2012-2013

Tawny, Ryan, Jarrod, and Jon will be back with probably Kyle. And the two walk ons, Sam Malone and Brian Long, assuming Sam heals properly, which is not a “sure thing”.. and of course it is not impossible that in this projected very deep draft we could see one of the uber-kids decided to do another year of “apprenticeship” if it means making a substantial up grade in their projected draft position (remember all the guys who stayed back with the NBA labor problems).

while it is early and subject to change only MKG and AD in the top ten, Lamb, Jones , & Teague in the top 20 picks. And the draft llist I saw only showed 4 international picks, which is certainly fewer than last years drafts. Darius Miller is shown projected in the 50s and he is the only one projected who “has to” come out as a senior.

Mind you I doubt anyone had Harrelson projected as a “pick” at all last year at this time, and all of this projected on what they have shown to date, and subject to revision as the season plays out. If Jones plays the rest of the season like he did Saturday and his stock is going up for sure. And who knows for sure how fast a freshman is going to show what he can do?

It looks like Davis, Gillie, Jones, Teague, and Lamb would all be first round picks, but we don’t know if they’ll all leave. Hopefully we win title and no one feels like they have any unfinished business. Matt Jones of KSR has said he thinks Gillie will stay, but that’s based on his gut feeling.

UK’s recruiting class still isn’t complete either. Cal is looking to add a post player with the targets being 1. Anthony Bennett and 2. Tony Parker, in that order. Bennett is the number 1 PF in the country according to ESPN. Also UK can hope for to land Shabazz Muhammad, who is the only wing UK is still recruiting.

This is the worst case scenario lineup and it looks to me to be about as talented as last year’s Knight/Harrellson team.

PG: Ryan Harrow (Jarrod Polson)
SG: Archie Goodwin (Twany Beckham)
SF: Alex Poythress (Jon Hood)
PF: Kyle Wiltjer (Alex Poythress)
C: Willie Cauley (Kyle Wiltjer)

The best case scenario obviously involves current players returning. Otherwise, UK is allegedly in good position with Muhammad and Bennett. If they were to sign Muhammad would certainly start at 2 or 3. Wiltjer would likely to move to center with Cauley going to the bench. The best 2 out of the Bennett, Poythress, and Goodwin trio would also start. That team would have Final 4 talent if the freshmen are as good as advertised, which they always are with Cal.