2006 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Preview

2006 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Predictions

The Kentucky Wildcats are a known basketball commodity, but this season looks a little different for the team from the Bluegrass State. Along with the loss of leading scorer Rajon Rondo to the NBA and 7 others to graduation or transfer, the Wildcats also lost potential big-time recruit Dan Werner to Florida.

The point guard spot is up for grabs. Will it be junior Joe Crawford (10.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 41.1 FG%, 71.8 FT%), junior Ramel Bradley (7.9 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 40.3 FG%, 78.0 FT%) or freshman Derrick Jasper? Crawford could be a huge force on the court if he can put it all together this season. Bradley needs more disciplined play and better passing smarts. Jasper’s already be a fine defender. Freshman guard Jodie Meeks is the best athlete of the new players.

Center Randolph Morris (13.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 0.3 APG, 60.8 FG%, 68.6 FT%) is key to this team’s success. He can score, but he must improve on rebounding. With that, the Wildcats will have a force upfront. Senior Bobby Perry (7.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 0.7 APG, 43.4 FG%, 82.2 FT%) is an outside point-maker and a solid defensive player. Small forward is a question mark. Jared Carter (1.1 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.0 APG, 38.1 FG%, 30.0 FT%), a sophomore, can be moved to center, freeing up Morris for the position or Crawford might be moved to the frontcourt to play small forward.

Coach Tubby Smith (241- 71 in 9 years with Kentucky) knows how to win games. But the Wildcats have not been to the Final Four in eight years. The last time they were there, they won it all. It was 1997-1998—Smith’s first year. Last season, Smith tried benching, sports psychologists and using role players over starters to get results. Nothing really worked. What’s next, Tubby?

Expect the Wildcats to be fine out of conference but to find SEC contests much more challenging. The NCAA Tournament should be a go but don’t expect Kentucky to do any better than they did last season, which was a second round elimination.

If you want more info on the 2006 Kentucky Wildcats College basketball team check out the NCAA's official basketball team page of the program or check out some rival previews from Maddux Sports of schools like the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores.