Kentucky Basketball: Grading the Performance of Each Wildcats Player So Far

Kentucky is now ranked the No. 1 in both the AP and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll.

The Wildcats have started their 2011-12 season 6-0 with an average margin of victory of 28.3 points.

Even though UK lost their leading scorer (Brandon Knight 17.3 ppg) and two main contributors (DeAndre Liggins and Josh Harrellson) from last year's team, John Calipari has once again assembled the most talented roster in the country.

The following is a "first quarter" (of the season) evaluation of this year's Kentucky Wildcats.

Let's look at what kind of grades each player has earned in the Cats' opening games.

Jarrod Polson, Brian Long and Sam Malone

Polson (pictured), Long and Malone are three good guys whose roles are to fill out the Cats' roster.

Together, they have played less than 40 minutes and scored nine points in the first six games.

Who knows how much more action this trio will see the remainder of the 2011-12 season?

If Kentucky keeps destroying people, Polson, Long and Malone may be on the court more than expected.

Grade: B- for attitude and enthusiasm.

Eloy Vargas

Eloy Vargas is a functional big man who, because of UK's extreme frontcourt talent, plays a minor role off the bench.

The 6'11", 244 lbs forward from the Dominican Republic has grabbed 24 rebounds in 55 minutes in the first six games.

Unless someone on the Kentucky front line gets hurt, Vargas' playing time will be limited.

Grade: B for being solid on the boards when he is on the court.

Kyle Wiltjer

Kyle Wiltjer is a coach's dream player. He does so many things well, and he makes very few bad decisions.

Even though the 6'9", 239 lbs freshman forward from Portland, Oregon has played just 16 minutes per game, he is averaging 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Wiltjer put up 19 points against Penn State in his second collegiate game.

Grade: B+ for the ability to score off the bench and knock down his free throws.

Darius Miller

Darius Miller is a physical freak. He has the body of a power forward (6'8", 235 lbs) but the athleticism and skills of a shooting guard.

Miller doesn't have to score much on this squad (8.5 in 24 minutes per game), but he also contributes with strong defense, rebounds (3.7 rgp) and assists (3.2 apg).

So far, Miller has struggled in finding the range from beyond the arc. Last year, he hit 44.3 percent from three; this year, he is hitting only 31.3 percent.

Grade: B+ for his solid contribution and great attitude on a team of young thoroughbreds.

Marquis Teague

Freshman point guard Marquis Teague has stepped right in and is running the show like a seasoned vet.

Teague is averaging 11.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

He is shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and 50 percent from beyond the arc.

Coach Cal would love to see Teague improve on his free-throw shooting (58.8 percent) and cut down on his turnovers (3.3 tpg).

Grade: B+ for his overall floor leadership.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is an outstanding shooting forward who just happens to be a freshman.

Kidd-Gilchrist is averaging 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.

He has scored double digits in all but one of the Wildcats' six games.

Grade: B+ for his consistent production and ability to score and grab boards.

Doron Lamb

After the first six games, Doron Lamb is the Cats' leading scorer (14.2 ppg).

Lamb is shooting 45.5 percent from the floor, 88.5 percent from the line and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Grade: A- for his ability to knock down shots from all over the court.

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is as good as expected.

The 6'10", 220 lbs forward can take over games by his scoring (13.3 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg) or blocks (an amazing 4.3 bpg!).

Davis already has two double-doubles and has scored 11 or more points in all but one of the Cats' games.

Grade: A for showing why he could be the National Player of the Year at season's end.

Terrence Jones

Terrence Jones was the SEC Freshman of the Year, and he returned to UK to further develop his game and take care of some unfinished business.

Jones is improving almost every facet of his game as he averages 13.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 2.2 bpg.

Grade: A for establishing himself again as a go-to player on a very talented team.