The big saga this offseason for the Kentucky Wildcats has been at the power forward position. Kentucky has missed on two targets at the power forward position, with the most frustrating being when Donnie Freeman chose UConn over Kentucky. The Kentucky staff felt they were in a good spot with Freeman, but he picked the Huskies over the Wildcats.
Kentucky first went back to the drawing board by landing Ousmane N’Diaye a 6’11 Senegalese power forward but now the Wildcats have added another power forward to the roster. Former JMU forward Justin McBride has picked the Wildcats.
Last season for the Dukes, McBride averaged 15.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1,5 assists while shooting 49.4% from the field and 40% from three. McBride was very efficient as a shooter from three and the field, which will make him a really good fit for Coach Pope in Lexington.
Offensively, McBride could be a star in the SEC, but I do have some questions about how he will fit in the SEC as a defender. McBride is 6’7, and it isn’t easy to play the four at a high level in the SEC at this height. McBride had a negative defensive rating in the Sun Belt, so this will be a concern at Kentucky, but his offensive game is undeniable…