Kentucky basketball: Predicting the starting lineup for 2018-19
By Drew Koch
There’s still NBA decisions to be made and recruits yet to pick their destinations, but let’s predict the starting lineup for next year’s Kentucky basketball team.
The Kentucky basketball players have yet to make their decisions as whether or not they will enter the NBA Draft. Several high-profile recruits, including E.J. Montgomery, have yet to decide where they’ll play in 2018-19. But. let’s predict the starting lineup for the Wildcats next season.
Might Kevin Knox return? There’s a small chance, but it’s doubtful. Knox is projected as a first-round pick in this year’s draft, and will likely head to the NBA.
How about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? He’s all but a lock to put his name in the upcoming NBA Draft. SGA is predicted by many to be a Top 10 pick.
Hamidou Diallo? His future is a bit murky, and a decision to enter the NBA Draft is not as easy as that of Knox or Gilgeous-Alexander. Still, the fact he tested the waters last season, makes it likely he’ll do so again.
So, with Knox, Gilgeous-Alexander and Diallo out of the picture, who will be the starters on next year’s Kentucky basketball team?
There’s a chance that Quade Green, if he returns to Kentucky, is the starting point guard for the Wildcats. John Calipari has proven that he has a tendency to be more loyal than smart from time to time. During the 2014-15 season, sophomore guard Andrew Harrison started over freshman Tyler Ulis. Nick Richards started over PJ Washington and Jarred Vanderbilt this past season.
However, I think Cal makes the right decision, and starts the freshman. Immanuel Quickley is a Top 20 recruit in this year’s incoming class. Quickley is 6’3″ and skilled on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Related Story: What would a Knox return mean for the Cats?
He’s not a knockdown shooter, but he can hit perimeter jumpers. Quickley is a willing passer, something Calipari loves from his point guards, and perhaps something Green is not as proficient at doing.
Quickley will get pushed by Green, but ultimately win the starting job. But Cal showed this past season that he’s willing to make changes if there’s a better option. Green was benched in favor of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after Green went down for 3 games with an injury.