John Calipari visits Nerlens Noel

We all knew this was coming; John Calipari has officially amped up the recruitment of Nerlens Noel. Noel becomes an even more important player than Shabazz Muhammad at this point, due to the fact that Kentucky will most likely be losing Anthony Davis to the draft. Noel is clearly the best center in the class and that position will be the biggest void to fill for the Wildcats. If Cal shifts his focus from Muhammad to Noel, that’s fine with me. He already has enough pieces that could make up for a lost Shabazz. Noel is the player the Cats need the most.

Is John Calipari the most underrated coach in college basketball? Jim Rome sure thinks so. Rome had this to say on his show yesterday about coach Cal, “…he’s probably the most underrated coach in America. He’s not intimidated by having to replace his team every, single year.” And Rome finishes the quote off by saying, “Calipari is playing the game on a different level. He’s out in front.” Don’t expect the national media to rush to crown Calipari as coach of the year, but this is the second time in a week he has been called the best coach in the game by a member of the media. Jimmy Dykes said as much on national TV when Kentucky played Tennessee last Tuesday. John Calipari recruits the best talent in the country, gets them to play unselfish team basketball and defense. Just look at UConn. That team is full of young draft picks but Jim Calhoun does not have that team playing with any heart or a will to win. Well, he didn’t before he took his leave of absence and now they are even worse without him.

Duke beat North Carolina in Chapel Hill last night on a last second three point shot by Austin Rivers. Rivers had 29 points in the come back victory for the Blue Devils. In the picture above you can see Tyler Zeller wiff on a block that allowed Rivers to get the shot off. Anthony Davis would not have wiffed. Just ask John Henson. Does UNC still have the best front court in America, Mr. Vitale? I didn’t think so.

With the Big East adding Memphis in all sports, a lot of people can’t help but call the new Big East Conference USA 2.0. With old C-USA teams like Louisville, Memphis, and Cincinnati along with newcomers such as Southern Methodist, Boise State, Central Florida and Houston, the Big East is now a shell of it’s former self. Rick Bozich wrote a nice piece about the transformation. I do think Louisville will eventually go to the Big 12, it’s just a matter of when. Until then, they will wallow in this awful excuse for a conference. Looks like Little Brother is back to square one.

This limited edition Anthony Davis poster that was handed out to lucky fans at the Florida game on Tuesday night is selling for as high as $150 on line.