Kentucky Wildcats Basketball ranked #1 by The Sporting News, #2 by Lindy’s

Now that the Harrisons and James Young are on campus, we can stop worry and start anticipating the college basketball season. As is the case, the emergence of footballs in the air bring out the preseason college basketball predictions. And it is pretty obvious that the November 12 matchup against Michigan State is going to be huge. John Clay tells us that the Sporting News has UK as #1 and Michigan State #2 in their preseason poll while Lindy’s has the teams reversed. If UK goes 40-0, they will definitely have to earn it. UNC and Louisville are also in both poll’s top ten teams.

Jul 18, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Team USA Midwest player James Blackmon (7) prepares to shoot the ball against Team Brasil during the Nike Global Challenge at Trinity University in Washington, DC. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky and Michigan State are also battling for legacy recruit James Blackmon. Blackmon just had visits to Indiana and Michigan State and will be in Lexington tomorrow. Blackmon said he is looking forward to it.

"“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “Just probably see a gerat campus and talk to the coaches.” Asked if Kentucky’s record sending one-and-done guys to the NBA was attractive, he said, “Yeah that’s real appealing to me, the one-and-done guys. But I’m just trying to go to a place where I have the best fit.” Blackmon said he’s still considering “a lot more” schools, including Louisville, but has no other visits planned. “I really haven’t cut my list at all,” he said. “I’ll set some [other visits] up.” As for a timeframe on a decision, Blackmon added, “Probably November.”"

It should be noted as well that Blackmon seems to be playing up the legacy part, especially on social media.

"Since re-opening his recruitment, Blackmon has posted a picture on his Instagram account of his father in a UK uniform with the words, “Like Father, Like Son.”"

Apr 27, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe (12) brings the ball up court during game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum. Memphis won 104-83. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

With Archie Goodwin opening eyes over the summer and Eric Bledsoe being traded there, the Phoenix Suns are going to be an exciting team for Kentucky fans to watch. You get the feeling that the Suns could have not one, but two breakout players in Bledsoe and Goodwin. Goran Dragic is definitely excited about the prospect of playing with Bledsoe:

"Dragic is also looking forward to another transition of running mates. After temporarily switching out Phoenix teammates for his Slovenian countrymen, Dragic will return next month to get acquainted with his new partner in the Suns’ backcourt, Eric Bledsoe. Both McDonough and Hornacek have expressed optimism over the plan to start the two of them together as interchangeable playmakers and scorers at both guard positions. The duo boasts a combined NBA experience of just eight years, leaving plenty of room for the potential that has Dragic excited to see how they mesh together on the court. “He’s a mini-Lebron James,” Dragic said of Bledsoe. “He’s got that big strength so when he’s in the open court, he’s unstoppable. Like a lot of fans know, I like to play fast basketball. When I get the ball to the other guy, he’s going to run. We’re going to score a lot of points.”"