Can Willie Cauley-Stein become the Kentucky Wildcats Kemba Walker?

Mar 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) is introduced before the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Florida 61-57. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky Wildcat fans are well aware of the 2011 version of Kemba Walker and the Connecticut Huskies. Despite a lot of preseason hype, the Huskies finished the regular season 21-9 and 9-9 in the Big East. And then Kemba Walker happened, spurring the Huskies to eleven straight wins, a Big East Tournament title and a Final Four win over the Kentucky Wildcats and eventual NCAA championship. Walker is the classic example of a player that steps up and makes his team a much better team through his effort.

During yesterdays press opportunity, John Calipari was asked if this team was similar to UConn from 2011 and who would be his Kemba Walker.  Here is what Calipari had to say:

"On comparing this team to the 2011 UConn team and who is his Kemba Walker … “Maybe It’s Willie (Cauley-Stein), maybe Willie becomes the most dominating big guy in college basketball, makes a difference in every game and everybody else just does what they’re supposed to do.” On Willie Cauley-Stein’s game against Florida … “I think the staff told him that every time you came out you saw what happened. I had to play him with four fouls with 11 minutes to go. Why did you play your guy with four fouls? We wanted to win, didn’t want to lose. I put him back in so we could win the game. Then if he fouled out I would figure out what to do to try to win the game. ‘Well you should have let him out till four minutes to go, and been down 18 then put him back.’ Good move, not bad. It entered my mind to do that. Not long, but it entered my mind. The question was almost like what question is that? Were you not watching the game?”"

Calipari seemed to be in a particularly feisty mood yesterday as he was well, brutally honest when asked about Alex Poythress and Kyle Wiltjer:

"ON HOW CLOSE ALEX POYTHRESS AGAINST FLORIDA SATURDAY WAS TO POYTHRESS’ BEST: “He’s OK. He’s still got a ways to go to be what he’s capable of being.” ON KYLE WILTJER WINNING SEC SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR: “Happy for him. They didn’t take the voting in the last week, I can tell you (grinning). But I’m happy for him. Maybe that inspires him to step up his play again.”"

Mar 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) dribbles the ball against the Florida Gators in the first half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Florida 61-57. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

It does seem that Willie Cauley-Stein has become Calipari’s defacto leader on the floor since the Nerlens Noel injury. And I have to say that I can appreciate his sheer honesty in the press conference after being asked about this team and where they are right now:

"On leaving no doubt about NCAA selection … “I mean, absolutely. We just need to go into the tournament with the mindset like we’re not trying to get beat, like we want to win it, obviously, and keep it rolling.” On whether anything has told him UK is ready to make a postseason run … “I couldn’t answer that now. I couldn’t answer it now. We’ve been here before like this, so I’m not even going to try to answer right now.” What do you mean “been here before” … “I mean we’ve been where it seemed like we turned the turning point and reverted right back. So I just don’t know.” On whether he and Archie Goodwin being vocal about how they played at Georgia affected things … “I mean, yeah. It definitely affected the game. When guys step up and do what they have to do, it just makes everybody else’s job easier. We just played better.” On Alex Poythress being a mystery … “Alex is just—I don’t feel like Alex knows yet. And Coach says you mature at different rates and I feel like he’s just taking longer to mature. Alex is a great kid. He’s not bad or anything, so it’s just whether he wants to mature faster and listen and do what Coach is telling him to do. It’s all up to Alex.”"

March 2, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts to a play during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Kentucky 73-60. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

We all know that John Calipari will have some decisions to make concerning the makeup of next years team and there is recent speculation that players like Alex Poythress and even Willie Cauley-Stein may return to Kentucky. With the decisions of Julius Randle and Andrew Wiggins still looming, one wonders if there will be a scholarship available for a player like Sweet Sixteen MVP Dominique Hawkins. Here, Hawkins talks about life after winning the state championship and about being recruited by Calipari and UK: