Kentucky recruits motivated to end NCAA Tournament slump: 'We have something to prove'

Following another March Madness letdown, Kentucky recruits realize they must deliver next season to prevent a program overhaul.

"We have something to prove next season," five-star small forward Karter Knox said, via Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports. "We know we have to get in the gym and put in the work, not just individually but together. We're not losing in the first round next season."

In the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, No. 14 seed Oakland shocked No. 3 seed Kentucky in an 80-76 upset. Over the past three seasons, the Wildcats have lost to double-digit seeds twice, and they last made the Final Four in 2015.

Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart recently confirmed head coach John Calipari will return next season. However, his seat may be getting warmer.

Don't attribute the shortcomings to a lack of talent. The Wildcats have had 14 players selected in the first round in the last nine NBA Drafts. According to Tankathon, the Hornets will take Kentucky guard Reed Shepphard with the fourth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and the Trail Blazers will select teammate Rob Dillingham with the fifth pick. 

While making the NBA is a goal for many recruits, five-star guard Boogie Fland noted it can't be their only priority.

"The big thing for us is we need to make it about the team's success first," Fland said, per Peek. "We all want to reach that next level and make the NBA. The key is to not skip steps and really buy into what coach Cal says and do whatever is necessary to win."

If it follows Fland's lead, Kentucky could bounce back and make a run in the tournament next season. Rivals.com rates the Wildcats' 2024 recruiting class as the second-best in the country behind Duke.