table of contents
SCHEDULE
BREAKDOWN
11 08 13
UNC ASHEVILLE RUPP ARENA LEXINGTON, KY 7:00 P.M.
Illustration: Jody Beamer | Underground Design
11 10 13
N. KENTUCKY RUPP ARENA LEXINGTON, KY 4:00 P.M.
THE TIME IS NOW THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED 2013-2014 CAMPAIGN BEGINS
Cover Photos: Tessa Lighty | Staff
11 12 13
MICHIGAN STATE UNITED CENTER CHICAGO, IL 7:30 P.M.
13
INSIDE: 7 | Sponsor Message 8 | Player Profile: Willie Cauley-Stein 9 | Player Profile: Julius Randle 10 | Player Profile: Aaron Harrison 12 | Breaksown: UNC Asheville
11 17 13
WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUE NKU FACES TOUGHEST CHALLENGE IN THEIR DIVISION I HISTORY
SORRY, SPARTY JAMES YOUNG LOOKS BEYOND HIS MOME STATE FOR BLUER PASTURES 17
11 19 13
14 | Breakdown: Northern Kentucky
TX-ARLINGTON RUPP ARENA LEXINGTON, KY 7:30 P.M.
16 | Breakdown: Michigan State 17 | Sorry, Sparty: James Young 18 | Breakdown: Cleveland State
11 CLEVELAND STATE 25 RUPP ARENA 13 LEXINGTON, KY 7:00 P.M.
MR. WILDCAT
19
RUPP ARENA LEXINGTON, KY 7:00 P.M.
13 | The time is now: 2013 begins
15 | Welcome to the big league, NKU
15
REMEMBERING BILL KEIGHTLEY: THE KEIGHTLEY CLASSIC
ROBERT MORRIS
11 27 13
E. MICHIGAN RUPP ARENA LEXINGTON, KY 4:00 P.M.
19 | Mr. Wildcat: Keightley Classic 20 | Schedule rundown 22 | In Action: Must-see UK Basketball Photos 29 | WCS & Alex: Sophomores return 30 | The Texas Trio 31 | Big Blue Madness 33 | It’s a numbers game
Volume 1 | 5
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player profile
Last season, Willie Cauley-Stein was called upon to fill the void left by an injured Nerlens Noel, and he answered the call. Averaging 31 minutes and three blocks per game, Cauley-Stein showed the Big Blue Nation that he should not be overlooked. This season, he and fellow sophomore, Alex Poythress, look provide experience and leadership to a grossly-talented squad of Cats.
PHOTO | MATT BURNS | STAFF 8 | B Three
Julius Randle came to campus as the most heralded player in the Cats’ 2013 recruiting class, ranked No. 2 by Rivals.com recruiting experts. Randle is well suited to pull up and make a 15-foot jumper, but his money will be made on the block, where he can use his strength and athleticism to overwhelm the competition.
PHOTO | UK ATHLETICS
Volume 1 | 9
player profile
One half of a dynamic duo, Aaron Harrison looks to immediately impact this year’s team with his ability to score from anywhere on the floor. Anywhere. Harrison can flat out shoot it from range, and his muscular 6-foot-6-inch frame allows him to finish at the rim. Undersized guards beware.
PHOTO | EMILY WUETCHER | STAFF
10 | B Three
Ethan Hyman | Raleigh News & Observer | MCT
Breakdown: 11.08.13
UNC ASHEVILLE
HEAD COACH
NICK MCDEVITT
BULLDOGS
The emotion of opening night will allow the Cats a comfortable victory...
6-foot-10 senior D.J. Cunningham has shown the ability to produce at the Division I level. Cunningham started 15 games and averaged 7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season after sitting out the 201112 season with a knee injury. Junior centers Jaleel Roberts and Chudier Pal have yet to get large chunks of playing time at UNC Asheville. Roberts has played in 28 games in the past two years and Pal originally signed with the Bulldogs but was
12 | B Three
NR forced to the community college route before returning to Asheville. The Bulldogs leading returnee is guard Trent Meyer, who was the team’s leader in three-pointers made and had four 20-point or more games as a junior. But the 6-foot-2 senior struggled with consistency shooting the basketball. Meyer struggled against more athletic, talented teams last season, like NC State (3-for-11 shooting in an 82-80 loss) and Ohio State (0-for-6 shooting from three in a 90-72 loss). Junior guard Corey Littlejohn is a little undersized to play the shooting guard spot at 6-foot-3, but the Columbia, S.C. native started three games in the final month of the season and averaged 10 points per game in the final five games of the 2012-13 season. Littlejohn made six of 12 three-point shots in those five contests. McDevitt’s squad has the size and potential to be dangerous in conference play. But in November in Rupp Arena, the Bulldogs’ resolve and toughness will be tested quickly. The difference in talent between Kentucky and UNCA should easily be enough to give the Cats the edge. The emotion of opening night will allow the Cats a comfortable victory and the fans to get a good look at the entire roster against someone other than themselves.
NICK GRAY
PROJECTED
STARTING 5 GUARD
TRENT MEYER GUARD
COREY LITTLEJOHN FORWARD
WILL WEEKS FORWARD
SAM HUGHES CENTER
D.J. CUNNINGHAM THE EDGE > KENTUCKY
UNCA Athletics | uncabulldogs.com
The University of Kentucky begins the 2013 basketball season on Nov. 8 when UNC Asheville visits Rupp Arena. UNC Asheville is going through a period of change with the hiring of a new coach. Nick McDevitt was a guard from 1997 to 2001 with the Bulldogs under longtime coach Eddie Beidenbach, and was an assistant on Beidenbach’s staff for 12 years before Beidenbach stepped down.
AP RANKING
Emily Wuetcher | Staff
After a tumultuous end to last season, and an unprecedented incoming freshman class, anticipation for the 2013-2014 edition of the basketball Cats is at a fever pitch. And after what feels like the longest offseason, they’re back. Coach Cal’s crew is ready to get on the court and remind the nation that UK has the greatest tradition in college basketball, and that title won’t be relinquished anytime soon. Let the revenge tour begin.
JODY BEAMER Volume 1 | 13
Eamon Queeney | Columbus Dispatch | MCT
Breakdown: 11.10.13
NORTHERN KENTUCKY
HEAD COACH
DAVE BEZOLD
NORSE
Northern Kentucky is entering just its second year in Division I in 2013. The Norse are not to be taken lightly, however, as they had a very productive first year as a D-I school. After beginning the 2012 season with a six-game losing streak, which included three losses by six points or less, NKU would eventually find its stride with the help of a talented senior class. They finished with an 11-16 record, going 9-9 in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
AP RANKING
NR contributor to the Norse offense. Last year he averaged 10 points and more than 5 rebounds a game. The rest of NKU’s roster will need to step up to fill the void left by Jackson’s redshirt. Look for sophomore foward Jalen Billups to play a key role in this, as the sophomore was off to a great start last season before being sidelined for the rest of the year with a medical condition involving his heart. Billups averaged 10.3 points in eight games and led the team in rebound average with 5.7
PROJECTED
STARTING 5 GUARD
JORDAN JACKSON GUARD
[UK] should not have too many problems matching up with NKU’s young roster...
TYLER WHITE GUARD
The senior class was led by point guard Eshaunte “Bear” Jones, who averaged 15.7 points per game. Jones played for the University of Nebraska for two years before going to NKU in 2011. Jones also led the team in shooting percentage beyond the arc with 39.1%, and had an overall field goal percentage of 42.9%. For 2013, senior guard Chad Jackson elected to redshirt his final year of eligibility in hopes of competing in the NCAA tournment next season. Jackson will be sorely missed, as he looked to be a lead
14 | B Three
boards. He was selected to be the Atlantic Sun’s preseason first team. UK’s top draft-class should not have too many problems matching up with NKU’s young roster (only three upperclassmen on the team), but a team from the Atlantic Sun Conference should no longer be considered a no-talent team. Remember fellow A-Sun team Florida Gulf Coast University’s magical run in the 2013 NCAA Tournament?
KEVIN ERPENBECK
FORWARD
JALEN BILLUPS FORWARD
JACK FLOURNOY THE EDGE > KENTUCKY
NKU Athletics | nkunorse.com
TODD JOHNSON
This year marks NKU’s second season since moving up to Division I competition. So, how will they celebrate? Well, by traveling to play the No. 1 team in the country on Nov. 10. The Norse won a surprising 11 games last season, though they didn’t play anyone with the firepower that the Cats currently have at their disposal. Their roster is still transforming into one that can consistently compete at the Division I level, and it shows in their average size. NKU doesn’t have a player taller than 6 feet, 7 inches, which will be a problem going up against a UK team with six such players. This one won’t be much of a contest, as anticipated. But for the Norse to play their biggest in-state foe so early in their Division I development says a lot about their willingness to grow as a top-level basketball program. The scoreboard may not show it, but a lot of people in the Bluegrass will be interested in this one.
DAVID SCHUH Illustration: Jody Beamer | Underground Design
Volume 1 | 15
Kirthmon F. Dozier | Detroit Free Press | MCT
Breakdown: 11.12.13
MICHIGAN STATE
HEAD COACH
TOM IZZO
SPARTANS
16 | B Three
#2 ly 13 points per game last season and was named the Big 10’s freshman of the year. Many experts see Harris as one of the best shooting guards in the country. Currently, Harris is nursing an ankle injury he suffered about a month ago, but should be ready to go for the Spartans’ season opener, and will most certainly be ready
PROJECTED
STARTING 5 GUARD
GARY HARRIS UK’s third game of the season looks to be a showdown of epic proportions.
GUARD
KEITH APPLING GUARD
DENZEL VALENTINE to play for the Champions Classic. UK will have their hands full when they head to Chicago on Nov. 12, as Izzo’s veteran group will be amped up to defeat the young class of the Cats. UK head coach John Calipari and Spartans’ Izzo have traded verbal barbs during the offseason in light of their matchup. UK’s third game of the season looks to be a showdown of epic proportions.
KEVIN ERPENBECK
FORWARD
BRANDEN DAWSON FORWARD
ADREIAN PAYNE THE EDGE > PUSH
Michigan State Athletics | msuspartans.com
Michigan State University figures to be one of UK’s toughest nonconference opponents this season, as the No. 1 Cats will face the No. 2 Spartans in the third-annual Champions Classic in Chicago, Ill. The perennial Big 10 Conference championship contenders enter the 2013 season with virtually the same starting roster they had a season ago when they went 27-9 and finished with a Sweet 16 appearance. Only center Derrick Nix is missing from this year’s roster, as he graduated last season and went on to play for Slovenia after failing to be drafted in the NBA. One key return for the Spartans is senior center Adreian Payne, who opted to return to MSU instead of entering his name into the NBA draft. The 6-10 big-men was the team’s leading rebounder in the 2012 season, averaging 7.6 boards per game. Payne can also shoot from beyond the arc, averaging 38.1% from the three last season. Senior point guard Keith Appling looks to make a big impact again this season after averaging 13.4 points per game in 2012, which was the most on the team. Appling was voted MSU’s MVP by the media last season. He is ranked the sixth best point guard in the nation by Lindy’s College Basketball Magazine. Last year’s freshman sensation Gary Harris also forwent his chance at playing in the NBA to return for another season under head coach Tom Izzo. Harris averaged near-
AP RANKING
Freshman guard James Young had a difficult decision to make just over a year ago. The Rochester, Mich., native had offers from UK, Kansas, Syracuse and hometown Michigan State. We all know he chose the Cats, but the Spartans had to have been an attractive destination. As the preseason No. 2 team in America this season, Michigan State bolsters one of the most experienced teams in the country. When UK and MSU square off in the United Center in Chicago on Nov. 12, it will be Young’s homecoming in a lot of ways. It will also be one of the most anticipated games of 2013, and for James Young. And in it, he will be wearing blue.
Tessa Lighty | Staff
DAVID SCHUH
Volume 1 | 17
Julian H. Gonzalez | Detroit Free Press | MCT
Breakdown: 11.25.13
CLEVELAND STATE
HEAD COACH
GARY WATERS
VIKINGS
Cleveland State is probably best known for producing current Miami Heat guard Norris Cole. Cole is the only Viking player to be drafted in the NBA since the mid1980s, and the only modern player to have NBA success. The point: Cleveland State does not have a broad history of producing proffesional talent, and that will likely show when they take on the University of Kentucky Wildcats on Nov. 25. Both teams will be young. The Cats roster turnover and #1 recruiting class are well-doc-
AP RANKING
NR be on the court much if any. UK’s guards are taller than the Viking forwards; UK fowards taller than Viking centers; UK centers are in their own league. Cleveland State will be facing an uphill battle. But do not write them off. In 2008, they beat then #11 Syracuse during a regualr-season matchup, and in the 2009 NCAA tournament, the Vikings upset 4th-seeded Wake Forest. Regardless, look for the Vikings to struggle to defend the bigger, stronger Wildcats.
PROJECTED
STARTING 5 GUARD
BRYN FORBES GUARD
Norris Cole Ain’t walking through that door.
CHARLIE LEE GUARD
umented, but the Vikings, too, lost much of their previous season’s production and, will be relying heavily on fresh faces to compete. 60-percent of CSU’s scoring is gone, so sophomore forward Anton Grady will be needed to step up this season. Grady is expected to have a breakout year, and when he takes the floor at Rupp Arena, he is likely to be the closest the Vikings can offer to matching the talent that Kentucky will have. But no one should hold their breath. The tallest CSU player is 6-foot-10 Ismaila Dauda, and the B3 staff doubts he will
18 | B Three
If they have any hope in the game, it will be from behind the arc. 3-pointers will be a neccessity for the Vikings if they intend to score enough to hang around. They also may look to employ a non-tradition zone defense, i.e. a Box-&-1, should UK’s guards have succes of their own from three. B3 editors project the Cats to win by a large margin. Norris Cole ain’t walking through that door.
JODY BEAMER
FORWARD
ANTON GRADY FORWARD
MARLIN MASON THE EDGE > KENTUCKY
CSU Athletics | csuvikings.com
SEBASTIAN DOUGLAS
Archive Photo
Prior to traveling to Lexington, Cleveland State will face three other UK opponents in Texas-Arlington, Eastern Michigan and Robert Morris as a part of the Keightley Classic. The Keightley Classic is named after former UK basketball equipment manager Bill Keightley, who served teams from the 1960s until his death in 2008.
NICK GRAY Volume 1 | 19
REMATCH ROBERT MORRIS | NOVEMBER 17
Hello again, Bobby Mo. On the third Saturday in November, UK welcomes its 2013 NIT opponent into the friendly confines of Rupp Arena. You may recall that this particular NIT opponent was able to win the previous matchup, capping UK’s lack-luster season with a loss. Robert Morris fans, Louisville fans, and pretty much fans of every tean not named “Kentucky” lost their minds like they had just witnessed the birth of their first child. So it’s easy to see how Cats fans are eager to get a little revenge on ol’ Bobby Mo. And you know what they say — ”Revenge is a dish best served with a side of Julius Randle.” When the Patriots step onto the floor at Rupp, they are sure to be greeted with extra enthusiasm from the crowd. And they earned it. Many enjoy a good “David vs. Goliath” story. The tale of an underdog triumphing in spite of his diminutive strength is one that inspires hope. UK fans, however, are not amused. As one fan on Rivals.com’s popular “Rupp Rafters” message board states, “I want to beat the hell out of Robert Morris.” It’s that simple. No underdog story. No triumphant David. Not again, anyway. On the third Saturday in November, look for Goliath to get his revenge.
JODY BEAMER 20 | B Three
THE MAVERICKS TEXAS-ARLINGTON | NOVEMBER 19 The University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks are coming off a 19-14 season and a trip to the College Insider.com Tournament. The Mavericks are playing their first season of Sun Belt
Conference basketball after one season in the Western Athletic Conference. UT–Arlington is coming off back-to-back postseason tournaments for the first time in program history.
Coach Scott Cross is entering his eighth season, and has the task of replacing four seniors.
GARY HERMANN
EMU EAGLES
EASTERN MICHIGAN | NOVEMBER 27 Eastern Michigan defeated Purdue last season, the bright point for a team that finished 16-18 in the 2012-13 season. That includes a 52-point loss to UK in January. The Eagles had two dou-
ble-digit per game scorers last spring, and one of them, forward Glenn Bryant, returns. The 6-foot-8 senior scored 10.6 points per game for the Eagles last season, second on the team.
Senior Daylen Harrison is the only other returnee who averaged more than 6 points per game last year.
NICK GRAY
Top Left: Genevieve Adams | Kentucky Kernel, Top Right: Emily Wuetcher | Kentucky Kernel, Middle: Ron Jenkins | Fort Worth Star-Telegram | MCT, Bottom: Mark Cornelison | Lexington Herald-Leader | MCT
News
in action
22 | B Three
FRANCHISE
FACES John Wall drives past Brandon Knight during the UK’s alumni basketball game in Rupp Arena, pitting two of Kentucky’s best former point guards against one another. PHOTO | ELEANOR HASKEN
Volume 1 | 23
in action
FUN & GAMES
Brian Long, Tod Lanter and E.J. Floreal get in a quick chuckle while Sam Malone poses for pictures just out of frame — at UK’s media photo day on September 12. PHOTO | JODY BEAMER
24 | B Three
Volume 1 | 25
in action
26 | B Three
CASUAL MONDAY
UK head coach, John Calipari enjoys a dresseddown affair during the University of Kentucky’s alumni basketball game in Rupp Arena on Monday, September 9, 2013. PHOTO | ELEANOR HASKEN
Volume 1 | 27
WORDS | NICK GRAY
In 12 months, sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein evolved from a raw ex-high school football player to an experienced forward with preseason accolades and high expectations. His progression, spurred by a teammate’s mishap, has been quick. Cauley-Stein, who missed four games after a knee procedure, started in the place of forward Nerlens Noel in the final nine games last season after Noel tore his ACL in a game against the University of Florida. Noel’s injury forced Cauley-Stein, who had been averaging 20 minutes per game, into the lineup without a true backup. “I’m not trying to be nervous; I’m trying to establish me. But I had to take on a role that Nerlens had to do and it changed my whole game,” Cauley-Stein said. “Before he went down, I was doing what I did and I could show what I could do and show how my game is an asset to the team.” Cauley-Stein began the season substituting for either then-sophomore forward Kyle Wiltjer or Noel. He posted double-digit point totals, including two double-doubles, in four non-conference games. The 7-foot forward returned with the Cats in their second game with Texas A&M University, playing four minutes in the overtime victory. Cauley-Stein’s first game logging a large amount of minutes came three days later at home against the University of South Carolina, where he scored 13 points and had six rebounds in 22 minutes in UK’s victory. Cauley-Stein also posted a 12-point, four-rebound effort in a win over the University of Auburn. The Florida game then followed, Noel was lost for the season and an already thin frontcourt was shortened to a three-man rotation.
Wiltjer played at power forward throughout the season, and 6-foot-7 forward Alex Poythress often shifted Wiltjer down to center when Cauley-Stein was taken out of games. The situation forced UK head coach John Calipari to make a decision: did he want to stretch Cauley-Stein’s minutes and risk fatigue late in the game, or play his other two forwards out of position? No matter which choice Calipari made, his numbers told the same story. Cauley-Stein’s per-game statistics surged after Noel’s injury, due to him picking up 11.4 minutes per game in the nine games after Florida. Cauley-Stein’s talent and production led scouts to grade him as a first-round pick going into the summer. But the Olathe, Kan. native decided to stay. Cauley-Stein said he has seriously thought about the NBA twice since the end of last season, including while he was watching the NBA Draft. “Two days after the draft, I was thinking ‘Oh my gosh, I should have went into the draft,’” Cauley-Stein said. “But after I got back on campus and started to work on the team, we have got a crazy opportunity and chance to be real special, and I am glad to be a part of it.” Cauley-Stein’s preseason started with 18 stitches in his right hand after an injury during the first day of practice on Sept. 27. Cauley-Stein said the injury occurred when he tried to block a shot at the rim, and he practiced for the first time in more than two weeks. But Cauley-Stein is focused on what happens on the basketball court. “Cal has already said ‘Do what you feel comfortable in doing,’” Cauley-Stein said. “And that’s my plan.”
PHOTO | TESSA LIGHTY
A statistically sub-standard freshman year helped UK sophomore forward Alex Poythress make a decision to come back to UK for another season of basketball. The Clarksville, Tenn., native worked all offseason to improve his game after a season in which he was named to the Freshman All-SEC team but his team struggled, losing in the first round of the NIT. The 6-foot-9, 239-pound forward said he set out to improve his outside shot and his offensive aggressiveness over the offseason. “I’ve tried to improve my mid-range game. I think my shot has gotten more consistent. I’m always around here shooting, shooting around the horn and shooting with Willie (Cauley-Stein). I think (my shot) has gotten better,” Poythress said. “I’m learning how to drive past people better. I’m just being more active out there.” UK head coach John Calipari said confidence was a big part of Poythress’ successes and failures last year, and that the forward has come back this preseason much more confident and comfortable. “His head is up, he’s looking me in the eye. I think he’s more confident. He’s ready for the year,” Calipari said. “When you look at his numbers, as a freshman in this league, you say he had a hell of a year for a freshman. But this is Kentucky. This is a different animal, there’s nothing like this. There’s never been anything like this. Everyone is held to a different standard.” When the Cats struggled last season, Poythress’ numbers dipped. Poythress took three shots each in conference losses to the University of Alabama, the University of Arkansas and the University of Georgia. In the Nov. 29 loss to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Poythress took one shot in 23 minutes. He averaged 13.1 points and seven rebounds per game in wins, but struggled in losses, averaging 7.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 12 defeats. But Poythress had his run of solid statistical games early in the season, including a stretch of four games in which he scored 20 or more points and shot 50 percent or better. Three of those games were non-conference victories at home and the fourth was a 75-68 loss to No. 9 Duke University in the Champions Classic in Atlanta. Calipari applauded Poythress’ intent to get better. “Now, what happens to him is he comes back and he knows he has to change. It’s part of the growth. Can you imagine how happy I’d be if I had guys for three or four years?” Calipari said. “Each of these kids are on a different timeframe.” Volume 1 | 29
a deeper look
WORDS | JODY BEAMER
30 | B Three
ILLUSTRATION | ANDREW JOHNSON
According to the internet (Wikipedia), football is considered “king” in the state of Texas. But in 2013, Rivals’ placed 11 players from Texas in their top 150 high school senior basketball rankings. Three of those 11 were among the top seven ranked. Three of those three went to UK. Julius Randle (Rivals’ #2), Andrew Harrison (#5) and Aaron Harrison (#7) all decided to play basketball at the University of Kentucky. It just goes to show that when it comes to recruiting, John Calipari does it better than anybody. Luring Texas’ best away from Texas: just another notch in Cal’s belt. ***** When they say everything is bigger in Texas, they may be referring to UK’s “Texas Trio.” Julius Randle comes in at 6-foot-9 and weighing 250 lbs. And all that size comes with a heap of athleticism to boot. It’s safe to assume that he will excel in the field of dunking very hard on opponents’ heads. The Harrison twins both mea-
sure in at 6-foot-6. Combine that with Andrew’s vision, Aaron’s silkiy shot and their super psychic twin telepathy, and you’ve got the most formidible backcourt this side of the Rio Grande. And the other side, too. The players are bigger in Texas, but the basketball is not. That belongs to Kentucky. ***** Worry not, native Texans. The prodigal sons will return to you soon. When Kentucky takes on Baylor University in Arlington on Dec 6, 2013, Randle, Harrison and Harrison will return to the Republic to remind the local Texas team what could have been. If the Cats live up to all the lofty expectations, the three will get another chance to return for the 2014 NCAA Final Four at AT&T Stadium. USA Today is reporting that Cowboys and Big 12 officials estimate close to 80,000 fans will be in attendance. The Cats can only hope to do it big in the state with the reputation for doing the same. Did someone say 5-Star State?
Volume 1 | 31
a deeper look
WORDS | DAVID SCHUH
32 | B Three
PHOTO | ELEANOR HASKEN
It seems like every year, fans walk away from Big Blue Madness wondering if it could possibly be topped the following year. Big Blue Madness gets bigger and brighter every time. This year it was a giant, rotating video screen above center court. It was the men’s roster being lifted out of the floor onto stage as their first introduction to their adoring fans. It was also their warm-up suits, bedazzled in glowing numbers. Head coach John Calipari began the night with his “State of the Big Blue Nation” address, complete with presidential teleprompters on a stage decorated with national championship trophies. Oh, and there was also some basketball to be played. You can never really take the first scrimmage of the year with any seriousness, but it is a first look at the new player’s athleticism and poise. Freshman forward Julius Randle is, as advertised, a complete player. At 6 feet 9 inches and 250 pounds, he showed the mobility and ball skills of someone, well, not 6 feet 9 inches and 250 pounds. He’ll take advantage of mismatches in nearly every game the Cats play. Senior guard Jarrod Polson seems poised to take on the role of backup point guard. Polson showed quality dance moves as he arose from the Rupp Arena floor and as well as confidence when playing against the best freshman point guard in America. Sophomore forward Willie Cauley-Stein was sporting a couple of new accessories. First, a nice set of cornrows fit well for the Kansas native. He also sol-
diered what looked like a glove on his stitched right hand. He played a bit tentative because of it. There were several other newcomers on the court, notably freshman forward Marcus Lee, who put his jumping ability on display with a couple big blocks and soaring dunks. Freshman guard James Young played big for his 6-foot-6 frame, but didn’t do much in the half-court offense. Maybe that’s because it was a unstructured scrimmage that didn’t matter, or maybe the young Darius Miller comparisons are accurate. We’ll just have to wait and see on that one. We’ll also have to wait and see on everyone. Big Blue Madness is a showcase, with emphasis on the show. As Calipari spewed his manifesto to 24,000 receptive admirers in the stands, several high school seniors sat courtside. “If you want to be developed as an NBA player, if you want to be developed as a person of character, you come here,” Calipari said. “Every team we play will be more experienced than us. But if we become one unit, play with one heartbeat and a love for one another, we will become unbreakable.” That is a personal recruiting pitch to every high school basketball player in the country. Calipari has gotten top recruits to show up to Big Blue Madness each of his five years in Lexington. And each time, many of them have turned into the ones dancing on stage with fireworks blasting overhead. If the past is any indication, the 2014 installment will be bigger and better than Friday night.
Volume 1 | 33
interesting stats
IT’S A
#NUMBERS GAME
34 | B Three
Willie Cauley-Stein averaged more than 31 minutes per game last season after the season-ending injury suffered by Nerlens Noel. In those games he averaged three blocks, bolstering a weakened front court and bringing hope for an electric future. Cauley-Stein was a multisport athlete until arriving in Lexington last summer. John Calipari says the 7-foot, 244-pound big-man understands how far he has come in his first season focusing solely on basketball, and he understands how far he needs to go.
The number of tents at BBM campout
The record for attendance at Rupp Arena is more than
The estimated number of public basketball courts in Lexington, college basketball’s capital city. Jarrod’s got a new number.
Volume 1 | 35