Kentucky Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Wildcats
Expectations
We should judge Kentucky on a different curve than most other programs. The rapid roster turnover requires Calipari to teach a system to a brand new team every year. The initial results are all over the place.
Some teams don’t start playing defense till February. Some groups start off launching 30 threes a game. Sometimes, an alpha will emerge in the first week of the season and carry the team to big wins.
Despite what the preceding paragraph just stated, fans need something to compare this group to. So, let’s go with the 2016-17 Kentucky Wildcats. That group had three elite players (De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo) and ten legitimate rotation players.
They were an elite offensive team, the best of any Calipari group, and became an effective defensive team later in the season. Like the group from four years ago, the newest Wildcats will push the tempo, spread the ball to shooters, and own their opponents in the paint.
Next. Preseason top-25 power rankings for 2020-21. dark
We should judge Kentucky on how it looks in March. Usually, Kentucky looks really good when March comes along. This season should follow that pattern. Otherwise, let’s just be thankful that basketball season is finally here and hope everyone remains healthy.
Prediction (based on 27-game regular season)
22-5 record, 14-4 in conference play, SEC Champions, 5 NBA Draft picks in June (3 first round, 2 second round).