Kentucky may never see a team with the quality depth of 2014-2015. So, just for fun I thought it'd be an interesting comparison on the depth of the two teams.
Let me state emphatically I am in no way saying this year's team is as good as 2015. So there is no need for the first response to be: You are crazy! This team is not as good as 2015! Yeah, I just said that.
It is just a way to look at 22-23 depth through a player by player comparison with the team that set the standard. It's an incomplete comparison at best because we don't know how some of the 22-23 players will perform. But we've seen at least a glimpse.
1. So. PG Andrew Harrison -- Fr. PG Cason Wallace. I know Wallace may not start, but a more apt comparison with AH.
2. So. 2G Aaron Harrison -- Sr. 2g CJ Fredrick. Proven clutch shooter v. proven shooter from everywhere - when healthy. Aaron's clutch shooting run was legendary.
3. Fr. Pg Tyler Ulis -- Sr. PG Sahvir Wheeler. Two dynamos. Sophomore Ulis was unstoppable. But this is freshman Ulis compared to the SEC assist leader.
4. Fr. Devin Booker -- Jr. Antonio Reeves. We all think of what Booker BECAME in the NBA. As a freshman he was up and down.
5. Jr. Alex Poythress -- Fr. Chris Livingston. Alex getting injured was a huge blow. Please lord let the 22-23 Cats stay healthy.
6. Fr. Trey Lyles -- So. Daimion Collins. Different players. Lyles was a multi-dimensional scoring threat.
7. Jr. Willie Cauley-Stein -- Jr. Jacob Toppin. We know what Willie became. We're about to see what Toppin can be.
8. Fr. Karl A. Towns -- Sr. Oscar Tschiebwe. KAT or returning NPOY. Towns, for sure: The one true mega-talent on 2015, in terms of performance as a college player. But Oscar's numbers ain't bad...
9. So. Dakari Johnson -- So. Lance Ware. Dakari got lost on that team but was a force inside at times. Ware is a competent back-up.
10. So. Marcus Lee -- Fr. Ugonna Kingsley. Lee contributed at least some that year. UKO likely a practice player - but what potential.
11. So. Derek Willis -- Fr. Adou Thiero. Willis was not a contributor in 2015. AT looks ready to produce this year.
No way on paper 22-23 is as good as the team in 2015 when it was healthy -- the team that crushed Kansas, humiliated UCLA and so on.
Where is the biggest single player advantage for 2015? Towns, I suppose, even when balanced by NPOY Oscar.
What is the biggest single advantage for 2015? Defensive size and intensity.
Does 22-23 have an edge anywhere? If Reeves blows up I could see him being superior on the wing to a freshman Booker who was a defensive liability at times and disappeared sometimes.
Which PG tandem? AH and freshman Ulis or Wheeler and freshman Wallace?
Let me state emphatically I am in no way saying this year's team is as good as 2015. So there is no need for the first response to be: You are crazy! This team is not as good as 2015! Yeah, I just said that.
It is just a way to look at 22-23 depth through a player by player comparison with the team that set the standard. It's an incomplete comparison at best because we don't know how some of the 22-23 players will perform. But we've seen at least a glimpse.
1. So. PG Andrew Harrison -- Fr. PG Cason Wallace. I know Wallace may not start, but a more apt comparison with AH.
2. So. 2G Aaron Harrison -- Sr. 2g CJ Fredrick. Proven clutch shooter v. proven shooter from everywhere - when healthy. Aaron's clutch shooting run was legendary.
3. Fr. Pg Tyler Ulis -- Sr. PG Sahvir Wheeler. Two dynamos. Sophomore Ulis was unstoppable. But this is freshman Ulis compared to the SEC assist leader.
4. Fr. Devin Booker -- Jr. Antonio Reeves. We all think of what Booker BECAME in the NBA. As a freshman he was up and down.
5. Jr. Alex Poythress -- Fr. Chris Livingston. Alex getting injured was a huge blow. Please lord let the 22-23 Cats stay healthy.
6. Fr. Trey Lyles -- So. Daimion Collins. Different players. Lyles was a multi-dimensional scoring threat.
7. Jr. Willie Cauley-Stein -- Jr. Jacob Toppin. We know what Willie became. We're about to see what Toppin can be.
8. Fr. Karl A. Towns -- Sr. Oscar Tschiebwe. KAT or returning NPOY. Towns, for sure: The one true mega-talent on 2015, in terms of performance as a college player. But Oscar's numbers ain't bad...
9. So. Dakari Johnson -- So. Lance Ware. Dakari got lost on that team but was a force inside at times. Ware is a competent back-up.
10. So. Marcus Lee -- Fr. Ugonna Kingsley. Lee contributed at least some that year. UKO likely a practice player - but what potential.
11. So. Derek Willis -- Fr. Adou Thiero. Willis was not a contributor in 2015. AT looks ready to produce this year.
No way on paper 22-23 is as good as the team in 2015 when it was healthy -- the team that crushed Kansas, humiliated UCLA and so on.
Where is the biggest single player advantage for 2015? Towns, I suppose, even when balanced by NPOY Oscar.
What is the biggest single advantage for 2015? Defensive size and intensity.
Does 22-23 have an edge anywhere? If Reeves blows up I could see him being superior on the wing to a freshman Booker who was a defensive liability at times and disappeared sometimes.
Which PG tandem? AH and freshman Ulis or Wheeler and freshman Wallace?