Kentucky Basketball: Ranking the Best Players the Wildcats Will Face in 2016-17

Kentucky has once again put together a tough nonconference schedule for 2016-17, which also means it will face some of the best players in college basketball.

Although the full schedule isn't completed, a lot of the matchups are already set, and we know who is in the SEC. Between games against Kansas, North Carolina, Michigan State, Louisville and others, it's clear there will be some difficult individual battles throughout the year.

On the other hand, some of the best players on the schedule won't necessarily come from the standard powerhouses. There are some top competitors from lesser teams, which could lead to some possible upsets over the course of the season.

Here is a look at some of the top players the Wildcats will have to try to stop in 2016-17.

Honorable Mentions

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Justin Jackson, North Carolina: Justin Jackson could end the year as the toughest player Kentucky faces all season. The 6'8" small forward is a matchup nightmare with his ability to slash to the paint. If he can gain some consistency on his shot, he could legitimately become an All-American.

The problem for the rising junior has been a lack of aggressiveness behind veteran teammates. He averaged 12.2 points per game last year and hasn't shown a willingness to become a go-to option. This could make teammate Joel Berry actually more dangerous over the course of the year.

Miles Bridges, Michigan State: The Spartans will have to go through a bigger rebuild than we are used to seeing after losing a lot of talent from last year's team. However, Miles Bridges and a loaded incoming class will help make things easier.

The 5-star wing has the ability to score inside as well as step out and hit a three-pointer, and he is likely to fill up the stat sheet quickly at Michigan State.

Tyler Davis, Texas A&M: On a team with four senior starters, Tyler Davis sometimes took a backseat offensively. Despite averaging just 6.4 field-goal attempts per game, though, he remained efficient with 11.3 points per game. He also was one of the top rebounders in the SEC, especially on the offensive end, where he brought in 14.1 percent of misses.

Next year, the center should take on a bigger role and could become one of the top big men in college basketball.

Frank Mason, Kansas: This is simply a player you want on your team. Frank Mason is a consistent point guard who contributes in massive ways on both ends of the court.

Mason averaged 12.9 points, 4.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game a year ago and will return to create one of the best backcourts in the country.

5. Moses Kingsley, Arkansas

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After Bobby Portis led Arkansas to the round of 32 two seasons ago, last year's 16-16 finish was certainly disappointing for the Razorbacks. However, they could be a threat once again thanks to the return of Dusty Hannahs and Moses Kingsley.

Hannahs is the slightly better scorer as an elite three-point shooter, but Kingsley became a dominant inside player last season and could be a contender for SEC Player of the Year in 2016-17.

The 6'10" forward finished the year averaging 15.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, ranking in the top three in the SEC in the last two categories. His 54.8 percent field-goal shooting was also one of the best marks in the conference.

Kingsley has a chance to put up a great deal of double-doubles throughout the year and become a dominant force during his senior season.

Even with a long list of frontcourt players, Kentucky could have its hands full when it plays Arkansas.

4. J.J. Frazier, Georgia

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Kentucky fans likely don't think too highly of J.J. Frazier, who had one of the worst games of his career at Rupp Arena last season. The point guard ended up going 0-of-8 from the field, totaling just four points before fouling out.

The Wildcats won 82-48 in one of their most complete performances of the season.

Despite this poor showing, Frazier was truly one of the top guards in the SEC, averaging 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He scored at least 20 points in 12 different games and flirted with a triple-double a few times on the year.

The 5'10" player was solid as a sophomore, but few players in the country were quite as versatile as Frazier during his junior season.

Between Frazier and Yante Maten, Georgia has a chance to get back to the NCAA tournament.

3. Alec Peters, Valparaiso

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Horizon League players don't usually get noticed on the national stage, but Alec Peters is a name every college basketball fan should know.

The forward is an ideal stretch 4, capable of scoring inside but also a serious threat to step out and make shots from the perimeter. He made 44 percent of his three-point attempts last season as part of his average of 18.4 points per game.

Of course, Peters isn't just a volume scorer on a bad team. He does the dirty work inside to average 8.4 rebounds per game and is an elite post defender who can guard the pick-and-roll.

The 6'9" player ranked eighth in college basketball in both offensive and defensive win shares. The combination made him the third-most valuable player in the country. This makes it no surprise Valparaiso has posted a 58-13 record over the last two seasons.

Although Kentucky will face much bigger programs than Valpo next year, Peters will be one of the toughest individual matchups the Wildcats will see.

2. Lonzo Ball, UCLA

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As ESPN's Jeff Goodman explained, it's the "best PG crop in a decade coming in next year." This includes Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox, but the No. 1-rated player at the position is Lonzo Ball.

At the very least, Ball will be the most entertaining as a true pass-first player with incredible vision from anywhere on the court.

The future UCLA star won the Naismith Trophy after averaging a triple-double for arguably the best team in the country. Chino Hills High School ran up and down the court on opponents all year long in a fast-paced attack, led by Ball and a pair of his brothers.

In the McDonald's All-American Game, the 6'6" point guard continued to showcase his passing ability with 13 assists and just one turnover.

It might be a bit difficult for Ball to transition to the college game, but he will be a major threat to Kentucky and anyone else he faces this season.

1. Josh Jackson, Kansas

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Although Kansas lost some key players from last year's squad, the return of Mason, Devonte' Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, Carlton Bragg Jr. and others will make sure the Jayhawks are still a top contender.

However, the best player on the team should end up being incoming freshman Josh Jackson.

Jackson enters next season as the No. 1 overall player in a loaded 2016 class. This is mostly thanks to his superior athleticism that allows him to attack the basket and finish above the rim with great consistency. He is also an elite defender and willing passer, which makes him a game-changing player at this level.

While Kansas hasn't always seen a lot of success with its one-and-done recruits, Jackson could have a similar impact to that of Andrew Wiggins. The eventual No. 1 overall NBA draft pick led the Jayhawks with 17.1 points per game and only got better as the year went on.

Jackson might come into the year a bit raw, but by the time Kentucky faces Kansas late in the season, the guard will be among the best in college basketball.

The Wildcats better be prepared if they want to slow him down.

Unless otherwise noted, statistics courtesy of Sports-Reference.com, and recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

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