This is a good week to be a Kentucky fan.
First off, Scout.com put out its updated Class of 2012 rankings and John Calipari and Company are involved with the Top 4 players — Shabazz Muhammad, Andre Drummond, Mitch McGary and Brandon Ashley, as well as No. 9 Kaleb Tarczewski and No. 10 Anthony Bennett.
Oh, and they also have a shot at No. 12 DaJuan Coleman, No. 14 Archie Goodwin, No. 17 Alex Poythress and No. 19 Robert Parker.
The Wildcats don’t have a single commit for the Class of 2012 yet, a tough break for fans who’ve grown accustomed to landing the No. 1 class in the nation across each of the last three years.
But if Kentucky can land three or four of these guys — which is entirely possible — Calipari will keep his incredible streak going.
In the 2013 class, stud forward Chris Walker, a likely future pro, told SNY.tv this weekend that he plans to visit Kentucky sometime soon and listed Ohio State, Kentucky and Florida as his favorites.
On the court, Calipari will coach the Dominican National Team tonight and tomorrow in two exhibitions against a group of Kentucky pros that includes John Wall, Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins.
“It’s going to be a circus,” Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford, a former Florida Gator and one of the starters for a Dominican team that will soon begin its quest to qualify for the 2012 Olympics, told the Louisville Courier Journal. “It’s going to be a big road game for us. Big Blue is going to show out. It’s going to be a good test. We’re going to be playing against Argentina at home over there. This is good preparation. I don’t think there’s any arena in in South America that sits 25,000 like here.”
Here are the starting lineups courtesy the Courier Journal:
Dominican Republic National Team
Probable starters
C Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks), 6-10
F Charlie Villanueva (Detroit Pistons), 6-11
F Francisco Garcia (UofL alum, Sacramento Kings), 6-7
F Jack Michael Martinez, 6-8
G Edgar Sosa (UofL alum), 6-1
Others
F Juan Pablo Montas, 6-6
G Luis Flores, 6-2
F Eulis Baez, 6-7
G Kelvin Pena, 6-3
G Ricardo Soliver, 6-2
F Eloy Vargas (University of Kentucky), 6-11
F Manuel Guzman, 6-9
G Manuel Fortuna, 6-1
G Ronald Ramon, 6-2
F Orlando Sanches, 6-10
Coaches: John Calipari, Orlando Antigua, Billy Bayno, Del Harris, Felipe Lopez, Rod Strickland THE PROS (Former UK stars)
Probable starters
G Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics), 6-1
G John Wall (Washington Wizards), 6-4
G Jodie Meeks (Philadelphia 76ers), 6-4
G Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons), 6-9
F DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), 6-11
Others
G Eric Bledsoe (Los Angeles Clippers), 6-1
G Keith Bogans (Chicago Bulls), 6-5
F Nazr Mohammed (Oklahoma City Thunder), 6-10
Coaches: Denny Crum, Joe B. Hall
Probable starters
C Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks), 6-10
F Charlie Villanueva (Detroit Pistons), 6-11
F Francisco Garcia (UofL alum, Sacramento Kings), 6-7
F Jack Michael Martinez, 6-8
G Edgar Sosa (UofL alum), 6-1
Others
F Juan Pablo Montas, 6-6
G Luis Flores, 6-2
F Eulis Baez, 6-7
G Kelvin Pena, 6-3
G Ricardo Soliver, 6-2
F Eloy Vargas (University of Kentucky), 6-11
F Manuel Guzman, 6-9
G Manuel Fortuna, 6-1
G Ronald Ramon, 6-2
F Orlando Sanches, 6-10
Coaches: John Calipari, Orlando Antigua, Billy Bayno, Del Harris, Felipe Lopez, Rod Strickland THE PROS (Former UK stars)
Probable starters
G Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics), 6-1
G John Wall (Washington Wizards), 6-4
G Jodie Meeks (Philadelphia 76ers), 6-4
G Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons), 6-9
F DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), 6-11
Others
G Eric Bledsoe (Los Angeles Clippers), 6-1
G Keith Bogans (Chicago Bulls), 6-5
F Nazr Mohammed (Oklahoma City Thunder), 6-10
Coaches: Denny Crum, Joe B. Hall
