Cats in the hunt for top players

Kentucky doesn't have a commitment for 2012, but Cal is sure to lure in some big fish as he casts a wide net with available top players.

Yes, it is late August and Kentucky doesn't yet have a commitment from the class of 2012. Normally this may put those fans who follow basketball recruiting closely in a position of high stress. That is not the case this season.

The class of 2012 has not been in the rush to make college commitments the way their recent predecessors have done. This group seems more intent on taking their time, and their visits, prior to making choices that will greatly impact their futures.

Recently players have begun to trim lists and set visits. Kentucky's John Calipari and his staff have positioned themselves well and are making a number of trimmed down lists for top players.

In recent weeks top players such as Shabazz Muhammad, Mitch McGary, Brandon Ashley, Alex Poythress, Archie Goodwin, Dajuan Coleman, Perry Ellis, Robert Carter and others have announced that the Wildcats are among their trimmed lists of schools.

Kentucky's run of three consecutive top ranked classes may come to an end with the class of 2012, but recruiting analysts seem pretty confident that Calipari and his staff will land a class that will be highly ranked when the dust clears.

How are the Wildcats able to be finalists for so many highly touted players?

Perhaps Brandon Ashley said it best when he told Scout, "Kentucky gets people to the league."