The ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2020-21 has Kentucky ranked out of the top 10 and it sounds like it is based on the fact Olivier Sarr isn’t eligible yet.
11. Kentucky Wildcats
Previous: 13There’s no word yet on Olivier Sarr’s availability for next season, which leaves a lot of questions for Kentucky’s frontcourt. The perimeter is going to be absolutely loaded, with three five-star prospects combining with Creighton graduate transfer Davion Mintz and a couple of former ESPN 100 prospects. But the frontcourt is incomplete at best. Keion Brooks will be counted on for a breakout season after playing maybe his best game of the season in the finale against Florida. But as the only returnee on the roster, he will also need to provide leadership. Besides Brooks, John Calipari has top-50 freshmen Lance Ware and Isaiah Jackson up front. It’s hard to say that either player is ready to start immediately down low, but Jackson is an elite defensive player, and Ware brings toughness. A smaller lineup with Clarke or Boston in a small-ball 4 role seems unlikely. The Wildcats need Sarr.
Projected starting lineup:
Devin Askew (No. 24 in ESPN 100)
B.J. Boston (No. 6 in ESPN 100)
Terrence Clarke (No. 9 in ESPN 100)
Keion Brooks (4.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG)
Isaiah Jackson (No. 31 in ESPN 100)
Read “Wisconsin, Michigan State make moves in college basketball’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2020-21” by clicking here.
I am guessing Kentucky will be just fine when Sarr gets ruled eligible and lets hope that is sooner rather than later.
