Kentucky Basketball: 5 keys for a successful 2018-19 campaign

Clear rotation at lead guard is set

Quality guard play is tremendously important to success at the college level. Over the years, we have seen several teams make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament thanks to the play of an electric creating or scoring guard. It is for this reason that establishing stability at the lead guard position should near the top of the priority list for Kentucky basketball. Thankfully, though, head coach John Calipari has three high-quality options to take the starting spot.

At this point, two freshmen guards in Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley look poised to take both starting backcourt spots this year. Considering both players project as point guards with enough size to play at the two-guard as well, the duo should be able to be on the court at the same time with ease thanks to potentially elite level defensive chemistry. In regards to their playing styles, Hagans is arguably the fastest guard in the entire country who projects as an excellent defender while Quickley can practically do it all on the court.

Despite these two newcomers, though, do not rule out the potential of returner Quade Green snagging the starting point guard spot. Although Green might not be at the same skill level as Hagans/Quickley, he is one of the only returning players on the roster and therefore he brings an extra boost of experience to the team. If Coach Cal wants to begin the year with more experience on the court, then Green could easily see his fair share of starts.