It seems like we have this discussion every week, but writers and bloggers alike continue to debate who could be a breakout player next season.
As usual, Kyle Wiltjer’s name is involved. After a moderate freshman campaign and losing all of his fellow classmates, Eamonn Brennan of ESPN believes the sophomore could have a big year.
Here is Brennan’s position on Wiltjer:
[QUOTE]I’m not sure it’s possible, in 2012, to be a Kentucky Wildcat and also be under the radar. But if it is possible, Wiltjer fits the bill. The lanky forward was the seventh man in UK’s championship rotation last season, and he made timely contributions throughout the season. But as the Cats marched to the national title, and [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/56353/anthony-davis”]Anthony Davis[/URL], [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/56352/michael-kidd-gilchrist”]Michael Kidd-Gilchrist[/URL] and super-sub [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/41836/darius-miller”]Darius Miller[/URL] and the rest of the top six garnered 100 percent of the attention, Wiltjer largely became an afterthought. Don’t make the same mistake in 2012-13. Kentucky will be loaded again, no doubt, but Wiltjer — a former top-20 prospect in the Class of 2011, lest we forget — will play starter’s minutes, and should emerge as much more than a stretch forward with a sweet jump shot. If he combines a low-post game with that spot shooting, Wiltjer could morph into one of the nation’s most complete scoring threats — a [URL=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51586/doug-mcdermott”]Doug McDermott[/URL] lookalike with national title talent at his side. [/QUOTE]
That is high praise for Witljer.
I’m not sure if Kyle will transform into a stud scorer like Brennan and others allude to with Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, and Ryan Harrow altogether, but who scores a lot at UK anyway?
There is no doubt, Wiltjer will be expected more next season and he will be a breakout player, but I don’t agree with a huge jump in scoring.
Not at Kentucky at least.
On another note, Brennan also included Louisville’s Wayne Blackshear.
[URL=”http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60346/10-potential-breakout-players-for-2012-13″]Source[/URL]
