If you know me or have read any of my stuff over the past several years you know that I am a very pessimistic Kentucky basketball fan. However, I am higher on this team than I have been on any team since that fantastic 2015 squad. I think the talent on this roster is better throughout the entire rotation than arguably any team in the Calipari era. With that being said, I've seen a ton of debate online concerning who on this team have been the top dogs and who has been disappointing. I'm here to settle those debates by ranking every player on the roster 16 to 1.
pc: via Lexington Herald Leader
16. Zvonimir Ivisic
This doesn't feel fair, but Ivisic is the only player on the roster who hasn't played any minutes this season. He is still waiting for the NCAA to grant him permission to play. There's a chance that we never see him play minutes for Kentucky, as he will likely enter the draft after this season whether he plays or not. Most agree that if Ivisic is ever allowed to touch the court he will be one of the better players on the team. If I write another one of these ranking blogs later in the season I hope to see him rise up the list.
pc: Dylan Ballard / A Sea of Blue
15-11 Joey Hart, Grant Darbyshire, Walker Horn, Kareem Watkins, Brennan Canada
The walk-ons. These guys could be separated, but their differences are marginal at most. They have played garbage minutes in a few of the blow-out games. Not much else to say here, they play their role and we're happy to have them.
10. Jordan Burks
Burks has been the first guy outside of the nine-man rotation this season. The freshman has played a few minutes in several of the games, most notably his nine-minute five-point performance in Kentucky's big win over Miami. We won't see much from him this season, but he will be a guy whose role slowly increases over the years. Maybe one day Burks will be one of the better players on a Kentucky team (or he'll transfer, because that happens now).
9. Ugonna Onyeso
Onyeso is in an awkward position on this Kentucky team, but so far he has played his role well. He can't play too many minutes because he simply has no idea what he's doing on the offensive end of the court. However, the 7 footer has been a very solid rim protector in his backup minutes. In his two games played after rejoining the rotation he has averaged 2.5 blocks in only 8.5 minutes. I don't see him doing much more than what he's doing right now throughout the rest of the season, especially if Ivisic is permitted to play, but having his defense as an option is very helpful.
8. Justin Edwards
Starting with Edwards, the following eight guys are the primary impact players on this team. I would say that Edwards has been the only true disappointment on this team, but he has still been okay. He was supposed to be the stud recruit on this roster, and so far he's been almost forgettable. He's averaging a respectable 9.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per night, and his defense has been above average. I'm not sure why he has looked a step slow so far this season, but he just hasn't looked like the future star we recruited. The talent is there, but he almost looks a little out of shape at times. He's also had a really tough time shooting the three, but his mid-range shot has looked very promising. I suspect he will hit his stride at some point this season, and I'm hoping he will rise up this list by the time I write about this team again.
pc: Getty Images
7. Adou Thiero
Adou Thiero has been the feel-good story of the season so far for the Wildcats. The sophomore didn't see much action last year after being brought to Lexington as a three-star recruit. However, this year has been a very different story. He is averaging 7.6 points and 5.6 rebounds, but it has been his defense that has set him apart for this program. He is averaging a very solid 1.1 blocks and .7 steals per game, and his defensive intensity sets the pace for his team. He is a great on and off-ball defender, and has by far the most flashy defensive highlights of anyone on the team. He is still a raw talent on the offensive end of the floor, as his decision making hasn't been great, but the flashes have been there. I am very excited to see him grow as a player this season, and I hope he decides to stick around for next year.
pc: Jordan Prather/USA Today Sports
6. Aaron Bradshaw
I wanted to put Bradshaw higher, because I am of the opinion that he's one of the more impactful players on the team when he's at his best. However, in his four games played so far he's only been at his best twice. He is averaging 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. These averages are skewed by his two poor performances, because in Kentucky's game against Penn he put up 17 points, 11 boards, and 3 blocks. He finds himself in foul trouble very often, which is something he will have to work on throughout the year. He takes himself off the floor too much, which is the primary reason why he's sixth on this list. If he can figure this out I think he finishes the year as a lottery pick and one of the three best players on this team.
pc: Dylan Ballard / A Sea of Blue
5. DJ Wagner
Wagner has been very up and down this season, which is why I can't put him any higher than fifth on this list. At his best you could argue he's the most impressive player on the team, and at his worst it looks like he shouldn't be on the floor. He is incredibly talented, but he has a long way to go to reach his full potential. As of right now he's averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. His shooting splits haven't looked great, but he has been a pretty solid finisher around the rim. He is also one of the many solid playmakers on this Kentucky team. He is a tenacious defender who doesn't get into foul trouble. This should tell you just how talented this Kentucky team really is, because a guy like Wagner being the fourth best guard on your roster is something that no other team in the country can claim.
pc: Dylan Ballard / A Sea of Blue
4. Rob Dillingham
Rob Dillingham was a wildcard coming into the season and he's still a wildcard today. When I say a wildcard I mean it in a good way, he really is a player who is impossible to scout. He still plays like a high-schooler who has been given the green light to do whatever he wants, and somehow he's making that work at a college level. He's averaging 14.2 points, 4.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals a night. He is shooting incredibly well from three, and his surprise athleticism allows him to operate above the rim. He's a solid playmaker, as he's only averaging 1.6 turnovers in relation to his good assist numbers. So far he's been a pesky defender, something not many were expecting from him. All in all, he's been one of the best players on this team, and if he can continue playing at this level he will be a top contributor all season.
pc: via Sports Illustrated
3. Tre Mitchell
Mitchell came into this year as the unsung transfer out of West Virginia, but so far he's been incredible. His veteran presence shows on the floor, as he's having the best year of his career. His calm, cool, and collected playstyle is very valuable on this team full of young and inexperienced players. He's averaging 13.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. He can score from anywhere on the court, but if you leave him open I swear he shoots 100%. He can play both forward positions and center, and his versatility has taken pressure off of guys like Bradshaw and Reeves. He's THE glue-guy on this team, and I really hope he gets draft looks when the season finishes up.
pc: via Lexington Herald Leader
2. Antonio Reeves
The team's leading scorer, Reeves has stepped up big time in his final year as a Wildcat. Averaging a stellar 18.3 points per game, Reeves knows his role on this team. He doesn't do much other than score, but he does that at a high enough level to land him at the two spot on this list. He's shooting a great 54.5% from the field and an incredible 52.3% from three. He has held the offense together with his scoring all season. When everyone else is struggling I can guarantee you that Reeves is going to get buckets, and that's so important at the college level. You could argue that he has been the best player on this Kentucky roster so far this season, but I don't think you can argue that he's been the most valuable. That title belongs to the player who's holding the top spot on this list.
pc: via 247 Sports
1.Reed Sheppard
This was a no brainer for me, Reed Sheppard has been THAT good. I don't think I've ever seen a freshman more ready for higher level hoops than Reed Sheppard. He's the offensive hub for this Kentucky team with his ability to control the flow of the game through his passing and lack of turnovers. He's the best on-ball defender on the team BY FAR, averaging 2.8 steals per game. He's also contributing a block a night as a small guard. What truly separates him from the rest is just how he gets his 12.6 points per game. He's shooting nearly 60% (58.5%) from the field, and just when you thought that was good, he's putting up an insane 57.8% from three. When you throw his 89.5% from the free-throw line in the conversation you see a guy who has a legit chance at finishing with a 60-50-90 season, that doesn't happen. He's not only the most valuable player on this Kentucky team, he's one of the most valuable players in the country.
pc: Dylan Ballard / A Sea of Blue
So there it is, that's how I would rank the Kentucky basketball roster as of today. I would like to reiterate that I think this team has more talent than any team in the country, and is one of the most talented teams I've seen in the talent filled Calipari era. I still wouldn't pick them to win it all because of their head coach, but this team has as good of a chance as anyone. I'm excited to see where they go, and I'm really hoping I don't have to write an angry blog when this team loses early in the tournament in March.