[Stardust]

Kentucky signee Archie Goodwin says the Wildcats could challenge for a second straight NCAA championship if Shabazz Muhammad and Nerlens Noel come to Bluegrass country.

“I think we’ll be a really good team and be another national championship contender because those guys have great talent and we’ll be looking forward to having another great year,” Goodwin, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Little Rock, Ark., told SNY.tv Thursday from the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore.

Both Muhammad and Noel are undecided and are expected to announce April 11 on ESPNU.

Muhammad told SNY.tv Thursday he plans to formulate a decision in the days following Saturday’s Hoop Summit game, and Noel also remains undecided.

If they both were to pick Kentucky, John Calipari might arguably have his best recruiting class ever — and that is saying something.

But what if, in a worst-case scenario for Kentucky fans, the Wildcats don’t land either Muhammad or Noel?

“I think how we have it now we’ll still be able to contend for a national championship as long as we continue to get better each and every day and figure out our strengths and weaknesses and work as a team,” Goodwin said.

As for getting in Muhammad’s and Noel’s ears, Goodwin said “he might say something every now and then about it, but ultimately it’s their decision so I just let them and their families decide if they want it instead of me just trying to badger them about it all day.”

Goodwin is part of a three-man recruiting class at Kentucky that includes forward Alex Poythress and big man Willie Cauley. Kentucky will also add N.C. State transfer Ryan Harrow, a point guard. Freshman forward Kyle Wiltjer is also expected to return.

Goodwin was named MVP of the 2012 Arkansas 5A state championship game after scoring 27 points to lead Sylvan Hills High School to a 59-54 win over Little Rock Mills.

He watched Monday night’s NCAA championship game and said he’s happy for Calipari and the players.

“I watched the whole game,” he said. “I was very excited to see those guys finally get a championship, for Coach Cal to get one, for the freshmen players and one senior. I was just happy to see those guys finally pull together and win one.”

Looking ahead to next year, Goodwin said he could play a variety of roles at Kentucky.

“It’s just whatever coach needs me to do,” he said. “Whether it’s being big on offense or defense, or running the team point guard-wise, whatever he needs me to do, I’m looking forward to doing it.”

As for his goals this week at the Hoop Summit, Goodwin said, “I just want to make sure I do whatever Coach [Kevin Boyle] wants me to do for us to win and for us to play as a team.”

[Stardust]

[Image: http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/12_h...in_300.jpg]

[Amun-Ra]

Shabazz and Nerlens would def make UK a heavy favorite next year. Shabazz is a pro-ready right now and Nerlens could help fill the void left by Davis. If Teague stays and you add Harrow at PG, UK will have depth at the point. Goodwin gives flexability at the 2 and 3. Poythress is a MKG type player. We still have Wiltjer and Hood will be able to play. Added bonus if we get Oriaki in a transfer.

[RoShamBo]

^If all of that happens (plus Oriakhi) then we will be just as good or better next season.

Teague
Goodwin
Muhammad
Oriakhi
Noel

Harrow
Hood
Poythress
Wiltjer
Cauley

Talk about depth. That's two teams that could be top 25.

[Stardust]

Shabazz and Nerlens would def make UK a heavy favorite next year. Shabazz is a pro-ready right now and Nerlens could help fill the void left by Davis. If Teague stays and you add Harrow at PG, UK will have depth at the point. Goodwin gives flexability at the 2 and 3. Poythress is a MKG type player. We still have Wiltjer and Hood will be able to play. Added bonus if we get Oriaki in a transfer.

Rumor that Lamb may stay as well

[Amun-Ra]

I forgot about Cauley. He is a big help as well.

Lamb could stay. If he isn't near the lottery then staying would not hurt him at all.

[Alpha_Male]

Would like to see.


PG. Teague
SG. Lamb
SF. Muhammad
PF. Noel
C. Davis

Harrow
Goodwin
Poythress
Oriakhi
Witljer
Cauley
Hood

[Amun-Ra]

Would like to see.


PG. Teague
SG. Lamb
SF. Muhammad
PF. Noel
C. Davis

Harrow
Goodwin
Poythress
Oriakhi
Witljer
Cauley
Hood

Well damn who wouldn't like that line up? If this was to happen just hand us the title and let everyone else play the season for runner up.

[RoShamBo]

Would like to see.


PG. Teague
SG. Lamb
SF. Muhammad
PF. Noel
C. Davis

Harrow
Goodwin
Poythress
Oriakhi
Witljer
Cauley
Hood

Oh ma gawd! Not likely, but yeah I agree I wouldn't mind seeing that lineup. lol

If that was our lineup next year even I would say we were cheating, simply because it wouldn't be fair to the rest of college basketball.

[Stardust]

I'd be the first one to push Davis out the door! He deserves his mega NBA contract! Don't stay and potentially screw up his financial security by getting injured in college. The tweaked knee in the NCAA was enough to say "good bye"!

[Indians20]

I heard Harrow killed Teague in practice all the time, now I'm actually a big fan of Teague but I think it will be a battle between the 2 for the start.

PG Teague/ Harrow

SG Lamb/ Goodwin

SF Poythress/ Hood

PF Oriakhi/ Wiltjer

C Noel/ Cauley-Stein

This is my guess on what the team looks like next year.

[FBALL]

Somebody tell Cal to come 2 hours east to Huntington and recruit Andrew Wiggins.

[WideRight05]

How about this?

Teague/Harrow
Shabazz/Lamb/Goodwin
MKG/Poythress
Jones/Oriakhi/Wiltjer
Davis/Nerlens/Cauley

Okay, EXTREMELY wishful thinking...

But I really think we will land Nerlens. I think with his similar build and playing style to Davis and the success that Davis had at UK will attract him. It would be nice if the recruiting of Nerlens lures in Oriakhi as well. Him and Shabazz would make a nice combo.

[FBALL]

Noel is not nearly the player that Davis is from what I have seen of him in the hoop summit.

[FBALL]

Muhammad is a clone of MKG.

[Stardust]

Has anyone else noticed, but Shabazz plays horrible defense? McDonalds, Hoop Summitt and tonights World Game, and I have seen him beat off the dribble so many times it's not funny! Tremendous scorer and great body like MKG, but plays defense like Vargas!

[FBALL]

That's not true Vargas plays defense. He just couldn't score in a whore house.

Muhammad has gambles a lot on D. He does not appear to be the lock down defender that MKG is.

Goodwin is a freak athlete but plays out of control a lot.

[cuppett777]

Has anyone else noticed, but Shabazz plays horrible defense? McDonalds, Hoop Summitt and tonights World Game, and I have seen him beat off the dribble so many times it's not funny! Tremendous scorer and great body like MKG, but plays defense like Vargas!

but plays defense like Vargas!,thats not even funny,lol

[FBALL]

Please recruit Wiggins. I've seen Huntington Prep a couple of times this year. Hes a player.

[FBALL]

Muhammad is impressive on offense.

[RunItUpTheGut]

Vargas was almost as good as Heisenbuttell