Kentucky basketball: A look at each player’s role in NCAA play
Isaiah Briscoe
Class: Freshman
Position: Guard
Height, weight: 6-3, 202
Key stats: 9.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.3 apg
Briscoe has an uncanny knack for scoring and rebounding around the basket. He had 13 games of six or more rebounds. He can dish off the drive or finish, scoring double figures 16 times. His point guard skills allow Tyler Ulis to play off the ball at times. His assists went up as the season progressed. His Achilles’ heel is inconsistent shooting.
Tourney role: A tough player who defends and plays fearlessly. Needs to make foul shots.
Dominique Hawkins
Class: Junior
Position: Guard
Height, weight: 6-0, 190
Key stats: 2.2 ppg, .762 FT pct. , 6 turnovers
The injury bug seems to always hit Hawkins when he is on an uptick. He has shown he can deliver in the clutch, as a freshman defensively in the NCAA Tournament and this year scoring 13 points against Louisville. He is a steady hand, strong defender and is even more dangerous when hitting shots.
Tourney role: He has proven he can come up big on center stage. That might be needed at an unexpected time.
Isaac Humphries
Class: Freshman
Position: Forward
Height, weight: 7-0, 260
Key stats: 2.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 16 blocks
Humphries was somewhat of a pleasant surprise. He added muscle inside and a mid-range shooting touch. While he did not play in 12 games, he played well in the Duke win and had 12 rebounds at Texas A&M. He also blocked four shots against Georgia. He is often used when opponents are playing physically.
Tourney role: If called on, he needs to rebound and provide inside muscle and toughness.
Skal Labissiere
Class: Freshman
Position: Forward
Height, weight: 6-11, 225
Key stats: 6.5 ppg, .517 FG pct., 53 blocks
Labissiere started the first 10 games and was expected to be a team foundation but the physical and mental maturity did not match the high expectations. In SEC play, he made 30 baskets in the first 16 games; 13 in the final two. Late in the year, he showed a nice jump shot and the ability to block shots, which is what attracts NBA scouts.
Tourney role: The team’s makeup and ceiling change dramatically if his late-season surge continues.
Marcus Lee
Class: Junior
Position: Forward
Height, weight: 6-9, 224
Key stats: 6.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg; .681 FG pct.
Lee scored in double figures in eight of the first 13 games, but only twice after that. He started 20 games. The team’s top rebounder, he struggled at midseason but finished with 13 games of eight or more rebounds. He is effective on the offensive boards, and his dunks can ignite the team.
Tourney role: He needs to bring energy. A 10-rebound game from him is big.
Charles Matthews
Class: Freshman
Position: Guard
Height, weight: 6-6 , 189
Key stats: 3 starts, 1.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Matthews provides versatility off the bench. With his athletic ability, he can guard several positions and can be effective in transition. He played in every game and 10 or more minutes in 18 games. He scored in double figures once.
Tourney role: Matthews is called on to provide defense and hustle plays.
Jamal Murray
Class: Freshman
Position: Guard
Height, weight: 6-4, 207
Key stats: 20.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .421 3FG pct.
An outstanding scorer from the outset, Murray’s offensive efficiency improved as the year progressed. Not only a shooter, he can score in a variety of ways. He set a UK freshman record with 16 20-point games. He is one of the top scoring guards in recent UK history but the rest of his game also made great strides.
Tourney role: UK needs him to score big without a high volume of shots. He can carry a team offensively.
Alex Poythress
Class: Senior
Position: Forward
Height, weight: 6-8, 230
Key stats: 10.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, .610 FG pct.
The goods news is Poythress can put up a 20-point, 10-rebound game against any team. The not-so-good news is sometimes his numbers show little. He is the team’s top post player, is a versatile defender and can be a beast on the boards. He is the team veteran, and can be the X-factor moving forward.
Tourney role: The good Alex can be a nightmare matchup for opponents. UK needs that.
Tyler Ulis
Class: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Height, weight: 5-9, 160
Key stats: 17.2 ppg, 7.2 apg, .856 FT pct., 36.9 mpg
Ulis is a national player of the year candidate who won the same award in the SEC, as well as defensive player of the year. The team leader, he disrupts opponents with his ball-hawking, distributes the ball on offense and has a deadly mid-range jumper. His 3.8/1 assist-to-turnover ratio speaks volumes. He scored 22.8 ppg against ranked teams. Few UK point guards ever had a more productive season.
Tourney role: Don’t change a thing. He needs to keep playing as he has all year, with a high basketball IQ.
Derek Willis
Class: Junior
Position: Forward
Height, weight: 6-9, 220
Key stats: 8.0 ppg, .436 3FG pct., .914 FT pct.
When Willis took on a more prominent role, the team seemed to find itself. His ability to hit the three-pointer (seven vs. Tennessee) stretches the floor and opens up the lanes for the UK guards. He is a good athlete who has shown he can finish strong in transition. He must defend and rebound.
Tourney role: It is important that his growth and confidence continue in tourney play. He gives this team an added dimension.
Rounding out the roster
Jonny David: 6-2 freshman guard
EJ Floreal: 6-4 junior guard
Mychal Mulder: 6-4 junior guard
Dillon Pulliam: 6-3 sophomore guard
Tai Wynyard: 6-10 freshman forward
This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 9:37 AM with the headline "Kentucky basketball: A look at each player’s role in NCAA play."