06 Freshman Faces - The 06-07 Roster

A first look at Jodie 'we'll see' Meeks. (I'm brainstorming for a better nick)

While Kentucky loses guards Patrick Sparks and Rajon Rondo, there are still plenty of guys on this team who participated in Kentucky's 04-05 Elite Eight run. Sheray Thomas, Bobby Perry, and Lukasz Obrzut are Tubby's leading Seniors this season, and Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford,and Randolph Morris are Juniors. Center Jared Carter is the only sophomore on this squad as six new freshmen complete this bunch of Wildcats.

The preseason is over and tomorrow night the Wildcats open up at Rupp against Miami (OH), so I thought I'd review Kentucky's two exhibition games while introducing the six new faces in Lexington this year.

In Kentucky's first exhibition game, they handled a Lindsey Wilson team very easily dropping 94 in their first action of the new season. They outscored LW 56-14 ITP (in the paint),and 18-2 FB (fast break) while shooting an impressive 71 percent second half and 64 percent for the game. Five freshmen combined for 33 pts - Meeks 17 pts 4 reb, 28 min.

In their final exhibition game against South Carolina Upstate, the Wildcats shot a respectable 47 percent from the field for an 81-50 win. SC Upstate played the Wildcats much closer in the second half but Joe Crawford was hot for 17 pts, 6 reb, and 29 min. Meeks and Stevenson combined for 24 pts - Stevenson however added 9 rebounds, 5 blocks, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Kentucky +27 rebounding in those two games. I hope this carries over into this season. Here's how the freshmen faired.

⊗ Mark Coury - F, 6-9, 239 from West Bloomington, Mich - played at same high school and program as Chris Weber and Shane Battier
Preseason: 1 reb, 10 min
⊗ Derrick Jasper - G, 6-6, 213 from Paso Robles, CA - Adidas Super 64 MVP, averaged 21 pts, 7 rebs, 7 assts
Preseason: 15pts, 7 grabs, 8 shares, 51 min

⊗ Jodie Meeks - G, 6-5, 206 from Norcross, GA - Led Norcross High School to class 5A title scoring 32 pts and 6 rebs and averaging 23 ppg his senior season
Preseason: 30 pts, 7 grabs, 6 shares, 50 min

⊗ Dwight Perry - G, 6-0, 185 from Durham, NC
Preseason: 1 min

⊗ Michael Porter - G, 6-2, 180 from Modesto, CA - averaged 16 ppg, 41% from three point land, 115-23 as high school starter, 3-time All-State, 4-time All-District, led the same Modesto Christian High School attended by Wildcat favorite Chuck Hayes to state title in 04, also played football - two-time all-state selection
Preseason: 8 pts, 7 grabs, 6 shares, 30 min


⊗ Perry Stevenson - F, 6-9, 178 from Lafayette, LA - 05 Hall of Fame Game MVP, avg'd triple double his junior and senior season in high school
Preseason: 13 pts, 13 grabs, 8 stuffs, 44 min