Kentucky Wildcats Power Index: 30.5*

The Wildcats may seem down based upon the self-inflicted struggles they endured last season, but Tubby Smith has more than enough talent to make a run toward New Orleans. Keith Bogans has the ability to dominate games, and needs only to restore his confidence to be among the nation's best players. Bogans has the ability to hit shots, but is at his best when he attacks the basket and sets up his shot through his drive. If Bogans lives at the free throw line during his senior year, he could be SEC Player of the Year and Kentucky will have a great season. Kentucky will again have some size, with Jules Camara, a long and athletic shotblocker; Marquis Estill, a solid low post scorer and shotblocker; and Chuck Hayes, an undersized power forward who is efficient and tough. But the Wildcats will not have the depth of size they had last year. Smith must play without a true point guard, with Cliff Hawkins suspended until the second semester, and he will have to use junior college star Antwain Barbour or Gerald Fitch as the primary handler. Barbour is a scorer, and can really get into the lane off the bounce. He can shoot it, and he is a solid competitor. Fitch is an outstanding offensive rebounding guard that can score around the basket, but is better working off the ball. Kentucky does not have the depth of size it did last year, but this team will be quicker, more athletic and play together better than last year's Sweet 16 team. Don't be surprised if Kentucky wins the SEC, because this is the type of team that Tubby Smith can mold. -- Jay Bilas

Toughness: 4.5
Kentucky's toughness has to come from the inside-out. That means Camara must be more of an intimidating factor along the back line and Estill needs to be more of a punishing post player. Hayes, probably the toughest player of the bunch, needs to pass his interior, undersized mentality to his taller teammates. Bogans can tough to defend, but he can't let his mental toughness wane if he is off from the perimeter. Role players like Fitch, Erik Daniels and newcomers Kelenna Azubuike and Barbour are still works in progress in the toughness category. If Cliff Hawkins gets eligible, he certainly could add some perimeter toughness with his willingness to take and make tough shots.

Talent: 6.2
The Wildcats added two of the most coveted wings in Azubuike and Barbour, so the talent dropoff from Tayshaun Prince isn't far. But losing Marvin Stone and Jason Parker hurts the inside game. Estill and Camara still aren't consistent inside threats. Hawkins is a scoring point, but until he returns the Wildcats will be using a collection of combo players like Daniels, Fitch and newcomer Brandon Stockton to bring up the ball. The Wildcats could have scoring droughts if Bogans, Barbour and Azubuike are off, but this team will go as far as its defense can lead it in a tough SEC East.

Tourney Tested: 6.1
Kentucky doesn't get rattled on the road, at a neutral site or in March. But the Wildcats do get beat if they don't play smart down the stretch. The Wildcats ran into a more determined Maryland squad in the East regional last season. In March this season, they'll need to display the hunger they showed in road games (see: at Florida) last season. If Kentucky plays with more urgency it usually prevails. This team will be a work in progress and if Smith and the Kentucky faithful is patient, they've got a shot to make a Final Four run.

Schedule: 7.3
Kentucky's name means it's not going to go soft on the non-conference schedule. The Wildcats are in the Maui Invitational and that means likely games against Arizona State, likely Virginia and possibly Gonzaga or Indiana. Going to North Carolina is never easy, nor is playing Tulane in New Orleans, Michigan State, Indiana, Louisville on the road or Ohio University. Playing all but the last three without Hawkins means the Wildcats could see more losses before New Year's than they're used to in Lexington. But it doesn't mean this team still can't make a run in March.

Xs & Os: 6.4
Smith will need to coach two teams -- one without Hawkins and one with him, presumably, in the second semester. It will force Smith to lean on some players that he might take minutes away from when the SEC schedule rolls around. Balancing egos and ensuring chemistry will be his toughest challenge this season, not finding ways to score or stop the dribble penetration. If he can figure out this bunch then any chaos he experienced in the offseason will seem like another lifetime.

-- Andy Katz

ESPN.com's Power Index is based on a 10-point scale in each of these five categories: Toughness, Talent, Schedule Strength, Tournament Tested, Xs & Os. Teams are scored based on returning players, coaching staffs, a program's past performances in the regular season and postseason, as well as expectations heading into the 2002-03 season.