From: jdt29225@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Jazzy J )
Subject: Re: preseason next year
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 19:33:01 GMT

morgan@ms.uky.edu (Wes Morgan) writes:

>pe_palmer@vax.muskingum.edu writes:
>>top ten - in no particular order...
>>
>>Michigan
>>Duke
>>Indiana
>>Kentucky

>As a UK fan, I appreciate the sentiment, but there's no way that UK should
>be in the Top 10 (or even Top 20) next year.  2 starters are gone (Woods,
>Pelphrey), as well as the two major reserves (Farmer, Feldhaus).  While
>Mashburn returns, the supporting cast is weak at best.

>Inexperience will be a BIG problem.  Timberlake and Riddick aren't really
>ready, and Ford will be the only experienced guard.  Martinez is still
>ineffective at center, and Toomer and Harrison were no-shows this year.
>Rhodes may play more than anyone expects.....

>*sigh*.....if they win 20 next year, I'll be both impressed and ecstatic.
>I see zones collapsing on Mashburn in every single game.....

	I semi-agree with U -- I don't think UK is Top 5 material, but I do
	think they will be Top-20 material, will win 20+ games, and will
	probably win the eastern division of the SEC.

	The reason?  Pitino.  He's what makes the Cats.  I believe that he
	is the reason for the Cats success these past 2 seasons, not 
	necessarily the players.  Sure, all the graduating seniors had great
	careers -- but it was only under Pitino did they all thrive.  
	Although the Cats will be very young, I think by the end of the season,
	Pitino will have done yet another great coaching job.  Its the style
	of play that makes Kentucky dangerous, and while UK does lose some
	experience players, the replacements will make up in terms of talent.
	
	As far as the lineup goes, there's no question the Mash will be the
	focus of the offense.  In my opinion, Mash is the most effective
	big man this side of Christian Laettner in college basketball.  
	Sure, zones can play, but Mash could just step outside and hit some
	3's!  Meanwhile, I think Martinez developed quite a bit during the
	season.  He still seemed a bit tentative at times, but with almost
	a full season of starting under his belt, I expect him to be a double
	figure scorer next season.  He really does have a nice shooting touch.
	(85% at the line?!)  I knew a lot of people may disagree with me on
	this one, but I think Roderick Rhodes will step right in and start
	next season.  He's a more physically talented version of John
	Pelphrey.  I remember this guy in high school -- as a freshman, he
	started on the St. Anthony teams with Bobby Hurley, Terry Dehere, and
	Jerry Walker!!!  As far as the point guard is concerned, I think that
	it was unfortunate that Travis Ford had to spend all season, basically
	disabled.  Now that he's had the knee surgery, hopefully he'll show
	next season just why he gave Sean Woods fits in practice when he
	sat out due to transferring.  If he shows that spunk, I don't think
	the Cats will lose much in the changing of the point guard -- maybe
	a bit of quickness, but Ford will add much more outside shooting.
	Don't forget the return of Jeff Brassow either.  Considering he was
	the ultimate hustler -- I expect him to really work hard on 
	rehabilitating that knee and return at full strength next season.

	In all, maybe all us UK fans should look at next season as a prelude
	towards the 93-94 season.  After all, this year's crew only has
	2 seniors, Dale Brown and Junior Braddy.  And in 93-94, when talent
	like Walter McCarty and probably Darnell Burton (of Dunbar HS) coming
	in, next year's team is only a warning siren of things to come.

	Jazzy J
-- 
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|  "I am human and I need to be loved,            | Jazzy J                   |
|   just like everybody else does..." - The Smiths| jdt29225@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu | 
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Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.college