The Kentucky Wildcats fell two games short of a perfect 40-0 season last year, and then lost seven key contributors to the NBA. However, John Calipari's teams don't rebuild - they reload. With another top recruiting class full of more blue-chip NBA talent, Kentucky should be at the top of the college basketball polls all season. Here are three reasons why they can hoist the trophy at the end of the year:
3) Experienced leadership
For the first time in what feels like forever, Kentucky is going to have a senior in their starting lineup in versatile forward Alex Poythress, who would've gone pro last season had he not torn his ACL in December. Sophomore point guard Tyler Ulis - all 5'9" of him - proved to be one of the best leaders in the country last year as a freshman, and he'll be the glue that holds this team together. Throw in the addition of sophomore forward Marques Lee, and this team has more experienced leadership than would meet the eye. That will play a big factor in their success early in the season.
2) More NBA lottery talent
Kentucky is now a full-blown basketball factory, and this year's freshman class is looking to make their mark on the program. Isaiah Briscoe is expected to start alongside Ulis in the backcourt, giving the Wildcats two top ball-handlers on the court together - a recipe that worked well with Ulis and Andrew Harrison last year. Jamal Murray will give them one of the most versatile wing scorers in the country, and center Skal Labissierre will follow in the path of Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel, and Karl-Anthony Towns as a Kentucky one-and-done big man that is a high NBA lottery pick.
This year's class is more offensively gifted than the players of year's past and willll need time to adjust on the defensive end. However, Briscoe and Murray give Kentucky slashers in the mold of Brandon Knight and James Young while Labissiere will provide a skilled, athletic post presence. That offensive prowess will be more than enough to carry them until their defense catches up.
1) John Calipari's greatness
Calipari's natural coaching ability often gets overlooked because of his superior recruiting prowess, but make no mistake about it - Coach Cal and "X-and-O" with the best of 'em. He has led Kentucky to three Final Fours in the last four seasons and has won over 83 percent of his games since taking over the program in 2009. Yes, he has great players (and part of his job is to get those players, after all), but it's his ability to make all of those talented NBA prospects buy in to his system and play for the betterment of the team instead of for the individual.
Expect him to do the same this year and have this team clicking like a well-oiled machine after just a few games.
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