Kentucky Wildcats high on Jayson Tatum’s list

John Calipari is no stranger to hauling in the top recruits in college basketball and the had the top overall class in five of his six years as the Kentucky Wildcats basketball class.  The 2015 class is already ranked at number one but even bigger things may be in the plans for 2016.  Calipari watched Jayson Tatum play on Saturday and Tatum recently talked about his interest in the Kentucky Wildcats.  

"Kentucky coach [John] Calipari, Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg and Arkansas coach Mike Anderson watched Tatum on Saturday, when Chaminade (Mo.) played against Malik Monk and Bentonville (Ark.). Tatum says that Kentucky is in a good position. “They’re pretty high on my list,” Tatum said. “I have a great relationship with Coach Cal and Coach [Kenny] Payne, I have a lot of interest in Kentucky. [Coach Cal] talked to my mom on the phone after the game because he had to leave, but he’s said he wants to coach me and he could develop my game, and help me get better.” With all of the talk about the platoons in Lexington, Tatum said that he would be receptive to playing in a system like what Kentucky is running. “It’s something new,” Tatum said. “You can’t argue with it, especially because they’re winning. Kids like to win, and that’s the best for the team.”"

Tatum is just part of the bigger story however.  There is a talk of a three player package deal of Tatum, Harry Giles, and Dennis Smith Jr.  As of now, Tatum and Giles have confirmed offers from the Kentucky Wildcats and it will be interesting to see when the offer goes out to Smith.  Per Scout, Smith is the #7 player in the 2016 class.

Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

The Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals do not meet for a few more weeks, but apparently, Rick Pitino talked about Kentucky yesterday. A lot. In his press conference before the Ohio State game, Pitino opened a can of worms by saying that the atmosphere at the Yum! could be the best he has ever had at Louisville. Better than Kentucky/Louisville?  Pitino explained.

"“I don’t think Kentucky is a great atmosphere, I really don’t,” Pitino said. “I think there are 5,000 of them getting in our building. We get five getting into their building and they get 5,000. I don’t think it’s a great atmosphere. I would put that 10th on the list of great atmospheres.” He went on. “When I was at Kentucky, sometimes we’d go into Freedom Hall and at the end of the game, you’d hear the ‘Let’s Go Blue’ cheers,” he said. “I wish we’d have what they have, where, if you see red, you don’t get out of the building. I tell my children to wear blue (at Rupp Arena), so they can live.”"

Of course, it’s a backhanded compliment to Kentucky fan and further gives to to adage that “Blue Gets In”. Also in his press conference, he alluded to Kentucky as being one of the best teams ever assembled. Thanks coach.

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

If you are wanting to get a look at some of the talent assembled for next years team, you are in luck. You can get a glimpse at the future of the Kentucky Wildcats mens team and also UK Hoops this weekend.

"UK basketball signees Skal Labissiere and Maci Morris will both play within about an hour’s drive of Lexington this weekend. The two future Wildcats — and several other highly touted recruits — are set to appear in the Legacy Nissan Classic at North Laurel High School in London. The three-day event begins Friday night. Morris and the Bell County girls team will start things off against host North Laurel on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Morris signed with UK last month and is considered the No. 44 national prospect in the class of 2015, according to the All-Star Girls Report recruiting service. She is widely regarded as the No. 1 senior in the state. Labissiere, who signed with the UK men’s team last month, will lead Reach Your Dream Prep (Tenn.) against Wesleyan Christian on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Scout.com ranks Labissiere as the No. 3 overall prospect in the class of 2015."