DAVION MINTZ

As has been the case since Calipari’s 2009 arrival at Kentucky, the Wildcats underwent their annual roster makeover. This spring the turnover included several signings of players from an overstocked NCAA transfer portal. How the Wildcats’ roster looks depends on the return of graduate guard Davion Mintz and the eligibility of transfer Sahvir Wheeler. Last season Kentucky picked up 6-9 former West Virginia forward Oscar Tshiebwe, who averaged 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game after leading the Mountaineers in scoring, rebounding and blocks as a freshman. Add in recent signee TyTy Washington, a top-12 prospect, and Calipari suggested Kentucky could have as many as six guards next season.

John Calipari is awaiting a pivotal ruling on the eligibility of transfers before he will know who’ll be around to help the Wildcats bounce back from the coach's first losing season in Lexington.

But things began spiraling downward for the Wildcats long before Thursday's disappointing 74-73 setback against Mississippi State that sealed their fate: No NCAA Tournament this year. AdDigesting the reality and enduring a losing season at college basketball's winningest program will make for a long offseason for the Wildcats. “But at the end of the day, you've gotta win games and you've gotta be tough and you've got to play winning basketball. The Wildcats rebounded to win their first three SEC games, only to seesaw between a four-game skid and three-game winning streak. One of the main issues for the Wildcats was putting up points, as Kentucky ranked 200th in Division I in scoring.