Kyle Wiltjer

Kyle Wiltjer wasn't happy following Kentucky's loss to Alabama Tuesday night. He knows the Wildcats, who led at halftime, missed an opportunity to defeat the Crimson Tide. “We didn't close it out,” Wiltjer sid. “They made their run and we didn't execute down the stretch. We didn't get stops and didn't get key rebounds. I mean, it kills you any time you lose, so it hurts, especially because we knew we could have won the game. We didn't execute down the stretch, so it definitely hurts a lot.” The loss dropped the Wildcats to 12-6 overall and 3-2 in the Southeastern Conference, putting the squad in desperation mode going into a three-game stretch that includes a home game against LSU, followed by road encounters next week at league surprise Ole Miss and Texas A&M, which defeated Kentucky 83-71 on Jan. 12 at Rupp Arena.

With all the buzz surrounding the decision by four Kentucky signees not to play in the Derby Classic in Louisville so they can play in two other all-star games that are nationally televised, why not let DraftExpress.com analyst Matt Kamalsky share a few insights on Marquis Teague, Kyle Wiltjer, Michael Gilchrist and Anthony Davis since we won’t be seeing them play in Louisville on April 22. Scout.com has Davis currently ranked as the top overall prospect in the 2011 class. ESPN has him second and Rivals.

What do you expect from Big Blue Madness? Anthony Davis: “I think it will be crazy. There will be family, friends there and the first time stepping on Rupp (Arena), I expect to be nervous. But I¿am going out there to have fun. I¿am not sure what I¿will do (during introductions). I am just going to freestyle whatever comes to mind. But I¿know it will be crazy.” Sam Malone: “I am really excited, but I am a little bit nervous. I have never been to Rupp before, so I am really excited.

LEXINGTON - Kentucky senior Eloy Vargas started his basketball career at Florida, played a few week with the Dominican Republic national team dominated by NBA players last summer and also participated in a SportsReach exhibition trip to China a few months ago. Yet even Vargas isn't quite sure how to describe freshman teammate Anthony Davis, a 6-9 forward from Chicago who makes his UK debut at Big Blue Madness tonight. “These freshmen are all hungry. They want to come in here and be successful.

Kyle Wiltjer is taking his game overseas. The University of Kentucky junior was selected as a member of the Canadian Developmental Men's National Team and will compete in a exhibition starting Saturday in China. The team departed for China Wednesday morning. Wiltjer started training with the team, coached by Jay Triano, earlier this week in Portland, Ore. Wiltjer will compete for a spot on the Canadian FISU Summer Universade (the World University Games) in Kazan, Russia July 6-17.

Alex Poythress has decided to return to Kentucky. The Kentucky sophomore forward announced his future plans Tuesday, one day after teammates Willie Cauley-Stein and Kyle Wiltjer announced they would be back with the Wildcats next season. Kentucky coach John Calipari welcomed the return of Poythress to become part of a squad that will include incoming freshmen twins Andrew and Aaron Harrison, Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Julius Randle and Derek Willis.

Kentucky sophomore Kyle Wiltjer could have enhanced his chances of playing in the 2016 Olympics for Canada with his play last week during a gathering of about 30 of Canada's top players in Toronto after former NBA coach Jay Triano was named coach of the Canadian national team. “There were pro players and college players,” said Greg Wiltjer, Kyle's father. “Basically, they brought in anybody that could be a potential Olympic athlete in 2016, or tried to do that. It had to be good for him. For me as a former player and Canadian, this is the best team the national team has ever had. When I played and we made it to the bronze medal game (in the Olympics)

Mark Dec. 28 as the day where anyone who is a college basketball fan will be paying attention to the Bluegrass. Sources have confirmed that's the date for the Kentucky-Louisville game in Rupp Arena. Kentucky won the national championship in 2012 and Louisville won this year. With the return of veteran guard Russ Smith and a talented recruiting class, Louisville should go into the season as a top five team. With the return of Alex Poythress, Willie-Cauley Stein and Kyle Wiltjer to go with six McDonald's All-Americans and two-in state recruits, Kentucky seems set to go into the season ranked No. 1 despite playing in the NIT and losing to Robert Morris to end last season.

John Calipari knows his team can't continue to beat teams with just sheer talent. The Kentucky coach indicated that his team must come together as a unit following its 75-65 victory over Kansas in the State Farm Champions Classic Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. The Wildcats committed 19 turnovers, with freshmen Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and point-guard Marquis Teague combining for 14 of those miscues. Kentucky had 14 assists, with just three of those coming from Teague.

Nerlens Noel is ready for the next step in his career. The University of Kentucky freshman center announced his plans to enter the NBA Draft Monday, ending speculation concerning his future with the team. “I have loved my time at Kentucky, but I feel that I'm ready to take the next step to the NBA,” he said in a university release. Noel joins Archie Goodwin as the team's two freshman players who will leave the school for the professional ranks. Alex Poythress, Kyle Wiltjer and Willie Cauley-Stein announced their intentions to return earlier this month.