2013–14 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team

2013-14 Newcomers

Many recruiting analysts and experts proclaimed that the 2013 signing class for Kentucky was the greatest recruiting class since the infamous Fab Five in the 1990s. Some proclaimed that it was the greatest ever assembled. It featured a record six McDonald's All-Americans and five consensus top fifteen players.

Julius Randle, originally from Plano, Texas, was the highest rated signee in the 2013 class. He committed to Kentucky on March 18, one day after Kentucky lost to Robert Morris in the opening round of the NIT. He chose Kentucky over Kansas and Texas. He was the nation's consensus top power forward, was ranked the No. 2 overall player by Rivals, the No. 3 overall player by ESPN and the No. 5 overall player by Scout. He helped lead Prestonwood Christian to three state titles including one in his freshman year and back-to-back titles in junior and senior seasons. He was a McDonald's All-America and Jordan Brand Classic game selection. He was the co-MVP in the Jordan Brand Classic.

The Harrison twins, Aaron and Andrew, became the first set of twins to ever play for Kentucky. Andrew was the consensus top point guard and Aaron was the consensus top shooting guard in the 2013 class. Out of Richmond, Texas, the Twins committed to Kentucky on October 4, 2012 on a live broadcast on ESPNU. The Twins chose Kentucky over their Father's alma mater, Maryland. They were a McDonald's All-America and Jordan Brand Classic game selections.

James Young was a consensus top ten prospect within the 2013 class. Originally from Rochester, Michigan, he committed to Kentucky on October 11, 2012 on ESPNU. He chose Kentucky over in-state schools Michigan and Michigan State. Young was ranked as the No. 6 prospect in the class by ESPN and No. 10 by both Rivals and Scout. He was a McDonald's All-America game selection.

Dakari Johnson was the consensus top center in the 2013 class. He committed to Kentucky on January 5, live on ESPNU. He chose Kentucky over Florida and Georgetown. He was rated as the No. 11 overall player by ESPN, No. 9 overall player by Rivals, and No. 18 over all player by Scout. Johnson led his high school, Montverde, to a national championship at the National High School Invitational where he claimed MVP honors after logging 18 points and eight rebounds. He was a McDonald's All-America.

Marcus Lee was a highly touted forward that a multi-sport star in high school, make all-state selections in both basketball and volleyball. He committed to Kentucky on October 17, 2012, choosing Kentucky over California and Louisville. He was a McDonald's All-America and Jordan Brand Classic game selection.

Derek Willis was the first commitment in the class of 2013. Originally committed to Purdue, he opted for the Wildcats on January 20, 2012 when he was junior in high school.

Dominique Hawkins was the least heralded of all the signees in the 2013 signing class. He was the 2013 Kentucky Mr. Basketball and is the 17th player in UK history to claim the honor. He directed Madison Central to the state championship and captured most valuable player honors after averaging 20.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game throughout the Kentucky Boys Sweet Sixteen.

Roster

On March 18, 2013 Randle committed to play in the 2013-14 season. On March 31 Harrow announced he was leaving Kentucky to transfer to Georgia State for his remaining two seasons of eligibility. On April 1 Goodwin entered the 2013 NBA draft while Cauley-Stein and Wiltjer announced they were returning. On April 2, Poythress decided to return to school for his sophomore season. On April 10 Hawkins committed to play in the 2013-14 season. On April 15 Noel entered the 2013 NBA Draft. On July 19 Wiltjer announced he was leaving Kentucky to transfer to Gonzaga for his remaining two seasons of eligibility.

On June 27, 2013 Noel was selected sixth in the 2013 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans and traded to the Philadelphia Sixers for in exchange for Jrue Holiday and 42nd pick which was used to select Pierre Jackson. Goodwin was drafted 29th by the Golden State Warriors and traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for 30th pick which was used to select Nemanja Nedovic.

Off-season rankings

The earliest preseason predictions were made the day after the 2013 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament on April 9, before final decisions by college players about declaring for the 2013 NBA Draft and before many high-school players signed a National Letter of Intent about their 2013 seasons. With the high expectations of the talented incoming players from the 2013 signing class (Harrisons, Johnson, Lee, Randle, Young), Kentucky was projected as the top ranked team by ESPN. USA Today projected the same sentiment that the talented freshmen would make Kentucky the top team in the 2013-14 season.

On April 30, ESPN's Eamonn Brennan named Randle a third-team 2013-14 pre-offseason All-American selection. In June 2013, Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy named Cauley-Stain and Randle as the third-best players at their respective positions (center and power forward) while Poythress was named the sixth-best small forward for the upcoming season.

Accolades and rankings

The Southeastern Conference preseason media poll was released at the SEC Media Days in October, it predicted that Kentucky would win the championship and selected Randle as its Player of the Year. Randle was also named to the All-SEC First Team while Cauley-Stein, Andrew Harrison, and Johnson were named to the All-SEC Second Team.

The USA Today announced its initial coaches poll on October 18 with Kentucky ranked as No. 1 in the country. The Associated Press announced on October 31 that Kentucky was ranked No. 1 to start the season in its initial poll of the season.

Events

On October 3 the camp out for Big Blue Madness, Kentucky's version of Midnight Madness, began. There were a record 755 tents set up around Memorial Coliseum to be first in line for the tickets that went on sale for Big Blue Madness on October 5. Tickets for Big Blue Madness sold out on October 5 in thirty minutes.

Big Blue Madness took place on October 18. The event debuted the team for the 2013-14 season. It included player introductions, a speech by Calipari, and a scrimmage.

The Blue-White scrimmage was the first live game for the team. It occurred at Rupp Arena on October 29. The Blue team started four freshmen, Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Young and Randle, along with Cauley-Stein. The White team opened with Jarrod Polson, Jon Hood, sophomore Poythress, Willis, and Lee. Young led all players with 21 points.

The first exhibition game was against Transylvania on November 1 at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Transylvania 76 to 42. Randle notched a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The second and final exhibition game was against Montevallo on November 4 at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Montevallo 95 to 72. Randle collected 21 points and 11 rebounds, giving him a double-double in both exhibition games. Young tallied 16 points and had the play of the night when he saved the ball from going out of bounds and accidentally lofted the ball into his own defensive basket, scoring two points for Montevallo.

2014-15 signees

In November Kentucky signed another top recruiting class. John Calipari announced four players for his 2014 class during the early signing period on November 14. Trey Lyles (Indianapolis), Karl-Anthony Towns (Metuchen, N.J.), Devin Booker (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Tyler Ulis (Chicago Heights, Ill.) all signed national letters of intent to play basketball at the University of Kentucky, starting in the 2014-15 season.

Karl-Anthony Towns was the first commitment for the class when verbally committed on December 4, 2012. He was named Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2014. He played for the Dominican Republic National Team in 2012 and 2013 which were coached by John Calipari and Kentucky assistant, Orlando Antigua. He was ranked as No. 6 overall by ESPN and No. 11 by Rivals and Scout.

Tyler Ulis was the second commitment in the class when he verbally committed on September 13, 2013. He committed to Kentucky briefly after he was offered a scholarship. Kentucky had just missed on their primary target, Emmanuel Mudiay, when he committed to SMU on August 24, 2013. Ulis, however, quickly rose the recruiting ranking finishing No. 20 overall by Scout, No. 21 overall by Rivals, and No. 25 overall by ESPN. He chose Kentucky over Iowa, Michigan State, and Southern Cal.

Devin Booker was the third commitment in the class when he verbally committed on October 31, 2013. He was ranked as the No. 18 overall by ESPN and No. 29 overall by Scout and Rivals. As a junior, he was named by Gatorade as the top basketball player in Mississippi. He is the son of the former Missouri and All-American great Melvin Booker. He chose Kentucky over his Dad's alma mater and Michigan.

Trey Lyles was the final commitment in the class when he verbally committed on November 5, 2013. After his senior season, he was named Indiana Mr. Basketball, where he led his high school to a state championship. He committed to Kentucky over rivals Indiana and Louisville. He was rated as the No. 6 overall player by ESPN, the No. 11 overall by Scout, and the No. 13 overall by Rivals.

November

The season officially began on November 8 with a 89 to 57 victory over UNC Asheville at Rupp Arena. Randle led all scorers with 15 points and all rebounders with 15 rebounds. Two nights later, on November 10, the team squared off against in-state foe Northern Kentucky, it was the first meeting between the two schools. Kentucky prevailed 93 to 63 behind another strong performance from Randle. Kentucky's first challenge of the season came two nights later in Chicago at the Champions Classic against No. 2 Michigan State. November 12 was the earliest the AP No. 1 and No. 2 teams had ever met in college basketball history. Kentucky made a late rally from being down 12 at halftime, but ended up losing 74 to 78 for their first loss of the season. Julius Randle continued to boast huge numbers by posting his third consecutive double-double, 27 points and 13 rebounds. On November 17 Kentucky avenged its 2013 NIT loss to Robert Morris at Rupp Arena winning 87 to 49 in the first game of the inaugural Bill Keightley Classic. Aaron Harrison led all scorers with 28, while Randle posted his fourth consecutive double-double. On November 19 the Keightley Classic continued as Kentucky defeated Texas–Arlington 105 to 76. Young led all scorers with 26, Randle posted his fifth consecutive double-double. Kentucky needed a late rally to get past Cleveland State on November 25. Cleveland State led by 10 with 7:41 to go. Kentucky went on a 24 to 7 run to end the game and win 68 to 61. Kentucky earned its 500th Rupp Arena win by beating Eastern Michigan 81 to 63 on November 27. Kentucky's halftime lead was just 35 to 32, but they steadily built it to double digits with 12:52 left and led by as many as 21 with 2:39 remaining.

December

December 1 against Providence was the second consecutive season that Kentucky played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. They defeated the Friars 79 to 65 behind a near triple-double from Cauley-Stein. Playing No. 20 Baylor at AT&T Stadium on December 6 provided a chance for Kentucky to get an early glimpse into what it felt like playing at the site of 2014 Final Four. The game was a part of a double-header between the two schools. The Baylor and Kentucky women's teams played to four overtimes in which Kentucky won. However, the men could not complete the sweep as Baylor handed Kentucky its second loss of the season by the score of 62 to 67. Kentucky rebounded after the loss by defeating Boise State on December 10. The Wildcats were by another double-double by Randle and defeated the Broncos 70 to 55 at Rupp Arena. On December 14 Kentucky played its first road game of the season when they played No. 18 North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The series between the two programs with the most wins in college basketball resumed after a one-year hiatus in 2013. The Tar Heels handed Kentucky its third loss of the season 77 to 82. After a week off for finals week, Belmont visited Lexington on December 21. At one point in the first half Kentucky trailed by 10, and did not take its first lead until 14 minutes remained in the second half. Kentucky defeated Belmont 93 to 80. The final game of the non-conference was against in-state rival No. 6 Louisville. The game featured the two previous national champions as Kentucky won the championship in 2012 and Louisville in 2013. Behind 18 points and 10 rebounds from Young, Kentucky defeated Louisville 73 to 66.

Statistics

The team posted the following statistics:

Honors

The team was given a lot of individual honors during the season.

At SEC Media Days in October, the SEC media selected Randle as its pick to win the SEC Player of the Year award. Randle was also named to the All-SEC First Team while Cauley-Stein, Andrew Harrison, and Johnson were named to the All-SEC Second Team.

To begin the season Andrew Harrison was placed on the Bob Cousy Award watch list with 45 other players from across the country, which recognizes the best point guard. Randle was placed on the Oscar Robertson Trophy watch list with 15 other players from across the country. The Harrison twins, Randle, and Young were among ten freshmen that were placed on the Wayman Tisdale Award watch list, which is given to the top freshman in the country. Andrew Harrison, Randle, and Young were among 50 players named to the Naismith Trophy watch list, which goes to the National Player of the Year.

During the season Randle earned SEC Player of the Week honors on November 11 after his first two games, averaging 22.5 points and 15.0 rebound per game. On January 27 he was named SEC Freshman of the Week after averaging 13.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in wins over Texas A&M and Georgia. He was again named SEC Player of the Week on February 24 after averaging 16.5 points and 14.0 rebounds in two victories over LSU and Ole Miss. In addition to winning SEC Player of the Week on February 24, Randle became the first player in 2014 to be honored by the USBWA as its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week and its Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week. Randle was among ten semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy. Randle was also named as one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award.

Young also earned USBWA National Freshman of the Week on December 31 after the win over Louisville. Randle was not the only Kentucky player to be honored with SEC Freshman of the Week during the season. On November 25 Young was honored with weekly award after scoring 26 points in a win over UT-Arlington. Aaron Harrison was honored twice with the award on December 2 and December 23.

There were several postseason awards that were handed out to Kentucky players. On March 11 the SEC honored Randle as its Freshman of the Year, joining DeMarcus Cousins (2010), Terrence Jones (2011), Anthony Davis (2012) and Nerlens Noel (2013) as recent Wildcats to win the award. Randle was also named to the First All-SEC team while Young was named to the Second All-SEC team. Both were apart of the SEC All-Freshman team, too. Cauley-Stein was honored with the SEC All-Defensive team.

2014 NBA Draft

Within two weeks after the season ended Young and Randle declared for the 2014 NBA Draft. They became the 11th and 12th freshmen players to declare for the NBA Draft under Calipari. Young declared for the NBA Draft on April 17. He was projected as a player that could potentially be a lottery pick. Randle declared for the on April 22. This was not a surprise due to Randle being projected as a top-5 pick during the season.