Nerlens Noel: Why the Eraser Will Lead Kentucky Back to National Championship

The University of Kentucky and coach John Calipari pulled off a huge coup by landing No. 1 recruit Nerlens Noel on Wednesday night.

Now they have a great chance of repeating as national champions and becoming the first program since Florida in 2006 and 2007 to achieve that lofty goal.

Noel is a natural replacement for freshman phenom Anthony Davis, who dominated almost every major award in collegiate basketball and willed the team to a national championship.

The Eraser—aptly named for his high-top fade and defensive prowess—is ready to pick up right where the consensus No. 1 NBA draft pick has left off.

The 6’10” center prospect will be able to seamlessly slide in as a defensive extraordinaire that specializes in shot-blocking—exactly the same role Davis filled to great success.

Nerlens is the crown jewel of Calipari’s 2012 recruiting class, one in which his Wildcats hauled in Archie Goodwin, a possible starter at the 2; Alex Poythress, a 6’9” banger who plays power forward; and Willie Cauley, another center who looks like a backup with Noel now on the team.

That is in addition to Ryan Harrow, a transfer for NC State who is ready to start at point guard, and returning sophomore Kyle Wiltjer, a sweet-shooting swingman who should add plenty of strength this summer.

Assuming that every member of the UK starting five decides to go pro, there still won’t be a lean period for the program.

Calipari has done an excellent job in refilling his seemingly unlimited pool of talent and The Eraser is going to obliterate foes on defense while working on his blossoming offensive game. 

With a starting five of Harrow, Goodwin, Wiltjer, Poythress and Noel, Kentucky is poised to destroy their competition during the regular season and ride a hot hand into the 2013 NCAA tournament with a great chance to win it all.