by Paul Jordan
As you probably know by now, 2011 PF commit Anthony Davis Jr made a trip to Lexington on Sunday. Davis took a trip to DePaul yesterday and still has Syracuse and Ohio State on his list of schools to visit. With two visits in two days, it appeared that was enough as news crept out that Anthony Davis had made a decision … but that it would not be announced for a few weeks. Davis also announced that he was not taking any more visits, which seems to leave Syracuse on the ouside looking in. Davis has been to Ohio State in the past, so right now it looks like a battle wbetween Ohio State and Kentucky, with DePaul playing the darkhorse role.
Some pundits, like Jeff Goodman from Fox, have said that Kentucky is the leader for Davis and Davis seems to have built up a friendly bond with UK commit Michael Gilchrist. The recent rankings ascension of Davis to possibly the top spot overall in the 2012 rankings and the fact that Quincy Miller plays the same position make it seem as if there may just be one PF roster spot available for the 2011 roster and the first player to commit will get it.
Such was the speculation last season with Stacey Poole and Doron Lamb. There was a lot of behind the scenes posturing and a sudden vist from Calipari to Lamb when it was announced that a Stacey Poole commitment was imminent. Pooles ended up being the first member of the class to commit and after several months of speculation he may go elsewhere, Lamb commited also. Recent events at Kentucky may mean there is room for both Davis and Miller.
The recent news that Darnell Dodson will not be a Wildcat this year actually can have a profound effect on the 2011 class. Since he is not on scholarship anymore, I do not know if Dodson is in Calipari’s plans for 2011. I’m not sure if Dodson even knows at this point. But for now, Dodson’s departure leaves UK with three open scholarships. Josh Harrellson’s graduation will give UK four and most pundits are predicting that at least two players will go pro next year from the pool of Knight, Kanter, and Jones.
That gives UK six possible scholarships, seven if all three players go pro. Keep in mind the possible NBA lockout may keep a player on UK instead of going pro … so the healthy estimate for available scholarships are beween five and seven. With Gilchrist and Teague committed and probably four spots available, it is starting to look more and more like there is room for both Davis and Miller. Landing both Davis and GIlchrist would seem to be a good move for Calipari, who could undergo a frontcourt loss of Harrellson, Jones and Kanter.
The open roster spot left by Dodson will cerainly open up the buzz for a player like Tony Wroten now, as it was assumed there may not be room for him on the roster with Teague and the uncertain second year status of Knight. Now it appears, that all things have opened back up again.
With Calipari, Wildcat recruiting is never boring.
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