Harris. Stevenson. Patterson. Meeks. Liggins.

Very interesting comments. Meeks I believe is the key. Because of Jasper, I think his point guard skills were not developed. Remember, he came to KY as a combo guard. Now we have a coach who is looking for a “lead guard” who can score, hit 90% of his free throws and force a defense not to slack off him like they did Jasper. He may not be quick enough to play the point. He certainly is fast enough and can dribble, although i think Coach will want to see the ball passed up the court not deliberately dribled up the court. Liggins or Galloway will have to score and hit free throws in order to keep their jobs.

Meeks at the point permits, Miller to play the #2 and Stevenson to play the #3. Patterson can dominate the #4, but may have to play the #5 against North Carolina, TN and the ‘ville. I think we will see Liggins and Galloway in the exhibition games and the first game, but against NC, I think this lineup could cause NC trouble, if we can keep up with their team speed, UK will be bigger and stronger. I’m, of course hoping that Josh can also play well at PF.

Finally, can you imagine wearing a team down with a lineup like this and then bringing in the following lineup depending on the score:
PG: Liggins
SG: Meeks/Galloway
SF: Harris
PF: Stewart
C: Patterson/ Carter

Like I said, the best depth in a long while and a coach willing to move players around to meet the “teams” needs.

we will ever see a lineup with a PG/SG/SF/PF/C.

Coach G uses the high/low motion and is recruiting to fill that offensive scheme. The offense is very effective and the “parts” are very interchangeable.

LG: Galloway/Porter and, eventually Liggins.
Wing: Meeks/Williams
Wing: Harris/Miller. When Liggins takes over at LG, Galloway will also play wing.
Post: Patterson/Stewart
Post: Stevenson/Harrellson

I hope Carter gained confidence with his trip to Africa and can give a few quality minutes. I also hope that Krebs and Slone can get a few minutes.

The depth and the addition of long, athletic slashers will make this an interesting season. This is a team that will add a new meaning to “40 minutes of hell.”

Look at his UTEP, TAMU, and now UK teams.

He plays 7 or 8 guys A LOT and the other 5 or 6 VERY LITTLE.

His starters average 25 to 30 minutes PT and the 2 or 3 key reserves average 15 or 20 minutes PT. The other players get (about) 10 minutes per game TOTAL (not each).

Pitino played a longer rotation (10 players) whereas Tubby played 8 or 9 players. Gillispie plays a shorter totation than either.

5 years of the same thing.

Don’t see how UK situation in 2008 season would have impacted his prior 5 years.

Gillispie had full rosters at those 2 TX schools (and then some).

He plays 7 or 8 guys.

I agree while PT is important for establishing a starting unit, I think during the exhibitions and VMI, we will see all sorts of combinations. After the NC game we will see other combinations before Louisville. Here is the place to see if Stevenson, Harris or Stewart can really playr the wing and if Meeks can play the LG. After all Meeks is the second smallest player on the roster. If Meeks, Miller/Williams, and Stevenson are quick enough to play down a slot from their normal position, I think we could cause NC , Louisville and TN trouble. If not, I think we will have to rely on too many inexperienced freshmen. The bench will make or break us this year. This is why Porter, Galloway and Liggins have to get used to playing the wing as well as LG and we need not just a good, but a great year out of Harrellson. A lot of substitutions early in the year are going to be important to get us ready for March.

“Gillispie had full rosters at those 2 TX schools (and then some).”

I agree the rosters were full at UTEP, then A&M , however, the talent levels of those full rosters were nothing like Coach G will have for this season.

Last season with injuries, the roster was “short.” This will really be his first year as a Head Coach with an abundance of the kind of players he seems to prefer!

Yes, Coach has a “history” of playing 7 or 8 guys……..let’s see if the same holds true with the increase in talent AND depth.

That being said, hard to have much of a rotation over 9 players. Will be interesting to “watch and see.”

First of all it is refresshing that Coach is very honest with everyone about how he coaches. Practice produces who starts and the amount of playing time. While this may seem so fundamental, I think many coaches settle on their starting line-up and try to coach the indivduals based on the talent they will face. I think Coach G. is harder to prepare for because he can throw seveal variations of players at you.

So Here is what I see. Four players, based on experience and raw talent will be in the rotation. Perry Stevenson, Ramon Harris, Jody Meeks, and Patrick Patterson. This does not mean they will start, but I believe they will get a lot of playing time. Then we have five players who are possible to make the 7-9 man rotation. These players bring a high level of credential, but are untested in the thin air of Kentucky basketball. They are Darius Miller, Kevin Galloway, De Andre Liggins, Donald Williams (if he is on the squad) and Josh Harrellson. I am not sure all of these men will make the rotation. That leaves us with three very questionable players who are going to demonstrate a radical change in their game to make the rotation and not just be practice meat. They are Michael Porter, A.J. Stewart and Jared Carter.

Of course injuries can move people up and down the 7-9 man rotation. I see us loaded with wings. If someone will step up and be an offensive threat, while dishing out numerous assists and hitting their free throws, the LG position will be theirs.

If someone asserts himself as a dominate post player and takes the pressure off of Patterson, I think the position is theirs. It will be most interesting watching this drama unfold. I know they all will try their hardest. Go CATS!!!!!!