What Kentucky, John Calipari must do to make deep run in 2024 NCAA Tournament

Kentucky fans are quite pleased with their NCAA Tournament draw, but now that there’s a path, what are the keys to the ‘Cats actually advancing to an Elite Eight or Final Four?

Kentucky Sports Radio’s Nick Roush joined Andy Staples during Wednesday morning’s On3 YouTube show to discuss just that. Roush believes UK can count on its star players to come through, but it will be the performance of some of the other pieces that he thinks could determine Kentucky’s ceiling in March.

“Some of it is just, how well do the complimentary players play?” asked Roush, pointing to two specific guys. “When you saw them at their worst against Texas A&M, Justin Edwards and Adou Thiero combined for nine points, Justin Edwards didn’t hit a 3.”

For Edwards, it was an uncharacteristic outing compared to his prior month of play, where he had really turned a corner, averaging 11.6 points per game on over 60% shooting from the field and 55% from 3 before going o

“He had been on a heater to end the year,” said Roush. “Four out of those last six games were double figures, he knocked down a bunch of 3s against Tennessee. I think he plays a significant role.”

If Edwards can return to that form after a clunker in Nashville, and Thiero can keep bringing his infectious energy, then this UK team does have the horses to make a deep run.

“It’s that Adou Thiero and Justin Edwards combination at the 3/4 spot. How reliable are they both defensively and offensively? The guys who have given Kentucky trouble are those stretch fours, so I think those guys play a huge role for Kentucky.”

But that wasn’t Roush’s only key to a successful few weeks ahead, as he believes, like the rest of the UK fanbase, that the starting lineup probably ought to change.

“It’s been the biggest talking point of the year, and I think Calipari might finally be ready to wave the white flag and say ‘alright, guys, you might be onto something here.’ The starting lineup, it’s just been an issue. You don’t need to dig yourselves into early holes.”

Kentucky starts DJ Wagner, Antonio Reeves, Justin Edwards, Adou Thiero and Ugonna Onyenso. But it’s just a lineup that hasn’t worked, especially offensively, leading to a slew of early deficits throughout the year for the Wildcats.

Roush knows that keeping the faith in Justin Edwards as a starter ultimately led to an awesome breakout for him, but even with his improved play, the lineup as a whole just doesn’t really mesh well together.

“Cal was right when it came to Justin Edwards. He doesn’t want to give up on guys, and it worked on Edwards,” said Roush, but still insisted Kentucky is starting the wrong lineup.

“But you’re a point now, where that five that starts the first half and second half, they never play again, they only start for like three minutes. So you’re just wasting time. There’s no time to waste. It’s March.”

Thankfully for Kentucky fans, John Calipari has hinted at switching things up heading into the NCAA Tournament, but we’ll all just have to wait and see on Thursday night.