WOMEN:
“How good will Kentucky be in 2024-25?”
McClelland: Based on the definition of “good,” this year’s squad can perform against the top SEC teams, secure a winning record and have a decent run in the conference tournament. Beyond that, the sky’s the limit and the potential of the team’s mid-season form could shock the outlets listing them as a middle-of-the-line SEC team. With Georgia Amoore at the helm surrounded by shooters and height at every position, the Wildcats will turn into a defensive juggernaut, allowing their offensive side to open up. Despite that, with one of the best incoming transfer classes out there, a brand new coaching staff and a brand new arena, the adjustment period will take time. Once the chemistry is built and the season is in full affect, this Kentucky team can beat any opponent on any given night.
Lifshen: I have high hopes for this Kentucky team. During the preseason, it was clear that the players had strong chemistry and were playing for each other. With leaders like Cassidy Rowe and Amoore, I confidently predict that Kentucky will make a strong showing in the tournament and could even make a run for the National Championship. Despite the challenges the program has faced, there’s a new energy in Kentucky women’s basketball, and this season holds a lot of promise for the players to shine.
“What must Kentucky do to reach its ceiling this year?”
McClelland: The Wildcats have to build their chemistry and adjust to their new roles as a team to reach their full potential. This year’s squad features players like Amelia Hassett, who played JUCO ball in Florida, Saniah Tyler, who remains one of two players to return to Kentucky, and a skilled freshman class. With all these colliding skill sets, fans will probably see many starting lineup changes throughout the season and some players having to reduce their role for the sake of winning. Once it is determined who will be consistently in and out of rotation for this squad, it simply comes down to performance. This year’s roster features key veterans, but also young players looking to make a name for themselves. The downside of that could showcase a one-dimensional team behind its WNBA talent. In order to succeed, the second and third options have to be identified.
Lifshen: For Kentucky to succeed this year, it needs to be able to utilize the size it has on the team. It not only has a height advantage in the front court with Clara Silva at 6-foot-7 and Clara Strack at 6-foot-5, but it also has four other players above six feet. The team will also need to rely on the veterans for experience to succeed. With such a young squad, the veterans must step up in leadership positions while the first-year students and younger players adjust to college basketball. In the Wildcat’s case, it is also essential that they look to both Tyler and Rowe, the only two remaining players from last year’s roster, as they begin to learn the ins and outs of Lexington.
“What is a potential pitfall of this team that could cause it not to reach its ceiling?”
McClelland: One thing the Wildcats have already experienced this offseason is injuries to two key members of their team. If Kentucky faces another key injury to one of its players, it will have to rely on pure coaching ability and the next person stepping up. The lineup could then become cluttered, without a true scoring option and have each game become a “who’s hot from the field” type of situation. However, I think coach Kenny Brooks has seen a problem like this occur before, with last year’s injury to Elizabeth Kitley during his trip with Virginia Tech to the NCAA Tournament. His coaching ability to key in on the rosters’ skill set if another injury occurred would come in handy. Another potential pitfall for this year’s team could be the pressure of the sport world at Kentucky. The fans in Lexington have high hopes for every program, and they’re hungry for a great resurgence story. If expectations aren’t met, fans may have a decrease in interest towards the team.
Lifshen: The inexperience on the team is a challenge that the Wildcats will need to overcome. The beginning of the season may be tough, and the team will need to make adjustments to avoid struggling throughout the year. Many of the players are new to college basketball, and most have never played in a conference as competitive as the SEC. However, the potential pitfalls can be avoided if the team and coach Brooks can work through the kinks and learn from the mistakes they’re making during the preseason and out-of-conference play. This resilience will be key to the team’s success this season.
MEN:
“How good do you expect this Kentucky team to be this season?”
Parke: It’s incredibly tough to predict how good Kentucky will be this year. All the hype surrounding the program indicates that these Cats are good enough to be a second-weekend NCAA Tournament team at worst, but history does not favor the Cats’ chances. Simply put, teams composed of almost entirely transfers tend not to find immediate success in the realm of college basketball. It should also be said that fans expecting a national title in year one, even at an institution such as Kentucky, may be setting themselves up for failure. I think it’s very realistic to say this Kentucky squad is capable of making it to the NCAA Tournament. I also think it’s realistic to say that this team missing the tournament or just barely getting in wouldn’t be shocking. I say Kentucky ends up being a second round NCAA Tournament exit.
Russell: Diving into the weeds of this Kentucky squad brings a whole different perspective than just looking at the roster on paper. When breaking down each individual’s strength on the court, there’s more of an understanding when thinking about head coach Mark Pope saying, “It’s not about going out and getting the most raw talent, it’s getting the pieces to form a team that can be dangerous.” This Kentucky team has the potential to do some special things that this program hasn’t seen in recent years. Building off of the intensity displayed in practice, this team can and will fly around the court, which leads me to believe the Cats will race around and put teams in positions they aren’t comfortable with. The level of rapidity shown by UK will create open three-point opportunities in transition and, from there, Kentucky will chuck up an unthinkable amount of triples. With that being said, I can see Kentucky being a solid contender to make it to at least the Sweet Sixteen and potentially further, which, in Pope’s first season, would be a successful campaign in my eyes.
Pinto: This season is unlike any other season over the past 15 years in more ways than one. John Calipari’s departure put Kentucky’s program through the ringer with a complete platoon of new players. Pope essentially had to start from scratch, but the new head coach has displayed a lot of trust in this core of players. Unlike most of Cal’s teams, this team only has three freshmen: Travis Perry, Trent Noah and Collin Chandler. I believe the experience on this team will serve as a beneficiary, especially considering how competitive the SEC has become with the likes of Auburn, Tennessee and Calipari’s Arkansas — plus newcomers Texas and Oklahoma — solidifying themselves as legitimate basketball programs in recent years. There are plenty of scorers on this team that should make games exciting to watch, and Pope has harped on the talent level on the offensive side of the ball. Frankly, I don’t see Kentucky making a deep run in March, perhaps having a second round exit, but it’s not because of a lack of talent, rather this is a gel season for Pope. Kentucky fans should have grace on him and the task ahead. This is an all new roster and staff from top to bottom. In my opinion, it’s too cumbersome to expect Kentucky to have a historically successful season.
What does Kentucky need to do to reach its ceiling this year?
Parke: One thing will decide if this Kentucky team excels or falters: unity. By far the biggest concern in assembling a roster of almost entirely transfers is how well those individuals come together to make a team. So far through the offseason, this team seems to gel very well, but it also hasn’t been battle tested yet. My biggest concern this season is that, when things go poorly — and they will at some point — the individuals return and the team disappears. This team, if it wants to reach its potential, has to stay together through thick and thin and have each other’s backs when hardships arise. This is a conscious choice that has to be made by every player every day. If this unit sticks together and follows Pope, this team can accomplish some very special things but if it doesn’t… well, most Kentucky fans don’t bring up 2012-13 either.
Russell: For Kentucky to reach its apex, I would say that Cats need to stay true to themselves and really work on what they know will help them win games. If a bad practice surfaces or even a bad game, not throwing out the game plan will build momentum and bring unity to the team. Yeah, sure, winning is fun, athletes play the game to win, but when the Cats suffer a loss, the biggest takeaway needs to be their response. If Kentucky can stay on track and consistently mature day by day, game by game, it will undoubtedly reach its peak at some point in the season. Fans just have to hope that, unlike other seasons, the Cats hit their best stride at the right time and when they are trending downwards, they must rise higher. Even if UK enters the SEC or NCAA Tournament on a losing streak, staying true to itself and its X’s and O’s will pay it back in a deserving way.
Pinto: In order for Kentucky to reach its zenith, I believe it will come down to the decisions by Pope and his coaching staff at maximizing the talent at their disposal. On media day, Pope said, “We’re gonna go with this starting lineup because these pieces fit together. There’s gonna be times when I say we’re going to start what we think are the best five guys.” Early in the season, Pope will likely be experimental with the lineups, similarly to a bullpen in baseball, based on matchups and trends. This Kentucky team has zero experience playing with one another outside of practice. Nonetheless, I anticipate Amari Williams to have a lot of minutes this year given that he’s the only true center labeled on the roster at 7-foot tall. Over time and minutes on the court, I expect the team to get sharper and find its stride as chemistry builds. Pope and company will have to put their players in position to succeed. Finding an identity as a team will be pivotal to their chances come March.
