It's not unreasonable to discuss the potential return of Big Z next season. I do think he'll contribute by March for the current team, but I really think his legacy at UK extends into a second year with our program.
Right now, our frontcourt next season is likely to consist of the following:
7'1" 230lb Zvonomir Ivisic - sophomore
7'0" 230lb Ugonna Onyenso - junior
6'10" 245lb Somto Cyril - freshman
6'9" 235lb Jayden Quaintance - freshman
6'8" 225lb Abou Thiero - junior
That's a sufficient frontline, and one that features a little bit of everything. Assuming Calipari adds Knox, we will have four guys who can play the small forward spot in Thiero, Knox, Richmond, and Burks. Ivisic and Onyenso as veteran frontcourt players would give us elite rim protection. Thiero and potentially Burks as small-ball fours would allow UK to create matchup advantages as the four. Quaintance is a potentially transcendent stretch four who has top 5 pick potential. Cyril would be able to develop his skill set as the frontline's 5th man in the rotation.
I like the looks of this frontline. All five guys are future NBA players. At least one of them is a future lottery pick (JQ) and Ivisic and Onyenso are both potential future top 40 picks.
If we land Jasper Johnson as the reclass (@bucsrule8872 's favorite guy), the backcourt could also be potentially lethal with a Sheppard return, Fland, Johnson, Richmond, Perry, and Knox.
I like the way things are developing for next year's squad. Obviously, our success next season will depend mightily on Sheppard coming back, but I don't think that's far fetched. I put it at a fairly decent probability, actually.
Right now, our frontcourt next season is likely to consist of the following:
7'1" 230lb Zvonomir Ivisic - sophomore
7'0" 230lb Ugonna Onyenso - junior
6'10" 245lb Somto Cyril - freshman
6'9" 235lb Jayden Quaintance - freshman
6'8" 225lb Abou Thiero - junior
That's a sufficient frontline, and one that features a little bit of everything. Assuming Calipari adds Knox, we will have four guys who can play the small forward spot in Thiero, Knox, Richmond, and Burks. Ivisic and Onyenso as veteran frontcourt players would give us elite rim protection. Thiero and potentially Burks as small-ball fours would allow UK to create matchup advantages as the four. Quaintance is a potentially transcendent stretch four who has top 5 pick potential. Cyril would be able to develop his skill set as the frontline's 5th man in the rotation.
I like the looks of this frontline. All five guys are future NBA players. At least one of them is a future lottery pick (JQ) and Ivisic and Onyenso are both potential future top 40 picks.
If we land Jasper Johnson as the reclass (@bucsrule8872 's favorite guy), the backcourt could also be potentially lethal with a Sheppard return, Fland, Johnson, Richmond, Perry, and Knox.
I like the way things are developing for next year's squad. Obviously, our success next season will depend mightily on Sheppard coming back, but I don't think that's far fetched. I put it at a fairly decent probability, actually.