Email I received today from a UK fan:
So here's what I'm basing my seemingly outlandish statement on (UK's Team will be top 5 talent wise in NCAA history):
Four potential first round draft picks:
John Wall - would have been top 2-5 pick in this year's NBA draft according to most scouts and next's years most likely #1 pick (
Wall's recruiting camp should draft another plan - NCAA Division I Mens Basketball - CBSSports.com News, Fantasy, Video)
Demarcus Cousins - the #2 rated recruit in the nation according to rivals. Likely a one and done mid- to late-first round pick next year (
DeMarcus Cousins: NBA Draft | College Basketball by Collegehoops.net)
Patrick Patterson - mid-first round pick this year, 1st Team All-SEC as a Soph. Most likely a lottery pick next year (
DraftExpress: Mock Draft)
Jodie Meeks - late first round, most likely early second round pick this year. About the same next year. I don't need to tell you any more about him. You've heard his name about 54 times by now, right?
Also on this team:
#4 Center in the nation (#22 overall) Dan Orton
#3 point guard in the nation (#23 overall) Eric Bledsoe
#11 shooting guard in the nation (#40 overall) Jon Hood
4* Juco player Darnell Dodson
Upperclassmen
DeAndre Liggins - #6 PG in the 2008 class
Darious Miller - #8 small forwad in the 2008 class
Nice top 10 rotation, huh? Two First team SEC players with one of the Top 5 recruiting classes in NCAA HISTORY (
Class of classes - College Basketball - Rivals.com) coming in to join them.
So yes, one of the top teams "talent wise" in NCAA history. Only 3 teams in NCAA history have had 5 players taken in the draft in the same year. Kansas in '08, Florida in '07, UConn in '06. There have never been more than 4 players from the same team taken in the first round. (Duke 1999, UNC 2005 and UConn 2006). UK has 4 draft locks on next year's roster and potentially 4 1st round picks. If so, only 3 teams in NCAA history would be AS talented. I'm talking raw talent.
Now whether they can play together is a different story. However, this is one of the most talented teams ever assembled. We're looking at a pre-season #1 (
Kentucky now down to the scholarship limit - CBSSports.com) ..however, I have no idea if these guys will be a TEAM. Nevertheless, there is evidence to support my previous statement. I didn't pull it out of nowhere.