DeMarcus Cousins has made his pick...for the third (and presumably the final) time. The #4 ranked prospect in the ESPNU100 and the #2 overall prospect according to Rivals.com has decided to attend The University of Kentucky to continue his basketball career.
Cousins, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward out of Mobile (Ala.) Leflore High School, had previously committed to UAB before switching his commitment to Memphis. He then backed out of that commitment when former Memphis coach John Calipari left for the head coaching position at Kentucky. Cousins has stated that he also considered Washington and Kansas State this time around, before deciding to play for the Wildcats.
He is now the third player in the class for Kentucky, joining highly-touted big man Daniel Orton and Kentucky Mr. Basketball Jon Hood. More recruits are expected to follow Cousins to UK in the next few weeks.
"I'm working on John Wall and Xavier Henry right now," Cousins said. "I think we have a chance to get them."
Big news for the Big Blue faithful out there, as the Wildcats could legitimately contend for a national championship as early as next season. Some things will need to take place in order for this to happen, most importantly a few dropped scholarships. Calipari seems to be on track, finding the right players to fit his system, and essentially dumping the scraps. Michael Porter announced his intention to leave the team and focus on personal matters yesterday, and Jodie Meeks will test the draft waters (no agent has been signed so he can still return). Additionally, six players that previously intended to play for the Wildcats have already rescinded their commitments. It is expected that others will transfer, leave the team, or declare for the draft as well.
Vegas currently has Kentucky as a co-favorite to win it all next season, along with North Carolina (surprise), at 14-1 odds. Louisville is tied with Duke for the second position, at 25-1.
The New York Times' college basketball blog also gets in on the action, with their picks for next season's champion. The top five looks like this:
- North Carolina
- Michigan State
- Purdue
- Louisville
- Kentucky
Definitely good news for UK fans.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe Vegas has that high of hopes for UK. That's interesting.
I was surprised about their odds as well. You wouldn't think a team full of players that were recruited for a completely different system would fit particularly well in Calipari's dribble drive offense, especially in his first season.
ReplyDeleteIf Meeks and Patterson both return though, it could be a scary team.
Awesome article, by the way.
ReplyDeleteNew News! Redundant.
ReplyDeleteI just lost all respect for the NY Times. No1 has that top 5.
ReplyDelete1.KU
2.Syracuse
3.Duke
4.Prudue
5.MSU
Pliz get real kentukey/Ville fans pliz!