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[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]If you’re as pumped as I am about next year’s version of the Wildcats taking the floor, then you’ve just painted your bedroom blue and legally changed your last name to Calipari. With the collection of incoming talent and returning stars, this team is all but destined for greatness. As good as last year’s team was it overachieved reaching the final four. It was a talented enough of a team alright, but the lack of depth really hurt them during the middle of the SEC season. Next year’s team shouldn’t have that issue, since the talent is overall better and the bench is one year older. So without further ado, let’s get started with some guarantees for next year, shall we?[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]The first guarantee is the UK will win the SEC….easily. I hesitate to say that they will go undefeated in SEC play, because so many teams this year will only show up for only one game next year and that game will inevitably be Kentucky. For instance, I expect to lose at Tennessee. I know they have Division 3 talent and a coach, whose first name sounds like a Muppet character, but UK will be the best team they play all year and I believe they will play out of their minds in Knoxville. UK will be young and I expect them to get rattled in some away games, but not in all of them. They will win the regular season crown.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]The SEC player of the year will come from Kentucky. It’s hard to guarantee who exactly it will be. It could be Anthony Davis, Mike Gilchrist, Marcus Teague, or Darius Miller. But, I have a hunch that Terrence Jones will be stronger both physically and mentally and NO ONE in the SEC will have an answer for him. He will average 20+ ppg and 10+ rebounds per game and the coaches will be forced to vote him as the conference’s best. No lesbian look-a-likes from Florida who averaged 11 and 7 or nerds from Vanderbilt to vote in this year. No sir, It’s a UK player or bust here.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]The SEC’s defensive player of the year will be Anthony Davis. Not since Jarvis Vanardo and his 10 blocks 20 fouls per game has the SEC seen such a shot blocking force down low. Davis will be a nightmare for anyone within 10 feet of the basket. With his incredible length and athleticism, he will break the all-time single season mark for blocks in a season, at the very least by a freshman.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Mike Gilchrist will win the SEC freshman of the year award. They may have to change this to “the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] best player on Kentucky’s team award”. Gillie will be one of the better all-around players in the league. This kid has a “motor” (so does my car but it’s not up for freshman of the year) and he will outwork every freshman in the league for this honor. He is going to be an absolute joy to watch on this team next year.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Your starting 5 guarantee goes like this: Teague will run the point as the truest lead guard that Calipari has had at UK. Darius Miller will start at the 2 spot, since that’s position he will be playing in the league the following year. Gillie will play the small forward position. He may be a smidge shorter than Darius, but his game is more effective inside the perimeter. The starting power forward will be Jones and Anthony Davis will start at the block. This leads to my next guarantee that Doron lamb will get 6[SUP]th[/SUP] man of the year award in the SEC. He’ll average 15+ points off the bench and will notch a few more 30 point performances. [/FONT][/SIZE]
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[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Apart from Doron, UK will have a solid experienced bench that will be asked to contribute. Vargas, who got much better as the year went on. Hood will give UK some valuable minutes as a junior. Kyle Wiltjer will turn some heads with his play, but probably won’t average more than 15 minutes. And I honestly expect Stacey Poole to actually play next year in a vital role as a defensive stopper. He has the physical tools to do it; we’ll just have to wait to see if he wants to. Lastly, If I’m not mistaken, Twany Beckham will be able to play in December and back up Teague as the SEC play starts to heat up.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]The last guarantee is NCAA player of the year. And if Jeff Goodman doesn’t pick some white kid from the WAC, he will have no other choice to choose Terrence Jones as player of the year. Jones started off as a dynamo last year. He fizzled mentally, but still showed glimpses of what he could become. If he is more consistent with his play, and with the talent surrounding him now I believe he will be, he will be the best forward in college basketball. [/FONT][/SIZE]
