Post by Administrator on Jun 5, 2002 5:37:58 GMT -5
A new article by John Cliburn (aka spock)
Basketball season never ends in Kentucky. In other places, March ends the madness. In the Bluegrass, the mania is yearlong; its boundaries have no limits. Forget that roster and even coaching changes may not yet be completely decided. Let the prognostication for next season, only about six short months away, begin.
Gone is the dependable and talented versatility of Tayshaun Prince, a player that has led the Wildcats in most statistical categories for the past two seasons. Joining him is athletic sharpshooter, Rashaad Carruth, who dropped more bombs in media headlines than on the hardwood.
Veteran Keith Bogans will return after a frustrating junior campaign where his scoring plummeted despite defenses keying on Prince. A wizened Cliff Hawkins will again man the point but looks to continue to improve decision-making and perimeter marksmanship. Gerald Fitch hopes to overcome off-the-court setbacks and return to the all-around play that once stabilized the Kentucky backcourt with a blend of shooting touch, rebounding, and defense. Talented seniors, Marquis Estill and Jules Camara, return in the middle, having shown only marginal improvement from seasons past despite the added playing time allowed by Marvin Stone’s departure and Jason Parker’s injury. Jason Parker looks to his studies and continued rehabilitation this summer as he figures to enhance the Wildcats’ interior defense and add needed muscle and scoring in the pivot. Erik Daniels returns his passing prowess and overall versatility to the forward spots, but must work on his jump shot, while warrior Chuck Hayes returns from an outstanding freshman season to play a larger role on next year’s team with his now patented brand of hustle, rebounding, and defense.
Newcomers, Brandon Stockton and Bernard Cote, will add some depth along with sophomore, Josh Carrier. In addition, a pair of explosive wings will make their Wildcat debut in JUCO superstar, Antwain Barbour, and freshman scorer-deluxe, Kelenna Azubuike. Both should make an immediate impact with a needed injection of show-stopping athleticism and scoring punch.
On paper, next year’s Wildcats should match the depth, talent, and experience of any team in the nation, but in the wake of a season often highlighted more by what happened off the court than on it, there remain many questions:
Basketball season never ends in Kentucky. In other places, March ends the madness. In the Bluegrass, the mania is yearlong; its boundaries have no limits. Forget that roster and even coaching changes may not yet be completely decided. Let the prognostication for next season, only about six short months away, begin.
Gone is the dependable and talented versatility of Tayshaun Prince, a player that has led the Wildcats in most statistical categories for the past two seasons. Joining him is athletic sharpshooter, Rashaad Carruth, who dropped more bombs in media headlines than on the hardwood.
Veteran Keith Bogans will return after a frustrating junior campaign where his scoring plummeted despite defenses keying on Prince. A wizened Cliff Hawkins will again man the point but looks to continue to improve decision-making and perimeter marksmanship. Gerald Fitch hopes to overcome off-the-court setbacks and return to the all-around play that once stabilized the Kentucky backcourt with a blend of shooting touch, rebounding, and defense. Talented seniors, Marquis Estill and Jules Camara, return in the middle, having shown only marginal improvement from seasons past despite the added playing time allowed by Marvin Stone’s departure and Jason Parker’s injury. Jason Parker looks to his studies and continued rehabilitation this summer as he figures to enhance the Wildcats’ interior defense and add needed muscle and scoring in the pivot. Erik Daniels returns his passing prowess and overall versatility to the forward spots, but must work on his jump shot, while warrior Chuck Hayes returns from an outstanding freshman season to play a larger role on next year’s team with his now patented brand of hustle, rebounding, and defense.
Newcomers, Brandon Stockton and Bernard Cote, will add some depth along with sophomore, Josh Carrier. In addition, a pair of explosive wings will make their Wildcat debut in JUCO superstar, Antwain Barbour, and freshman scorer-deluxe, Kelenna Azubuike. Both should make an immediate impact with a needed injection of show-stopping athleticism and scoring punch.
On paper, next year’s Wildcats should match the depth, talent, and experience of any team in the nation, but in the wake of a season often highlighted more by what happened off the court than on it, there remain many questions: