Nerlens Noel: Kentucky Wildcats Set to Repeat After Landing Nation's Top Recruit

Well, John Calipari has done it again.

Last evening, center Nerlens Noel, the nation's top recruit, joined an already solid 2012 recruiting class. Don't look now, but the Kentucky Wildcats look like the early favorites to repeat as national champions.

Calipari already landed top-20 players in Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress, and NC State transfer Ryan Harrow (a top-10 recruit in 2010) is joining the fold as well.

Add in Noel and the return of Kyle Wiltjer (a top-20 recruit last year), and yes, you've got all the makings of another one-and-done championship run in Lexington next season.

Of course, before the Kentucky faithful start hanging any premature banners, keep in mind that this team probably will never be as special as this year's version, which had truly unique players in Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

From Eamonn Breamon of ESPN:

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Davis was a physical freak who gained his physicality late in his high school career, when he sprouted 8 inches but somehow maintained his guard skills and agility. He was transcendent on both ends of the court, almost from Day 1.

By contrast, Noel is a lifelong big man, one whose offensive game remains very raw. (Though he shares at least this much with Davis: In a world full of 6-foot–10 prospects determined to play small forward, Noel is more than content to play as close to the rim as possible.) Likewise, for as promising as Poythress and Goodwin are, it’s clear there is no Kidd-Gilchrist—whose combination of NBA talent and selflessness set the tone for UK’s special 2012 season—to be found here, at least as far as we can tell right now.

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Noel is an excellent shot-blocker, and he'll provide the Wildcats with a serious defensive anchor in the paint. His addition makes Kentucky a very well-rounded team.

But even though they should be looked at as the favorite (or at least among a handful of favorites) to win another national title, there will be other serious contenders.

Indiana is stacked. UCLA landed two top-five players in Kyle Anderson and Shabazz Muhammad who should catapult that program back to national prominence. Duke is, well, Duke.

But Kentucky heads the list for now. And next season, I'm sure we'll be raving about another Calipari recruiting class after the majority of the players on his team this upcoming year depart for the NBA.

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