Some prognosticators are starting to speculate on the order of the 2012 NBA draft already, and they are lining up likely candidates for the Next Big Thing.  Gary Parrish and Jeff Goodman try their hand as fantasy NBA GM's, and go their separate ways on the #1 pick between the North Carolina Tar Heels' Harrison Barnes and the Kentucky Wildcats' Anthony Davis.

I like the Davis pick better, but read the article for the reasons why.

The rest of today's links:

• Luke Winn examines the top 2012 draft picks.
  Obviously, there are a lot of Kentucky players included. Contra Winn, I don't think Davis is too raw to dominate in college. His talent is practically Wall-esque.

• Kentucky 2014 football class to be solid.
  Good news, I guess.

• Lithuania defeats Team USA U-19 twice in exhibition play.
  Jeremy Lamb is not playing well, and neither is Tony Mitchell.

• Kentucky the big winner in the 2011 recruiting game.
  UK is 11/2 according to Bodog to win the 2011-12 national championship. That's good, I guess. Indiana is also mentioned, the first time we have seen them in there in a while.

• "Really everyone in Kentucky lives and dies basketball, so I like that"
  Devonta Pollard has no idea just how much.

• John Calipari International Criminal
  Heh. funny.

• Southern Cal basketball has had a player selected in the top 16 of the past four drafts.
  Only Kansas has done as well.

• Whitlock, Davis and those old "Laettner is gay" rumors
• Tom Leach's Thursday Wildcat links.
• Liggins Motivated by Second Round Draft Pick

• Eloy Vargas will be getting extra reps under Coach Cal for the Dominican team.
  We all speculated this would happen, and it looks like it will (as long as Vargas makes the team). It will surely help him for next year, maybe a lot.

• Buckets Over Broadway thinks Josh Harrellson will become a fan favorite.
  I think so as well.

• The Big Cuz visits Alcorn State, talks about it.

• John Clay's SEC links.
  Revolving door at Arkansas, no excuses for Vanderbilt, plus more.

• When it comes to paying college athletes, I pretty much agree with this.

• At least one general manager preferred Brandon Knight over Kyrie Irving.
  I think the Big Blue Nation would love to know who, but I doubt we'll find out.

• NCAA eyes summer hoops in recruiting rules rewrite