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Kentucky Wildcats nab another way too early number one ranking

By Paul Jordan

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Now that the Kentucky Wildcats have lost seven players to the NBA, some Wildcats fans are in a bit of freak out mode about the upcoming college basketball season.  It’s become an annual rite of Spring, and I’ve learned long ago to just trust in John Calipari.  Most way-too-early polls have the Kentucky Wildcats solidly entrenched in the top five and there is still recruiting to do.  CBS Sports just came out with their list and look who takes over the top spot.  

"Why the Wildcats are ranked here: There are lots of moving parts with UK, per usual. But it would be foolish to assume John Calipari will have anything other than one of the nation’s best rosters even though he’s losing his top seven scorers. The guess here is that Kentucky will sign at least two more elite prospects — some combination of Jaylen Brown, Malik Newman, Stephen Zimmerman, Cheick Diallo and Thon Maker. Combine that likelihood with a core of Tyler Ulis, Alex Poythress, Marcus Lee, Isaiah Briscoe and Skal Labissiere — the latter of whom played so well last week at the Hoop Summit that he’s now projected as the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft — and it’s reasonable to believe Kentucky will ultimately be the favorite to win the 2016 national championship."

Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Depending on what happens with Stephen Zimmerman, Mike Thorn could be one of John Calipari’s biggest targets over the next month or so.  The buzz is still heavy that Zimmerman will commit to UNLV soon and interestingly enough, Zimmerman’s mom’s twitter account has been inactive since her rant on Sunday proclaiming that her son still has not made a decision.  Either the stress of the recruitment has gotten to her or she is just lying low until a decision is reached.

So enter Mike Thorn.  The Charlotte grad transfer will be visiting Lexington soon.

"Trinity Christian (N.C.) head coach Heath Vandevender told the Herald-Leader that he spoke to UK Coach John Calipari on Monday afternoon. Calipari is trying to arrange a visit with Thorne and his father in Charlotte before the player visits Lexington. Thorne is also considering Pittsburgh, Illinois and Kansas. He visited Pitt this past weekend and has trips to Illinois and Kansas planned for the next two weekends. A visit to UK would likely happen after that. Vandevender said that playing time would be a major factor in Thorne’s final decision, since he has only one year of eligibility remaining. UK losing seven players to the NBA Draft — including four in the frontcourt — should help the Wildcats’ chances. The stay-or-go decision of Kansas forward Perry Ellis could also affect Thorne’s recruitment."

Granted, Kentucky is still recruiting bigs Zimmerman, Chieck Diallo, and Thon Maker but it does not appeat that Kentucky is the clear-cut leader for any of those three.

Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of Thon Maker, he would have to still have to reclassify into the 2015 class and if that happens, it looks like he may not be available for a while.

"3. Thon Maker’s future Thon Maker — who was the No. 1 player in our rankings until he moved to play his senior year of high school in Canada — was active, grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds and showing he still plays with a strong motor. He has put on weight, which is vital for his development, but he struggled to score on the blocks because of his inability to get low and play low against a set defender. “Thon has to first finish high school and graduate, which should be in August or possibly later, and he could enroll into a college in September or December,” Maker’s guardian, Ed Smith, said. “Our other option is to stay at Orangeville Prep in a post-grad year and play with his brother Matur."

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