Quick facts: Kentucky

Coach: John Calipari (first year) Last season's record: 22-14 Spotlight player Everybody is waiting to see freshman point guard John Wall. Everybody knows what to expect from junior Patrick Patterson. But the guy whose performance might make the greatest difference is freshman big man DeMarcus Cousins. He's more of a variable. Cousins has the kind of size and athleticism that makes Al Jefferson so imposing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Cousins is 6-11, 260 and looks a bit like a small forward when he's on the move. How quickly will he make an impact, though? It can be easier for a big man to handle early games, when people are pleased he's providing a presence. Executing against high-level opponents, though, can be a stretch because they'll force Cousins into defensive situations—guarding the pick-and-roll, for instance—that will be new to him. He'll need to function with an unfamiliar level of intensity. Reason to hope Like the player to whom he is commonly compared, ... (link)