Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: Wildcats Will Be a Force with New Young Guns

Despite losing their starting five from their 2012 National Championship team, Kentucky will once again be one of the top contenders to end the season as the king of college basketball. 

These Wildcats don't rebuild, they reload.

They already have four big-time commitments in this year's recruiting class, which includes—according to ESPN—three 5-star prospects and a 4-star.

Here's a look at their latest group of super freshmen. 

Nerlens Noel (6'10"), C

Noel is widely considered the top prospect in the nation, as he is an athletic big man who excels on defense. Noel's long arms, jumping and instincts will make him the best shot-blocker in the nation, and he will be able to hold down the paint. 

Noel also can run the floor and is a strong finisher. He doesn't have the polished post game of Anthony Davis, but he will be able to get some points in the block. 

Alex Poythress (6'7"), SF

Poythress is another long-armed, athletic wing defender for the 'Cats. He has the feet to play man-to-man and a strong ability to block shots. Poythress is also an excellent rebounder. 

Offensively, Poythress is great in the open court. He is fast, is an excellent finisher and has a solid outside stroke. 

Poythress is also a decent ball-handler and passer. He doesn't have the strength yet to get in the post, but he doesn't necessarily need to with his outside shooting. 

Archie Goodwin (6'5"), SG

Goodwin is more natural at the small forward position, but he will likely slide over to shooting guard next season—and he has all the tools do to this. 

Goodwin is an inconsistent outside shooter, but you can expect this to improve as he puts in the work. He doesn't need his outside shot to score, either, as he can get to the rim with ease, and he knows how to finish. 

Although Goodwin is an excellent ball-handler, he could stand to improve his court vision and passing.

Defensively, Goodwin is a superb player who can rebound. 

Willie Cauley (6'10"), C

Cauley and Noel are both athletic enough to play on the court together, and they will form an imposing interior defense. Cauley is also an excellent shot-blocker, but he can definitely use some work on his rebounding fundamentals, not to mention he needs to get stronger. 

Offensively, Cauley has nice touch around the rim. However, he is raw in the post and doesn't have much of a jump shot. 

Overall Outlook

Kentucky is going to have an absolutely elite defense next season. The Wildcats have perimeter players who can go man-to-man with anyone and shot-blockers down low who will help them own the paint. 

This is all going to help the 'Cats get into the open court, where they will be completely deadly. 

In half-court sets, they will lack a dependable scorer in the post, but that will be limited by the fact that they have plenty of players who can get to the rack and create off the dribble.