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Kentucky Basketball: 2023-24 preview for the Wildcats

By Jerran Anderson

Oct 13, 2023; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Zvonimir Ivisic (44) reacts as the student sections chants “Big Z” during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2023; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Zvonimir Ivisic (44) reacts as the student sections chants “Big Z” during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Basketball
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Kentucky basketball returns with another cast of prospects in its 2023 recruiting class as the Wildcats look to continue to play the game their way. There’s just one addition out of the transfer portal in Tre Mitchell (West Virginia) as head coach John Calipari continues to use traditional methods in a changing landscape to lead Kentucky in a talented SEC landscape.

After finishing third in the SEC standings this past season, Coach Cal will have a big order of adversity potentially on his hands with just three returners back from last year’s roster and seven freshmen to get acclimated to their first season of college basketball. The trio of Oscar Tshiebwe, Jacob Toppin and Cason Wallace are all off to the NBA as is Chris Livingston as it’s in out with the old and in with the new with a new group of Wildcats as they look to remain competitive in the conference.

Kentucky was one of eight teams who made the NCAA Tournament this past season as they earned a 6-seed in the East Region. They fell in the second round to the Kansas State Wildcats. Things should be a lot more interesting for them with a lot of youth and not much frontcourt depth to contend with in 2023-24.

The Wildcats’ strongest veteran presence is returner Antonio Reeves as he should continue to lead as he did this past season. He’s a versatile 6-foot-5 presence with an opportunity to provide a ton of depth and leadership to a Kentucky rotation that could potentially feature 2-3 freshmen in the starting lineup.

D.J. Wagner, Justin Edwards and Rob Dillingham are this year’s trio of NBA Draft prospects heading into a new year for the Wildcats. While Wagner and Edwards are sure to start, Dillingham is the wild card of the group who could see minutes both in and out of the starting lineup. Reed Sheppard is another name sure to grow with fans after growing up in the state at North Laurel High. Take a look at the season preview for the Kentucky Wildcats heading into the 2023-24 season.

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