NBA Scouting Director: “NBA Teams Should Just Go Rent A Condo For The Year In Lexington”

I think Gators might get 'em this year.  It will be interesting to see Gators' experience vs. Kentucky's talent.  Tennessee will have a shot in the east too.  I think it's very unlikely that this class has an Anthony Davis and a Gilchrist in it.  Those are very rare players. 

Basketball is extremely un-predictable though.  Sure Kentucky will be a HUGE favorite to win the regular season, but all kinds of things can happen in single elimination tourneys.  Heck, just last year Vandy beat Kentucky in the SEC tournament.  If Kentucky had had that "off night" a week or so later, then everyone would have been talking about how Kentucky just proved that you can't build a champion with only "1 and done" players.  Personally, I think the jury is still out on that.  There is no guarantee that this years team of "1 and dones" will gel as well as last years oustanding Kentucky basketball team. 

As a Mizzou fan, I'm just sad that football season is only at the 1/2 way point, and I am already looking forward to basketball season.  Makes me sympathize a little with the Jayhawk fans.  :)

hmm.  what's his graduation rate?  what happens to the recruits who don't end up cashing nba paychecks?  how many could pass a ged final?

intercollegiate basketball is a farce.

@MrSEC good article. Too many will overlook your excellent point that NCAA basketball is strictly a tournament sport. Not much else matters.

I don't know John....Basketball is one of those sports where a good guy or 2 + a team that plays hard,  smart and knows their roles can overcome superior talent that doesn't do those things. The task of grooming a team of raw top tier talent into a cohesive unit is daunting to say the least.  I think the goal has to be peaking in March and that winning the SEC annually, while nice, is not as realistic.  But with the "win or go home" aspect of March Madness and the importance of team play, even getting the best talent far from guarantees championships.  But, that's also why the Final Four run in 2011 will be one of the most memorable for me--They had talent but also overcame some short-comings with smart play and knowing their roles (and that Ohio St-UK game was just beautiful by both sides from a basketball perspective).

As far as the other commenters... well, haters gonna hate.  And they'll be absolutely sure to ignore all that he does for charity and the State of Kentucky. Cal does as much or more than any coach in the country to make the community a better place outside basketball (not just at UK, but in Memphis while there, Hoops for Haiti, etc).

Easy to be "the best recruiter in college basketball" when you care NOTHING about following the rules.

The numbers are lower obviously. But the recent recruiting domination by UK is unprecedented. Given UK and Calipari's well-earned reputations, it's not difficult to connect the dots (unless you're the NCAA).

Kentucky is very successful, No question. But, it seems to me, basketball is a game you can be successful at with 6 quality players. There are more than 6 first round draft choices into the NBA each year. So, it is possible to recruit a taem than can compete. Much easier than football.

Logic would suggest that NCAA should buy a condo there as well. Unless, of course, you believe that *all* of the top players in the U.S. just grew up loving UK, loving Calipari, etc. The NBA is obviously  the big draw. But it's not like these kids can't get drafted if they go to Wisconsin or Syracuse or UCLA or Western KY. It's only shocking in that more folks don't scratch their head over this. Essentially the equivalent of Bama signing the top player in the nation at every position in a class comprised of only 5-star recruits...every year.  Nothing fishy at all. Right wes?