Where Kentucky stands in "Way-Too-Early" Top 25s for next season

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kentucky-basketball-2023-24-preseason-rankings-way-too-early-top-25 — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

The day after the national championship game means one thing: Way-Too-Early Top 25s. There are still a LOT of questions regarding Kentucky’s roster next season; however, that’s not stopping the pundits from sharing their takes on the 2023-24 Kentucky Wildcats.

Every major outlet released preseason rankings late last night or this morning. The uncertainty about who’s staying and who’s going makes for a wide range of projections. Kentucky is as high as No. 4 (ESPN) and didn’t even make one outlet’s Top 25 (247 Sports). These rankings will change as more player decisions roll out; however, here is where the national media believes the 2023-24 Cats stand with seven months to go until the start of the season.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello: No. 4

Borzello ranks the Cats behind UConn, Marquette, and Duke, noting the uncertainty over Oscar Tshiebwe’s future. He didn’t include Oscar in his projected starting lineup but has Chris Livingston at the four-spot. Maybe Borzello hasn’t caught wind that Livingston is also considering leaving for the pros, but I won’t lie, that projected starting lineup looks nice.

No. 4: Kentucky Wildcats
John Calipari is back with the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, and a potential starting lineup with at least three or four of those freshmen penciled in from day one. D.J. Wagner and Robert Dillingham should form one of the most dynamic backcourts in the sport, while Justin Edwards is the No. 1 recruit. The biggest question is what Oscar Tshiebwe opts to do. Will he come back for another year?
Projected starting lineup:
Robert Dillingham (No. 11 in ESPN 100)
D.J. Wagner (No. 2 in ESPN 100)
Justin Edwards (No. 1 in ESPN 100)
Chris Livingston (6.3 PPG)
Aaron Bradshaw (No. 4 in ESPN 100)

The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy: No. 6

Mike DeCourcy is high on next year’s Cats, placing them just outside the top five (UConn, UCLA, Duke, Purdue, Marquette). Despite the uncertainty regarding the returners, he believes Kentucky’s freshman class should help them return to form.

UK almost always is among the most difficult teams to project in advance of the season, because so much of the team’s potential is in the hands of high school prospects who have yet to compete in the college game. And that’s become more complicated by the presence of “super seniors” in so many places who exacerbate the differential between the youngest and most experienced players in the college game.
The Wildcats might have some of that experience themselves, however, depending on who among the team’s veterans chooses to remain for next season. And the freshmen represent Kentucky’s best on-paper class since, at least, their 2011 class included the top two prospects in Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. This time, it’s three of the top four players and four of the top 10.

Sports Illustrated: No. 8

Kevin Sweeny ranks the Cats eighth due to the freshman class. He has Ugonna Onyenso returning for a sophomore season and playing alongside fellow 7-footer Aaron Bradshaw in the middle.

The 2023 high school class is considered to be one of the weakest in recent memory, but Kentucky has what is by far the nation’s best class. Guard D.J. Wagner and wing Justin Edwards look the most ready to contribute right away: Wagner as a scoring combo guard, Edwards an athletic wing with great size. Kentucky also has the potential to be monstrous defensively with the two-headed monster of freshman Aaron Bradshaw and sophomore Ugonna Onyenso in tow to block shots.

Seth Davis: No. 9

Davis projects Oscar Tshiebwe, Antonio Reeves, and CJ Fredrick to all leave, but notes that if Tshiebwe and/or Reeves return, you could make an argument for Kentucky to be the preseason No. 1. He also has Daimion Collins and Chris Livingston coming back for another season.

It’s hard not to fall for the banana in the tailpipe trick again with the Wildcats, but this time John Calipari really is bringing in a big-time recruiting class. It includes four McDonald’s All-Americans and a dynamic point guard in Wagner who will call to mind the likes of John Wall and De’Aaron Fox. The fifth freshman, Sheppard, is a UK legacy who is ranked No. 30 in the 247Sports Composite. Toppin and Wallace have entered the draft and are forgoing their remaining eligibility. Wheeler is in the portal. Tshiebwe and Reeves both have a year of eligibility left, so if either or both come back, Kentucky would have a case to enter the season ranked No. 1.

Jeff Goodman: No. 10

Jeff Goodman teases an Oscar return in his rankings. Unlike most, he does not have UConn No. 1, instead putting the Huskies seventh because of potential departures. Marquette is Goodman’s preseason No. 1, followed by Duke, Michigan State, FAU, and Purdue.

10. Kentucky | Don’t be surprised if Oscar Tshiebwe comes back for another go-around. The ‘Cats bring in the No. 1 class in the country — led by long and athletic big man Aaron Bradshaw, scoring wing Justin Edwards and guards Robert Dillingham, DJ Wagner and Reed Sheppard. But youth hasn’t won lately, especially in the NCAA tourney.

USA Today: No. 11

USA Today’s panel of Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Paul Myerberg put the Cat just outside of the top ten at No. 11 under the assumption that Oscar Tshiebwe is gone.

Top 10

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Nobody will cry for the Wildcats after losing several key components from this season, including Oscar Tshiebwe and freshman standout Cason Wallace. They’ll try to reload with the No. 1 recruiting class that features three elite prospects – Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw. What will be key for John Calipari’s team is finding the requisite role players to fit into the puzzle that can end Kentucky’s run of disappointing tournament finishes.

Jon Rothstein: No. 12

Rothstein projects that Oscar will return, putting him in the starting lineup over Bradshaw. UConn is also No. 1 in his rankings, followed by Purdue, Miami, Marquette, and Creighton. Kentucky is sandwiched between Duke (No. 11) and Kansas (No. 13).

12. Kentucky
Projected Starting 5:
G Robert Dillingham
G DJ Wagner
F Justin Edwards
F Chris Livingston
C Oscar Tshiebwe
Projected Bench: CJ Fredrick, Antonio Reeves, Aaron Bradshaw, Reed Sheppard, Daimion Collins, Chris Livingston, Adou Thiero, Ugonna Onyenso, Lance Ware
Key Newcomers: DJ Wagner, Robert Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Aaron Bradshaw, Justin Edwards
Key Losses: Cason Wallace, Jacon Toppin
Seniors With Additional Eligibility: CJ Fredrick, Oscar Tshiebwe, Antonio Reeves
Entered NBA Draft While Retaining College Eligibility: TBD

Gary Parrish: No. 13

Parrish also projects Oscar to return for a final year, in which case, he believes the Cats should be the No. 13 team in the country. Kentucky is just behind Arkansas (No. 12) and ahead of Arizona (No. 14). Tennessee is No. 16. UConn is No. 1.

This ranking is based on the Wildcats enrolling the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class featuring four five-star prospects – among them Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw — to pair with a returning core headlined by two-time All-American Oscar Tshiebwe. It’s a roster that could give John Calipari a realistic chance to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2015.

Fox Sports’ John Fanta: No. 17

John Fanta ranks the Cats lower than most due to youth. Duke is his No. 1, followed by Marquette, Purdue, UConn, and Kansas.

Many will have the Wildcats in the top 10. Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw are three of the top-five recruits in the country, as UK brings in the best freshman class in the nation. But the current college hoops climate only makes it harder for youth to win. That’s why I have John Calipari’s team at No. 17 for now. I’m making them earn that top-10 slot.

247 Sports: Not Ranked

247 Sports’ Kevin Flaherty didn’t even rank the Cats, instead putting them among his “15 More to Watch,” opining that they need to land some “proven players” in the transfer portal to pair with the freshmen talent. Flaherty has five SEC teams in his Top 25: Arkansas (No. 9), Alabama (No. 15), Tennessee (No. 18), Missouri (No. 21), and Texas A&M (No. 22).

Kentucky — The Wildcats should get Antonio Reeves and CJ Fredrick back, but lose a number of key pieces. The good news is Kentucky brings in 247Sports’ top-ranked recruiting class. But Kentucky will need to land some haymakers in the portal for more proven players.

Kentucky Basketball 2023-24 Roster Tracker

Earlier today, Antonio Reeves announced he will test the NBA Draft waters, leaving open the option to return to Kentucky for a super-senior season. Here’s the current status of the 2023-24 roster as we await more player decisions: