UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY JUNIOR GUARD RHYNE HOWARD HAD ONE OF THE BEST SEASONS IN PROGRAM HISTORY LAST YEAR AND THE STAR IS ALREADY EARNING PRESEASON PRAISE AS THE 2020-21 SEASON DRAWS, earning preseason first-team All-America honors by Lindy’s Sports — University of Kentucky junior guard Rhyne Howard had one of the best seasons in program history last year and the star is already earning preseason praise as the 2020-21 season draws, earning preseason first-team All-America honors by Lindy’s Sports, the publication announced recently.
On top of Howard’s All-America honor, Lindy’s Sports selected its preseason top 25 listing the Wildcats at No. 11. It was an impressive 2019-20 season that concluded with UK ranked No. 16 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 18 in the USA Today/Coaches Top 25. The Wildcats were ranked inside the top 20 of both rankings all season long, peaking at No. 11 in both polls in mid-January.
UK finished the 2019-20 shortened campaign with a 22-8 record, securing its 20th 20-win season in program history and its 10th under head coach Matthew Mitchell. The Wildcats also earned 10 wins in league play for the 10th time under Mitchell. Prior to Mitchell's tenure, Kentucky had never won 10 wins in league play. UK also finished top four in the SEC for the 11th time under Mitchell securing a top-four seed in the SEC Tournament for the 11th time in program history and 10th time under Mitchell.
The Wildcats will return a large portion of their production for 2020-21 even with the departure of five seniors. The Wildcats will return their top two and five of their top seven scorers from last season while also bringing back its top two rebounders. The Wildcats will also add 2019 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Dre’una Edwards and a talented group of newcomers to the roster this season.
