Column: Should John Calipari mess with Kentucky's starting lineup or keep it the same?

Should John Calipari change Kentucky's starting lineup?

We are deep enough into the 2023-24 Kentucky basketball season that we know a ton about this team. 

One interesting detail of this Kentucky team is two of its best three players, Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, come off of the bench. 

We have gotten to a point of the season where it seems like Kentucky's best lineup is Sheppard, Dillingham, Antonio Reeves, Adou Thiero, and Ugonna Onyenso/Zvonimir Ivisic which ever one of these two is playing well. 

Justin Edwards has been playing better basketball since missing time with an injury, and DJ Wagner had a good game against Mississippi State. 

This brings us to the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and perhaps this is the case for this team, but let's talk about different options.

When it comes to starting Wagner and Edwards over Dillingham and Sheppard, I don't hate it if one or both Wagner and Edwards do something silly; Coach Calipari will just put in Dillingham or Sheppard. 

We have seen these two go in with 18 minutes left in the first half in some games. My feeling on this is it's more of a mojo thing rather than hard-hitting analysis. Dillingham and Sheppard have done an excellent job coming off the bench and lighting a spark. 

You could also argue that if these two started, Kentucky wouldn't get down early like we saw against Mississippi State.  

When it comes to the center, I am to the point where I think it might be time to start Ivisic. Onyenso was supposed to be the more physical man down low, but against Mississippi State, Tolu Smith pushed him around. Ivisic gives you a lot more offensive upside and seems to be just as good of a shot blocker.

I would also be okay if Ivisic became a guy who comes in with Dillingham and Sheppard a few minutes into the game. 

You could have a long back-and-forth conversation about the starting lineup, but pulling Wagner and Edwards could hurt their confidence with March nearly here.  

The issue for Kentucky is they have so many really talented players, and there are only five starting spots. I like how Coach Calipari has handled the starting lineup so far this season, but if you are a believer that others should mix into the lineup, I 100% see where you are coming from. 

When Tre Mitchell is back from his injury this will make this debate even more difficult. 

With all of this talent, no matter who starts, this team is capable of making a Final Four run.