Busting Brackets
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Kentucky Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Wildcats

By Brian Rauf

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team against the Tennessee Volunteers during the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team against the Tennessee Volunteers during the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: PJ Washington #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts after a play in the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: PJ Washington #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts after a play in the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Key reserves

Immanuel Quickley
Even if he’s not a starter, Quickley will get starter-level minutes. He’s a dominant scorer from the lead guard position and, while not a great shooter, is better than Hagans in that regard. The two can also play together because of Quickley’s size (6-3) and length.

P.J. Washington
You know Kentucky is loaded when their leading scorer and rebounder from a year ago will be coming off the bench, but that’s exactly what Washington (10.8 ppg and 5.7 rpg) is expected to do given the arrivals of Travis and Montgomery. At 6-7 and 236 pounds, Washington’s role will be as a Draymond Green-type stretch four – be able to switch everything defensively (something he’s strong and athletic enough to handle) and contribute when the opportunity presents itself.

Nick Richards
Richards started every game last year yet only averaged just roughly 15 minutes per night due to his lackluster defense and tendency to get into foul trouble. He’ll be tasked with providing an offensive spark off the bench.

Tyler Herro
Speaking of offensive sparks, that’s exactly what Herro provided on the perimeter for Kentucky during their preseason trip to the Bahamas. Projected to strictly be a bench shooter coming into the season, Herro flashed that deft shooting stroke, but also showed a much wider array of skills and proved to be one of Kentucky’s best offensive players overall. The offense flowed better because of the spacing he provided and his high basketball IQ. It would not be a surprise to see him emerge as a full-time starter by the end of the year.

Jemarl Baker
Shooting is also Baker’s ticket into the back-end of the rotation. There’s still a lot of unknown with the 6-4 guard after he missed all of last year, but for a team that lacks three-point shooting, there’s a role for Baker.

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