Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Is John Wall really Kentucky's best freshman?

We've gotten on DeMarcus Cousins quite a bit this season.

Ranging from his defensive focus to his maturity to his intensity during games, it seemed early in the season that Cousins, despite being supremely talented, had yet to tap his full potential as a player.

And if he does, the results could be terrifying.

Cousins is currently averaging 15.2 ppg and 9.0 rpg, which are more than respectable numbers alone. Now consider that he is putting up those numbers while playing just 18.7 mpg.

That's scary.

Statheads will love DeMarcus Cousins.
(photo credit: KY Sports World)

Cousins is leading the country - not just freshman, the entire country - with 32.5 points per 40 minutes and 19.2 rebounds rebounds per 40 minutes. Over his last five games, those numbers increase to 40 points and 24.3 rebounds per 40 minutes. That's absurd.

Granted, the last five games have been against so-so competition, and in two games against ranked teams, Cousins had just a combined 15 points and 15 boards in 38 minutes.

But keep in mind, we are not only talking about Kentucky's second best big man, this is also their second best freshman.

Not bad for a third option, at best.

Kentucky may very well be the most talented team in the country. The sky is the limit for the Wildcats.

1 comment:

Kyle said...

We all know Kentucky is going 40-0 and getting title number 8, but where do you them next year? Even if they land Knight/Selby and Leslie/Jones, that still leaves them pretty thin considering Patterson, Cousins, and Wall are likely gone. Are those two recruits, plus Stacey Poole, and Bledsoe, Liggins, Miller, Dodson, and Orton good enough to contend next year?