Caleb Swanigan watch: Kentucky enters the fray, Roosevelt Barnes mum

With Caleb Swanigan watch still swinging, here comes Cal. No, not our Cal. The Cal everyone in an office east of the Rockies thinks of when you say Cal. Calipari!

It was only a matter of time before the Kentucky Wildcats found their way into the game. It's just how it goes in the recruiting wars. Eventually Kentucky will get their say.

Kentucky has emerged as a legitimate landing spot for 2015 big man Caleb Swanigan, source told @CBSSports. #BBN

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 15, 2015

Now, it does seem like Kentucky might have ground to make up at this point.

For those wondering re Kentucky/Swanigan:source says Calipari&staff heavily making efforts to get him but Swanigan more interested elsewhere

— Lindsay Brauner (@lindzcatharine) May 13, 2015

"Every kid is interested in Kentucky but Caleb is totally intrigued with playing with Rabb and Brown." From source close to Swanigan

— Lindsay Brauner (@lindzcatharine) May 13, 2015

Kentucky has put together their usual quartet of elite NBA caliber talent. Skal Labissiere is already attracting attention as a potential number one draft pick for 2016 (DraftExpress has him one and Jaylen Brown two), Isaiah Briscoe is one of those elite point guards that just figures to pick up steam once the season hits, and they have two shooting guards. Swanigan would fit into the equation as a power forward, but would have to fight Alex Poythress, Marcus Lee, and Derek Willis for playing time. Not exactly a murderer's row, but it's still a lot of competition. He'd be pretty unchecked for PT with either the Bears or the Boilermakers.

At the moment both Cal and Purdue appear to be the schools attracting the most buzz. But you know the Wildcats. It doesn't take much for them to leapfrog in and grab a five star if they want him.

Let's be fair at this point. Cal has already won two head-to-head recruiting battles with Calipari for star players like Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb. If Kentucky managed to get Swanigan, it wouldn't be the craziest thing in the world and hardly disappointing.

Don't expect any inside word from Roosevelt Barnes. Although a source close to the situation seems to think that it's Cal and Purdue fighting, Barnes is keeping his cards close to the vest. Brian Snow of Scout:

I had the opportunity to speak with Roosevelt Barnes, Swanigan's father, this weekend, and not many clues were given, but the only thing that was entirely clear from the conversation is that a final decision isn't made.

With this recruitment, the unexpected is to be expected, so anyone stating it is a done deal or they know what is going on is probably getting a bit shall we say "aggressive" with the reality of the situation."

If proximity is an issue for Barnes, then Kentucky would make more sense than Cal, but Purdue would make more sense than Kentucky, and he hasn't committed to Purdue yet, so that gives hope for Cal, and yay we're all back at square one. Everybody get confused!