Coach Cal Reloads For Next Season

Coach Cal Reloads For Next Season

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The University of Kentucky men's basketball team is back in Lexington after leaving Houston earlier than it had hoped.

The team narrowly missed making it to the championship game, losing 56-55 to Connecticut Saturday night.

With the magical run to the Final Four over, the big question now is about the team's future.

Coach John Calipari and the Wildcats returned to Lexington on Sunday, met by a crowd of Big Blue fans at the airport.

The Cats definitely felt the love for getting to their first Final Four in 13 years, yet coming up short in the national semifinals.

Next year, the Cats lose senior Josh Harrellson, a loss that will definitely be felt since he's been crucial to leading this year's team.

But Harrellson likely won't be the only loss, Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight might also leave to go pro.

Cats who could return include Darius Miller, DeAndre Liggins and Doron Lamb, along with Eloy Vargas, Jon Hood and Stacey Poole.

They will be joined by another stellar freshman class, including Anthony Davis, Michael Gilchrist, Marquis Teague and Kyle Wiltjer.

As for Calipari, an article in the New York Daily News reported that even though he's recruiting and conducting business as usual as UK's head coach, he wants back in the NBA at some point.

But there is no reason to believe he is leaving UK any time soon.

Cal won't go to the NBA before he gets a NCAA title, IMHO. If he gets one in the next couple of years, I'd be surprised if he leave Lexington before his son graduates.