CBS (Parrish) lifts Kentucky after Mitchell...

[MdWIldcat55]

College basketball rankings: Landing Mark Mitchell has Kentucky climbing in early Top 25 And 1

Mitchell, the ex-Duke and Missouri star, is just the latest to join the Wildcats' impressive transfer portal haul

www.cbssports.com

Up to 12...When I look at some of the prospective line-ups ahead in the rankings, this really feels like the floor, not the ceiling. Factored in is probably the legal uncertainty. But I think as long as Mitchell's status holds up, the rankings are going to keep rising, into the Top Ten. There are no way ten teams have three players that match Momcilovic, Mitchell and Moreno. And the guards are solid, especially with Mason Williams looking like a solid back-up. The Cats have a lot of ways to beat teams, with Mitchell capable of taking over games and erasing a poor shooting night.

 

[UKCowboys]

I am fine with 12, even though I think thats way low. What matters is, this is a team that can legitimately compete for #9

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

We were always going to get less preseason respect due to last year’s team underperforming. I think 12 is a good starting place.

 

[catsarecool1447]

I watched Jack Pilgrim, and sources say that after the commitment, their guest thought we would hover around the 10-15 range. Mainly because of people still being uncertain with Pope, roster is good, but saying most would have a prove it to me attitude because he's never done it. I think anywhere from 5-15 is fair.

 

[Kingslayer07]

Rothstein doesnt have us top 10 either. 15 I think?

 

[Lameguy]

College basketball rankings: Landing Mark Mitchell has Kentucky climbing in early Top 25 And 1

Mitchell, the ex-Duke and Missouri star, is just the latest to join the Wildcats' impressive transfer portal haul

www.cbssports.com

Up to 12...When I look at some of the prospective line-ups ahead in the rankings, this really feels like the floor, not the ceiling. Factored in is probably the legal uncertainty. But I think as long as Mitchell's status holds up, the rankings are going to keep rising, into the Top Ten. There are no way ten teams have three players that match Momcilovic, Mitchell and Moreno. And the guards are solid, especially with Mason Williams looking like a solid back-up. The Cats have a lot of ways to beat teams, with Mitchell capable of taking over games and erasing a poor shooting night.

With the current roster 12 looks like a floor, some of those teams are ranked based on their ceiling like Illnois, Michigan st, Arizona, Texas

 

[Johnnie Africa]

It’s a top ten roster on paper, let’s see if we can play like it. Really think having no one you can double in the post will really play to Popes strengths and will create a really fun team to watch. Our offense first year under Pope was a thing of beauty so excited to see if we can get back to that. If Wilkins steps up his game from 3, and he should have a lot of freedom with Mom and Mitchell, then watch out. Should allow Zoom to go downhill more too with our spacing.

 

[Cats192]

It feels like there is a disproportionate amount of "love" given to who the coach is and what the team did last year--regardless of who the team lost.

Florida, Duke, Illinois will be very good. Texas I think will be very good.

Parrish has UCONN at 4. Rothstein at 4.

UCONN will be good, but they went on that tournament run in large part thanks to Tarris Reed's insane run. I thought they'd be really good when they were returning Ball, Demary, Mullins. But now Ball is out for the season and it feels like the rankings kind of just glaze over that.

Parrish has MSU at 5, Rothstein at 7.

Michigan State: Fears will probably be 1st Team AA. Carr will be good. But then you're projected to start a pair of Sophomores who aren't proven. Bonke is probably solid due to his size, but hhis best competition last year was 1 game vs Va Tech.

And to compare UK:

PG: Averaged 15 in the B10
SG: lit up UCONN in the tournament
SF: 2nd Team All B12
PF: 2nd Team All SEC
C: SEC All Freshmen team

Both have Arizona at 6.

Arizona lost Burries, Bradley, Peat.

Added: Derek Dixon from UNC, RJ Godfrey from Clemson, and Caleb Holt.

I'm down with Holt being a stud, but Burries was a top 10 pick. Peat was 3rd team All Big 12, Jayden Bradley was B12 POY and 3rd Team All-AA. I don't think they've replaced nearly the talent they lost.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

It feels like there is a disproportionate amount of "love" given to who the coach is and what the team did last year--regardless of who the team lost.

Florida, Duke, Illinois will be very good. Texas I think will be very good.

Parrish has UCONN at 4. Rothstein at 4.

UCONN will be good, but they went on that tournament run in large part thanks to Tarris Reed's insane run. I thought they'd be really good when they were returning Ball, Demary, Mullins. But now Ball is out for the season and it feels like the rankings kind of just glaze over that.

Parrish has MSU at 5, Rothstein at 7.

Michigan State: Fears will probably be 1st Team AA. Carr will be good. But then you're projected to start a pair of Sophomores who aren't proven. Bonke is probably solid due to his size, but hhis best competition last year was 1 game vs Va Tech.

And to compare UK:

PG: Averaged 15 in the B10
SG: lit up UCONN in the tournament
SF: 2nd Team All B12
PF: 2nd Team All SEC
C: SEC All Freshmen team

Both have Arizona at 6.

Arizona lost Burries, Bradley, Peat.

Added: Derek Dixon from UNC, RJ Godfrey from Clemson, and Caleb Holt.

I'm down with Holt being a stud, but Burries was a top 10 pick. Peat was 3rd team All Big 12, Jayden Bradley was B12 POY and 3rd Team All-AA. I don't think they've replaced nearly the talent they lost.

Agreed. I don’t see the Arizona or MSU hype at all. Not as top 10 teams anyway. I would rank us higher than both and higher than Louisville, Virginia and Arkansas for sure.

 

[Kingslayer07]

It feels like there is a disproportionate amount of "love" given to who the coach is and what the team did last year--regardless of who the team lost.

Florida, Duke, Illinois will be very good. Texas I think will be very good.

Parrish has UCONN at 4. Rothstein at 4.

UCONN will be good, but they went on that tournament run in large part thanks to Tarris Reed's insane run. I thought they'd be really good when they were returning Ball, Demary, Mullins. But now Ball is out for the season and it feels like the rankings kind of just glaze over that.

Parrish has MSU at 5, Rothstein at 7.

Michigan State: Fears will probably be 1st Team AA. Carr will be good. But then you're projected to start a pair of Sophomores who aren't proven. Bonke is probably solid due to his size, but hhis best competition last year was 1 game vs Va Tech.

And to compare UK:

PG: Averaged 15 in the B10
SG: lit up UCONN in the tournament
SF: 2nd Team All B12
PF: 2nd Team All SEC
C: SEC All Freshmen team

Both have Arizona at 6.

Arizona lost Burries, Bradley, Peat.

Added: Derek Dixon from UNC, RJ Godfrey from Clemson, and Caleb Holt.

I'm down with Holt being a stud, but Burries was a top 10 pick. Peat was 3rd team All Big 12, Jayden Bradley was B12 POY and 3rd Team All-AA. I don't think they've replaced nearly the talent they lost.

Kharchenkov is going to be VERY good for Arizona also.

 

[cawoodsct]

There are a ton of really good teams this year. If he gets to play we should be one of those 10-12 who could win it all.

 

[Cats192]

Kharchenkov is going to be VERY good for Arizona also.

I don't mean to say Arizona is "bad." I'm not sure they're top 10 at this point.

Maybe Kharchenkov takes a massive leap. But 26 PPG vs teams in Lithuania don't mean THAT much. We saw our teams run wild against Bahamian pros and then struggle vs the NCAA.

Moreover, it confuses me that Arizona gets that ranking counting on "the jumps" and Kentucky has more proven guys and can't break into the top 10.

Zoom averaged 16/4/4 in the BIG10 shooting nearly 50%.
Milan was 2nd Team All Big 12.
Mitchell was 2nd team All SEC

Milan and Mitchell were already both considered "better" than Kharchenkov.

Maybe Krivas is better than Malachi. But Krivas averaged 8 and 4 in 8 games as a Sophomore. Malachi averaged 8 and 6 as a FROSH. Most people--even outside of UK--agree Moreno is due to make a big leap this season.

Is Caleb Holt special enough that he lifts them above the entirety of the UK roster? I don't think so. But, we'll see.

But at the end of the day, we've got guys that have proven it against Power conference competition. And schools like Arizona, Michigan State are getting ranked higher with guys that have proven less.

 

[Cattorney]

Oh, God. Hear we go again.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

12 is fine for now. Can fly a bit under the radar as we gel in real games. We will be top 5 at some point.

 

[ThreeDogNight2]

I’m fine being predicted that low because in reality we are better but I also don’t think there is more than 5 teams that can actually position to position match us

 

[chroix]

I like my top ten rankings “earned not given”. 12 is perfect.

 

[Kingslayer07]

I don't mean to say Arizona is "bad." I'm not sure they're top 10 at this point.

Maybe Kharchenkov takes a massive leap. But 26 PPG vs teams in Lithuania don't mean THAT much. We saw our teams run wild against Bahamian pros and then struggle vs the NCAA.

Moreover, it confuses me that Arizona gets that ranking counting on "the jumps" and Kentucky has more proven guys and can't break into the top 10.

Zoom averaged 16/4/4 in the BIG10 shooting nearly 50%.
Milan was 2nd Team All Big 12.
Mitchell was 2nd team All SEC

Milan and Mitchell were already both considered "better" than Kharchenkov.

Maybe Krivas is better than Malachi. But Krivas averaged 8 and 4 in 8 games as a Sophomore. Malachi averaged 8 and 6 as a FROSH. Most people--even outside of UK--agree Moreno is due to make a big leap this season.

Is Caleb Holt special enough that he lifts them above the entirety of the UK roster? I don't think so. But, we'll see.

But at the end of the day, we've got guys that have proven it against Power conference competition. And schools like Arizona, Michigan State are getting ranked higher with guys that have proven less.

I dont get too wound up with preseason rankings like most do. Just prove it on the court.

 

[L.O.D.]

If Mitchell plays like last year he will be a great asset . He sits on outside trying to shoot mostly 3s Im unsure .

 

[Wunky]

We will be tested early and often, and I assume the teams ranked ahead of us will, too. The cream will rise.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

We will be tested early and often, and I assume the teams ranked ahead of us will, too. The cream will rise.

 

[Major_Tom]

Good. I’d rather be underestimated than over.

 

[Bungalow Bill]

Stomp the **** out of Kansas and people will take notice. Lot's of opportunities on our schedule to prove we're a serious contender.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

It’s a top ten roster on paper, let’s see if we can play like it. Really think having no one you can double in the post will really play to Popes strengths and will create a really fun team to watch. Our offense first year under Pope was a thing of beauty so excited to see if we can get back to that. If Wilkins steps up his game from 3, and he should have a lot of freedom with Mom and Mitchell, then watch out. Should allow Zoom to go downhill more too with our spacing.

I’m excited to see Wilkins with some legit help.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Kharchenkov is going to be VERY good for Arizona also.

Team of players the announcers will hate lol.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

12 is fine for now. Can fly a bit under the radar as we gel in real games. We will be top 5 at some point.

Yup keep us low. Don’t let them get over rated early again.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Argument can be made that UK will have a top 2-3 frontcourt in the nation, especially if Ousmane turns out to be good (I'm talking much better than Jelavic and Big Z at UK).

The question is how will the backcourt play under the lights. Biggest question mark, IMO.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Argument can be made that UK will have a top 2-3 frontcourt in the nation, especially if Ousmane turns out to be good (I'm talking much better than Jelavic and Big Z at UK).

The question is how will the backcourt play under the lights. Biggest question mark, IMO.

I think our backcourt will be at damn near elite level. Zoom and Wilkins both having a 30%+ assist rate is insane. Not to mention, they can both create their own offense and both can get to the rim at will.

 

[Cats4321]

In terms of roster talent, we are clearly better than #12. But I understand the hesitation to move us higher with our lack of success recently, and Pope still has to prove that he can coach a top 10 team. That's not a shot at Pope..just the reality.

 

[BookofMormon]

It feels like there is a disproportionate amount of "love" given to who the coach is and what the team did last year--regardless of who the team lost.

Florida, Duke, Illinois will be very good. Texas I think will be very good.

Parrish has UCONN at 4. Rothstein at 4.

UCONN will be good, but they went on that tournament run in large part thanks to Tarris Reed's insane run. I thought they'd be really good when they were returning Ball, Demary, Mullins. But now Ball is out for the season and it feels like the rankings kind of just glaze over that.

Parrish has MSU at 5, Rothstein at 7.

Michigan State: Fears will probably be 1st Team AA. Carr will be good. But then you're projected to start a pair of Sophomores who aren't proven. Bonke is probably solid due to his size, but hhis best competition last year was 1 game vs Va Tech.

And to compare UK:

PG: Averaged 15 in the B10
SG: lit up UCONN in the tournament
SF: 2nd Team All B12
PF: 2nd Team All SEC
C: SEC All Freshmen team

Both have Arizona at 6.

Arizona lost Burries, Bradley, Peat.

Added: Derek Dixon from UNC, RJ Godfrey from Clemson, and Caleb Holt.

I'm down with Holt being a stud, but Burries was a top 10 pick. Peat was 3rd team All Big 12, Jayden Bradley was B12 POY and 3rd Team All-AA. I don't think they've replaced nearly the talent they lost.

I'm giving coaching an edge every year. UConn will have continuity and just about every kid in that starting give will be draftable. They should have the best backcourt in CBB in Demary and Mullins. The kid they got at center is a friggin beast, will be about how fast they can get him ready. He's a specimen. Khamenia is the big X factor as they're looking for him to play the Karaban role. I'll take the coaching with continuity over a paper roster every time.

I personally find AZ to be a bit overrated - that roster was stacked last year. Jayden Bradley was a huge part of why they were so good. I'm not a believer yet in Lloyd. I find him not emphasizing 3 pt shooting to be an odd approach.

I'd put this UK team somewhere between Texas, Tenn and Louisville. 10-12 sounds right to me. Preseason polls don't matter anyway. The number one preseason team hasn't won a title since 2009 UNC. Means nothing.

 

[KOF98]

Nebraska transfer Ugnius Jarusevicius. Remember The Name.

How am I supposed to remember a name like that?

 

[megablue]

I'm giving coaching an edge every year. UConn will have continuity and just about every kid in that starting give will be draftable. They should have the best backcourt in CBB in Demary and Mullins. The kid they got at center is a friggin beast, will be about how fast they can get him ready. He's a specimen. Khamenia is the big X factor as they're looking for him to play the Karaban role. I'll take the coaching with continuity over a paper roster every time.

I personally find AZ to be a bit overrated - that roster was stacked last year. Jayden Bradley was a huge part of why they were so good. I'm not a believer yet in Lloyd. I find him not emphasizing 3 pt shooting to be an odd approach.

I'd put this UK team somewhere between Texas, Tenn and Louisville. 10-12 sounds right to me. Preseason polls don't matter anyway. The number one preseason team hasn't won a title since 2009 UNC. Means nothing.

Yes ... how you're playing in March is what really matters. Stay healthy, play defense and rebound.

 

[RunninRichie]

I think our backcourt will be at damn near elite level. Zoom and Wilkins both having a 30%+ assist rate is insane. Not to mention, they can both create their own offense and both can get to the rim at will.

Wilkins is still a question mark. Can he do it against higher level comp? After UCONN adjusted, he was shut down in that NCAAT game.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Wilkins is still a question mark. Can he do it against higher level comp? After UCONN adjusted, he was shut down in that NCAAT game.

It took them letting him score 22 points until they figured out how to shut him down.

I think he will be fine as a 5th option, scoring somewhere in the 10 to 11 points/game range. If he hits 35%+ on his threes and shows discipline on defense, I think that's all UK will need from him with Mitchell, Milan, and Diallo getting the lion's share of the scoring.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I think our backcourt will be at damn near elite level. Zoom and Wilkins both having a 30%+ assist rate is insane. Not to mention, they can both create their own offense and both can get to the rim at will.

This. The offense won't be getting bogged down with three high-level shot creators in Diallo/Wilkins/Mitchell, plus Milan ready to hit a 24 footer if you give him space. Lots of options in late-clock situations.

 

[RunninRichie]

It took them letting him score 22 points until they figured out how to shut him down.

I think he will be fine as a 5th option, scoring somewhere in the 10 to 11 points/game range. If he hits 35%+ on his threes and shows discipline on defense, I think that's all UK will need from him with Mitchell, Milan, and Diallo getting the lion's share of the scoring.

I think he can shoot 35% from 3. His percentage should rise with better players around him. And a better offensive system under Pope.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Wilkins is still a question mark. Can he do it against higher level comp? After UCONN adjusted, he was shut down in that NCAAT game.

I get what you’re saying. However, the eye test tells me dude is gonna be a baller this season for us!

 

[BookofMormon]

I get what you’re saying. However, the eye test tells me dude is gonna be a baller this season for us!

Love his game - think Wagler in archetype.

 

[RunninRichie]

Love his game - think Wagler in archetype.

CJ McCollum.

 

[Runt#1969]

G

Stomp the **** out of Kansas and people will take notice. Lot's of opportunities on our schedule to prove we're a serious contender.

Good start right there. Get the first 2 games under our belt and kick some jayhawks tail

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

We were always going to get less preseason respect due to last year’s team underperforming. I think 12 is a good starting place.

Agreed. I think most can see the potential of the roster if/when Mitchell is playing. I would assume the hesitation stems more from Pope never really having a team that good before. That can change quickly.