In the time after Olivier Sarr and Jacob Toppin received their immediate eligibility waivers for the 2020-21 college basketball season, almost every major outlet and analyst moved Kentucky into the top ten of their latest preseason rankings. Dick Vitale listed UK at No. 5, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello said the Wildcats were a top-five team, Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today moved Kentucky up to No. 6, and Jeff Goodman – who previously had UK at No. 24 – moved the Cats up 14 spots to No. 10.
A significant jump for all parties involved, proving just how massive Wednesday evening’s news was for the Kentucky program.