What's Next for the Cats?

First off, I would like to address a small portion of Kentucky fans, but mostly the group of non-Kentucky fans and their opinion on "one and done" players and those whom may question Calipari's recruiting strategy.

Before Kentucky fans worry (or rival fans get excited) about Kentucky being a one year stop for the NBA, consider this:

In Calipari's 20+ years of coaching, up until this season, he has recruited a total of FOUR "one and done" players. That's it. Just 4 (which actually ties the number of this season's team). This season was an incredibly unique situation and Kentucky fans do not need to worry about this happening on a consistant basis. At Memphis, Calipari's best teams were veteran teams. He mixed one or two talented freshman in with 3 and 4 year veteran players and went to Final Fours. Soon enough, that will also happen at Kentucky. With what was left here for Calipari, he had no choice but to have a freshmen led team this season.

It took a very talented and special recruiting class (maybe the best of all-time) to bring the excitement back to Kentucky basketball.

Mission accomplished.

Now, that the excitement is back and the program is back to the national level that we expect it to, Calipari can now build this program like he has been doing for over 20 years: with a good mix of veteran and young, talented players. They'll have that next year with the return of Darius Miller, DeAndre Liggins, and Darnell Dodson mixed in with Stacey Poole and Enes Canter (4 and 5 star recruits whom have already signed with the Cats) as well as hopefully Brandon Knight (an "A" student and #1 recruit in the country), Josh Selby, Marquis Teague, Terrence Jones, C.J. Leslie and Doron Lamb.

The upside to this year's batch versus last years is that none of these guys look like automatic lottery picks next year, besides maybe Brandon Knight and Josh Selby. Last year's class was special, but will not be the norm by any means here under Calipari. Do not expect another mass exedus like this, probably ever again. What you can expect is for a couple of talented 3 and 4 year guys to emerge out of this year's recruiting class and for current Cats' Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins to have a Senior Day ceremony at Rupp in 2 years from now (and maybe Dodson too if he stays put). The 35-3 season that we enjoyed in 2009-2010 is only the beginning of the Calipari era, and I'm incredibly excited for the next group of guys to come in and continue right where we left off this season.

Brandon Knight is planning on making his decision exactly one week from today, on April 14th. When it's all said and done, I believe Calipari will have a top 15 team again next year on just his 2nd year on the job. Best of luck and much thanks to Demarcus, Patrick, John, Daniel, and Eric for bringing back the excitement of Kentucky basketball. When this program gets back to the Final Four and wins a National Championship, we will not forget the efforts of these young men and their part in the miraculous turnaround of Kentucky basketball in 2010. You will be missed and your time here was very appreciated.

Early Season Notes: On the court and on the recruiting trails.

#1 Kansas barely escaped Memphis in Josh Pastner's head coaching debut in an ugly shooting, offensive struggle for both teams.

#2 Michigan State almost lost as well, at home to Gonzaga.

#3 Texas won big, but only against Western Carolina.

And of course, #4 Kentucky squeaked past a smokin' hot-shooting Miami (Oh) team at the buzzer.

The only conclusion that I can come up with at this early stage of the season is that there aren't any dominant teams at this stage. There is no team that will dominate an entire season like North Carolina did a year ago as the pre-season #1 and eventual National Champion. Kansas and Kentucky obviously both have the talent to be very dominant towards the middle and end of the season, but they aren't there yet. I do not think the rankings should change that much, however, until these teams lose a game. They're all up there for a reason: their talent. No, Kentucky hasn't proven anything. But nobody has proven anything at this point of the season, so talent is all you can really go by.

Most impressive teams early on: Tennessee and Memphis

Why UT? Because anytime you win 124-49 in a regular season game, it raises eyebrows, even against UNC Asheville. The Vols could be a legit National Championship contender.

Why UM? Because not only did they almost knock off the #1 team in the nation in Pastner's first game, but on the very next day....Pastner signed the #1 recruiting class in the country so far in the early signing period for 2010. Memphis will remain a national power. A disciple of Coach Cal at Memphis, Pastner could be the game's best young coach and also a phenomenal recruiter. To put things into perspective of how young Pastner is, he was a walk-on player for the 1997 Arizona team for Lute Olson that defeated Kentucky to win the National Championship. Just think, Pastner being a head coach for a major D-1 program would be like Ron Mercer already being a big time head coach.

Speaking of recruiting, the Cats did not sign any additional players this week and are not expected to anytime soon. Rivals.com 4-Star Forward, Stacey Poole, remains the Cats' lone commitment at this point. However, the top 4 unsigned players in the nation are all strongly considering the Cats (Brandon Knight, Josh Selby, C.J. Leslie, and Terrence Jones). C.J. Leslie comes from the same high school as John Wall. Likely, all of these guys will wait to see which Wildcats end up staying or going to the NBA next season, before making their ultimate choice.