Andrew Wiggins could be the key to both Kentucky Wildcat’s 2013 and 2014 class

In the end, it is all about Andrew Wiggins for the Kentucky Wildcats and whether or not he decides to reclassify into the 2013 class. At least that is what Adam Zagoria told Larry Vaught recently. Zagoria ran down a few possibilities for John Calipari’s classes and they all seemed to involve Andrew Wiggins. Zagoria seems to think that Wiggins will reclassify into the 2013 class in an attempt to get to the NBA quicker, ala Nerlens Noel:

“He’s keeping his cards close to his vest. If he reclassifies and goes to Kentucky and then Kentucky adds whoever whether it is the Harrison twins, Randle, (James) Young, that is a special class. But a lot still has to happen,” Zagoria cautioned. “I think he will reclassify, but like Nerlens we may not know until spring. He is going to sit down with his parents and make that decision about whether he wants to be in the NBA in 2014 or 2015.

 

But the recent talk of Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Andrew Wiggins teaming up at Kentucky could also play into the minds of other recruits, even in the 2013 class.

“I think he is a very good player on his own. I have watched that team (with Wiggins and Rathan-Mayes) six to eight times in the last few weeks,” Zagoria said. “Xavier is one of the best players on the team. He is a great shooter. He can score in a variety of ways. He’s also close to Wiggins, so that probably doesn’t hurt (in recruiting). I know Calipari called and has watched him.

“But Xavier wants to play and if Kentucky gets the Harrisons and a bunch of other players, he may not play as much there as he would want. If I am a guy like (Maryland coach) Mark Turgeon, I am going to the Harrisons and saying Wiggins may reclassify and how would that impact you guys. That’s the one dilemma Calipari does have.”

 

To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of the late reclassification, even though it did bring Kentucky Nerlens Noel. But the lingering prospect of a player like Wiggins unsure about his future is casting a shadow over both classes. Of course, there is no better coach in the NCAA at dealing with these type of situations as John Calipari.  As we say, in Cal we trust.

I know that in the Bluegrass, we all think that John Calipari is the best coach in the NCAA. And a 102-14 record and two Final Four appearances (including a national title) would seem to make the case. Some folks still don’t agree. The folks at Athlon Sports have ranked the college basketball coaches and our beloved Coach Cal came in a number three:

3. John Calipari, Kentucky
Overall record: 547-154 (38-13 in the NCAA Tournament)
Record at Kentucky: 102-14 (40-8 SEC)

Kentucky and John Calipari was the perfect marriage even before the 2012 national championship. Before then, the question was if Calipari would win a title at Kentucky with cycling through a roster of one-and-done players. With a team featuring six NBA draft picks, including the top two selections, Calipari answered. Now, the question seems to be how many titles Calipari could win at Kentucky — provided he doesn’t dip is toe into the NBA again. Senior Night may be a bygone tradition for Calipari teams, but he’s suffered minimal drop-off from year to year. His 173 wins over the last five seasons at Kentucky and Memphis are more than any other coach in the country. Kansas’ Bill Self is No. 2 at 154.

 

Tom Izzo and Coach K were picked ahead of Calipari. I guess we can’t win every internet poll, but Athlon did have one thing right. Cal was ahead of Pitino, who was 6th and they did not buy into the Tom Crean hype and put him at #17 and had Jim Calhoun at #22.