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Kentucky still 'a piece or two away' from top tier in way-too-early SEC rankings

Kentucky still needs to add a few pieces to jump up in the early SEC rankings and adding a key piece would do that.

By Alec Lasley

University of Kentucky’s new men’s basketball coach Mark Pope applauds as Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart introduces him to the thousands of fans in Rupp Arena for his press conference on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
University of Kentucky’s new men’s basketball coach Mark Pope applauds as Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart introduces him to the thousands of fans in Rupp Arena for his press conference on Sunday, April 14, 2024. / Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY
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Kentucky had one of the wildest offseasons in the past decade ... or more ... in college basketball as the departure of John Calipari sent seismic waves throughout the country. When Mark Pope stepped in, he had to find a roster ... literally, as every single member of the roster from last year and incoming recruits opened things up.

Since then, Pope landed eight transfers and three high school prospects. While his roster isn't finished, his success over the last month has put Kentucky in the conversation for a top-half team in the SEC.

To take the next step, they are still 'a piece or two away'.

"Kentucky has a seven-man rotation that makes some sense, but the 'Cats are still a piece or two away from jumping into that top tier of SEC frontrunners," 247Sports national writer Isaac Trotter wrote. "Good thing Pope has his line in the water for a few monster fish. You add a  and/or a  to this group, and the complexion certainly changes. The bones of a good team are already in place in Lexington, but Kentucky needs one or two more big splashes if it wants to be a National Championship contender."

Trotter, who released his 'way-too-early' SEC power rankings, had Kentucky at No. 7.

At the moment that feels about right. Kentucky still has two open scholarships. One of those will likely be used on a critical piece, however. UK is involved with North Florida guard Chaz Lanier and BYU guard Jaxson Robinson. Both went through the NBA Draft process and Lanier visited Kentucky last week.

Robinson has yet to withdraw from the NBA Draft, but all signs point to him doing so.

So, that 'piece' will likely be added in the next week.

Regardless, Pope has a clear plan of how he wants to add to his roster and use up the last few scholarships he has.

Until then, Kentucky sits at 11 scholarship players and will continue to look to add to its roster.

Here are the entire rankings:

  1. Auburn
  2. Alabama
  3. Tennessee
  4. Texas A&M
  5. Florida
  6. Arkansas
  7. Kentucky
  8. Ole Miss
  9. Texas
  10. Mississippi State
  11. Missouri
  12. Oklahoma
  13. Georgia
  14. South Carolina

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