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Kentucky Wildcats fans got a bombshell of some news on Wednesday night after Olivier Sarr and Jacob Toppin were both declared immediately eligible. This news took the Wildcats from a potential Sweet 16/Elite Eight squad to a bonafide national championship contender.
It was a long wait for Sarr’s eligibility, as he committed to Kentucky back in early May. But now, the wait seems like it is well worth it. Sarr arguably had the best case in all of college basketball to transfer away from Wake Forest, but with the added bonus of receiving an extra year of eligibility, that more than likely pushed Sarr’s case even higher, as well as Toppin’s.
Sarr is expected to immediately make an impact on the floor for John Calipari and is expected to be one of the best big men in the country.
In the words of Olivier Sarr, “C’est Parti.”
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news.
Kentucky... C’est Parti ‼️ ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/As5hy8lGh1
— Olivier Sarr (@sarr_olivier) October 21, 2020
I’M READY pic.twitter.com/3zBl1alqGZ
— Jacob T (@Jtoppin0) October 21, 2020
.@sarr_olivier is immediately eligible https://t.co/PfIVnF40yX
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 21, 2020
2020 - Best year of our lives https://t.co/5YmZWAerNe
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) October 21, 2020
Kentucky went from a Sweet 16 team to arguably the best team in the country in the last 15 minutes. https://t.co/SpiA2lwmQ4
— Travis Graf (@TravisGraf_) October 21, 2020
Well, Kentucky basketball is loaded
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) October 21, 2020
Early prediction on Kentucky's 20-21 starting five:
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 21, 2020
Devin Askew, Terrence Clarke, BJ Boston, Keion Brooks, Olivier Sarr https://t.co/JzUcT7l8DU
If Olivier Sarr didn't want us to all overreact and for expectations to go out of control he shouldn't have gone for 55 & 22 in back to back games against Duke and ND late last season.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) October 21, 2020
Kentucky’s Olivier Sarr’s waiver has been granted — he can play this season.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) October 21, 2020
Huge news for the Wildcats, arguably a preseason top-five team nationally now. https://t.co/N0m9XsKqMs
I know this has been difficult for @sarr_olivier, everything from the coaching change at Wake Forest, to deciding his future to waiting through this process. He’s gone about his business every day & continued to work hard in hopes of joining his teammates on the floor this winter https://t.co/2NjWJOGBoT
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) October 22, 2020
.@Jtoppin0 came here needing a fresh start. From day one, he’s been a great teammate and been an important part of this group in practice. He has tremendous upside and a great spirit about him. https://t.co/JUXZGFVUHy
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) October 22, 2020
I want to thank the @NCAA and the @SEC for considering the unique circumstances surrounding this season and we appreciate them working with us throughout this process.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) October 22, 2020
Kentucky fans right now after hearing Olivier Sarr and Jacob Toppin are eligible: pic.twitter.com/3Ro50z6com
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 21, 2020
Said all summer: If Olivier Sarr is eligible, Kentucky is a Top 5 preseason team and again a national title contender. This is also Kentucky's best defensive team since 2014-2015. Don't know what to say other than getting Sarr eligible is MASSIVE. And great for college hoops
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) October 21, 2020
This has been the best 7 day span of being a UK fan since... I don’t know when
— Things #BBN Likes (@ThingsBBNLikes) October 21, 2020
Also, quick shout out to the Kentucky fan who has e-mailed me twice a week, every week since August, demanding I explain why Olivier Sarr wasnt eligible - convinced the NCAA and SEC were trying to steal a national title from Kentucky. I hope you sleep well tonight, my friend
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) October 21, 2020
Would I pay to watch a live stream of Bruce Pearl finding out both Sarr AND Toppin are eligible at Kentucky?
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) October 22, 2020
Wrong question. What wouldn’t I pay?
#KeepItPG https://t.co/mLkFDYAIxc pic.twitter.com/FRC5K9eiK7
— Andrew Slater (@Andrew__Slater) October 22, 2020
Just bet it
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 21, 2020
Happy about it https://t.co/13vmynPZ1n
I don’t speak French but I do know this means Kentucky is about to be top-5 good. Olivier Sarr is eligible https://t.co/Oje3BHKbRv
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) October 21, 2020
In July, I talked to Danny Manning and opposing ACC coaches about what Kentucky is getting in Olivier Sarr.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) October 21, 2020
Jeff Capel: "Other than Vernon Carey, I thought he was the next-best big guy in our league. Kentucky needed a guy like that." https://t.co/iiMfUpeLrq
You didn't think John Calipari was going to play "the toughest non-conference schedule in the nation" without Olivier Sarr did you??
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) October 22, 2020
Platoons?
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) October 21, 2020
Kentucky is +1500 to win the title at most books. That’s the best number you’re going to get them at.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) October 21, 2020
“I’m excited for Olivier and Jacob,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “Both have worked really hard and deserve this opportunity. They were both hopping and skipping out of my office after getting the news because they’ve been waiting on this day. "
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) October 21, 2020
With Olivier Sarr & Jacob Toppin OFFICIALLY ELIGIBLE, let’s put this 2020 UK Team in perspective...
— Grant Peters (@GP_Tre_Ball) October 21, 2020
- 1st #1 Recruiting Class since 2015
- 1st Top 5 Ranked recruit since 2015 (and there’s 2 of em)
- #1 Transfer in the country
- Senior PG-Senior C Combo
- 10-Deep Rotation
DAMN. pic.twitter.com/CzCW3kqnwM
Yes, #BBN, it's true. @sarr_olivier AND @Jtoppin0 are immediately eligible for the 2020-21 season.
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 21, 2020
Let's ball!
➡️ https://t.co/460WlqmWNh pic.twitter.com/IzzIP198lw
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