few guys in their squad who need to produce more in certain statistical categories in order to thrive for another year under head coach John Calipari.

Continue reading below for a look at who we think will be the most improved players on the Kentucky roster this season. 

Marcus Lee 

Big man Marcus Lee doesn't have to be the key provider of points and rebounds in the paint, but he does have to turn himself into a valuable sixth man in relief of Alex Poythress and Skal Labissiere. Lee, who was rightly overshadowed by the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson last season, averaged 2.6 points per game in 10.9 minutes per contest during his sophomore season. 

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There is no doubt Lee's minutes will increase due to his role off the bench. Improved numbers in the major stat categories will have to come from the forward in his new part. If Lee can average near five or six points per game as well as five rebounds per contest, the Wildcats will have no worries about their frontcourt. 

One number that we shouldn't expect to rise during Lee's junior season is his field-goal percentage. Because of the low amount of playing time he received in his first two collegiate seasons, Lee holds a career field-goal percentage of 63.5. Since he should attempt more shots in the upcoming season, that number may dip a little bit, but not much since he is expected to take only high-percentage shots in the paint. 

Tyler Ulis 

Predicting Tyler Ulis as one of the most improved stars on the Kentucky roster is a no-brainer given his new role in the starting lineup. Ulis should command the point for the majority of each game with Isaiah Briscoe and Jamal Murray alongside him in the backcourt. 

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We already saw Ulis flash his passing skills during his freshman season, as he tied Devin Booker for the team lead in assists per game at 3.6. Although his first collegiate assist total is high for the level, he could eclipse that number given the amount of scorers in the Kentucky lineup. 

Since he will be on the court for close to 35 minutes per contest if he stays out of foul trouble, Ulis' points-per-game total should rise from 5.6 to at least seven in his sophomore year. He should also improve on his steals per game and field-goal percentage given his new responsibilities. 

Dominique Hawkins

As a fringe player last season, Dominique Hawkins rarely saw the court in big moments. But that will all change during his junior year since he is expected to be a contributor off the bench in some fashion. The addition of Murray did hurt his chances of playing significant minutes, but Hawkins should still receive a fair shake from Calipari during nonconference play. 

James Crisp/Associated Press

If things go his way, Hawkins could be the first guard off the bench for Calipari in every game. But he will face competition from junior college transfer Mychal Mulder and freshman Charles Matthews, both of whom will be looking to prove their worth as new additions to the squad early in the year. 

Because he is in a completely different situation compared to his first two seasons, Hawkins' numbers in most of the major stat categories should rise. One number to watch closely is his three-point shooting percentage, which was 23.8 last season. If he can emerge as a threat from beyond the arc, it would ease the pressure off the shoulders of the starters, who will be expected to carry the majority of the scoring load. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

All statistics obtained from ESPN.com and UKAthletics.com.