Here’s A Fun What-If...

We’ve thought about this too: what would it be like if Kentucky joined the ACC?

First off: UK would be a lousy fit with the Big Ten. The ACC though? That’s different. Second: we’re not trading Clemson. Family is family.

That said, there are natural rivalries ready to go: UNC, Duke of course, and the hatefest with Louisville.

Otherwise though Kentucky-Virginia would get interesting in a year or two. UK would always have more talent but Tony Bennett is a much better tactician. Syracuse would hate Kentucky in a heartbeat- they probably already do - and visits to Littlejohn are never as easy as they seem before you actually go.

The best part? Kentucky would have to work for wins in this conference. It’s trite to say it, but in the ACC, most years, anyone can beat anyone. Over the last couple of seasons, BC and Pitt have given UNC and Duke some tough games.

Kentucky has been a big fish in a small pond for decades. They’d be plenty good in the ACC, but the automatic stuff would come to a grinding halt. And the intensity at the top of the ACC would hit new levels.

Speaking of Kentucky, you probably saw that Bol Bol, son of Manute, committed to Oregon over Kentucky earlier this week. That was interesting and so is this:

For a change, Kentucky isn’t tearing it up on the recruiting trail. Kentucky has only signed one Top Ten player so far. UK could still sign Zion Williamson or Romeo Langford or Simisola Shittu, but we’re not sure they lead for any of them.

It may not mean much - it all starts over again next season - but it’s striking.