Kentucky Basketball: Super-Early Grades for Wildcats Starters

The Kentucky Wildcats had a lot of uncertainty heading into this college basketball season, but after four games, we are starting to get a better sense of this team.

The first two weeks of the season resulted in a 4-0 start, although not all wins are created equal. The neutral-court victory over Duke showcased how good this group could be against a high-level opponent. On the other hand, the battle against Wright State wasn't quite as impressive, as the squad needed to fight to win a home game against middling competition.

We will still continue to learn a lot as the season progresses, but it is never too early to start judging the players based on their early performances.

Here is a look at grades for each starter based on his own capability, not on comparisons to others. On the plus side, there is plenty of time to change an opinion no matter how well someone has performed to this point in the year.

Tyler Ulis: A+

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Although the first couple of games were relatively quiet for Tyler Ulis, the point guard has shown his true ability over the last two.

The 5'9" sophomore was in complete control of the offense against Duke while finishing with 18 points, six assists and no turnovers. He then posted a career-high 21 points against Wright State on just 5-of-9 shooting from the field.

Over the last three games, Ulis has an incredible 16 assists and three turnovers.

He showed this ability in spurts last season, but now as a full-time starter, Ulis is truly a game-changing player. Although the outside shooting hasn't been great, the guard has been everything fans hoped he would be as a sophomore.

Isaiah Briscoe: A-

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

A knee injury kept him out of the first game, but Isaiah Briscoe has come on strong with three straight games in double figures. He has been aggressive with the ball to drive into the lane, and it has helped the Kentucky offense become a dynamic unit that is tough to defend.

While his scoring has been useful, Briscoe's biggest contributions have come on the defensive end. He is a pesky defender who can throw an opponent off his game, something he has shown a few times already this year. He also has four steals in three games.

The only major issue holding the guard back right now is free-throw shooting, where he is just 2-of-8 on the year. Considering his aggressive nature to drive to the net, he is likely going to get to the foul line often this season, and it's important not to give up a chance at points.

Other than that, Briscoe has been a useful contributor on both ends this season.

Jamal Murray: B+

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

This seems a bit harsh for a player who is currently tied for the team lead with 14 points per game. Jamal Murray has done an excellent job filling up the stat sheet with averages of 4.8 rebounds, four assists and two steals in four contests.

The 6'5" guard is showing why he shot up recruiting boards last year and why he will likely end up an NBA lottery pick.

However, Murray has been a bit sloppy so far this season and has plenty of room for improvement. He is averaging four turnovers with at least three in each game. He has also unnecessarily forced deep shots at times, currently shooting just 6-of-21 from the outside. The latest win over Wright State was the first time he consistently drove to the net and got to the free-throw line, where he went 10-of-10.

If he can keep this up while avoiding mistakes, Murray can be one of the best offensive players in the country. 

Marcus Lee: A

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Not every player is going to put up 20 points each game, but he can still help the team by filling his role. In this regard, Marcus Lee does his job as well as anyone on the roster.

Lee is in the starting lineup to get rebounds, protect the rim and finish inside when he gets the ball. He has taken care of business in each area this year, leading the team with 8.3 rebounds per game and tying for the team lead with two blocks per game.

The junior has especially excelled at offensive rebounding, posting a 23.7 percent rate that ranks among the best in the nation, according to KenPom.com. 

Alex Poythress continues to fight for more minutes, while Derek Willis and Isaac Humphries will be in the rotation all season, but as long as Lee does his job, he will stay on the court as much as possible.

Skal Labissiere: B-

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Like Jamal Murray, Skal Labissiere is graded harshly because we know he could be so much more.

The freshman has had one huge game this year—a 26-point effort against NJIT where he shot 10-of-12 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. In that win, he showcased an impressive offensive skill set with a variety of post moves that have NBA scouts salivating.

Unfortunately, the rest of the games haven't featured much consistency. Either he is being tentative offensively or he can't stay on the field due to foul trouble. The 6'11" player has also failed to bring in more than five rebounds in a game this year.

Labissiere's potential is through the roof. By the end of the year, the center could be a dominant figure, but he isn't quite there just yet.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for more year-round sports analysis.