I realize I've been hitting you (Chris or John Wall?) over the head with all of this UK related blogging, but it really is a story that has shaken up the college basketball landscape. In all likelihood, parity may soon be a lost art. The top six (Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, Duke and UCLA) all seem to be in perfect hands for the next 15 to 20 years. I will be the first to concede, as much as I love him, Coach K may be the first to slip. I suspect the black dye may be seeping into his brain. UCLA was the first to begin slipping in the late 90's under the direction of Steve Lavin, but have entrenched themselves as a national power under the direction of Ben Howland since 2003. North Carolina then began to slip in the early 2000's with Matt Doherty at the helm, but quickly turned things around with the hire of Roy Williams and a national championship in 2005. Indiana fell back during the loss of sanity years of Bobby Knight, the tenure of Mike Davis (despite a Final Four), and now the violations under Kelvin Sampson. They appear to be headed in the right track with the _______ (insert word here Jameson Sax) hire of Tom Crean.
Kentucky's departure from the top began in Tubby's last years as he brought in two abysmal recruiting classes in 2003 and 2005. A guy named Clyde was hired and stuff happened that I'm too happy to discuss at this point. But now, by all indications the perfect storm could be brewing in Lexington, Kentucky.
Several weeks ago, Sax hit you with an entry discussing the incredible recruiting class Calipari was set to bring in at Memphis. It included already signed Xavier Henry (Rivals #3, Shooting Guard #1), recent verbal commitment Demarcus Cousins (Rivals #2, Center #1), and the possibility of landing John Wall (Rivals #1, Point Guard #1), a Memphis-lean at that point. That's what we in the business like to call a trifecta, or menage a trois. Calipari would have been bringing in the top three ranked players in a class - a feat never before accomplished. However, Tyreke Evans was likely gone to the NBA and Memphis' prospects for next season would have been high on potential, but ultimately an uknown in terms of team success.
Calipari's move to Kentucky now raises some very important questions in the Bluegrass that could have national implications. Kentucky desperately needs a point guard, and all would have to believe Calipari will be making a hard push for Wall to join him in Lexington. Wall originally was interested in Kentucky, but cut the school from his list when he narrowed it to four. Most likely Wall will rethink NC State, and consider his recent offer from Duke, but Kentucky should be somewhere on his list. Wall would start from Day 1 and be playing in a system designed for talents like his. If Cal is able to wrangle Wall into the Bluegrass over the next few days, Kentucky is immediately better next year and contends for the SEC crown.
Xavier Henry signed a letter of intent with Memphis, but it contained a clause that granted his release if Calipari were to leave. Cal's left, and so has Henry by all indications. His parents stated Cal contacted them and wants Xavier and his brother to join him at Kentucky. Henry will also take a long look at Kansas again, as that was his other top choice, and both of his parents attended, but his decision will be either Kansas or Kentucky. Henry's choice might be the most complicated with Jodie Meeks obviously occupying the two spot next season. It would mean less shots and less time for Henry. He would start right away at Kansas, but Lance Stephenson's decision could also play a factor. He is looking at Kansas and is a very similar player. This should be an interesting development over the next few weeks.
Finally, Demarcus Cousins was a verbal commit, but has re-opened his recruitment. Cousins is an important player because he would give UK a four that was capable of handling the ball on the perimeter, a key for Cal's system. He would open things up for Patterson in the middle and would likely start from Day 1. Cousins may be looking at Alabama now with the hire of Anthony Grant, and he's also mentioned Washington. Cousins would play facing the basket at UK, an asset that could prove critical to his success at the next level. That might sell him on UK. Beyond that he once listed UK as a consideration and has visited the Elite Camps held by a former coach in the summers.
If Cal is able to pull all three, unlikely, but still worth considering, the perfect storm may have brewed. They would join Daniel Orton (Rivals #22, Center #3) and Jon Hood (Rivals #32, SG #6) and form an unbelievable class. This top recruiting class (certainly of the year, certainly of the decade, maybe of all time) would be joining two legitimate first-team All-American candidates in Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks. Shots would be limited, and they may need two balls to play with, but it is still a possibility. If that were to happen my psychiatrist would need to triple my daily dose of diazepam.
Now, why is it unlikely? It's just hard to imagine that actually happening. UK is limited on scholarships this year, and though, obviously there will be major roster overhauls, I don't see all three wanting to come here not knowing for sure the minutes or shots they could possibly get. It certainly does help that UK is receiving crazy attention on ESPN, and hopefully is discussed at the McDonald's All-American game tonite. If I'm Cal I get all three, or at least two of three in a room together, on campus, and sell them on the idea of starting together along with two other great college players.
If it happens - which I can concede is a slightly big if - to quote Gregg Doyell from CBS, "heaven help anyone who gets in our way."
Now, please let me know in the comments if I'm crazy and already need to double my dose of diazepam.
The Kentucky Wildcats are the 2011-12 National Champions. After knocking off rival Louisville in the Final Four and then topping Kansas in the championship game, the Wildcats took home title number eight. It was an incredibly impressive season for the Cats. They began the 2011-12 campaign as the co-favorite (along with North Carolina) to win the title. With the Tar Heels stumbling in the early going, John Calipari's squad was pretty much the best team in the country from beginning to end. Kentucky dropped a game at Assembly Hall in Bloomington to the Hoosiers in December and lost a second game in the SEC tourney against a Vanderbilt team it had already beaten twice before. Outside of those two hiccups, UK was dominant from start to finish. Anthony Davis was the best player in the country and one of the best defenders the college game has ever seen. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, one of the country's fiercest competitors, had a spectacular freshman year in his own right. Terrence Jones failed to live up to his preseason accolades but put together a very solid season. Doron Lamb continued to be one of the craftiest scorers in the NCAAs. Darius Miller provided savvy veteran leadership, became one of the college ranks' most dependable crunch-time performers, and proved to be a player capable of playing at the next level. While Marquis Teague struggled in the early part of the season, he finished the year as the National Champions' very capable floor general. And Calipari, regardless of what his detractors may say about his methods and his vacated trips to the Final Four, put together one of the five best coaching jobs of the 2011-12 season. Sure, he had a ton of talent, but he also molded a group of freshmen and sophomores into a championship caliber team in about eight months. And he had this group of future first-round picks playing selfless, ego-less basketball. The Wildcats' chemistry was undeniable. They put forth as much effort on defense as on offense. They deferred to one another, seemed to genuinely enjoy playing with each other, and improved as the season progressed. And then, after the Cats put the finishing touch on their masterpiece of a season, Lexington went apeshit.
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