You have to introduce the team and fill in all kinda shit here

While he may not be the star of this team - he never really has been - Alex Poythress returns as a senior leader who, you've got to think is finally due to catch some breaks. Poythress arrived in Lexington four years ago as a five star prospect, and he averaged 11 and 6 as a freshman. Since that season, though, Poythress has settled for fewer minutes on Calipari's always-stacked rosters, dealt with serious injury, and developed into a do-everything veteran. Poythress wasn't great last season in the eight games he participated in before tearing his ACL, but he led the young and talented 'Cats in scoring during their tour of the Bahamas earlier in the summer. The talent has always been there for Poythress to become a star player, and this season he should get the chance to show off for better than 25 minutes per game. Poythress can make outside shots, and he's matured into a quality defender who can cover bigger players or quicker players. With healthy season Poythress should step forward as a key leader for this latest litter of Wildcat kittens.

Tyler Ulis has the look of being another Poythress. Despite standing a foot shorter than Poythress, Ulis should be a leader and a four year player for Kentucky. And the experience Ulis got last year as he helped the Wildcats make their Final Four run should translate into a huge sophomore season for Cal's point guard. Obviously, Ulis lacks ideal size. He's got the quickness, poise and complete offensive game you want in a star point guard, though. As a freshman, Ulis posted a fantastic 135:38 assist to turnover ratio, knocked down 43% of his three point shots, and pilfered 37 steals. Let's repeat that: he handed out 3.6 assists for every turnover he gave away, and he only coughed up one more turnover than steal. No matter than Ulis was very much the 1b to Andrew Harrison's 1a at the point: Kentucky's diminutive floor general has shown every sign of becoming a star. Ulis is the lone proven deep threat that Kentucky returns from last year, and he'll need to knock down triples consistently as the newcomers get comfortable in their roles. One issue with Ulis being the team's main bomber is that Ulis can struggle getting his shot against some larger players, and Kentucky's other guards (Briscoe especially) will have to help Ulis get clean looks from the outside.

Up front, Calipari returns a pair of experienced juniors in Marcus Lee and Derek Willis. Lee arrived on campus as a five star prospect three years ago, but has not really carved out a significant role so far. Rangy and athletic with long arms and great leaping ability, Lee can make an impact defensively and is good at running the floor. To this point in his career, virtually all of his points have come as a result of putbacks, lobs, and assorted other dunks when Lee gets open for a quick feed. Now that he's going to be counted on to step into a bigger (starting) role, Lee has to make a few jump shots and prove that he's become more comfortable with the ball in his hands. Lee can be an impact player at both ends of the court, he just needs to become a more refined player. At times, Lee has shown that he can get in good position and make assertive, explosive moves towards the goal. With Labassiere's ability to post up and knock down jumpers, Lee should get some nice matchups in defensive rotations. He's got to be confident in attacking the goal when he gets the ball inside this year. Willis was a deep reserve on last year's squad, but brings experience and size which should allow him to compete for a few more minutes. While he's not an intimidating presence inside, Willis does bring face up shooting ability to the UK frontcourt. That could mean Calipari uses Willis in a few different situations which Lee isn't suited for. As usual, freshmen will play a huge role for Kentucky. This season, two of the newcomers appear poised to seize immediate starring roles. Skal Labassiere is a versatile, mobile and very well rounded scoring big man, and he should be Kentucky's top interior scoring threat from the moment this season begins. The Haitian center has a great feel in the paint, combining smooth footwork, soft hands and a great sense of timing and position to score in a variety of ways. With his elite leaping ability and explosive athleticism, Labassiere can score above the rim, but is also adept at playing with his back to the basket. His ability to step out and make jump shots is just icing on the cake, and Ulis should utilize Labassiere as a do-it-all threat on the pick and roll. Defensively, Labassiere is a good rebounder and terrific rim protector, and he's capable of harrying the opponent full court.

In the backcourt, Isiah Briscoe should have every opportunity to become Kentucky's leading scorer as a freshman. One of the most college-ready guards in America, Briscoe is a strong guard who knows how to play at any speed and make plays inside and out. Briscoe is a good ballhandler and is equally adept at creating his own shot and finding open looks for teammates. While he's not yet a strong outside shooter, his jump shot is becoming a weapon; and despite lacking the explosive athleticism of, say, a John Wall, Briscoe's 6'10" wingspan allows him to finish effectively around the rim. Briscoe is a willing rebounder, but his defense hasn't always been up to snuff. With the smallish Ulis at the point, Calipari is going to need Briscoe to use his size defensively to help balance things out. If all goes according to plan, Briscoe's combination of scoring and all around skill should be a great fit on a Kentucky team that must replace so much from last year.

Coach Cal welcomes three more Top 50 recruits - in what has been called, by some, a 'down' recruiting year. Jamal Murray should offer a nice contrast to Ulis at the point. Murray is a tall and lanky talent with good overall scoring skills. The Canadian combo guard can score off the bounce, attack the basket, and is becoming a more efficient deep threat. The key to Murray making a big impact right away are that he take good shots and avoid dribbling into trouble, and other such unforced errors. Murray should offer Calipari a change of pace when Ulis takes a breather - and he should see time with both Ulis and Briscoe when Kentucky needs offense, also. Charles Matthews is a talented wing scorer who brings more instant offense. A solid outside shooter, Matthews is an elite athlete capable of finishing above the rim, and he's got great awareness in transition. Simply put, Matthews is a perimeter player who likes to get his shot. He does, however, need to take better shots, and add strength in order to better finish plays in the paint. He should combine with Murray to give Kentucky great scoring punch off the bench.

Kentucky's post depth for the season go a massive upgrade - both physically and metaphorically - when Aussie big man Isaac Humphries reclassified and joined the program a year earlier than expected. Humphries exploded onto the world scene at the FIBA U17 World Championships before coming to the USA for a year of high school ball. He brings unteachable size along with good hands and a deft touch inside. Humphries can knock down short jump shots and has a good idea of how to operate with the ball once he's carved out space inside. He's not exactly explosive, though, and will have to show that he's quick enough to handle defensive assignments against more athletic players. It will be interesting to see how the minutes shake out between Labassiere and Humphries, as the two are rather different players - and it's possible that Calipari could use them at the same time for stretches. Continuing the Pacific Rim theme, Calipari will also welcome Tai Wynyard to the fold in December. While it will take him a bit longer than the other freshmen to become eligible, Wynyard should be able to bring an immediate injection of physicality when he steps onto the court. While not a freak athlete, Wynyard is a strong post player who likes to set a physical tone by getting on the glass and bulling his way to the rim for his points. Wynyard is a savvy interior scorer, and while his jump shot and ballhandling will improve in time, he's a perfect big man to bring off the bench. And if for some reason Labassiere isn't cleared to play this year, Wynyard's arrival will be hugely anticipated by Big Blue Nation.

Depth on the perimeter will be provided by one holdover and a JuCo newcomer. Dominique Hawkins wasn't one of the super-elite prospects who came to Lexington last year, but the former Kentucky Mr. Basketball is now poised to earn a more significant role. A fan favorite already who grew up rooting for the Wildcats, Hawkins is a good outside shooter: and Calipari needs outside shooting. If Hawkins can become a consistent deep threat, he'll see an every game role off the bench. Mychal Mulder is a talented wing player who was among the nation's top JuCo prospects this season. He's a very good outside shooter who should, like Hawkins, play a role due to that skill. Mulder is bigger, more athletic, and a more dangerous overall scorer, however. He's likely to push for a primary scoring spot off the bench, and if he's ready to handle the SEC defensively, Mulder could lay a lot.

YOU HAVE TO TALK ABOUT CAL'S LATE GAME STRATEGY FUCKUPS. NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING EXCEPT KEEP TRYING THE HARRISON OR HARRISON DRIBBLE PENETRATION WHICH LED TO BAD JUMPERS LATE AGAINST WISCONSIN BECAUSE BO KNOWS HOW TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AND CAL CAN'T