For third consecutive season, Calipari’s Wildcats find themselves at top of

Calipari said he didn’t have the official word, but that he expected the outcome to be positive. Kentucky was ranked No. 1 throughout last season up until the final poll, where the Wildcats finished No. 3.

“No one’s attempted to do it, and if they did it, they were forced to do it. They tried to get kids to stay and kids left anyway, so they were forced in this situation”.

The upperclassmen also must acclimate a bunch of new faces including 6-foot-11 forward Skal Labissiere and guards Isaiah Briscoe, Charles Matthews, Mychal Mulder and Jamal Murray – who signed this summer along with 7-foot Australian Isaac Humphries.

When asked earlier in the preseason, Skal said he’d be fine and ready to play the first game.

Calipari said Labissiere’s status had become a “fire storm” in recent days.

Added Labissiere, “I expect to play by the first game of the season”. After patiently playing behind Andrew Harrison last season, the 5-9 sophomore is eager to direct things.

Labissiere is the top-ranked player in UK’s freshman class and the 7-0 center is regarded as a possible No. 1 pick in the 2016 National Basketball Association draft.

“I just had to sit and wait my turn and understand because everybody deserved to play”, Ulis said.

Oh, and a provided a slightly grotesque story on Derek Willis injury and how it didn’t even seem to bother him. “I don’t know yet, and that’s why I said in November it’s going to be kind of ugly”, Calipari said.

“Every year we’ve been here, players go through the review”.