Periodically CatsIllustrated.com will shine the spotlight on the top takes (the most popular either by views, likes or thoughtfulness) on the site's forums.

From the House of Blue to the Rafters and Wildcat Lair, the conversation about Kentucky sports never stops.

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"I've said it before that I don't see a gap in talent between Quickley & Smart. So, if I'm coach I go with with guy who loves us. That guy seems to be Smart. I like players that have a passion to be in Blue. Call me old school but I have an affinity for that type of player." -- KINGBEAST

"There isn't a John Wall, but adding Quickley with Green and Alexander should make the point guard spot exceptional.

Strength in numbers." -- Cat_outta_hell

"Whichever one is more likely to lockdown the opposing PG is the guy I want. We will have plenty of scoring, a defensive monster out front disrupting the offensive flow can totally change a game." -- TheySoSensitive

LINK: Immanuel Quickley makes another cut

NEWSSTAND (5/30): Start your Tuesday with all the important UK reading

"UK should feel good with their position with Smart. If they put any kind of a press on him it wouldn't take long. Smart wants to be a OAD. He understands he would have a greater chance to do that somewhere besides LSU. You have to remember, Wade is in year one with a team that was at the bottom of the tank in the SEC. Smart is no Newman in that sense. He was NEVER going to play for Johnny Jones if he was still around.

I will say this, he does like LSU as in the school. Should be telling in the next month or two. If there is no word of an "official" offer in the next month or two from UK, then despite what his list says, watch out for UCLA, Kansas, and UNC with LSU being a darkhorse the longer his recruitment goes. Smart went on an unofficial visit to UCLA this afternoon while the AAU events are in Los Angels." -- AllCats22

"Just on paper, not sure I would put this team above last years.

That team had two potential top 5 picks (Fox, Monk) some experience (Willis, Hawkins) and a better big man (Bam) even if he had to play out of position.I do think this team will be better defensively. The potential there is off the charts." -- Cat_outta_hell

"While Fox and Monk are top 5 picks, no one else on last years team seems to be guaranteed first round, even though I think Bam is top 20 talent. This year we have Knox, Vanderbilt, Washington and Diallo who are all 95% guaranteed first rounders after this year. Diallo could even be a lottery top 10 type guy. And while Richards is no different than Bam as a guy known for dunking, rebounding, and blocking shots, he's a legit 7 feet with super long arms and a great vertical who, with a good season, could easily be a great pick.

This team has more potential first rounders coming in than last year. And when you factor in SKJ and Gabriel who are AT WORST at the same level they were last year, this team is still sky high. ANd while we don't have Willis (inconsistent) or Hawkins (only got to shine end of season) we have guys like Green, SGA and Baker to take over the reigns as glue/character/leadership guys, mostly bolstered by Mr. Green." -- Catzman

"Assuming this group gels well, I think this team has the potential to be one of Cal's best yet. Nearly every team he's had at UK has been loaded in the starting unit but relatively thin in reserves. ...

"In the end, this team may not have a ton of names, but the talent, size and athleticism is there for this team to win it all. Team chemistry and defense will be the key." -- mjdotson

"Without looking it up I can't recall a team ever more or less starting from zero. Gabriel will be the only player next season that will have played in more than 15 games in his career. That's insane and has to be a record. I don't think you can search the sports history and find another instance like this in the modern era.

To even be ranked next season, or make the post season should give Cal every coach of the year awards. I expect both because I know he's that good of a coach but he will be making history to do it. Don't know what to expect without seeing them play but I won't be freaking out if they're not the top ranked team all season." -- JohnBlue_

"I'd rank this group 4th (among Cal teams based on potential), and I think they're ahead of last year's team due to depth, length, and overall athleticism. No way this is a bridge year." -- johnnybalt

"UK will take some losses early on but come February I expect Cal will have them turning into a juggernaut that nobody will want to play in March. We were the best team in the country once March rolled around, or right at the top of UNC, and I expect Cal will have the Cats right back at that level again next March. Gonna be another exciting season!!" -- GGplaya

"Diallo, Knox, and Vanderbilt are our best players. Starting them makes the most sense to me. Vanderbilt and Knox are capable of guarding opposing 4's without any issue. On offense, this lineup creates more mismatches in our favor than can be dreamt.

Most everyone else expects a different lineup starting the game.Respectfully, why do you see a different lineup as a better option than this one? What am I missing? To me, this gives our best players the most opportunities to shine." -- EclipsingYou

"The 1-3 spots to me are locks. The 4 and 5 spots are still yet to be determined.

I think by the end of the season it's Vanderbilt and Richards." -- bucsrule8872

" However, at this early point we just don't know what Gabriel and SKJ will bring to the table having a year experience and doing whatever they have to work on and workout since the season ended and through this summer. I know I'm being hopeful, but these two could make great progress going into their soph seasons and give us that experience we're all complaining about too. I think we just need to give it more time and see how these two guys have decided to improve themselves during the off season and what they might bring to the team this Fall." -- ORCAT

"I like Vanderbilt as first sub off the bench for his versatility. Diallo off to a rough start? Sub in Vanderbilt and shift Knox to the 2. Knox off to a rough start? Sub in Vanderbilt. He can obviously sub in for the 4 too." -- schamp21

"Washington looked to me to be the best all around player in several of those tournaments. Vanderbilt had that one great all-star game and maybe he will be like that in other games, but Washington is whom I anticipate to start with SKJ, Knox, Green, and Diallo. Remember Cal goes by defense more than offense. I would have even suggested Gabriel over Knox because of experience, but Gabriel was so often out of position on defense that he may have more to overcome than Knox. I know Cal had said he won't ever do the Platoon again, but for me, this next Kentucky teams huge advantage would be all the players who can produce. So, depth seems way better than Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, and Arizona. You might argue that those other teams starting fives are as good or better but I don't see anyone who can match the depth. So, I hope that is used to our advantage." -- uk78

"Playing in Morgantown is TOUGH! I would anticipate us losing that game. That crowd can be as good as there is in the country (when a big name is in town)." -- BlueBomb

"Probably the biggest match up possible since we've played KU the past two seasons. It will be an extremely tough game and will be a rowdy environment. The one thing I do like about the challenge is that it's played during conference play. So that gives our guys at least some road experience, before heading into this game." -- WeWant9

"Love this game. Good road test in the middle of the season. With the VaTech addition yesterday and this game, I really like our schedule." -- bthaunert

"First off to the guy that said WVU is only good once every few years and are going to be garbage next year better do some research on that. In ESPN's early poll they just released I believe they are ranked #9. As far as for the fans, yes several years ago they had a bad rep and justifiably so nit since joining the Big 12 a big priority is cleaning up the image. Ask Big 12 fans about their experiences and I think you will be pleasantly surprised." -- brickeyjames21

"Wouldn't need to talk about the NCAA baseball tournament ,good or bad, if Henderson was coaching. Mingione has put UK baseball on the upward trajectory, and will improve this program , to be a national contender . He can recruit and coach!" -- law1127

"Only played (IU) once in the regular season. Could be worse, Mississippi State and South Alabama have already played three times this year and will play again in their regional. -- Derek Terry

LINK: UK draws Ohio in first round of Lexington Regional

"I'd be pretty surprised if they don't start Hjelle, as UK has never won the first game. but, I agree with you, it's pretty tempting to hold Hjelle for Saturday." -- STUCKNBIG10

"If Kentucky hadn't finished the season scoring 0 earned runs in two games then I might be more tempted to throw someone else. But as it is, runs may be at a bit of a premium if his like Mahan and White don't get off the skids. Thompson can keep the runs down but it's better to at least go to the guy we trust the most." -- Comebakatz3

"I posted last night that I thought throwing Hjelle game one is a certainty. I still think that will happen, but honestly, Ohio was a middle of the road MAC club. Finished two games above .500 in a below average conference. They don't have a sure-fire stud who can shut down UK's offense like we've seen some 4-seeds in the past have.

I understand there will be a segment of the fan base who thinks the ace has to throw the first game. After all, no game matters besides the one you're playing. I totally get this and don't think those people are wrong. Typically I would agree. I just think UK is much better than Ohio and don't necessarily need to throw Hjelle to win, but I won't argue hard against Hjelle pitching." -- Derek Terry

"Here is a random thought. Does it make sense to pitch Machamer-Schaenzer and Thompson on Friday night, with Hjelle and Lewis to follow on Sat and Sun? That is the way we did it in the SEC tourney. I am thinking that you have to win at least three games to win the regional, so the idea is to put together a lineup with the best chance to win all three games, not to just win the Friday night game. Obviously, we will be playing a team ranked >#50 in the country, have to hope we can beat our opening opponent without throwing our best pitchers.

The flaw in that logic is that even the last few teams in the NCAA tournament figure to have at least one pretty darn good pitcher, who will be a lock to be their Friday night starter. And our history in the NCAA openers has been "perfect", we have lost the first game every single time I can remember UK getting to the NCAA." -- Tskware