![]() Something to watch: Chris Livingston could be the key X-factor for Kentucky basketball next season. Toppin has played on the perimeter in the past, but don't expect to log many minutes there his 6-foot-9 frame is a better fit for the frontcourt. Livingston has plenty of potential, but may need some time to ease into the speed of the college game. ![]() But would Calipari be willing to exchange points for defense, which would be the case if he brings Wallace off the bench? Not only would that give UK a sizable dose of veteran leadership, but it would put its two best shooters (Fredrick and Reeves) on the court at the same time. If Calipari wants to lean on upperclassmen, he'll put Reeves on the court along with Fredrick at the three. ![]() Thiero is willing to do anything, and already has shown a natural instinct for rebounding. Wallace is the best defender of the group. But the Wildcats have a plethora of options at the two and three spots. 12 prospect nationally in 2022 in the 247Sports Composite rankings), Adou Thiero and Cason WallaceĪnalysis: As noted above, Wallace is the likely pick to start alongside Wheeler in the backcourt once the senior returns to 100% health. ![]() Newcomers: Antonio Reeves (transfer from Illinois State averaged 20.1 points per game in 33 starts for the Redbirds Missouri Valley Conference second-team selection), Chris Livingston (five-star signee No. Returnees: Jacob Toppin (played in 29 games last season with four starts averaged 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game) and CJ Fredrick (did not play last season after having surgery on hamstring in November averaged 7.5 points per game at Iowa in 2020-21, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention accolade from league's media members) One other potential candidate to take over at point guard, if needed: Antonio Reeves, who saw time at the spot at Illinois State.īig question: Can offensive game match Kentucky basketball freshman Cason Wallace's defensive work?įrom May: What Adou Theiro's commitment means for Kentucky basketball's 2022-23 roster Wings But if Wheeler is sidelined for a brief period, expect to see Wallace handle most of the ballhandling duties. On Monday, Kentucky coach John Calipari went on Alan Cutler's radio show and said Wheeler isn't expected to miss much time. Then in the first exhibition of the preseason Sunday against Missouri Western, Wheeler reinjured the same knee in the second half and did not return. He injured his knee prior to the Blue-White scrimmage, and as a precaution the Wildcats held him out of that intrasquad contest. Yet there's the possibility both freshmen could be in the lineup for the season opener next week versus Howard. While Thiero already has showcased his ability (see: 21 points and a game-high 12 rebounds in the Blue-White scrimmage in Pikeville last month), it's likely Wallace would get the starting nod because of his superior defensive skill. Thiero and Wallace are more combo guards. 8 player in 2022 class in the 247Sports Composite rankings)Īnalysis: Of the three players listed at this position, Wheeler is the only "true" point guard. 165 prospect in 2022 class in the 247Sports Composite rankings) and Cason Wallace (five-star signee No. Newcomers: Adou Thiero (three-star signee No. Returnee: Sahvir Wheeler (10.1 points, 6.9 assists per game last season assist average led SEC and ranked third nationally) Here's a breakdown of the roster: Point guard So how do the pieces fit together heading into the season? What worked - and what didn't?įor subscribers: Can Kentucky men's basketball return to the Final Four? These 5 games will tell us ![]() Getting started: Kentucky men's basketball won its exhibition opener. They're joined by another highly regarded freshman class, which includes a pair of five-star signees (Cason Wallace and Chris Livingston), a player already exceeding his three-star status (Adou Thiero) and a four-star who reclassified from the 2023 class (Ugonna Onyenso). The Wildcats' 2022-23 roster is proof of their portal prowess.įive players - Oscar Tshiebwe (West Virginia), Sahvir Wheeler (Georgia), Jacob Toppin (Rhode Island), CJ Fredrick (Iowa) and Antonio Reeves (Illinois State) - began their college careers elsewhere. But since the institution of the transfer portal, the Wildcats have used their blue-blood status to its advantage: plucking top players out of the portal while still recruiting the country's best high school talent. LEXINGTON - The Kentucky's men's basketball program spent years relying upon five-star freshmen. View Gallery: See photos from Kentucky basketball's Big Blue Madness 2022 ![]()
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