John Calipari already knows who the leaders for his 2013-14 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team will be

Shortly after the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team lost to Robert Morris in the NIT, I sent out a tweet saying that the theme song for BBM should be The Who’s “Won’t get fooled again”.  There was so much talk of the team being hijacked and Cal swore that it would not happen again and over the course of the summer, all his comments have validated that this year would not be a repeat of last season.

Last year, this Wildcat team at times was a leadership one, often adrift at sea with no idea of how to get back to land.  Well, that’s not going to happen this year.  John Calipari already knows who his leaders will be.

"1. Kentucky coach John Calipari said he can already tell who his leaders may be for the upcoming season. Calipari said freshman Julius Randle and the Harrison twins, Aaron and Andrew, “are going to be the leaders.” He said Randle has already proven in summer workouts just how much of an impact he’ll have for the Wildcats. Calipari added freshman center Dakari Johnson has been the surprise so far and is producing at a higher clip than the Wildcats thought. What does this mean? “[Sophomore] Willie [Cauley-Stein] is going to have work for it,” Calipari said about his returning big man getting challenged for minutes. Meanwhile, the other high-profile returnee, forward Alex Poythress isn’t being asked to be a leader for Kentucky. “I just need him to play,” said Calipari, “just play. He’s not going to be a guy who stands up and tells people where to go. He’s not that vocal. He just needs to play. Our leadership will come from one of those freshmen.” Calipari said he’s been impressed with the overall chemistry of this group, meshing quicker than he imagined."

Speaking of the Harrisons (and James Young), all parties at UK still seem to be toeing the party line that all three players will be eligible.  And I have not heard any whispers or concerns that they will not be.  If we don’t hear something by next week at this time, it may be time to get a bit more concerned, but for now relax.  UK’s fall semester classes start on August 28th, so we still have almost three weeks left.

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the recent news that Indiana and Louisville will meet on December 9, 2014 at Madison Square Garden (still not a home and home series, Clappy), John Calipari was at work conjuring up speculation about UK’s future schedules. Cal sent out the following tweet yesterday:

Kentucky’s 2013-14 schedule has not been fully released (although the out of conference has), so it seems this is about the future.  A quick google search showed that apparently UCLA released their schedule almost two months ago, so if it happens, it will be 2014-15.  I’m up for it if it happens.  I have seen some tweets disparraging UCLA as an inferior opponent, but Kentucky is still chasing them for all time NCAA Titles.  And if UK hangs banner number 9 this year, the hype for this game will be huge.

I also like the fact that Calipari is buddy-buddy with former Hoosier icon Alford.  That has to burn a few hearts in the heartland.

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

There is some good news today for former Cat Julius Mays as he has signed a deal to play overseas:

"Former Kentucky guard Julius Mays has accepted a deal to play overseas in Italy, according to All Pro Sports & Entertainment Inc. Mays will be playing for Mobyt Ferrara, which competes in the championship Legadue Silver. Mays is expected to play point guard. Mays was one of the bright spots in a disappointing 2012-13 season. After transferring to Kentucky to obtain a graduate degree, Mays averaged 9.3 points and hit a team-best 65 3-pointers. Though he joined the team for just one season, he immediately became one of the team’s leaders. Following the season, Mays earned a spot at a pre-NBA Draft combine, where he scored 17 points and dished out six assists in just two quarters of play."