After their devastating loss in the Final Four to the Wisconsin Badgers, it was time for the Kentucky Wildcats to gather themselves and reflect on the season that was. They won the most games in the history of division 1 men’s basketball and they were only 2 wins away from both a national championship and an undefeated season.
They might have fell short of both of those accomplishments but one thing newly elected Hall of Fame coach John Calipari can hang his hat on, the ability to produce consistent NBA talent.
You know the list already headlined by Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, Eric Bledsoe and Nerlens Noel all at Kentucky alone but this season might produce the most talent yet.
Calipari is anticipating an almost completely new roster next season.
Cal on Cats thinking of entering this year's NBA Draft: "I'd say 7 guys are considering their options."
— Jerry Tipton (@JerryTipton) April 6, 2015
Cal on number of Cats who will enter draft : "I would guess 5 is the minimum, but 7 is a possibility."
— Jerry Tipton (@JerryTipton) April 6, 2015
Cal on likely UK players to enter draft: Cauley-Stein, "Karl, twins, Trey." Added Cal: "Now I'm their P.R. machine."
— Jerry Tipton (@JerryTipton) April 6, 2015
Cal on Booker and Dakari: Possibility each will enter draft.
— Jerry Tipton (@JerryTipton) April 6, 2015
The 7 players coach Calipari is referring to are forwards/centers Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Dakari Johnson, Trey Lyles and guards Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Devin Booker.
Now for a potential 7 players to be gone from his roster would be a huge number to combat but in typical Calipari fashion, he’s prepared for that. Looking at the Kentucky recruits for next season, Coach Cal has already landed 3
top 5 recruits including 7 other players who have yet to commit that have Kentucky in their short list of potential schools.
The guy doesn’t miss a beat and it appears he’ll have 2 players sticking around for next season with Tyler Ulis in particular being the center of Calipari’s team next year.
Calipari said he texted Ulis and said "I'm going to build a team" around him. Expects Poythress back but gathering NBA info on him.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) April 6, 2015
A once potential lottery pick, Alex Poythress, had his season end early this year due to a torn ACL but it appears he will be back for Coach Cal next year.
He’ll lose Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein and the bunch but I think Calipari should be just fine.
