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Kentucky basketball: John Calipari’s 5 best recruiting classes

By Drew Koch

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 04: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 04: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – MARCH 21: (L-R)Teammates and brothers, Aaron Harrison #2 and Andrew Harrison #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats, wait to go in the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the third round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 21, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – MARCH 21: (L-R)Teammates and brothers, Aaron Harrison #2 and Andrew Harrison #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats, wait to go in the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the third round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 21, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Class of 2013

Alright BBN, don’t deny it. This was the Kentucky basketball recruiting class you were most hungry to watch play. Looking back now, we were right to feel that way. A trip to the National Championship game and a Final Four ain’t too shabby. But, why was Big Blue Nation so eager to see the Class of 2013?

Personally, I think it was because Kentucky basketball fans had a horrible taste in their mouths from being bounced in the first round of the NIT by Robert Morris the year before. After winning the National Championship in 2012 and missing the tournament all together in 2013, BBN was hungry just to see winning basketball again.

And they did. The Harrison twins, Julius Randle (2), Dakari Johnson (9) and James Young (12) all ranked in the Top 15 of Rivals 2013 recruiting class. Joining them was Marcus Lee, Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins.

The team itself proved challenging for Coach Cal and the UK faithful, as the season didn’t unfold the way anyone thought. The Cats were 12-6 in the SEC and 24-10 heading into the NCAA Tournament. A deep run in the tournament, including wins over Wichita State and Louisville made the season memorable. Unfortunately, the Cats fell just short losing to UConn in the championship game.

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