LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky coach John Calipari stops just short of calling his latest talented freshmen group the best ever because previous classes have featured top NBA draft picks and won an NCAA championship.
This class has yet to even play a game at Kentucky.
Still, Calipari hinted Tuesday his view could quickly change with McDonald’s All-Americans Dakari Johnson, twins Andrew and Aaron Harrison, James Young, Julius Randle and Marcus Lee leading the Wildcats’ eight-player freshmen contingent. In-state players Dominique Hawkins and Derek Willis round out this latest crop.
The coach concedes “this team is a lot deeper,” suggesting he could possibly start five freshmen.
The talent has expectations of Kentucky winning a ninth national title high — especially after the Wildcats went 21-12 last year and were upset in the NIT.
