Nov 19, 2011; Uncasville, CT, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Marquis Teague (25) , forward Anthony Davis (23) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) celebrate during the second half of game one against the Penn State Nittany Lion in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

When looking at the greatest college basketball recruiting classes since 2000, when the rise of internet recruiting services caused this to become a much bigger national story that is now an industry run for 365 days per year, Athlon Sports had several of John Calipari’s hauls among the 25 best classes, with the 2011 UK class being the greatest of them all:

1. 2011 Kentucky
The class: Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, Kyle Wiltjer
John Calipari’s best recruiting class produced a dominant regular season team (38-2, 16-0 SEC), the national champion and the top two players in the NBA Draft. Anthony Davis joined Kansas’ Danny Manning and UCLA’s Lew Alcindor as the only players to win the the Naismith Award, to win Final Four Most Outstanding honors and to go first the NBA Draft. Kidd-Gilchrist was a second-team All-American and the second overall pick while the point guard Teague was the No. 29 pick in 2012.

Also making the list were the 2009, ’10, and ’12 UK classes. The ’13 UK and Kansas Jayhawks class would likely be near the top of that list, but because none of this year’s freshman have played a college game yet, they left them at the end of the rankings.

Speaking of this year’s class, don’t expect to see UK add any late transfers ala Julius Mays this year.

In addition to the eight signed players in the class of 2013, Kentucky returns five players on scholarship for the 2013-14 season, including  Jon Hood, Jarrod Polson, Kyle Wiltjer, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Alex Poythress. That gives the Wildcats a full complement of 13 scholarships next season.

As for the latest on the 2014 recruits, Leron Black was a prospect UK had been showing interest in, but judging by this tweet, I’d say they won’t be much longer:

By the way my top schools are Baylor, Florida, Connecticut, Kansas and Illinois.

— Leron Black✈ (@Showtime_LB) May 17, 2013

Black was one of the first 2014 stars to pick a school when he committed to Baylor before his junior season, but later backed out of that commitment earlier this year.

Mar 15, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari watches his team play against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. The Commodores beat the Wildcats 64-48. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Finally all of the Big Blue Nation can focus on the upcoming 2014 class with the decision of Andrew Wiggins behind us. The 2014 class took some hits with Wiggins, and Dakari Johnson reclassifying to the class of 2013, but is still a very good class with some elite stars. Kentucky has sent out 8 offers in the class of 2014, and those are Emmanuel Mudiay, Tyus Jones, Jahlil Okafor, Devin Booker, Rashad Vaughn, Trey Lyles, Stanley Johnson, and already committed big man Karl Towns.

I have heard that Kentucky is in great shape with most of the guys listed below, and heavy favorites for Emmanuel Mudiay and Trey Lyles although Louisville is starting to create some buzz for Lyles. The #1 point guard in the nation is Tyus Jones who is a great point guard and leader, and to make him even more of a luxury recruit is that Jones and Okafor are a package deal. Okafor is the best big man in the class, and has amazing game already. John Calipari loves Mudiay, and I really believe that he is Cal’s number one option at the point guard spot, but recently some guys around the program believe he is starting to make a move for Jones, and Okafor.

Trey Lyles has always been a heavy Kentucky lean every since he departed ways from Indiana after committing to them as a freshman in high school. Of course Indiana fans blamed it on John Calipari, but reality is that he was 15 years old when he committed to IU, and kids change their minds more than they change underwear. Lyles has made several visits to Lexington this past season, and will be on campus a lot more I am sure before committing. Lyles said that he would commit next spring after his high school season is over. I still believe at this moment that Kentucky leads for him, but Louisville is making a very strong push for his services.

I will continue to update anything else I hear on any of the other recruits, but I am telling you that 2014 will be another monster class for John Calipari and Kentucky.

The wait is finally over for Andrew Wiggins’ announcement for his college of choice. Yesterday, Wiggins picked the Kansas Jayhawks over Kentucky, North Carolina and Florida State. However, with Wiggins picking Kansas over Kentucky, how will that effect the chances of the Cats having a national championship season or the possibility of an undefeated season? That depends on how the group gels together as an effective unit.

With or without Wiggins, the 2013-14 Cats are still extremely talented, but very young. However, let’s not forget about the 2011-12 team that was very young, but also very talented that went on to win a national title. This group of Cats could potentially do the same thing as long as they gel together like the 2011-12 team did. Therefore, even though Wiggins did not commit to the Cats, I personally believe that the Cats are fine based solely on the incoming talent, not to mention the returning players.

To win a national title, in the words of Coach Cal, “they have to be their brother’s keeper.” Meaning, they have to be there for one another and share the responsibility. Last year, we did not see that as much as the 2011-12 national title team. However, this year’s team looks to be different because of the talent level and the fact that most of the players have already gotten acquainted with each other. They have also played with each other in AAU games, and the McDonald’s All-American game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Nike Hoops Summit.

Needless to say there is still plenty to look forward to next season for the Cats. So far, if everything holds (which it should), Kentucky is the projected preseason number 1 team for the 2013-14 season, has the number 1 recruiting class and many argue it is the best of all-time, plus the return of Poythress, Cauley-Stein and Wiltjer.

Be sure to check out the Wildcat Blue Nation twitter page @WildcatBlueNatn for the latest in Kentucky news, such as recruiting, scores, previews, updates on past players and more.

We don’t do a lot of willy-nilly posting on this site. When we post something, it usually has some meat to it. Unlike other sites that dedicate posts every five minutes on the most minute of topics such as the breakfast choice of Orlando Antigua, we would rather give BBN a more comprehensive and analytical option.

That being said, this video deserves a post all on its on. In it you will see highlights from potentially the greatest recruiting class of all time. Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle, James Young and Marcus Lee are all featured. The music, the highlights and the content is enough to make you want to run through a brick wall on a Wednesday morning.

After the Andrew Wiggins decision, there was a lot of garbage being lobbed from rival fan bases, Louisville in particular. This is a reminder of what this team is all about. This is a reminder of what these kids are bringing to the court. This is a reminder of the dominance that is possible if everything clicks with this team. And it’s going to click. They are already on board with a team first mentality and John Calipari is a man on fire. He is on a mission to make sure that a season like the one in 2013 never happens again.

Enjoy BBN. It’s going to be a monster season.

The build up has been intense and fans around the college basketball world have been on edge for months regarding the decision of Andrew Wiggins. The wait is over as the #1 player in the class of 2013 has committed to the Kansas Jayhawks.

Kansas became a dark horse pick for Wiggins over the last 48 hours or so. Most pundits placed Florida State and Kentucky tied at the top with Kansas third and North Carolina as a distant fourth. The Kansas coaching staff had been telling people that Wiggins was theirs to lose and it turns out that Bill Self w and his staff were correct.

What does this mean for the Kentucky Wildcats? Nothing in the long run. The ‘Cats will still have the #1 recruiting class in the country and will most likely have the #1 team in the preseason. They have the #1 point guard, the #1 shooting guard, the #1 power forward and the #1 center in the class. Don’t cry for me, Argentina.

Wiggins will join fellow five-star freshmen Joel Embiid and Wayne Seldon in what will probably the #2 ranked recruiting class of 2013. Kansas’ national championship aspirations just took a huge boost from a recruit like Wiggins.

Make no mistake about it, Wiggins is the real.

But Alex Poythress and James Young don’t have to worry about playing time at the three spot. Again, Kentucky will be just fine without Wiggins, he was icing on the cake.

Good luck to Andrew Wiggins in the future.

We are least than 14 hours away from the announcement everyone has been waiting from. At around 12:15 EST Tuesday morning, Andrew Wiggins will make his long-awaited college commitment, and Kentucky, Florida State, North Carolina and Kansas are his final four schools.

Wiggins has been touted as one of the best prep prospects since LeBron James went straight from high school to the pros. Ever since last October, when Wiggins reclassified back into the Class of 2013, he has been the top-rated player in what is a loaded incoming class, and he may join many of this classes’ top players at Kentucky, where he could join the likes of the Harrison twins and Julius Randle in what’s being called one of the greatest recruiting classes of all-time.

For tonight’s podcast, we went over following:

• Andrew Wiggins, of course
• How he fits on this UK team
• What if he goes elsewhere
• Can the Harrisons co-exist with Wiggins?
• Is this the greatest recruiting class ever (if he commits)
• Is he the difference in a 40-0 season, a championship season, or can UK accomplish those without him?

As always, you can go here to access the podcasts in iTunes and you can subscribe and even download them to your phone for easy on the go podcast.  Or you can listen below.  Either way, make sure you give us a good rating and tell your friends to check us out.

It’s D-Day for Wiggins Watch. After months and months of speculation, procrastination, and hesitation, the Canadian LeBron will finally announce his college decision today at 12:15 PM, EST. His parents have made the trek from the Great White North to be with their basketball prodigy son as he finally lets the Cat (hopefully) out of the bag.

This young man has held the attention of four schools hostage for months. He remains the loan major recruit to have not committed to any decision. He will immediately improve any roster that adds him. In short, what will happen later today is going to be huge.

As we have been waiting a long time for this, I find in necessary to provide a guide on what to expect and how to handle the Wiggins announcement.

Have Your Computer and/or Smart Phone Ready to Rock

Most of us (me included) will be at work when the news breaks. Wiggins will not have a press conference and he will not  have the decision televised in any way, shape, or form. In true Wiggins fashion, he will have his friends, family and host family in attendance and it will be a low-key affair. The only media present will be Grant Taylor. Taylor is a reporter for the Herald-Dispatch in Huntington West Virginia. Mr. Taylor gets the privilege of tweeting out Wiggins’ decision at 12:15.

So, while you pretend to work, get on twitter. Have it on your phone and on your computer. If you don’t have a twitter, create one just for this moment because that’s the only way you will know the decision in real-time.

And also follow @GrantTaylor. That’s kind of important too.

Even When It’s Over, It’s Not Over

There is a large contingent fans that are sick of everything Andrew Wiggins. They’ve been inandated with “Wiggins Watch” information on Twitter, major sports websites, their favorite team blogs and even a website dedicated totally to the decision. Once the announcement is made, Wiggins Mania will finally subside, right?

Wrong. Be prepared for even more Wiggins fun. After the announcement, Twitter, websites and blogs will be flooded with the pros and cons of his decision; team and schedule break downs; line up possibilities; and updated NBA draft predictions. Things may actually get worse depending on how you look at the entire situation.

How to React: If He Picks Kentucky

Go crazy. That’s right. Don’t act like you’ve been there before because honestly you haven’t. John Calipari has had some blockbuster classes while at Kentucky but none as big as this one with Andrew Wiggins on board. It will be a cause for celebration. Talk trash to North Carolina fans, Kansas fans, Duke fans and especially Louisville fans because they have the delusion that Louisville is going to win the game at Rupp because Lil’ Russ Smith came back. Even without Wiggins that game will be tough for them to win; but with Wiggins on board it will damn near be impossible for them. So give it to them. Hard. They deserve it.

How to React: If He Doesn’t Pick Kentucky

DO NOT TWEET ANDREW WIGGINS IF HE CHOOSES ANOTHER SCHOOL. POINT. BLANK. PERIOD.

Stay classy in this regard. The world is always watching Big Blue Nation and we’ve reacted poorly before in regards to tweeting athletes, even our own. If he picks FSU, UNC or KU, take comfort in the fact that Cal has the #1 recruiting class in the nation coming in along with returning players Alex Poythress, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kyle Witljer. While we want Wiggins badly he isn’t an immediate need and having him would be an added luxury.

Let the other fan bases have their moment in the sun. Don’t act like jerk-wads.

Be Prepared…If He Picks Kentucky

- For “Cheatapari”, “World Wide Wes” and “Wiggins went for the money” comments

-For “We Didn’t Want Him Anyway” comments from the other three fan bases

- For “We are still going to win” from Louisville fans

- For “We are still going to win” from UNC fans

- For unadulterated Wiggins coverage from all Kentucky websites and blogs

- For the best damn team in the country to take the floor this fall

Be Prepared… If He Doesn’t Pick Kentucky

- For “Cal’s cheating didn’t work this time” comments

- For major smack talk from X. Y, or Z fan base

- For major smack talk from Louisville fans

- For Kentucky fans calling for Cal to be fired (Just kidding. I hope)

-For the best damn team in the country to still take the floor this fall

Hopefully I’ve covered everything. Stay tuned to the website and our Twitter page @WildcatBlueNatn for updates, the announcement and analysis that will immediately follow.

Jan 30, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Montay Brandon (5) passes the ball to guard Michael Snaer (21) as head coach Leonard Hamilton looks on during the second half of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

For months now, “experts” have been stating that they have no idea where Andrew Wiggins will go when he finally makes his decision. They cautioned us to not listen to any rumors or to believe it when someone said they had the inside info as to where Wiggins will land.

With the decision less than 24 hours away, people are finally being forced to pick. And it’s Florida State with the early lead.

All of CBS’ bloggers have Wiggins going to Florida State.

And now, it’s time for a prediction.

I think he ends up at Florida State. The Seminoles have been involved with him the longest time, and the family connection is a huge advantage for Leonard Hamilton. Wiggins isn’t a fan of overwhelming media attention, and he would be able to avoid that somewhat in Tallahassee. Moreover, he would get to be the go-to-guy from Day 1.

Jeff Goodman: “Florida State, but don’t count out Kansas.”

Gary Parrish: Florida State. “Combine the family’s connection to the school with Leonard Hamilton’s reputation as an elite recruiter with the fact that Wiggins won’t really have to share the ball in Tallahassee.”

Matt Norlander: “FSU.”

Well, first things first. I didn’t know Leonard Hamilton was tabbed as an elite recruiter. John Calipari- Yes. Bill Self- Yes. Roy Williams- Kind of. Leornard Hamilton- That’s news to me.

Also, I don’t think Wiggins is concerned with sharing the ball. If there is one thing I have learned about Wiggins during this entire process, it’s that he does not demand attention and that he can play within a system and doesn’t have to be the focus of the system. Add to the fact that Hamilton’s slow as molasses offense and grind it out style is the worst fit for Wiggins, I find it silly that FSU got 100% of the vote here.

Dave Telep from ESPN.com gives Kentucky a 20% chance of landing Wiggins, FSU a 35% chance, Kansas a 25% chance and UNC a 20% chance. All of a sudden Kansas bumps Kentucky out of the “close second to Florida State” conversation. Hmmm…

247Sports.com has their own poll, which is their most popular place on their site today, and 12 out of the 17 predictions are going for Florida State. The five that are predicting Kentucky are three Kentucky writers (one being our own Josh Kays), a Duke blogger and the 247Sports.com publisher.

As of now the Seminoles are getting the love from the national media. There is no rhyme or reason to their predictions other than “His parents went there” and the phantom notion that Leonard Hamilton is somehow emerged as an uber-recruiter.

My gut says Kentucky and so does my brain. Offensive system, John Calipari, NBA connections, program prestige and the chance to be a part of a great team, something that Wiggins cares about, leads me to believe that Kentucky is the place for him tomorrow.

*We will have a special podcast up tonight at midnight featuring Jason Marcum, Josh Kays and myself. It will be our last thougths on Wiggins. It will be a joint post with my guide to the Wiggins announcement. Enjoy, thanks for the support and Go Cats.

Sorry guys, but I have to write ANOTHER story about Andrew Wiggins. This whole process is almost over, and I promise you I will not bother you with his name again unless he has a 30 point game for Kentucky next season.

On Saturday night Jerry Meyer from 247sports tweeted out that he expects Wiggins decision to come on Tuesday, and his parents are on their way to Huntington for the announcement. Meyer also tweeted that he expects Florida State to land the #1 prospect in the country, and puts Kansas as the dark horse. I don’t agree with him on Kansas being in 2nd place, but like he said its his guess on where Wiggins will attend school next season.

I have spoke to Huntington Prep coach Rob Fulford a lot over this whole recruitment, and he admits that he has no idea where Andrew is going. Fulford also tweeted out last night that “Nothing is official for an announcement as of yet, and will pass along the date when he confirms it with Andrew.” So the whole Tuesday decision date could be another rumor, but it seems to be coming to an end.

If you have been under a rock for the last 6 months Wiggins will pick between four schools, and they are Kentucky, Florida State, Kansas, and North Carolina. Florida State, and Kentucky have always been the so called “leaders” for Wiggins according to national media members. I would say that one of FSU or UK will get Wiggins whenever he decides. Kansas, and North Carolina have made a great push, and neither school would surprise me, but I just think Florida State and Kentucky are the leaders.

I will not pick who I think the choice will be; because I want to give you guys information that I will feel comfortable with, and I honestly have no clue what Andrew Wiggins is thinking, and neither does anybody outside of his family.

I will continue to watch the situation closely these next 48 hours, and pass anything I learn along to you guys.

The next five days could be explosive for Kentucky football and Kentucky basketball. As you are reading this at 3:00 PM, Drew Barker is settling in at his press conference, ready to announce his decision between Kentucky and South Carolina.

Reports are out there that Andrew Wiggins’ mom has flown to West Virginia from Canada to be here for when her son announces his decision between Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas and Florida State. Sorry Louisville fans, no matter that Wiggins’ host mother fell in love with Pitino’s schtick, he ain’t coming to the Ville.

All this week, people have been asking “Who would you rather have: Wiggins or Barker?” I’m of the opinion that we will get both.

Barker comes in as the highest rated quarterback in the state of Kentucky and a consensus four star recruit. Steve Spurrier has been pushing hard to get him, and the Old Ball Coach knows a thing or two about quarterbacks. Mark Stoops and company came in late with Barker (Joker Phillips didn’t even recruit him) and look to be in position to land him.

We all know Andrew Wiggins story. He is a super star in the making. He’s the Canadian LeBron. Wherever he goes will get the number one pick in the 2014 NBA draft. His talent is crazy good and so is his attitude. Nobody knows where he is going, but recent reports have UK and Florida State tied at the top of his list and Kentucky with a slight edge.

Whatever happens, happens. But if both commit, it’s going to be huge. If Barker goes to USC, Stoops has other four star quarterbacks on his big board that he can focus in on. Besides, Kentucky has a junior, two sophomores and a pretty good freshman at the position. Losing Barker wouldn’t kill them, but a commitment from a recruit like him would be an enormous boost for the program.

If Wiggins chooses another school, then so be it. Kentucky will still have the preseason #1 team and the best recruiting class of all time. But Wiggins would make this team almost damn near impossible to create a game plan for.

Sit back, enjoy the ride. It’s about to get under way.

Go Cats.