NCAA Basketball: Strengths/weaknesses of each top-25 team for 2022-23

NCAA Basketball: Strengths and weaknesses of each top-25 team for 2022-23 season

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 02: Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball Oscar Tshiebwe Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4. Kentucky Wildcats

Strength: Oscar Tshiebwe

It’s been over a decade since the National Player of the Year has returned for another year but that’s the advantage Kentucky has with Tshiebwe, coming off averaging 17.4 ppg and an NCAA Basketball-leading 15.2 rpg last season. His numbers were historically good and he was the ultimate security blanket for the Wildcats whenever they would miss a shot.

There’s already a lot to like on this team between Sahvir Wheeler coming, the five-star freshmen (Cason Wallace and Chris Livington) and the rest of the case but if they’re to make a Final Four appearance, it’ll be on the back of the reigning National Player of the Year.

Weakness: Shooting and spacing

As great as Wheeler and Tshiebwe are as NCAA Basketball players, the offense has its limitations when it comes to three-point shooting. The big man doesn’t shoot and Wheeler is a career 28% shooter from deep. That shrinks the floor and puts pressure on the other three positions to be effective from deep.

If Illinois transfer Antonio Reeves, Livingston, Wallace and Jacob Toppin at the four-spot don’t become real threats from three-point range in order to spread the offense, Kentucky’s ceiling could be low for a preseason top-10 team. It’s the price of having two starters who aren’t great shooters. Most teams can say that but the eventual national champions usually just have one at the most.

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