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NCAA Basketball: Pros and cons of Kentucky and Louisville for 5-star DJ Wagner

By Tristan Freeman

Camden's DJ Wagner (21) moves down the court against Simon Gratz in Camden, N.J. Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. Camden won 72-52.Jl Camden Gratz 122019 24
Camden's DJ Wagner (21) moves down the court against Simon Gratz in Camden, N.J. Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. Camden won 72-52.Jl Camden Gratz 122019 24 /
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Louisville Cardinals mascot (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Louisville Cardinals mascot (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Why DJ Wagner shouldn’t go to Louisville

There are obvious benefits as to why players can want to play for family members and stay in a comfort zone but we’ve also seen how that could go awry. Patrick Baldwin Jr. did ultimately end up getting drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft but it’s hard to help but wonder what would’ve happened, had he played for Duke instead of his father at Milwaukee.

It’s also a fair question as to how good of a head coach Kenny Payne will be at Louisville. Before taking the Knicks job in 2020, he was an assistant for John Calipari from 2014-20. Of course, if that isn’t a good endorsement then that would also be a negative for the Wildcats in a way. It’s Payne’s first true head coaching gig and how he builds the roster will determine how much success Wagner will have in his lone NCAA Basketball season.

There’s also a question as to who the supporting cast will be. I mentioned that none of them are true seniors but there’s a chance both Ellis and Sydney Curry are gone after next year. And after seeing the lack of success in the transfer portal, can Coach Payne get the talent needed to win big in 2023-24? There’s no question about that at Kentucky but there is at Louisville right now.

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