Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the Kentucky Wildcats:
Scholarship chart
Seniors (1): F Alex Poythress
Juniors (5): PG Dominique Hawkins, G EJ Floreal, SG Mychal Mulder, C Marcus Lee, F Derek Willis
Sophomores (1): PG Tyler Ulis
Freshmen (3): PG Isaiah Briscoe, SG Charles Matthews, C Skal Labissiere
Possible early entry losses after next season: Skal Labissiere, Marcus Lee, Tyler Ulis
Available scholarships for 2016: At least four (possibly as many as seven)
Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: PF Tai Wynyard (2016, could enroll in December)
Biggest needs for 2016-17: Scoring wing, multiple inside players, combo forward, point guard
Must-haves: SG Malik Monk (No. 5 in ESPN 100, Arkansas Wings), PG Kobi Simmons (No. 6, Atlanta Celtics), SF Jayson Tatum (No. 2, St. Louis Eagles)
Targets: SG Malik Monk (No. 5 in ESPN 100, Arkansas Wings), PG Kobi Simmons (No. 6, Atlanta Celtics), SF Jayson Tatum (No. 2, St. Louis Eagles), PG Jamal Murray (CIA Bounce), C Thon Maker (CIA Bounce), PF Harry Giles (No. 1, CP3), SF Miles Bridges (No. 7, The Family), C Udoka Azubuike (No. 19, Georgia Stars), SG Josh Langford (No. 13, Atlanta Celtics), C Marques Bolden (No. 15, Pro Skills), C Jarrett Allen (No. 17, Texas PRO), SF Jonathan Isaac (No. 12, Each 1 Teach 1), SG Rawle Alkins (No. 22, NY Rens), SG Markelle Fultz (No. 21, DC Blue Devils)
Summer scenario
While Kentucky shockingly missed out on each of its spring targets, the Wildcats still had one of the best classes in the country for the 2015 class -- and coach John Calipari will look to get back to the No. 1 spot. While Calipari has been able to wait until the spring to cement his classes the past few cycles, he's getting an earlier start on 2016. Kentucky has identified its primary targets already, and the Wildcats are squarely in the mix for several prospects. They are likely the favorite for Kobi Simmons, and will battle Arkansas for Malik Monk. Players such as Josh Langford, Rawle Alkins and others also like the Wildcats, so it will be interesting to see where Calipari turns up the heat.