If the departure of Wall, Patterson and Cousins was expected, Bledsoe’s and Orton’s decision to join their teammates in the draft came as a bit of a surprise.

Bledsoe averaged 11.3 points and proved to be just as fast as Wall in the open floor and an even better long-range shooter. Bledsoe’s 49 3-pointers were second on the team and he made eight 3-pointers in a romp over East Tennessee State in the opening round of the NCAAs.

“I never thought I’d be in this position after one year,” Bledsoe said. “Coach Cal pushed us all to be the best we could be and he believes I’m prepared to take my game to the next level.”

Orton, thought to be a project when he came in, instead became the team’s best defender while filling in for Cousins. He averaged a modest 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per but also finished among the leaders in the SEC in blocks (53). Orton said going against Patterson and Cousins in practice each day helped him believe he could make it in the NBA.

If they all leave, it leaves Calipari with a rebuilding project on par with the one he inherited a year ago. The departure of Wall and company combined with the graduation of Ramon Harris, Perry Stevenson and Mark Krebs leaves Kentucky with just five players returning next year, only three of whom — guards DeAndre Liggins and Darnell Dodson and forward Darius Miller — played significant minutes this season.

Slideshow   One and done Look back at some of the players who have left school after just one year like Memphis' Derrick Rose. NBCSports.com

Calipari will try to replace them with another highly ranked recruiting class, though one that will find it difficult to duplicate the magic Wall and company brought to Rupp Arena.

The Wildcats already have commitments from center Enes Kanter and Stacey Poole and are considered to be in the mix for a handful of elite recruits, including guard Brandon Knight.

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