Kentucky basketball: What are the chances everyone returns?
By Drew Koch
Alright, Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball season is over. That means we can turn our attention to the 2018-19 season. What are the chances everyone from this year’s team returns?
This thought has been tossed about all season long, and now that Kentucky’s season has come to a close, we can examine the idea a little more thoroughly. What are the chances that everyone on the Kentucky basketball team returns for the 2018-19 season? My immediate thought is that it’s not very likely, but let’s examine each case individually, shall we?
Definitely returning for 2018-19
Before we go down this rabbit hole, let’s check several obvious returnees off the list. I think all of BBN can agree that Jonny David, Brad Calipari and Dillon Pulliam will return next season for the Kentucky basketball team.
David and Pulliam only played in 6 and 5 games respectively. Both players averaged less than 1 minute per game during the times they were in the game. Unlike previous coaches Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith, John Calipari appears to keep his walk-ons and less-talented players on the bench until the bitter end of a lopsided Kentucky victory.
Brad Calipari did get some meaningful minutes in a few games this season, especially when Quade Green was out for 3 games with a back injury. He played in 12 games and scored his lone basket, a three-pointer, versus Missouri in the Wildcats 87-66 victory.
Brad Calipari is honestly a very solid player who would likely get more playing time on several other NCAA Division-I schools. His size (6’0″, 178-pounds) for his position (shooting guard) is not ideal. However, his ball-handling is not the greatest, so taking over for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Quade Green at the point was not a viable option either.
Okay, now that we’ve covered those players who will definitely be back next season, let’s explore those who are most likely to return.