2 KENTUCKY

2012--13 RECORD 21--12 SEC 12--6 (T-2ND) WHAT'S BACK MINUTES: 32.5% POINTS: 31.2% REBOUNDS: 37.3%

The Dribble Drive Motion is an offense and a brand—one that has been synonymous with coach John Calipari since his 2007--08 Memphis team dribble-drove its way to the national title game. But his offenses in Lexington have gone in different directions. "It's not the best way for every team to play," Calipari says. The 2009--10 Wildcats thrived in transition and by feeding DeMarcus Cousins in the post, and subsequent squads have gone heavy on perimeter handoffs. The Dribble Drive has only accounted for 20% to 50% of Kentucky's attack in any given season.

This could be the year the Cats rely mostly on Dribble Drive, and not just because five-star recruit Andrew Harrison is taking over at point guard. The other fab freshmen on the perimeter are equally important: Andrew's twin brother, Aaron, has a similar ability to beat defenders off the bounce; small forward James Young has been called "maybe the fastest player in college basketball" by an NBA scout; and Julius Randle has exceptional slashing and passing skills for a 6'9" forward. ("His instincts to get rid of the ball at the right time, in the right place, are ridiculous," Calipari says.) And the likely starting center, Willie Cauley-Stein, is an ideal receiver for the weakside lobs that open up when opposing bigs have to help on drivers.

The Wildcats are also likely to ramp up their relationship with the three-pointer. Last season they ranked 290th in percentage of points coming from beyond the arc, but with Young, Randle, Aaron Harrison and sophomore Alex Poythress all threats from deep, there will be ample kick-out opportunities. A Dribble Drive lineup with strong shooters will stretch defenses, open driving lanes and create breakdowns galore. It could very well yield not just the country's most efficient offense but another national championship as well.

Projected Lineup (2012--13 STATS)

PG ANDREW HARRISON†

FR. 6'6" 14.1 PPG 5.1 APG

SG AARON HARRISON†

FR. 6'6" 23.1 PPG 2.5 APG

SF JAMES YOUNG†

FR. 6'6" 27.3 PPG 14.8 RPG

PF JULIUS RANDLE†

FR. 6'9" 32.5 PPG 22.5 RPG

C WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN*

SOPH. 7'0" 8.3 PPG 6.2 RPG

BENCH

SF ALEX POYTHRESS

SOPH. 6'8" 11.2PPG 6.0 RPG

PF MARCUS LEE†

FR. 6'9" 17.7 PPG 19.5 RPG

*RETURNING STARTER

†HIGH SCHOOL STATS

COACH SPEAK

JOHN CALIPARI (5TH SEASON)

SI Does this team have a real chance of going 40--0?

JC I've had four teams that have had a chance to [go undefeated]. The '95--96 team [at UMass], the 2008 team [at Memphis], the 2010 team with John Wall, the 2012 team. Before I retire I'd like to have a team that goes undefeated. I don't start the season with that goal. I'm just saying, I'd like to have it happen. Which means you have to win a whole lot of games in a row right up front—and [this year] we're playing Michigan State, Louisville, North Carolina and Florida, twice. You're talking a lot of top teams.

SI What does Julius Randle bring to this team, behind the scenes?

JC He has a spirit—it's what Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had—that comes in and elevates practice, and he doesn't care what it looks like. A lot of guys are afraid that they're going to embarrass their teammates. I have to stop practice and say [to other guys], Don't you feel bad that [Julius is] going that hard and you're choosing not to?

Tournament Tracker

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ELITE EIGHT

FINAL FOUR

NCAA CHAMP

TITLE GAME

'09--10

'10--11

'11--12

'12--13

'13--14

PHOTO

GREG NELSON FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (MASCOT)

PHOTO

ANDREW HANCOCK FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (YOUNG)

PHOTO

PORTER BINKS (CALIPARI)

CHART