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Kentucky Basketball ranks high in the early media outlet polls

By Frank Spencer

Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) against the Florida Gators during the second half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 88-66. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) against the Florida Gators during the second half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 88-66. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Basketball, fresh off of great news, has entered the early college basketball polls in the top five.

Even with a roster loaded full of freshman, four sophomores and two juniors, college basketball analysts at many media outlets are still ranking the Wildcats high on their lists. John Calipari and the Kentucky Basketball staff will definitely have high expectations to live up to. Although this team will not rank at the top of the lists, it’s pretty close. ESPN ranks Kentucky at number four on the list following Arizona, Kansas and Michigan State. Sitting behind those programs is very understandable considering the the teams that those national names still have.

Other media outlets have also weighed in on the “way too early” rankings campaign. Gary Parrish at CBS released the outlet’s new Top 25 which lists Kentucky at number five. CBS.com has the same three programs listed ahead of Kentucky Basketball. But, coming in at number four on the list is the Wichita State Shockers. Gregg Marshall and the Shockers are going to get a boost in their conference ratings as they entered the American Athletic Conference. 

Fox Sports ranks the Kentucky Wildcats at number three on their early polls. The inclusion of Hamidou Diallo who decided to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft has boosted the Wildcats up the polls.

Common Themes

The common theme among most of the early polls include the Wildcats in the top five. Also, the Arizona Wildcats round out the lists as the consensus preseason number one team in the country. Michigan State with Miles Bridges returning to school as well as Kansas and Wichita State seeing time near the top.

The Duke Blue Devils deserve some preseason considerations as well with the number two recruiting class. Villanova and defending national champion North Carolina are seeing their names pop up in the top 10 as well.

Next: 3 reasons Kentucky will win the National Championship

Fair Game?

To say that Kentucky Basketball will have the best team in the country next season isn’t very wise at the moment. A team based solely on the talent levels of eight freshman and two sophomores shouldn’t be put at the top from from the get-go. This team will have to work their way up. But, the college basketball world should not count John Calipari out based on his track record. If anyone can make some noise with the youngest team in the country, its Coach Cal.

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