Could Kentucky basketball run the platoon this season?

The Wildcats have the depth to run a blue and white team.

Lance Dawe | Aug 24, 2023

Could Kentucky basketball run the platoon this season? /

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Kentucky Wildcats

This is a fun exercise to try out every offseason.

Kentucky basketball consistently has one of if not the best roster in all of college basketball year in and year out. The Wildcats also consistently have depth at most positions, allowing them to really get deep into their rotation.

Coach Calipari hardly ever does it, considering the Wildcats are 227th or worse nationally in bench minutes in 11 of his 14 seasons at UK. The possibility is still there.

This year's story has been an interesting one. The Wildcats didn't have more than seven scholarship players for what felt like the majority of the offseason, then suddenly a flurry of recruiting and a transfer portal addition gave Kentucky the depth they need to take on the SEC in 2023.

With legitimate two-deep depth at every position, could UK run the platoon this season?

Here's how we think it could look:

Point Guard

- DJ Wagner

- Rob Dillingham

Wagner would start for UK with five-star Dillingham backing him up. Great depth at the point for the Wildcats.

Shooting Guard

- Antonio Reeves

- Reed Sheppard

Reeves will likely lead the team in scoring, and Sheppard will likely lead the Wildcats in "do-it-all guy" status. Sheppard and Dillingham as a backup backcourt is extremely fun.

Small Forward

- Justin Edwards

- Adou Thiero

This is where UK could switch things up to keep them more balanced. Thiero could legitimately start with Edwards coming off the bench and splitting minutes.

Power Forward

- Aaron Bradshaw

- Tre Mitchell

This could also be swapped at the beginning of the season. Calipari and Bradshaw both confirmed that Aaron would be playing at the 4 for the Wildcats. Mitchell can swap between forward and center.

Center

- Ugonna Onyenso

- Zvonimir Ivisic

Ivisic could easily start here in our minds. Sure, he's not played American basketball before, but he's almost 20 and already has professional experience. His versatility could allow UK to place himself and Mitchell on separate platoon squads.

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Published Aug 24, 2023

LANCE DAWE