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Kentucky Basketball: Five Reasons Isaiah Briscoe Will Shine

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Isaiah Briscoe (13) speaks to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Isaiah Briscoe (13) speaks to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Isaiah Briscoe (13) celebrates after winning the championship game of the SEC tournament against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 82-77 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Isaiah Briscoe (13) celebrates after winning the championship game of the SEC tournament against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 82-77 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Leadership

The Kentucky Wildcats have one of the youngest and inexperienced rosters in the country. The loss of transfers Marcus Lee and Charles Matthews only adds to the dire need for a leader to emerge.

According Alex Forkner of CatsPause.com, Kentucky alum Alex Poythress believes that sophomore Isaiah Briscoe has the intangibles to be a leader.

"“Isaiah’s really bringing some leadership, so if he knows how to handle his troops, they’ll be really fine when it’s said and done,” Poythress said. “Really impressed by ’em.”"

That’s a promising sign for the 2016-17 Wildcats.

As previously alluded to, Briscoe played big minutes on the 2015-16 Kentucky basketball team. He felt the glory of winning the 2016 SEC Conference regular season and tournament championships.

He also felt the pain of losing to the Indiana Hoosiers by just six points, 73-67, in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

As this immensely talented Wildcats squad prepares for a run at a national championship, Briscoe’s leadership will play a defining role. Even if he may still be figuring out how to win, he also knows how to avoid losing.

No matter what his statistics come out to be, Briscoe should earn his keep as a leader for Kentucky basketball in 2016.

Next: No. 1 Skill

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