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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 with teammates 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: PJ Washington #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts with teammates 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Season outlook

This team has all the tools they need to reach the lofty expectations placed upon them. Calipari is a master at getting his newcomers to come together as a team quickly and he already has a headstart with Green, Richards, and Washington returning.

There’s nothing fancy to really get into here. Kentucky’s talent will be overwhelming for a majority of the teams they face and they should cruise to an SEC title. Overall inexperience, particularly in the backcourt, will lead to some minor hiccups but won’t keep them from reaching that goal.

However, in order for the Wildcats to win another national championship, a few things need to happen.

Finding reliable three-point shooting is a must. They made fewer than 36 percent of their shots from long-range a year ago and only took a three on 25.8 percent of their possessions (344th in the country). That lack of a perimeter threat allowed opposing defenses to pack the paint and made scoring much more difficult for Kentucky, hurting their efficiency.

The lack of a go-to player hurt them as well. More than one player can step up, obviously, but Kentucky didn’t have anyone who wanted to take over in close games last year. Seven of their 11 losses came by single digits – a go-to player may have changed that.

Next. Preseason SEC Rankings for 2018-19. dark

But this is a new year and I think Kentucky will answer those questions. Their shooting will be inconsistent and I think that will keep them from winning the title. However, I think they’ll get enough to win over 30 games and make the Final Four.

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