True to his style, John Calipari will trot a roster littered with freshmen into the PMAC Tuesday when his Kentucky team tangles with LSU at 8 p.m.
But in a relatively new wrinkle, the Tigers will counter with youth of their own.
In all, six freshmen play more than 20 minutes per game for the two teams. The Wildcats’ top four scorers are all freshmen, while the Tiger duo of Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are the second and third leading rebounders for LSU.
Kentucky freshman Julius Randle — pegged as the Southeastern Conference Preseason Player of the Year — is one of Kentucky’s five McDonald’s All-Americans and is averaging a double-double in SEC play.
But it’s been the seemingly unheralded James Young who’s paced the Wildcat offense in conference play, pouring in 15.2 points per game.
Off the bench for LSU, Martin and freshman guard Tim Quarterman continue up-and-down seasons that have seen flashes of young brilliance coupled with head-scratching decisions that remind all they’re just a year removed from high school.
Here’s a look at the impact of freshmen for both teams leading up to Tuesday’s contest.