With draft decisions still playing out, transfers beginning to play in, and general uncertainty about the 2016-2017 season of college basketball nobody can predict what's going to come next. But that doesn't stop them from trying. This time it's
Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports who is dropping some knowledge about next season and the Dagger likes UK's chances:
2. Kentucky
Key losses: G Tyler Ulis (projected), G Jamal Murray, F Skal Labissiere (projected), F Alex Poythress
Key returners: G Isaiah Briscoe (projected), F Marcus Lee (projected), F Derrick Willis, F Isaac Humphries, G Dominique Hawkins
Notable newcomers: G DeAaron Fox, G Malik Monk, C Bam Adebayo, F Wenyen Gabriel, F Sacha Killeya-Jones
Outlook: Here's a scary thought for Kentucky's future opponents: John Calipari has said this may be his best incoming recruiting class. Set to replace Ulis and Murray in the backcourt are Fox and Monk, the former the nation's most prized point guard and the latter the nation's most highly touted shooting guard. The 6-foot-4 Fox is explosive off the dribble, effective making plays and tough on defense too. Monk is a pure scorer who can blow by defenders who play him too tight and knock down jumpers if given free space. Those two could team with Briscoe if he returns to form a formidable backcourt. While Kentucky's frontcourt was the weak link this past season, the rugged, physical Adebayo could help change that. He should be a double-double machine in the paint and an ideal complement to the sweet-shooting Willis. Lee will also be a factor in the frontcourt and Gabriel and Killeya-Jones are capable of making an impact too. Kentucky is also still recruiting elite center Marques Bolden, who will decide between the Wildcats and Duke.
A roundup of where Kentucky is in the other way-too-early rankings:
- The Sporting News: #1 Kentucky, #2 Duke, #3 Villanova
- CBS Sports Top 25 and One: #1 Duke, #2 Kentucky, #3 Villanova
- USA Today: #1 Duke, #2 Kentucky, #3 Villanova
- NBC Sports: #1 Duke, #2 Kentucky, #3 Villanova
- ESPN: #1 Duke, #2 Villanova, #3 Kentucky
Consensus top 3 way-too-early? I'll take it.
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