CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish has Kentucky ranked #4 in his preseason Top 25 and one poll. Parrish has Kansas, Duke, and Tennessee ranked ahead of the Wildcats.
Here is a look at the Top 5:
1. Kansas
2. Duke
3. Tennessee
4. Kentucky
5. Gonzaga
Here is what Parrish had to say about Kentucky:
4. Kentucky
Coach: John Calipari2017-18 record: 26-11
Notable players definitely gone: Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Hamidou Diallo, Sacha Killeya-Jones, Tai Wynyard
Other expected departures: None
Notable players expected to return: PJ Washington, Quade Green, Wenyan Gabriel, Jarred Vanderbilt, Nick Richards, Brad Calipari, Jemarl Baker
Expected additions: Keldon Johnson, Immanuel Quickly, Tyler Herro, E.J. Montgomery
Why the Wildcats are ranked here: It remains unclear what Kentucky’s roster will look like come November — especially considering the Wildcats could add pieces via Class of 2019 stars reclassifying and return players who are currently testing the NBA waters. Either way, the prediction here is that UK will retain more five-star freshmen than usual — most notably PJ Washington and Quade Green. And the freshman class will be strong again — especially if Class of 2019 guard Ashton Hagans reclassifies, which is expected. So John Calipari should have a team good enough to make a run at a fifth Final Four in a 10-year span.
Complete CBS Sports Top 25 and One Poll
