Kentucky Wildcat Basketball: Best Player 2011-2012: Who Ya Got?

There is going to be a ton of talent on the court for the Wildcats in 2011-2012, we all know that and it is well documented. The Cats are a universal #2 preseason pick, only behind a truly loaded North Carolina Tar Heels team.

With all of this talent, who will stand out as the team’s best player? Last year Brandon Knight emerged as the star and the guy that you want to have the ball in his hands at the end of the game. Before him, John Wall was the best player on another very talented team. Who will be the guy this year?

John Calipari has already let ESPN’s Andy Katz know that he thinks that Doron Lamb is going to be the guy. Cal told Katz, “In my opinion, he’s going to be one of the top-15 players in the country.”

Lamb did have a very nice freshman season for the Wildcats. He averaged 12.3 points per game and was a very efficient 48.6% from the three point line. Lamb was also the sixth man off of the bench last season and it is looking like he will be the sixth man this season as well. Is coach Cal crazy? Of course not, he’s coach Cal. But will Doron Lamb really be the best player on the 2011-2012 version of the Kentucky Wildcats?

Here is a list of candidates that I believe have an argument:



Terrence Jones: Jones averaged 15.7 points and 8.8 rebounds as a freshman. He looked to be the best freshman in the country for the first half of the season. During conference play he began focusing more on passing and defending than he did on scoring. Much of this is due to the infamous “Selfish Mother F****er” statement made by Calipari. Jones surprised everyone by returning for his sophomore year. He comes in as a possible top 5 NBA draft pick and as a potential All American. All he needs to do is learn to drive to the right.

Darius Miller: Miller averaged 10.9 points a game, 4.6 rebounds and 44.3% from the three. Miller had a bit of a coming out party last season after he infamously passed up a wide open three in the final seconds during a loss at Ole Miss. Calipari openly questioned Miller’s desire but insisted that Miller could be the best player in the SEC if he wanted to be. He did just that by being honored as the MVP of the SEC tournament as the Cats went on to win their second straight SEC title. Miller needs to continue playing like he did at the end of the season. He is the lone starting senior on the team.

Anthony Davis: Davis has been wowing coaches and players alike with his performances during the Jordan Brand Classic, the McDonald’s All American Game and the Nike Hoops Summit Game. His wing span and surprising agility makes him difficult to guard and difficult to score on. Davis has already been tapped as the 2012 #1 NBA Draft choice. He is lacking muscle and bulk in his lanky frame, something that could spell trouble when battling college players down low.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Everyone describes this kid the same way: Hard Worker. Kidd-Gilchrist has been sharing the spotlight with Anthony Davis during the high school all star games. He is tenacious on defense and under the basket. His hard work earns him constant double-doubles. John Calpari is already praising his work ethic as one of the best he has been around. He could very easily become the vocal and emotional leader of this team.

Marquis Teague: Teague has already won over the hearts of Big Blue Nation by spurning the Cardinals and Rick Pitino for the Wildcats. He is following Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall and Brandon Knight as premier college point guards for John Calipari. Will he, like his predecessors, be the best player on his team? Teague is already earning rave reviews. During the Adidas Nations game, Teague was the stand out player.

Those seem to be the guys that have the best shot of being the best player the Cats have. Who will it be? There is a poll up on the upper right side of the site. Let me know what you think!

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