Advertisement

McDonald's All Americans say they could hand Kentucky its first loss of the season

Caleb Swanigan is confident he and the McDonald's AA's could knockoff unbeaten Kentucky. / McDonald's AA

Caleb Swanigan is confident he and the McDonald’s AA’s could knockoff unbeaten Kentucky. / McDonald’s AA

CHICAGO – This just in: Kentucky is 38-0, which, on the most basic level, means no one can beat them until someone beats them, right?

Well, we caught up with a handful of McDonald’s All Americans that would like to amend that statement to say, “No one in the college game can beat them.”

That’s right, this collection of the best players in the high school game, some of which could legitimately make the leap to the NBA next season if the age limit wasn’t in place, thinks it can come up with a lineup that could hand the Wildcats their first loss of the season.

Here’s their take.

Isaiah Briscoe, Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.), PG, 2015

College: Kentucky

Here’s my team from this year’s McDonald’s All Americans that would give Kentucky its first loss… “Well, those guys at Kentucky are, obviously, my guys, but the reason they wanted me was because I’m competitive! There’s no way I’d say me and all these talented players would ever lose. OK, I’d have me at the point, Tone (Antonio Blakeney) at the two, Bake (Dwayne Bacon) at the three, JB (Jaylen Brown) at the four and Ben (Simmons) at the five. On my bench I’m getting Cheick (Diallo), Deyonta (Davis), Chase (Jeter) and Zo (Allonzo Trier). At the end of the day we’re gonna outscore them. Look at that starting five!”

Caleb Swanigan, Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.), C, 2015

College: Undecided

Here’s my team from this year’s McDonald’s All Americans that would give Kentucky its first loss… “I’ll start with my guards; I’m gonna go with Isaiah (Briscoe), Malik (Newman) Tone (Antonio Blakeney), Jalen (Brunson). Then for my wings I’ll need Brandon (Ingram) and Ben (Simmons). Then we’ll have me, Diamond (Stone), Ivan (Rabb) and Chase (Jeter). I am confident that this team would win because none of us would be scared and we’re already so talented. I think that’s what happens, teams get scared because they’re so big down there, but that wouldn’t happen with us. I think the score would be 71-65 us.”

Jaylen Brown, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.), SF, 2015

College: Undecided

Here’s my team from this year’s McDonald’s All Americans that would give Kentucky its first loss… “I would take myself and the 11 other guys on the East squad that are playing with me and we’d beat Kentucky. I think it would be 77-75 us. I’m confident man; I feel like we could do it, no question.”

McDonald's All Americans say they're sure they could assemble a team to beat Kentucky. / USA Today Sports

McDonald’s All Americans say they’re sure they could assemble a team to beat Kentucky. / USA Today Sports

Brandon Ingram, Kinston (Kinston, N.C.), SF, 2015

College: Undecided

Here’s my team from this year’s McDonald’s All Americans that would give Kentucky its first loss… “I’d have myself, Stephen Zimmerman, Caleb Swanigan, Ivan Rabb, Ben Simmons, Jaylen Brown, Antonio Blakeney, Malik Newman and Isaiah Briscoe. It’d be a close game, but I’ve got us winning that one for sure.”

Luke Kennard, Franklin (Franklin, Ohio), SG, 2015

College: Duke

Here’s my team from this year’s McDonald’s All Americans that would give Kentucky its first loss… “Well, you’ve gotta have some shooters so I’ll be on the team then I’m taking Ben Simmons, Diamond Stone and Chase Jeter because you’ve gotta load up on bigs against them. I like Jalen Brunson at the point. I need Malik Newman, Allonzo Trier, Isaiah Briscoe, Jaylen Brown and Stephen Zimmerman. I’m confident that this team would win that game.”

Antonio Blakeney, Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.), SG, 2015

College: LSU

Here’s my team from this year’s McDonald’s All Americans that would give Kentucky its first loss… “I’m starting (Isaiah) Briscoe, me, JB (Jaylen Brown), Ben (Simmons) and Cheick (Diallo). Then off the bench I’ve got Bake (Dwayne Bacon), Malik (Newman), Thomas (Bryant), Ivan (Rabb) and Zo (Allonzo Trier). We’re not doing a platoon thing like they do, we’re just subbing, but we’d win.”

Malik Newman, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.), SG, 2015

College: Undecided

Here’s my team from this year’s McDonald’s All Americans that would give Kentucky its first loss… “Oh we’d get the win; I mean I know they’re undefeated, but every dog has his day. I’d put (Isaiah) Briscoe at the one, I’m gonna rock out at the two, I’m gonna put Ben (Simmons) at the three, Cheick (Diallo) at the four and Diamond (Stone) at the five. Off the bench I’d have Zo (Allonzo Trier) at the one, (Antonio) Blakeney at the two, JB (Jaylen Brown) at the three, Caleb (Swanigan) at the four and Ivan (Rabb) at the five. It’s gonna be a close game, but we’d win.”

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY

More McDonalds All American Game