First and foremost, I am in no way a recruiting expert. However, I am an expert in body language, speech translation and know talent when I see it. With my credentials now exposed, I have decided to pre-determine UK’s 2012 recruiting class. I mean, who likes to wait around and wait for these kids to make a decision? Not me, so let’s get to it. Who will UK get next year?
After watching a few all-star games and many highlight films, I have formulated my own fantasy recruit team. Bear in mind that UK will lose Darius Miller and most likely Jones, Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist and Teague will go on to the NBA (this is assuming the NBA keeps the one and done rule in the new CBA). Kentucky currently has 12 scholarships being used, but Ryan Harrow will be eligible 2012-2013. So UK essentially has 5 open spots for next year’s team.
6’5-6 G/F [get] [B]Shabazz Muhammad[/B] is at the top of my wish list. He has super star written all over him, but not in an Allen Iverson tattoo type of way. He is explosive and fearless around the basket. He would be a perfect fit in Calipari’s system, but prying him away from the west coast will be a task. Of course, that’s what they said about Terrence Jones and look where he is playing. Shabazz is an absolute must GET for UK’s coaching staff. Get Shabazz and the rest will fall into place. [B][I]Will UK get him?[/I][/B] When it’s all said and done I believe he ends up at Kentucky. The glitz, glam, fans, tv exposure and Coach Cal will be too much to turn down in the end. My prediction is Shabazz will be a cat.
6’8 C [B]Dajuan Coleman [/B]is a BIG body. While he may not be the tallest tree in the forest, when he falls and no one is around, he definitely makes a sound. Coach Calipari has done well in the past with thick Centers like Dorsey and Cousins, so Dujan should feel comfortable in Cal’s system. It would be such an advantage to have a bruiser down low to bang with the other nation’s best centers. Its always good to have some meat down low. [B][I]Will UK get him? [/I][/B]While I think UK’s chances are good, for some reason I think he will decide to go to Syracuse. He is a huge fan of Carmello and wants to give back to his old neighborhood one day. The only negative about Syracuse is they don’t have a history of developing big men quickly (see Rick Jackson and Fab Melo). So UK has a shot, but I think Syracuse has a built in advantage.
6’7 F [B]Alex Poythress [/B]is one of my personal favorites in this class. He is so silky smooth when driving to the hoop. He has an incredibly quick first step that will be almost impossible for SEC teams to guard on a nightly basis. He should help fill the void left by Darius Miller as a combo Forward/Wing. He has stated he wants to play in a system that fits his style of play. If the DDO was a pregnant woman giving birth, she would name her newborn Alex Poythress. [I][B]Will UK get him? [/B][/I]Yes, no question in my mind. He will have virtually no one to compete for time at UK and should start right away. Alex also stated he wants to decide before his senior year so he can have fun and not worry about where he’s going. I expect him to be the first to pull the trigger for the cats.
I think if UK gets these 3 guys they will be set up nicely to contend for back to back titles (that’s right). UK could also land Willie Cauley as a 2 year project. He could play along with Coleman and make a very imposing front court. Perry Ellis seems like he could be a possible commitment for UK, but something tells me Kansas and Bill Self will turn on the “oh shucks” charm and reel him in. Lastly, Mitch McGary is a big white guy and Duke and North Carolina both always have that market covered.
I expect some domino’s to start falling real soon. #getshabazz
