Kentucky basketball: Starting lineup options for next season

Kentucky coach John Calipari talks to his players during the second half of the NCAA Midwest Regional Final on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. Auburn beat Kentucky, 77-71, in overtime. (Rich Sugg/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /

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ST CATHARINES, ON – JUNE 12: Tyrese Maxey #9 of the United States dribbles the ball during the first half of a FIBA U18 Americas Championship group phase game against Puerto Rico at the Meridian Centre on June 12, 2018 in St. Catharines, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Plan B

Point guard: Ashton Hagans
Shooting guard: Tyrese Maxey
Small Forward: Kahlil Witney
Power Forward: Jaden McDaniels
Center: Nick Sestina

There is one big difference between Plan A and Plan B, and that involves the fact that Hampton didn’t come to Kentucky. This isn’t a big shock since another school on Hampton’s list is Kansas, which offers a much clearer path to playing time at the point than Kentucky.

While losing a guy like Hampton would be enough to make most coaches break out in nervous sweats, Kentucky can simply insert an extremely talented sophomore into its lineup with Ashton Hagans. Hagans was a solid contributor for the Wildcats this season, averaging 7.7 ppg and 4.3 assists per game, numbers that could increase with more talented teammates around him.

Kentucky would still roll out a lineup with three stud freshmen in this case, with McDaniels committing to the Wildcats on the belief John Calipari can make him a surefire lottery pick in the 2020 draft. The Wildcats would be ridiculously talented, but not nearly as talented as they would be if Hampton came with him.

Simply put, this is the nine out of ten option for Kentucky as opposed to a ten out of ten with Hampton. There’s very little downside for Kentucky even if Hampton goes elsewhere.