Nerlens Noel to Kentucky: Prep Star Sure to Shine in Wildcats' System

Nerlens Noel probably made his final decision long before Kentucky won the national championship, but it didn't hurt, either.

When it came down to it, Kentucky was a step ahead of the pack because it has proven it can do what neither Syracuse nor Georgetown has been able to do since 2003.

Just like LeBron James chose Miami because it objectively looked like the destination that would give him the best chance to win sooner rather than later, Noel seemed to use the same logic in making his choice, even mimicking LeBron's infamous line when he told ESPNU, "I'll be taking my talents … to … the University of…."

And then, outdoing LeBron, he turned the back of his head to the camera, where he'd shaved the University of Kentucky logo into his scalp.

Noel, who became the top-ranked player in the nation after transferring high schools and reclassifying into the class of 2012, said he and his mom both thought Kentucky was the best fit for him.

Recent history hints at why.

In 2011-12, Georgetown finished fourth in an incredibly competitive year for the Big East but lost to NC State in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Since 2001, the Hoyas have made seven appearances in the tournament and have been to one Final Four.

Syracuse finished first in the conference but surprisingly bowed out to Cincinnati in the conference semifinals before losing to Ohio State in the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. Since winning the national championship in 2003, the Orange have only advanced past the Sweet 16 once.

The Wildcats, on the other hand, have appeared in the tournament 10 times since 2001 (they didn't make it in 2009) and have made it to two Sweet 16's, three Elite 8's and two Final Fours, one of which ended in a title.

The 2011-12 season was so important for Kentucky because John Calipari proved he can take a team with a starting lineup of underclassmen—mostly freshmen—and coach it to a national title. Experience matters, but when there is that much talent on your roster, experience can come in second. And even if they don't ultimately reach the Final Four, the Wildcats have a history of at least giving themselves a chance to get there (20 appearances in the past 21 years), year after year. 

Despite the fact that the Wildcats are losing Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and some of their other big playmakers to the NBA draft, Noel can still have faith that Calipari will surround him with the caliber of talent capable of making another deep run in next year's tournament.

After all, he did this year. And with the No. 1 prospect in the country leading the charge, Kentucky is bound to have as good a chance as anyone of doing it again.