2014-15 SEC Basketball Projections

[The_Iceman]

For some reason, I keep believing in Grant. He has talent returning next year, and a pretty good transfer coming in, so we'll see what happens. With Pearl at AU, this is obviously a make-or-break year for him.

They will be losing Relaford. It's hard to replace a guy like that.

Who is the transfer they are getting?

[Hawg Red]

They will be losing Relaford. It's hard to replace a guy like that.

Who is the transfer they are getting?

Yeah, they lose Releford, but they still have some solid players coming back, a couple of top 100 recruits and a good transfer. I think it's possible they could still get better despite losing him. We got better after losing Powell and Young, so it's not unheard of.

Ricky Tarrant is the transfer. Averaged almost 16 PPG at Tulane.

[Mick Hogger]

We can't get off to a slow start in conference like this year and have to fight for our lives every game to have a chance to make the tournament. This year I expect to be in the serious discussions for post season throughout the conference race.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred ·31s
UT athletic director Dave Hart presser is underway. He says he wishes Cuonzo Martin nothing but success at Cal. National search starts now.

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred ·44 secs
Dave Hart: "We're late in the sense that we're right on top of singing day and the Final 4 has come and gone."

Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247 ·21 mins
That was quick. RT @Kingokoroh: I announce my commitment to the University of California Berkeley.

Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247 ·18 mins
Updated profile on big center prospect Kingsley Okoroh, who just switched commitment from #Vols to #Cal: (FREE) http://bit.ly/1noCIhE

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred ·3 hrs
Our newest update has an interview with former Vol Jordan McRae, comments from UT athletic director Dave Hart: http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2014/apr/15/espn-cuonzo-martin-leaving-ut-california-press-con/ ...

Many of the Vol signees have been instructed to or on their initiative are choosing not to comment on the coaching change.

[jbcarol]

Andrew Lopez ‏@_Andrew_Lopez ·13 hrs
Good news #Vols fans - Jordan Cornish is "leaning" towards staying and not asking for release. Final decision coming later. #UT

Jordan Cornish ‏@JordanCornish5_ ·17 hrs
No taking any calls or text about the current situation! Taking it day by day , if you need me contact my parents

6-4 2-star SG at New Orleans Brother Martin

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris ‏@MHarrisAdvocate ·3m
Also, no white smoke or releases on #LSU forward Jordan Mickey's NBA intentions. NCAA withdraw date passed. NBA deadline is April 27.

[jbcarol]

Steve Walentik ‏@Steve_Walentik ·21 hrs
Early draft entries will change the look of SEC - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: Courtside View: http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/courtside_view/early-draft-entries-are-affecting-sec/article_56aa1b4a-c4d6-11e3-a108-0017a43b2370.html...

Alabama: Coach Anthony Grant has enough problems figuring out how to replace All-SEC senior guard Trevor Releford... Levi Randolph, a name Missouri might remember and want to forget, will be back as Alabama's top returning scorer next season.

Arkansas: All indications are that freshman forward Bobby Portis is planning on sticking around Fayetteville, Ark., another season, and he should be the centerpiece of a Razorbacks team with a good chance to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008...

Auburn: New Coach Bruce Pearl has plenty of holes to fill with departing seniors Chris Denson, Allen Payne and Asauhn Dixon-Tatum, not to mention all the other holes that existed around them last season. No one on this team is talented enough to be an NBA draft pick. Rising Senior Guard KT Harrell, the team's second-leading scorer last season, will be back...

Florida: Billy Donovan has had ample experience trying to replace early entrants over the years. He had to be happy he won't have to come up with a substitute for freshman Chris Walker with seniors Scottie Wilbekin, Patric Young, Casey Prather and Will Yeguete all exhausting their eligibility... He'll be part of the Gators' nucleus next season along with forward Dorrian Finney-Smith and guards Kasey Hill and Michael Frazier II.

Kentucky: No city in the country is following early entry decisions more closely than Lexington, Ky. Randle, Young and the Harrison twins are all believed to be leaning toward departing, even though in the case of the Harrisons they are only considered borderline first-round prospects. Johnson could decide to bolt early too after a productive run in the NCAA Tournament, though any team that drafts the 7-footer will be trusting his potential more than his accomplishments to this point. Cauley-Stein's decision to return despite being regarded as a first-round pick — a decision perhaps aided by an ankle injury that could have prevented him from participating in pre-draft workouts — will give Coach John Calipari some stability as he tries to assemble his next group of heralded freshmen into a cohesive team next season. Kentucky could also see the return of forward Alex Poythress...

LSU: Coach Johnny Jones has already bid farewell to Johnny O'Bryant III, who announced earlier this month his intention to skip his senior season... For now, it seems Jordan Mickey is more likely to follow the lead of classmate Jarell Martin and stay put in Baton Rouge, La.

Missouri: In many ways no SEC team has been hit harder by early entrants than the Tigers. They might be only losing half the players Kentucky — or less than half — but Jabari Brown and Jordan Clarkson were asked to do more than any of the Wildcats because Missouri didn't have nearly as many weapons last season, nor does it have as many on the way for next. They combined to average 37.4 points, more than any other duo in the SEC last season, and their departure, along with that of senior Earnest Ross, leaves forward Johnathan Williams III as the team's leading returning scorer after he averaged 5.8 points in his freshman season. Coach Frank Haith...

Tennessee: Jarnell Stokes' decision to forgo his senior season won't impact Cuonzo Martin, who stunned everybody Tuesday by accepting the vacant head coaching position at California...

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris ‏@MHarrisAdvocate ·36 mins
Basically, if Mickey declares for the draft now and leaves #LSU, there's no turning back. Right now, Tigers one over NCAA scholarship limit.

The numbers will work out for Coach Jones. They always do.


Matthew Harris ‏@MHarrisAdvocate ·14 mins
If Mickey sought a NBA eval, it was sent to him by Monday. Those tend to be conservative, though. Still, the #LSU forward has 2 wks to mull.

Matthew Harris ‏@MHarrisAdvocate ·12 mins
Also, Mickey's family was in town last Wednesday, too, for #LSU's Pro Day. Older brother James Wright worked out for NFL scouts.

[jbcarol]

If the report is true that Kentucky is showing interest in former Bama player,  Devonta Pollard (see thread in SEC Sports for background), that is a strong indicator that the Harrison twins are likely to enter the NBA draft process.

[jbcarol]

John Talty ‏@JTalty ·48m
Previous link didn't work, but this one should:  MSU adds juco forward Johnny Zuppardo http://on.thec-l.com/QdHl37...


6-9, 240 PF averaged 15 and 7 in under 20 mpg for Jones County, MS Junior College.

[jbcarol]

 Retweeted by JORDAN MICKEY
Michael Scotto ‏@MikeAScotto  1h
Knicks President Phil Jackson announced that the team has signed forward Lamar Odom for the remainder of the season.

[Nipsey Mussle]

Retweeted by JORDAN MICKEY
Michael Scotto ‏@MikeAScotto  1h
Knicks President Phil Jackson announced that the team has signed forward Lamar Odom for the remainder of the season.

Good work, JB. Thanks

[jbcarol]

Dave MatterVerified account ‏@Dave_Matter ·10h 
Brown: This is an exciting day for our family but it's also a difficult chapter to close because Mizzou has become an incredible home for me

[jbcarol]

Dave Matter @Dave_Matter  ·  8h 
Mistake in earlier tweet. Auburn will have a double-digit scorer returning next year. None for Bama or Missouri and maybe Kentucky

[jbcarol]

LSU forward Jordan Mickey did not announce Tuesday whether he would be declaring for the NBA draft, letting the NCAA deadline to withdraw pass. If the Tigers' big man declares before the NBA's own April 27 deadline, then he can't turn back and return to Baton Rouge:

No e-mails arrived announcing Jordan Mickey's departure.

Nor were there any press conferences called.

Nope, Tuesday passed without LSU's freshman forward, who earned SEC All-Freshman and All-Defense team honors this season, declaring whether he would be back in Baton Rouge or put his name into the mixer for the NBA draft.

Granted, April 15 is an artificial deadline.

http://blogs.theadvocate.com/fullcourtpress/2014/04/16/so-the-wait-goes-on-for-mickey

[rzrbackramsfan]

I feel more confident than ever in saying were going to win the sec next year or at least the seccg

[rzrbackramsfan]

Oh, btw this uk team that is losing to arkansas on my dvr looks just like the uk team that made a run.  Arkansas just plays them in a way that nobody else did.

[jbcarol]

Kentucky '14-15

Top Returning:

Harrison Twins  6-6, 220 So.  24.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.9 apg, 4.3 tpg, 35.5% 3P%

Willie Cauley-Stein 7-0, 244 Jr.  23.8 mpg, 6.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.9 bpg (tied for second most in UK history since blocks were an official stat), 1.2 spg

Alex Poythress 6-8, 239 Jr.  18.4 mpg, 5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 55.5% inside the arc, 24.2% 3P%

Dakari Johnson 7-0, 260 So.  14.1 mpg, 5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 57% FG%, 44% FT%

Marcus Lee  6-9, 215 So.  6.3 mpg, 2.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.6 bpg

Dominique Hawkins  6-1, 190 So.  10-12 mpg. Def. specialist, especially in practice; KY HS Mr Basketball and State Tournament hero who got a late offer

Derek Willis 6-9, 190 So.  2 mpg, 3-pt specialist was ice cold in games that counted

Biggest Losses:

Julius Randle  15 ppg, 10.4 rpg, less than 10.0 FGAs per game; 3rd Team All-American

James Young  14.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg  All-SEC Freshman Team

Jarrod Polson  8.5 mpg, 1.0 ppg, 0.5 apg  Local High School player/fan favorite

Jon Hood  played with more NBA players than any other college player / KY Mr Basketball

Best Newcomers:

Karl Anthony-Towns  7-0, 250 C  ESPN #9, Nike Hoops Summit World Team, McDs

Trey Lyles  6-9, 225 PF  ESPN #6, Nike Hoops Summit World Team, McDs

Tyler Ulis  5-8, 140 PG  ESPN #24  McDs

Devin Booker  6-5, 180 SG  ESPN #18  McDs

[jbcarol]

David Jones ‏@DaveJonesUFbeat  Apr 18
Here come the Billy Donovan rumors. Woodson reportedly out w/Knicks.#Gators

[jbcarol]

Seth Emerson ‏@SethEmerson  Apr 18
Hoops: Some transfers and others in play, and Georgia had a scholly open up yesterday.
http://www.macon.com/2014/04/17/3052734/reserve-dixon-transferring-from.html ...

Tim Dixon, who averaged 7.8 minutes off the bench this season, is transferring, a team spokesman confirmed.

Dixon, a 6-foot-10 forward, averaged 0.8 points and 1.3 rebounds this season. He was one of the first post players off the bench for most of the season, occasionally providing some solid minutes.

But on Wednesday Georgia signed two post players, including Yante Maten, who head coach Mark Fox indicated has a good chance to play heavy minutes right away.

Dixon becomes the second reserve post player to transfer from Georgia this year, after center John Cannon, also a junior, did so the week of the SEC tournament.

The team's lone senior, Donte' Williams, started in the post.

Dixon's departure opens up one more scholarship for the Bulldogs, who may get involved with one of the many transfers on the market. It's also possible Georgia could get involved again for a senior they had previously recruited, such as Jakeenan Gant. The guard from Effingham County High School signed with Missouri, whose head coach Frank Haith took the Tulsa job.

[jbcarol]

Jerry Tipton ‏@JerryTipton  Apr 18
Lee's decision to return no surprise. His brother said at mid-season that despite little PT, Lee came to UK seeking long-term improvement.

[jbcarol]

John Clay ‏@johnclayiv  Apr 18
With Duke departures, and Harrison's waffling, next year's pre-season No. 1 officially up in the air. http://johnclay.bloginky.com/2014/04/18/next-years-pre-season-no-1-spot-up-in-the-air/ ...

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio ·5 hrs
By the numbers, next year's team could be Calipari's most experienced ever at Kentucky: http://bit.ly/1ts6MNE

[jbcarol]

Steve Walentik ‏@Steve_Walentik ·2 hrs
Also in that story, recruit Jakeenan Gant waiting to see who next coach, also if Tim Fuller remains on staff: http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu_basketball/marshall-s-agent-says-no-call-yet/article_6eb5c538-c97f-11e3-ba01-10604b9f6eda.html ...

Kellen Winslow and Florida A&M is pursuing Tim Fuller

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio  41m
My update on where I think all the UK player Draft decisions are as of tonight: http://kentuckysportsradio.com/basketball-2/awesome-calipari-picture-of-the-day-wants-decision-update/ ...

NBA Draft Process: Randle, Dakari

Return to UK: Poythress

No idea: Harrison twins

[jbcarol]

Steve Walentik ‏@Steve_Walentik ·50 mins
LSU's Mickey is reportedly still thinking about the decision to stay or leave, but most expect him to return to Baton Rouge for soph season

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris ‏@MHarrisAdvocate ·3 hrs
ICYMI | #LSU's Mickey still mulling NBA decision, per his father. (http://bit.ly/1nkNMiG ) My reading of the tea leaves: He stays.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@RecruitingAJC ·9 mins
No. 1 prospect Jakeenan Gant is "still in shock" over Missouri's coaching change: http://wp.me/p3Xdrl-yA

Michael Carvell ‏@RecruitingAJC ·18 mins
State of Georgia's No. 1 prospect hasn't asked for release ... yet

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris @MHarrisAdvocate  ·  3m 
#LSU Hoops | Mickey set to announce his NBA decision at 2 p.m. Wednesday. http://bit.ly/QxWNHC

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops ·10m
Jones: Gators' Donovan isn't going anywhere http://on.flatoday.com/1idiwdF  via @Florida_Today

[jbcarol]

Alex Poythress will return for his junior season at UK.

[jbcarol]

Alex Poythress will return for his junior season at UK.

Alex Poythress just announced via press release that he will return to Kentucky for his junior season. Here are his quotes about coming back to school:

"Playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine, but I want to make sure that I'm NBA-ready before I make that jump," Poythress said. "By coming back, I'll be so much closer to earning my degree in business and it will give me another year to prepare my game and my body for the next level."

John Calipari said he's excited for Alex, and proud of his decision:

"I'm excited for Alex and the decision he's arrived at," head coach John Calipari said. "I'm proud of the work he committed to this past season, on and off the floor, and think he's ready to take that next step and lead this team next season."

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/basketball-2/alex-poythress-will-return-for-his-junior-season

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris @MHarrisAdvocate  ·  1m 
FWIW, Jordan Mickey's father will be in attendance at the #LSU forward's NBA draft announcement.


Help him pack?

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris @MHarrisAdvocate  ·  1m 
FWIW, Jordan Mickey's father will be in attendance at the #LSU forward's NBA draft announcement.


Help him pack?

Matthew Harris @MHarrisAdvocate  ·  10m 
We've been handed career stats and a family member is showing up today. Two hints at Jordan Mickey's intentions? #LSU

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ ·3 hrs
Wouldn't be surprised if Dakari Johnson also announced his return today or tomorrow. Things murky as ever on the Harrison twins.

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris @MHarrisAdvocate  ·  12s 
OFFICIAL | #LSU's Jordan Mickey will not enter the NBA draft, giving the Tigers a vital low-post presence next season.

[jbcarol]

First Team All-SEC
Return/Gone                                                                                                                                   
Trevor Releford, Alabama – G, 6-1, 190, Sr., Kansas City, Mo.
Casey Prather, Florida – F, 6-6, 212, Sr., Jackson, Tenn.
Scottie Wilbekin, Florida – G, 6-2, 176, Sr., Gainesville, Fla.
Julius Randle, Kentucky – F, 6-9, 250, Fr., Dallas, Texas     NBA Draft
Johnny O'Bryant III, LSU – F, 6-9, 256, Jr., Cleveland, Miss.  NBA Draft
Jabari Brown, Missouri – G, 6-5, 214 Jr., Oakland, Calif.     NBA Draft
Jordan McRae, Tennessee – G, 6-6, 185, Sr., Midway, Ga.
Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee – F, 6-8, 260, Jr., Memphis, Tenn.  NBA Draft


Second Team All-SEC                                                                                                                             
Bobby Portis, Arkansas – F, 6-10, 242, Fr., Little Rock, Ark.   Back
Chris Denson, Auburn – G, 6-2, 181, Sr., Columbus, Ga.
Patric Young, Florida – C, 6-9, 240, Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.
Charles Mann, Georgia – G, 6-5, 210, So., Alpharetta, Ga.     Back
James Young, Kentucky – G, 6-6, 215, Fr., Rochester Hills, Mich.  NBA Draft
Jordan Mickey, LSU – F, 6-8, 220, Fr., Dallas, Texas              Back
Marshall Henderson, Ole Miss – G, 6-2, 177, Sr., Hurst, Texas
Jarvis Summers, Ole Miss – G, 6-3, 186, Jr., Jackson, Miss.    Back
Jordan Clarkson, Missouri – G, 6-5, 193, Jr., San Antonio, Texas  NBA Draft
Rod Odom, Vanderbilt – F, 6-9, 212, Sr., Central Islip, N.Y.

SEC All-Freshman Team                                                                                                                       
Shannon Hale, Alabama – F, 6-8, 220, Fr., Johnson City, Tenn.  Back
Bobby Portis, Arkansas – F, 6-10, 242, Fr., Little Rock, Ark.       Back
Julius Randle, Kentucky – F, 6-9, 250, Fr., Dallas, Texas   NBA Draft
James Young, Kentucky – G, 6-6, 215, Fr., Rochester Hills, Mich.  NBA Draft
Jarell Martin, LSU – F, 6-9, 241, Fr. Baton Rouge, La.               Back
Jordan Mickey, LSU – F, 6-8, 220, Fr., Dallas, Texas                 Back
Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina – G, 6-5, 205, Fr., Lancaster, S.C.  Back
Damian Jones, Vanderbilt – C, 6-10, 235, Fr., Baton Rouge, La.  Back

SEC All-Defensive Team                                                                                                                         
Patric Young, Florida – C, 6-9, 240, Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.
Scottie Wilbekin, Florida – G, 6-2, 176, Sr., Gainesville, Fla.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky – F, 7-0, 244, So., Olathe, Kan.  Back
Jordan Mickey, LSU – F, 6-8, 220, Fr., Dallas, Texas                Back
Josh Richardson, Tennessee – G, 6-6, 196, Jr., Edmond, Okla.  Back

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris @MHarrisAdvocate  ·  1m 
ICYMI | Early story on #LSU forward Jordan Mickey sticking around Baton Rouge for another season: http://bit.ly/QxWNHC

[jbcarol]

Glenn Guilbeau ‏@LSUBeatTweet ·5m
"Everything can be improved upon," LSU F Jordan Mickey said in announcing he will stay. "Just want to continue to get better."

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris @MHarrisAdvocate  ·  1m 
Spoke with Mickey's father, and this is the feedback they got: NBA teams loved his defense, hops off the floor, needs to be stronger. #LSU

Mickey's father also said his son may have invites on the table from Lebron James' and Amare Stoudamire's skills camp.

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio  16m
Yes, you RT @GoodmanESPN: Cauley-Stein, Dakari, Karl Towns, Trey Lyles, Marcus Lee, Poythress. Someone isn't gonna be very happy next year.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ  3h
Read Dakari Johnson and his mom's complete statements here. She says he's not scared of a loaded roster. http://www.courier-journal.com/story/uk-beat/2014/04/23/uks-dakari-johnson-and-his-mom-talk-nba-decision ...

[jbcarol]

John Clay ‏@johnclayiv  4h
After Alex Poythress made a wise decision, Dakari Johnson made a wise decision.

Lachlan McLean ‏@Lach840  4h
@FairdaleCat I don't care one way or the other. but I can't imagine a McD's AA enjoys sitting on the bench for two straight years

Lachlan McLean ‏@Lach840  4h
@rushthecourt if Harrisons leave they have only 3 guards on entire roster & no true SF = not top 10 team, regardless of insane front court

Brett Dawson ‏@BDawsonRivals  4h
You know he's gonna. At least once. MT @TWalkerRivals: I pray at one time next year UK has three 7-footers on the floor at the same time.

[jbcarol]

Ben Frederickson ‏@Ben_Fred  2h
#Vols signee CJ Turman was undecided earlier today. @Volquest_Rob reporting he will also ask out of LOI. Would be 3rd of 4 UT signees gone.

[jbcarol]

Jordan Mickey didn't drop many hints over the past month.

Mulling the choice to put his name into the NBA draft, LSU's soft-spoken forward quietly answered questions with a stock-and-trade line about simply collecting information to weigh.

"It's a difficult process," Mickey said, "but a fun one knowing that you have that opportunity in front of you."

Even earlier this week, the freshman didn't drop cryptic hints as he closed in on his decision, outside of tweeting he was excited about the return of The Boondocks.

But Tuesday night, Mickey and his father put all the evidence on the table and reached a conclusion: The time to turn pro can wait until he finishes another season in Baton Rouge, a decision he announced Wednesday alongside coach Johnny Jones.

"It's a big relief to just get that out there," Mickey said.

The decision to stay is a major linchpin for the Tigers, who went 20-14 and bowed out in the second round of the NIT to SMU, and for their front-court depth ahead of Jones' third season leading the team.

With junior forward Johnny O'Bryant III already making the NBA leap, Mickey, who averaged 12.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, is the next logical candidate to inherit the role of main cog on the low block.

"I can't tell you how excited we are that Jordan is going to be a part of our team next year," Jones said.

The 6-foot-8, 221-pound Mickey made a splash despite seeing a modest 19.1 percent of LSU's possessions — a figure that ranked only fifth on the team — flow through him this season. Instead, Mickey flourished on interior feeds from O'Bryant, putbacks and spot-up jumpers from the elbow.

http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/8980528-123/lsu-forward-mickey-to-announce

Will it flow through Mickey next season?

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio  2h
Calipari says on Facebook chat that as of now, "he knows nothing" about the Harrisons' Draft decision

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops  7h
Jackson Davis' dad, Jonathan Davis, said meeting w/Florida on Wed was canceled. Talked on phone w/Billy D. No hard feelings (cont) ...

Jackson Davis' dad said canceled meeting had to do w/pt and indicated that Florida was "very close" to landing transfer F Jon Horford.

... had to do w/playing time, wanted to go somewhere where he could play right away and wasn't going to get that at UF.

... also Florida's pursuit of Jon Horford would even further limit minutes in front court.

... Horford is the better player, yes.

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops  6h
Incoming UF 2014 F Devin Robinson averaged 24.5 ppg, 3.5 bpg and 2 spg in senior season at Christchurch School.

Christchurch coach Ben Coleman describes Robinson as versatile F, but different from Dorian Finney-Smith. Thinks they will complement well.

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops  5h
Gators pass on Jackson Davis: Florida canceled its in-home visit with 2014 frontcourt prospect Jackson Davis on Wednesday... http://bit.ly/QBXZcT

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops  4h
... Florida loses a ton on defense with seniors leaving. C Walker, Hill will need to improve in offseason.

[jbcarol]

ESPN: The 2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats will be older and wiser, sure. But they'll be bigger, too. Much, much bigger.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/98618/kentucky-is-going-to-be-massive

[jbcarol]

Gary Parrish ‏@GaryParrishCBS ·2h
As @WojYahooNBA reported, Andrew and Aaron Harrison are returning to UK. Wildcats should be preseason No. 1. Story: http://cbsprt.co/PAy6sM

Gary Parrish ‏@GaryParrishCBS ·2 hrs
And, yes, Kentucky is now No. 1 in the Ridiculously Early Preseason Top 25 (and one). You can see that here: http://cbsprt.co/1kFwacR

5. KANSAS
•Notable players definitely gone: Andrew Wiggins, Tarik Black, Joel Embiid
•Others expected to leave: None
•Notable players expected to return: Perry Ellis, Wayne Selden, Naadir Tharpe, Frank Mason, Brannen Greene, Jamari Traylor, Conner Frankamp, Landen Lucas
•Notable newcomers: Cliff Alexander, Kelly Oubre, Hunter Mickelson

6. FLORIDA
•Notable players definitely gone: Scottie Wilbekin, Patric Young, Will Yeguette, Casey Prather
•Others expected to leave: None
•Notable players expected to return: Michael Frazier, Dorian Finney-Smith, Kasey Hill, Devon Walker, Chris Walker, Eli Carter
•Notable newcomers: Chris Chiozza, Brandone Francis, Devin Robinson, Alex Murphy