Kentucky ranked No. 15 in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25

Kentucky is a preseason top-15 program in college basketball entering 2023-24, ESPN listing the Wildcats at No. 15 overall in the outlet’s way-too-early rankings this week.

Like most years over the course of John Calipari’s time in Lexington, there are questions regarding the team’s youth while health concerns are new and valid with this group in particular. But when push comes to shove, the talent remains strong and the Wildcats should be a real contender in the SEC once again this season.

Only Tennessee sits ahead of Kentucky in the preseason top 25.

“While questions remain over the experience and youth in this season’s Kentucky squad, there are no doubts about the talent level in Lexington,” ESPN’s Jeff Borzello said. “In ESPN’s 2024 mock draft, the Wildcats have two of the five highest-ranked college players (Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner) and five players (Edwards, Wagner, Ugonna Onyenso, Aaron Bradshaw, Robert Dillingham) ranked inside the top 42 overall. That doesn’t include veterans Antonio Reeves or Tre Mitchell, who should both start for John Calipari this season.”

ESPN’s projected starting five is questionable, at least at one spot. DJ Wagner, Antonio Reeves and Justin Edwards make up the starting backcourt, while Tre Mitchell and Ugonna Onyenso round out the frontcourt. That would leave the likes of Aaron Bradshaw, Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard and Zvonimir Ivisic coming off the bench, assuming Onyenso is ready to return to game action after suffering a broken foot this summer.

Take a look at the outlet’s top 25:

1. Kansas Jayhawks
2. Duke Blue Devils
3. Purdue Boilermakers
4. Michigan State Spartans
5. UConn Huskies
6. Houston Cougars
7. Marquette Golden Eagles
8. Tennessee Volunteers
9. Creighton Bluejays
10. Gonzaga Bulldogs
11. Florida Atlantic Owls
12. Arizona Wildcats
13. Villanova Wildcats
14. North Carolina Tar Heels
15. Kentucky Wildcats
16. Arkansas Razorbacks
17. Baylor Bears
18. San Diego State Aztecs
19. Miami Hurricanes
20. Texas A&M Aggies
21. Texas Longhorns
22. Alabama Crimson Tide
23. Saint Mary’s Gaels
24. USC Trojans
25. St. John’s Red Storm

Kentucky Pro Day set for Wednesday

Ready to see the Wildcats for yourself? The program’s annual Pro Day is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 11 inside Rupp Arena with the event broadcast live on SEC Network+ from 6-8 p.m. ET with Jimmy Dykes and Jack “Goose” Givens on the Call. SportsCenter will also have live hits of the event from 6-7:30 p.m. ET with updates from Kevin Negandhi and Seth Greenberg.

Pro Day will take place in front of scouts and front-office personnel of all 30 NBA teams with players participating in various agility and shooting drills along with 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 scrimmages.

The event will serve as the tune-up for Big Blue Madness, which is set for Friday, Oct. 13.

Basketball season is here, BBN.