Kentucky Wildcats Basketball has just a 10% chance at top 2014 recruiting class

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Could John Calipari be at risk of losing his streak of top rated recruiting classes? The folks at ESPN seem to think so. As we advance on the November signing period, UK has two recruits, Karl Town Jr and Tyler Ulis ready to sign their LOI. There could be a couple of more as Devin Booker will announce on Thursday and James Blackmon may pull the trigger soon as well. That seems like a great start to the class to me with several stars waiting until May.

However, ESPN look at what it will take to get the top class overall and UK was given the fourth chance at accomplishing this feat. Duke has just one commit in the bag right now, the ESPN is pretty sure that they are getting visits from Okafor/Jones this weekend and apparently that impresses Adam Finkelstein enough to give Duke the best odds at best 2014 class at 45%. Kansas is second with 25% and Ohio State third with 15%. And then the Cats roll in…

"Kentucky Probability of finishing on top: 10 percent They’ve got a skilled big man and true point guard already locked in with Karl Towns Jr. and Tyler Ulis. Those two were on campus last weekend along with Trey Lyles, Stanley Johnson and Blackmon for Big Blue Madness. Turner is the fourth of the top prospects who remain atop their board, and assuming that either Duke or Kansas (if not both) comes through with a monster class, it would likely take a clean sweep for Kentucky to be in the mix for the top spot."

It’s way too early to fret and even with a “BAD” class, UK seems certain for a top five class.  Just remember, there is no need to worry about recruiting with Calipari at the helm.

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

James Blackmon Jr is one of those key recruits and he may make his decision by the November signing period. And although player rarely come back to a school after de-committing, it appears that Blackmon Jr is at least giving the Hoosiers a serious reconsideration. He will be visiting Bloomington this weekend.

"Former 2014 Indiana commit James Blackmon Jr. said he would take a final visit to Bloomington before making his second college decision. Wednesday evening, he made it clear he was following through with his promise. Blackmon announced via his Twitter account that he will visit IU this weekend, only a week after his official visit to Kentucky. “IU visit this weekend #IUBB,” he said. The 6-foot-3 combo guard from Marion High School has also taken an official visit to Michigan (Sept. 27) and is considering Michigan State and Kansas, as well. The 247Composite rates him as the No. 31 prospect and No. 12 shooting guard in the 2014 class."

Just due to sheer numbers, Kentucky could end up with the top class in 2014 as they may once again lose several players to the NBA. Gary Parrish looked at what players may be going early and the 2014 NBA class is shaping up to be the year of the one and done. The first four players on Parrish’s list are all freshmen and ten of the top 30 are one year wonders. Randle is picked as the number two pick and could give Andrew Wiggins a run for his money for the top spot when all is said and done.

"Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky: If it’s possible to be overshadowed while being a star at Kentucky, that’s what Wiggins has done to Randle. But don’t forget about Randle. He can be as dominant as Michael Beasley was at this level, and Randle doesn’t have any of the issues that’ve hampered Beasley’s NBA career."

After Randle, Parrish has these following Cats in his mock draft:

• 8 – Willie Cauley – Stein
• 9 – Andrew Harrison
• 14 – Aaron Harrison
• 27 – James Young
• 30 – Dakari Johnson
• 35 – Alex Poythress