Jared Carter

Height, weight: 7-2, 270

Class: Senior Hometown: Georgetown

Role: He can be an X-factor or he can be a "why" factor (as in, why isn't he more productive?)

Coach Billy Gillispie says: "We're finally starting to see the hunger he needs to play with to be what he can be. ... We're expecting a lot from him and we need to get a lot from him. If we do, we'll have a very good interior rotation."

Patrick Patterson says his Afro might be intimidating to opponents. Bangs and a nice smile aren't really all that scary. Have you considered changing your appearance in some way to add an intimidation factor? (Smiles) No, not really. That's a pretty extreme measure. If I did, I'd probably shave my head into a mohawk and grow a beard. Get a tattoo or something.

Does an intimidating appearance help a player be more effective on the court? It depends on how good the guy is. Not how he looks. But by how strong he is. How big he is. You get a big muscular guy in there, that's kind of intimidating. But hair-wise or beard-wise, I don't believe in any of that stuff, really. It's the guy's personality.

Whether you look like a biker or an altar boy, Billy Gillispie wants you to be more aggressive on the court. Do you think you can be more effective by being more assertive? He's right. Big Blue Madness kind of sparked my interest a little bit. I'm just real excited to come to practice every day and give it my all.

Does it take a mean personality to play effectively? I think it does. It does take a mean person to be a post player in the SEC.

Surely confidence plays a role in a player's performance. How comfortable do you feel going into your fourth season with UK? I feel very comfortable. I know what to expect. ... I go into the season confidently.

What difference do you think that can make? I know what to expect from the fans. I know what to expect playing in Rupp Arena. I know how crazy it can get. I know the hype. I know how fans can be up and down on you. I think (that experience) can help my game.