Recruit Cheick Diallo predicts UK will win title

CHICAGO – New York power forward Cheick Diallo filled out his NCAA Tournament bracket with two of the teams on his recruiting list meeting in the final. Diallo is looking good with one of those picks, and not so good with another.

"I had Kentucky and Iowa State, but Iowa State lost, so I was kind of sad about it," Diallo said at McDonald's All American Games media day, one of the few times Diallo has done interviews. "

Diallo predicts UK will complete an undefeated season in Indianapolis this weekend.

"They're going to be the champions, I know for sure," Diallo said. "They are not going to lose because they have good bigs, good point guards, too."

But can Kentucky, generally seen as trailing for Diallo, prevail in his recruitment? He said he's getting close to a college decision and expects to make one around or soon after the Jordan Brand Classic game on April 17.

Diallo, a native of Mali who attends Our Savior New American School, continues to consider the same five schools that he has for months: UK, Kansas, Iowa State, St. John's and Pittsburgh.

He's had the coaches of all of those teams but Kentucky visit him in the past two weeks, and he doesn't expect he'll be able to have a meeting with the Wildcats because they're still playing in the Final Four and his month is packed with all-star games leading up to the Jordan game.

But he said UK is equal with all the others, and he has received a text message from coach John Calipari within the past two week.

St. John's made waves by hiring alum Chris Mullin as its coach this week. Diallo, however, said, "I don't even know him," so he had no opinion on the hire.

Playing time could be a key factor for Diallo.

"I'm looking for time," he said. "I don't want to go some school where I play five minutes or 20 minutes. I want to play more."