Eric Bledsoe, Patrick Patterson, DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall are four reasons Kentucky is the team to beat in the NCAA tournament. Add in reserve Daniel Orton and it would appear that nobody has the horses to stop the Wildcats.
Mark Heisler, longtime NBA columnist for the Los Angeles Times, has come out with his annual March Madness mock draft and five Kentucky players are among the top 13 players. Granted, the situation is fluid because some players expected to leave early might have a change of heart and hang around campus for another year. But for this blog's purpose, Heisler's piece gives readers a perspective on the talent level of the Wildcats compared to the rest of the field
Party crashers Northern Iowa, Saint Mary's and Cornell have no player close to making the list, so consider the accomplishment of advancing to the Sweet 16 something extra special.
Wall is regarded as No. 1 player in this summer's NBA draft. "Last prospect rated as high was LeBron James," Heisler writes.
Cousins is rated No. 8. "After troubled past, surprised everyone with production. Faded a tad, still deemed risky, making him another one who needs good tourney."
At No. 10 is Patterson. "O.J. Mayo's high school teammate, beast inside, handled move to small forward."
At No. 12 is Orton. "Played little coming off knee surgery, but pros know all about him. Big, strong and athletic."
No. 13 is Bledsoe. "Compact, athletic, supposedly Kyle Lowry with a jumper."
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