ESPN analyst very high on UK’s new guards; predicts intriguing starting lineup

With three former five-star prospects and two former four-star prospects in Kentucky’s guard rotation this year, it’s not hard to see why anyone would think Kentucky’s back court will be one of the best in the country next year.

But ESPN’s Paul Biancardi vocalized his belief that Kentucky has a strong back court while on the air for Kentucky Sports Radio (which was being hosted by his colleague Jay Bilas) on Monday.

Biancardi had nothing but great things to say about a back court that will feature Immanuel Quickley, Ashton Hagans, Quade Green, Tyler Herro and Jemarl Baker.

Biancardi is especially high on Herro, who keeps getting buzz as the team’s best shooter next year.

“Herro, he’s the shooter of this class in terms of making a 3-point shot,” Biancardi said. “Great elevation and he’s, in my mind, got the best middle game coming into college. Inside the arc, outside the paint, this guy has a tremendous pull up game. He’s going to get Calipari buckets. He’s the guy you want to run off screens and Quickley’s the guy that’s going to find them. It’s a very good combination.”

Hagans is his favorite, and the guy who he thinks will start at the point next year.

“But the guy for me, they just got, is Ashton Hagans, who reclassified from 2019 to 2018,” Biancardi said. “He’s a bullet. He’s speed in the open floor. He’s a great two-way player. Point guard as well. They’re going to be really deep next year at that point guard position. Ashton Hagans is going to be outstanding for them.”

Biancardi said he’d guess that the starting back court will consist of Hagans, Herro and Keldon Johnson on the wing.

That’s two five-stars and a four-star that is regarded as one of the top shooters in the class, with two five-stars and another four star coming off the bench. There’s not been a lot of buzz a Herro as a potential starter this season, but he would certainly help space the floor more for a lineup that figures to have PJ Washington and Reid Travis down low, not to mention two attacking guards in Johnson and Hagans.

There may be better back courts based off experience, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better back court than that based off of talent.

You can read the full transcript of Biancardi’s KSR comments here.

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