Are the Kentucky Wildcats missing out on Andrew Wiggins?

When Andrew Wiggins made the decision to reclassify into the 2013 class, everyone assumed that was in preparation for going to Kentucky and then an eventual career in the NBA. Usually when John Calipari really wants a recruit, he gets him. But lately, the buzz has been that Wiggins may not end up at Kentucky after all, but the Florida State Seminoles, where his parents have built their own legacy. The folks over at ESPN did a poll of their seven recruiting experts and asked them where they thought Wiggins may end up.  Of the seven, four thought he would end up at FSU, two Kentucky, and one North Carolina.  Here is what Reggie Rankin had to say:

"Decision factors: The coach at the school he selects must make him the No. 1 option and understand he is a special player and know how to help him maximize his likely only year of college. Wiggins must also have good players around him because he is unselfish and will give up the ball due to the defensive attention he will receive. Prediction: Kentucky I have to admit that it seems that the “experts” are grasping at straws when it comes to Wiggins going to FSU.  Several of them mention that he may want to carry on his parent’s legacy at FSU, which is fine, but Wiggins is obviously going to be a one year player.  I am not too sure how much “legacy building” can be done in a year and Dave Telep says that Wiggins told him that he has to be able to trust the coach and what he says the program will do for him.  Telep went on to predict FSU, but from everything you hear about Calipari, that precise reason is why players choose Kentucky."

Bottom line, its going to be a long process and what the pundits think in December will not matter in April or May.  I would not worry about Wiggins at this point.

In case you missed it, the Harrison twins, Aaron and Andrew, were on ESPN facing off against Aaron Gordon’s high school team. Andrew was obviously bothered a sore hamstring and finished with 10 points and was clearly limping. That put the pressure on Aaron to pick up the slack and he responded with 26 points. He did not have a great shooting night (7-29) but was 12-14 from the line. Aaron stepped it up in overtime, driving past Aaron Gordon for the game winning basket and then hitting two free throws to seal the deal in a 56-53 win for the Harrison’s Travis High.

Dec 1, 2012; Lexington , KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts in the game against the Baylor Bears at Rupp Arena. Baylor defeated Kentucky 64-55. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

No matter how much Kentucky pounds Lipscomb by tomorrow night, people will not be satisfied and you will still hear the “what is wrong with Kentucky” grumbling and hand wringing. The self diagnosing of Kentucky has become a national parlor game for  writers and everyone has an opinion on “How do you fix what ails Kentucky”.  NBC Sports tackled the topic in an essay test style answer and the major “problem” seems to be that this is not last years team:

"Calipari has no Darius Miller to come off the bench and provide stability when the team needs it. The only senior on the roster who sees regular minutes is Julius Mays, who is working through his own transition, having played last season at Wright State. Aside from seniors, there are virtually no seasoned, experienced college players returning for Kentucky from last year’s national championship team. Kyle Wiltjer played, yes, but he averaged under 12 minutes per game. For Calipari to have pieces like Jones and Lamb stay in Lexington last season was instrumental to UK’s championship run, even if they weren’t upperclassmen. In a program where the roster is turned over every season, being a sophomore with playing experience makes you a veteran by comparison. The next biggest problem for Calipari is his point guard situation."