Kentucky basketball 2015-16 preview

Overview: After falling just short at their run at a perfect season a year ago, the Wildcats return with the second-ranked recruiting class in the country. Despite losing six players to the NBA draft, Kentucky still returns point guard Tyler Ulis, forward Alex Poythress and forward Marcus Lee along with a star-studded group of freshmen, though head coach John Calipari has said he will abandon the platoon system that gained so much fame last year. The crown jewel of the Wildcats' class is Skal Labissiere—the top-ranked center in his class—who has enormous length and is a solid defender in the post. After a prolonged fight for eligibility with the NCAA this offseason, the 6-foot-11 Labissiere was ruled eligible for this season and will get ready to take the NCAA by storm.

Not to be outdone, a pair of highly touted guards enter Kentucky's backcourt this season, filling the void left by the Harrison twins, Aaron and Andrew. Similar to Duke's Derryck Thornton, five-star guard Jamal Murray reclassified to the class of 2015 this offseason and will join Isaiah Briscoe, the No. 13 prospect in this year's class. In the Wildcats' first exhibition game, Murray came within one assist of a triple-double and early indications are that the Kitchener, Canada, native could be just one more addition to Calipari's lineage of point guards. The duo will accompany the sophomore Ulis, who was one of the best floor generals in the nation a year ago. 

With Calipari at the helm, the Wildcats have made three trips to the Final Four. Expect Kentucky to stay atop the SEC and be a factor in the title race once again this season. 

One thing that needs to go right: The Wildcats' trio of freshmen proves to be as good as advertised and the return of Poythress provides the leadership needed to push Kentucky back to the Final Four.