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Kentucky Wildcats Likely to Contend Once Again in 2015-2016

By Matt Johnson

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Whenever John Calipari is around, you know things are going to get interesting.

Perhaps it’s a symptom of being one of the nation’s most successful bench bosses. Or maybe it’s the Joe-cool exterior Calipari has exuded since day one of a coaching career that began as an assistant at Kansas in 1982. It could also be Calipari’s reputation for enticing multiple five-star recruits to join his program year-after-year.

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Whatever the unseen phenomenon is that equates to magnetism, Calipari has it in spades. The media hangs on his every word and elite basketball prospects are always interested in knowing what’s on the flamboyant bench boss’ mind.

In essence, Calipari has become college basketball’s answer to Frank Sinatra; an icon to the media and can’t-miss viewing to everybody else. His recent induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame proved all of it in spectacular fashion, bringing out 64 former players, his priest, and of course, the coach’s noted ability to schmooze large crowds.

What Calipari faces for the 2015-16 campaign is a Kentucky Wildcats team that lost seven players to the NBA, a mind-boggling number even in an era of teenagers bolting for the pro ranks at the speed of light.

One look at Kentucky’s roster reveals the transition in store for both Calipari and Big Blue Nation. Gone are the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker and Andrew and Aaron Harrison. Instead, the names Isaiah Briscoe, Isaac Humphries, Skal Labissiere and Jamal Murray dot a Wildcats roster featuring six new faces.

Nevertheless, Kentucky figures to be right in the mix once again come March. Why? Because Calipari, whose career coaching mark stands at 593-176, demands it. Simply put, Calipari expects only the best from both himself and his team.

When the Wildcats stumbled to the NIT following their championship run of 2012, Calipari was left to answer questions about his recruiting approach. Last year, after the Wildcats ran out to 38-straight wins before falling short in the Final Four against Wisconsin, Calipari was left to answer queries about player rotations. Now, with a bevy of fresh faces set to wear Kentucky’s blue and white, Calipari is facing the pressure of winning big yet again.

Granted, he’s never shied away from the pressure of such situations. And while he’s made his fair share of enemies, especially amongst Memphis fans, Calipari’s “I do it my way” approach fits perfectly with the madness of Kentucky basketball.

The Wildcats won’t be short of talent. Newcomers Briscoe, Murray and Labissiere are all considered top-10 level recruits while Australian import Humphries, who along with Murray reclassified to join the Wildcats a year early, also figures to have a big impact. Topping things off is the return a couple of valuable veterans in guard Tyler Ulis and forward Marcus Lee. After adding in Alex Poythress, who missed all but eight games last season due to an ACL tear, Kentucky again appears loaded for bear in 2015-16.

At this point, SEC supremacy is almost expected. While the league has improved overall in recent years, the step-back of Billy Donovan’s Florida program has left Kentucky a hands-down league favorite. And while the Wildcats may be a bit raw, they appear to possess the pieces necessary to make another nice run at the big hardware.

Then there’s the story of Labissiere, a Haitian immigrant who just happens to stand 6-foot-11. As a middle-schooler, Labissiere found himself a victim of Haiti’s devastating 2012 earthquake thanks to a leg injury that took weeks to heal. Now Labissiere, who ended up becoming a hoops star at Lausanne Collegiate School in Tennessee, appears set to make good on the dream of basketball glory.

In other words, the Wildcats have the talent to impress on the court and compelling storylines off it heading into the new campaign. How will it shakes out it is anybody’s guess. One thing appears certain: It’ll be another interesting year for both Calipari and Big Blue.

Next: Wolfpack Grab Five-Star Point Guard Dennis Smith Jr.

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