The way-too-early rankings for Kentucky are ridiculous
I've finally got to say something here about this. I've been watching the rollouts of these way-too-early college basketball rankings for the 2017-18 season. I'm not one of those people who freaks out and says, "Why are we even talking about this?" We've got to talk about something and what we talk about is just for entertainment, because what we talk about never really has an impact on reality, or it shouldn't, whether we're talking in April or October. It's decided on the court.
But I said I thought The Sporting News' ranking of Kentucky (3rd) in their way-too-early projection was misguided. I saw T.J. said it was basically ridiculous, which is a tad stronger than I'd say, but I completely understand where he's coming from and think it's a valid point. The only way I see Kentucky as a real preseason top 3-5 team is if they get Bamba and return either Isaiah Briscoe and/or Bam Adebayo. Not all recruiting classes are created equal. I think the guys in UK's class can prove to be outstanding college basketball players even if they don't (mostly) have the same pro ceiling as the top guys in some of UK's other classes.
Now ESPN has ranked Kentucky No. 1 in the preseason. Stunning, to me. I just don't understand it. It seems like it's really lazy. The ESPN writer who has Kentucky No. 1 in their way-too-early poll seems to assume it's more likely than not that Briscoe returns then he basically says he's just going to err with the team that will have talent and is used to a lot of turnover.
Sloppy. I don't know where I would rank Kentucky. We don't know who's leaving, we don't know who's returning, we don't know who might be transferring in or out and we know very little about how Kentucky's freshmen will perform next year. But knowing what we know and knowing the most likely scenarios, which are almost universally shared by those who follow UK basketball most closely (i.e. Briscoe/Bam leaning leave, Gabriel/Humphries could return, could explore other options, could get Bamba and/or Knox but not guaranteed either), I would probably be more inclined to rank Kentucky in the top 15-20 and even say they're likely to take some lumps next season.
I agree that people are sleeping on Diallo. I agree that Bamba makes next year's team a lot better than it presently looks. I agree that shooting appears to be a significant issue (although it was said to be in this last season's lead up, too). It just doesn't look like a top 1-3 team right now.
This is how expectations feed a perception that's just not true. Just because Calipari has another No. 1 class doesn't mean that on paper it's the best or one of the best teams going into next season. I know there will be those of you who disagree. I'm not saying UK can't be really good next year. I'm just saying that the ranking is strange at this point.
I've finally got to say something here about this. I've been watching the rollouts of these way-too-early college basketball rankings for the 2017-18 season. I'm not one of those people who freaks out and says, "Why are we even talking about this?" We've got to talk about something and what we talk about is just for entertainment, because what we talk about never really has an impact on reality, or it shouldn't, whether we're talking in April or October. It's decided on the court.
But I said I thought The Sporting News' ranking of Kentucky (3rd) in their way-too-early projection was misguided. I saw T.J. said it was basically ridiculous, which is a tad stronger than I'd say, but I completely understand where he's coming from and think it's a valid point. The only way I see Kentucky as a real preseason top 3-5 team is if they get Bamba and return either Isaiah Briscoe and/or Bam Adebayo. Not all recruiting classes are created equal. I think the guys in UK's class can prove to be outstanding college basketball players even if they don't (mostly) have the same pro ceiling as the top guys in some of UK's other classes.
Now ESPN has ranked Kentucky No. 1 in the preseason. Stunning, to me. I just don't understand it. It seems like it's really lazy. The ESPN writer who has Kentucky No. 1 in their way-too-early poll seems to assume it's more likely than not that Briscoe returns then he basically says he's just going to err with the team that will have talent and is used to a lot of turnover.
Sloppy. I don't know where I would rank Kentucky. We don't know who's leaving, we don't know who's returning, we don't know who might be transferring in or out and we know very little about how Kentucky's freshmen will perform next year. But knowing what we know and knowing the most likely scenarios, which are almost universally shared by those who follow UK basketball most closely (i.e. Briscoe/Bam leaning leave, Gabriel/Humphries could return, could explore other options, could get Bamba and/or Knox but not guaranteed either), I would probably be more inclined to rank Kentucky in the top 15-20 and even say they're likely to take some lumps next season.
I agree that people are sleeping on Diallo. I agree that Bamba makes next year's team a lot better than it presently looks. I agree that shooting appears to be a significant issue (although it was said to be in this last season's lead up, too). It just doesn't look like a top 1-3 team right now.
This is how expectations feed a perception that's just not true. Just because Calipari has another No. 1 class doesn't mean that on paper it's the best or one of the best teams going into next season. I know there will be those of you who disagree. I'm not saying UK can't be really good next year. I'm just saying that the ranking is strange at this point.
