Kentucky Basketball: Calipari Has a Stacked Team in 2011-2012

With unsubstantiated rumors floating around that University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari might be headed to the New York Knicks, sanity has overcome baseless speculation as Calipari will remain the Wildcats' coach perhas up until 2018-2019 after signing a two-year extension.

Calipari is perhaps the most high-profile coach in college basketball, and judging by his recruting classes, it's easy to see why.

The Wildcats have lost Brandon Knight, Josh Harrellson, DeAndre Liggins, and Enes Kanter to the NBA Draft, but will have plenty of reinforcements next season.

The upcoming recruiting class is perhaps the best in the nation, as next year around this time, there might be five or six UK players being selected in the NBA Draft.

Power forward Anthony Davis, small forward Michael Gilchrist, center Kyle Wiltjer, and point guard Marquis Teague were among the best high school players in the nation this past year, and they're on their way to Lexington.

Add to those players the ones on the current roster, starters Darius Miller, Terrence Jones, and key reserves Doron Lamb and Eloy Vargas, and the Wildcats will be serious players next season after falling short to eventual champions Connecticut in the Final Four.

Calipari will need the freshman to contribute immediately. Calipari loses Knight's 17.3 points per game average last season, Harrellson's 8.7 rebounds per game, and Liggins's excellent defense.

High school statistics mean little in projecting college statistics, but Anthony Davis's averages of 32 points, 22 rebounds and eight blocked shots per game might be an indicator that he will be the major contributor from the outset.

Davis was considered the best high school player in the nation, and his length should serve him well in the Southeastern Conference.

Other programs within the conference are not expected to be stronger next season, particularly Tennessee. Florida did not have a strong recruiting class -- adding only one highly touted recruit, Brad Beal -- and lost two key starters. The Gators will be among the best teams in the SEC, but they likely have trouble contending with Kentucky because of their lack of big men.

Calipari is now in his 17th season has a head coach of a college basketball coach. While other coaches have faded off a bit, Calipari continues to dominate as a recruiter and his teams consistently win.

The bottomline for Calipari is despite the early departure of players, he manages to make up for them with an endless stream of strong freshmen.

Next season should be much of the same for the Cats as they pursue their first championship since 1998.