How will Alex Poythress' injury affect the Kentucky Wildcats?

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I have to admit. I have been in something of a Big Blue Funk all day after waking up this morning and hearing about the Alex Poythress injury. We all know that Alex is in the best hands possible right now and will have the best doctors available to help him treat his injury. And now, the most pressing question is how this will affect the Wildcats heading into their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels?

First, you have to consider the emotional impact this will have on the team. It is devastating for the psyche of the team to suffer the loss of a popular player like Alex Poythress. We have seen teams rebound in the past after losing a player. Kentucky seemed inspired after losing Willie Cauley-Stein in the NCAA Tournament last year and Louisville overcame the loss of Kevin Ware emotionally to win the 2013 NCAA Championship.

This team seems very emotionally tight and I do think in the long run, this will band the team together more and inspire that “Band of Brothers” mentality. Playing North Carolina just 36 hours and change after this happened will be a tough task. Kentucky needs the Rupp crowd to be the 6th man and to inspire this team to come together and win. Kentucky is one of the few teams that has the talent to offset this loss, but just mentally, I wonder where their heads will be. I am going to say that they respond well.

The next question is about the platoon system. Kentucky’s depth is a big factor and the North Carolina game is a game where the depth would have been a huge factor. UNC can go six, maybe seven deep with UK, but not ten. I expect the platoon system to continue with a tweak or two. Here is what John Calipari said today about that and also about how hard it is to prepare for this game:

"On if he is still going to stick with the platoons … “I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t spend any time thinking team last night. And this morning I met with some of the guys to talk things through. So we will figure out what (we have to do). We haven’t practiced yet so I don’t really know.” On how challenging it is for the team to get ready for a game two days after the injury … “Hard. It’s a hard deal. I mean, it’s hard for all of us. Our practice yesterday just went “phew” and I was in and out the whole time trying to check on him. I mean, this is all part of it things happen that you have to deal with and you have to respond to. Next man up and all of that – and it’s all great coach speak – but the reality of it is the fear and the anxiety and all of the other stuff that Alex has and we have for him. You know, it just zaps you. It zapped me. I mean it zapped my wife last night. It brought back memories of what she had to deal with Brad.”"

Do keep in mind that Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis should play, so I think the platoons system will continue. The common speculation is that Marcus Lee or Trey Lyles will join the first platoon and Derek Willis the second. With Lyles in the first platoon, that will add a 6’10 player into the three position, but Lee is a bit more athletic and could mimic Alex Poythress’s athleticism a bit more. Either way, it’s a good problem to have in this situation.

How will Alex Poythress’ injury affect the Kentucky Wildcats?

By Paul Jordan | Dec 12, 2014