Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Position Preview – Frontcourt

Looking at tomorrow’s match-up against the Cats and Cards, it’s more than just a rivalry game.  It’s also a match-up of two of the nation’s best backcourts.  In fact, Kentucky was the #1 preseason frontcourt and Louisville was ranked as the #7 frontcourt going into the 2013-14 season according to CBSSports.com.

If the Cats are to do well against the Cards, the frontcourt must be active in blocking shots, grabbing key rebounds and scoring efficiently.  All of which, Kentucky can easily do, if they play as a team and share the ball.  However, more importantly, the Cats must communicate.  Otherwise, it could spell trouble for this young Kentucky team.

As long as Julius Randle, Willie Cauley-Stein and James Young are active, Kentucky should be fine.  Randle alone is averaging 18.2 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per game.  Young is averaging 13.2 points per game and Cauley-Stein is averaging 9.3 points per game.  If all three players were to at least score their average points per game, it average to around 41 points.  Needless-to-say, Kentucky’s frontcourt will likely be a huge part in scoring for tomorrow’s game.  However, keep in mind, those are only averages and each player could potentially score more or less.

On the flip side, Louisville’s big men also can score efficiently when needed.  However, their stats haven’t looked as nearly as impressive as Kentucky’s backcourt thus far. Center, Montrezel Harrell is averaging 12.5 points per game and 8.3 rebounds.  Wayne Blackshear has been averaging 10.3 points per game and Chane Behanan 8.3 points per game.  That’s only about 31 points to Kentucky’s 41 points on combined average.

If Kentucky’s frontcourt and Louisville’s frontcourt scores as usual, on paper it looks as though it could give Kentucky the early edge.  However, there is one problem to that theory, Russ Smith.  Smith has been slashing through frontcourt after frontcourt all season.  Granted though, the Cardinals’ only ‘true’ test was against #24 North Carolina, which they lost by nine points.  Smith usually averages about 16.8 points per game, which could potentially cause problems if he is allowed to score that much.  Smith is not apart of Louisville’s frontcourt, but he scores too efficiently not to mention him.

Kentucky has all of elements to defeat Louisville tomorrow at Rupp.  Whether or not the young Cats will score efficiently or communicate will likely be the deciding factors.

Here is a quick look at the match-ups:

Dec 1, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) reacts after a dunk against the Providence Friars in the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Center: Willie Cauley-Stein verses Montrezl Harrell Averages Per Game

Cauley-Stein:

9.3 points

8 rebounds

3.5 assists

Harrell:

12.5 points

8.3 rebounds

1.1 assists

]

Power Forward: Julius Randle Verses Chane Behanan Averages Per Game

Randle:

18.2 points

11.3 rebounds

1.8 assists

Behanan:

8.3 points

6.2 rebounds

1.1 assists

Dec 10, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard James Young (1) dunks the ball against the Boise State Broncos in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Boise State 70-55. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forward: James Young Verses Wayne Blackshear Averages Per Game

Young:

13.4 points

3.8 rebounds

1.7 assists

Blackshear:

10.3 points

3 rebounds

.6 assists

All statistics were found on ESPN.com. To check out the complete stats for Kentucky and Louisville, click on either name for more information.