The brotherhood of the former Kentucky Wildcats basketball players

Even though John Wall played at the University of Kentucky for just one season, he remains true blue for life.  As does DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, and virtually every other player that has passed time at Rupp Arena to the way to the NBA or other venture in life.  Despite the snide asides and derogatory comments by opposing fans and media, the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team is a family and a brotherhood.  Several national writers have called them one year mercanaries in the past but that could not be further from the truth.  Whether you stay one year or four, being a member of the Kentucky Wildcats enters you into a very exclusive fraternity.  John Wall had this before facing Eric Bledsoe recently.  

"Wall described the fraternity as a “brotherhood” that filters through generations. He recalled older Kentucky stars such as Derek Anderson,Tony Delk, and Wayne Turner returning to campus during his year in Lexington and Ron Mercer, a first-round selection in the 1997 draft, took a geology class with him. He has known Knight, his replacement as Kentucky’s point guard in 2011, since Knight was 15 years old and Wall hosted him on his recruiting visit. Wall occasionally goes back to campus to play pick-up and keeps in contact with current players. He tries to meet with former Kentucky players, in the NBA or not, in different cities whenever he gets the chance. “They all supported us and they’re still supporting,” Wall said. “It’s a big tradition and once you play for them it’s like a big family here.”"

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Finally it seems John Calipari is getting credit as a coach for the way he has handled this team. Some would say that with his use of his big men that the Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach has “hacked” college basketball.

"Calipari has taken the role of “rim protector” and made it plural. Ordinarily, this role is supposed to be filled by one guy who’s susceptible to foul trouble and less than skilled offensively, but UK’s paying no price to speak of for having center-type players logging minutes at the 4 spot. These rim protectors don’t foul often, and they’re also excellent offensive rebounders. This season, the Wildcats have pulled down 46 percent of their missed shots. The way college basketball is supposed to work, Willie Cauley-Stein, Karl-Anthony Towns, Dakari Johnson and Marcus Lee should be playing the 5 spot for four different teams. Instead, they’re playing alongside each other. Calipari has flouted convention and built a wall of size around the basket. That wall won’t always be the determining factor — Columbia and North Carolina actually shot somewhat normal percentages on their 2s in back-to-back games against Kentucky. But having multiple rim-protectors on the floor at the same time gives the Wildcats the potential to simply nullify any opponent’s aspirations to compete, let alone win. Just ask UCLA."

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

What else can I say but this is awesome.