The Kentucky Wildcats perfect season came to a close with a heartbreaking loss to Wisconsin in the national semifinals. Most would say that the heavily talented Wildcats came up short, but most people aren’t John Calipari.
While speaking at Alltech’s Rebelation, Coach Cal mentioned a goal larger than winning the national championship this season:
“Last year we started the season with a goal,” he told the Alltech Rebelation crowd. “You may think that goal was to win the national title and win all the games and be… It was to get eight players drafted.”
Calipari’s player-first approach differentiates him from most big time college programs in the country. Highly touted recruits come to Kentucky knowing that Coach Cal will prepare them for the next level. Calipari may not have reached his ultimate goal, but having seven of your players declare for the draft is no small feat.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein should be high lottery picks, while Trey Lyles and Devin Booker should go in the first round. Dakari Johnson and the Harrison twins are projected as second rounders with Aaron Harrison having the greatest chance of going undrafted.
Don’t worry Big Blue Nation, as long as Calipari continues bringing in NBA-level recruits, the national titles will follow.
