Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Without Nerlens Noel, UK Needs a Heart Transplant

For the record, my heart sank as much as anyone when I heard Nerlens Noel went down. I’m hopeful it’s not devastating.

— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) February 13, 2013

 

I know we’re all hoping Nerlens Noel is okay. College hoops needs him.

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 13, 2013

 

All the best to UK’s Nerlens Noel after the injury at Florida. Here’s hoping that he’s okay and 100% soon. Stay strong, No. 3!!

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) February 13, 2013

 

Prayin for @nerlensnoel3 in hopes his injury isn’t that bad. Hate to see a competitor go down.

— Iman Shumpert (@I_Am_Iman) February 13, 2013

 

@nerlensnoel3 I’m headed to Kentucky NOW to help you get thru this. This will make u much stronger, physically & Mentally. C u Soon LIL Bro

— Derek L. Anderson(@DerekLAnderson) February 13, 2013

 

My heart goes out to Nerlens Noel – wish him the best – super young guy espn.go.com/mens-college-b…

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 13, 2013

 

My heart goes out to Nerlens Noel – wish him the best – super young guy espn.go.com/mens-college-b…

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 13, 2013

 

Prayers Out to Nerlens Noel. #BBN #prayersout

— Karl Towns (@KATis32) February 13, 2013

 

“I’m physically sick right now for him. What I’m hoping for is it’s not the extreme.” – John Calipari on Nerlens Noel’s knee injury

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 13, 2013

 

Does this tell you how big Nerlens Noel is to his team?  To the Big Blue Nation?  To college basketball?  He was the heart and soul of our team and our undisputed leader in all areas of the game.  Every game he left it all out on the floor.

What will happen from this point forward is anyone’s guess. Who will step up? Goodwin? Poythress? Willie Cauley-Stein? All of them? Can any of them fill that void? Can you replace a heart? Yeah, you can. I’ve never had a heart transplant but I have had two surgeries and I know for certain that anyone on UK’s team can be that heart.

Now, can they replace Nerlens? Absolutely not.  But they damn sure better do something because you can’t survive without a heart.

And yes…they will survive.

On, On, U of K.