Is this the year?
Of course, it is an annual refrain. One of the most remarkable things about the UK fanbase is its simultaneous ability to see every Kentucky basketball season as a glass both half-empty and half-full.
And yet, last year gave us such a glimpse of what could be. Few realistically could have expected a team starting two freshmen and a first-year transfer to come within a foul call or a defensive rebound of the Final Four. And yet they did.
And so it goes.
This season opens with real promise. Tubby Smith has a floor general the likes of which he hasn't seen since Wayne Turner, and a talent the likes of which -- certainly from the guard position -- it could be argued he has never had. Rajon Rondo stands at the precipice of Kentucky legend, and the thing that could seperate this UK hoops season from other recent excellent but ultimately unfulfilling seasons is that Rondo knows this.
But one player cannot win a title, and certainly not one whose outside shot will disappear from time to time. (Note to the cheap seats, the Blue-White game is not the equivalent of an SEC or NCAA tourney game!) That's why Joe Crawford and Randolph Morris are so crucial to this team.
Forget the hooplah surrounding Morris' eligibility. Morris will play, the only question is how soon. And maybe the best question is how well? I know I'm not alone in predicting a more focused Morris, if only because it will be demanded of him. One big difference for Morris this year is this is his last shot. There will be no transfer to Georgia Tech or wherever if he's not happy. If he doesn't get it done, he will not make the NBA. It's that simple. He knows it, and you can be damned sure Tubby has told him in no uncertain terms.
But the real key to this year is not the low post. Yes, Shagari Alleyne and Woo will have to rebound better. And, yes, Rekalin Sims and Sheray Thomas will have to provide minutes and production down low. But the real key to this year not named Rondo is Mr. Crawford.
Few remember now, after a freshman year that saw him average nearly as many transfer attempts as made threes, that Joe C. was the best shooting guard prospect in the country to elect for school over the pros in 2004. And now Crawford has a job waiting for him. He also has lost weight, toned, worked on his shot and rekindled his love for the game.
All he has to do is score, and that's what he's best at.
I, for one, think this team has all the pieces. Not every piece is finely honed, and the system always needs adjustments during the year. This team will not go undefeated. But Rondo is confident as hell. Crawford is confident as hell. And if Tubby Smith starts seeming confident as hell, the NCAA field better watch out.
And yet, last year gave us such a glimpse of what could be. Few realistically could have expected a team starting two freshmen and a first-year transfer to come within a foul call or a defensive rebound of the Final Four. And yet they did.
And so it goes.
This season opens with real promise. Tubby Smith has a floor general the likes of which he hasn't seen since Wayne Turner, and a talent the likes of which -- certainly from the guard position -- it could be argued he has never had. Rajon Rondo stands at the precipice of Kentucky legend, and the thing that could seperate this UK hoops season from other recent excellent but ultimately unfulfilling seasons is that Rondo knows this.
But one player cannot win a title, and certainly not one whose outside shot will disappear from time to time. (Note to the cheap seats, the Blue-White game is not the equivalent of an SEC or NCAA tourney game!) That's why Joe Crawford and Randolph Morris are so crucial to this team.
Forget the hooplah surrounding Morris' eligibility. Morris will play, the only question is how soon. And maybe the best question is how well? I know I'm not alone in predicting a more focused Morris, if only because it will be demanded of him. One big difference for Morris this year is this is his last shot. There will be no transfer to Georgia Tech or wherever if he's not happy. If he doesn't get it done, he will not make the NBA. It's that simple. He knows it, and you can be damned sure Tubby has told him in no uncertain terms.
But the real key to this year is not the low post. Yes, Shagari Alleyne and Woo will have to rebound better. And, yes, Rekalin Sims and Sheray Thomas will have to provide minutes and production down low. But the real key to this year not named Rondo is Mr. Crawford.
Few remember now, after a freshman year that saw him average nearly as many transfer attempts as made threes, that Joe C. was the best shooting guard prospect in the country to elect for school over the pros in 2004. And now Crawford has a job waiting for him. He also has lost weight, toned, worked on his shot and rekindled his love for the game.
All he has to do is score, and that's what he's best at.
I, for one, think this team has all the pieces. Not every piece is finely honed, and the system always needs adjustments during the year. This team will not go undefeated. But Rondo is confident as hell. Crawford is confident as hell. And if Tubby Smith starts seeming confident as hell, the NCAA field better watch out.
1 Comments:
At 8:24 AM, The Old Doc said…
First exhibition game is tonight and is live on Fox Sports South. I find it remarkable that an exhibition game would be broadcast live, but such is the fan base, I suppose. I know I will be watching as well as everyone else in the house.
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