Kentucky finally finds its forward

With only four days left in the late signing period, Kentucky finally reels in its power forward for the 2010-2011 basketball season. Eloy Vargas, originally a Florida Gator, transferred to Miami-Dade Community College (the same JUCO school that produced Darnell Dodson), and he has now decided to bring his 25 points and 15 rebounds per game to Lexington. While Coach Cal would certainly still like to pick up Terrence Jones (the elite PF who is waffling on his UW verbal commitment), Vargas is not a bad consolation prize. Vargas, who was ranked #26 overall in the 2008 Rivals 150, will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Now that Kentucky has a legit power forward option for next season, I think we can finally predict a depth chart:

PG: Brandon Knight (FR), (Doron Lamb), Jarrod Polson (FR walk-on)

SG: Doron Lamb (FR), Jon Hood (SO), Stacey Poole (FR)

SF: Darius Miller (JR), DeAndre Liggins (JR), Darnell Dodson (JR)

PF: Eloy Vargas (JR)

C: Enes Kanter (FR), Josh Harrellson (SR)

Not bad. While this group doesn't appear to have a John Wall or DeMarcus Cousins-type talent, this is a solid group with a couple of future lottery picks in Brandon Knight and Enes Kanter. Doron Lamb might surprise people with his Rip Hamilton-esque mid range game, and he is probably a future first round pick. I think the addition of Vargas assures a preseason top 15 ranking for Kentucky, and I think anything short of a Sweet 16 appearance would be disappointing. Furthermore, the addition of Vargas should catapult Kentucky past Memphis, North Carolina, and Ohio State in the recruiting rankings, giving the Wildcats the top class in the country for two years in a row. It's a great time to be a Cat!