How 2013 can be the perfect year for Kentucky Wildcat Fans?
Dec 22, 2012; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Ryan Harrow (12) dribbles the ball against the Marshall Thundering Herd in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Marshall 82-54. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
2013 has finally arrived! When a Wildcat fan looks back on 2012, it was nearly a dream year because the national championship finally returned to Lexington. However, as a whole, the year was not entirely perfect. Calling the football season a struggle is an understatement. The beginning of the 2012 basketball season has been less than perfect. We missed out on Anthony Bennett who might be the Freshman of the Year in college basketball. Fear not Big Blue Nation, the new year offers new life for a dream year where everything meets a Kentucky fan’s dreams! I’m here to offer ten ways 2013 can become the perfect year for Cats fans.
1. The 2012-2013 basketball team finally maximizes their talent
Anyone who watched the Louisville game saw that this team has their moments where they play like a top 5 team in the country. In order for this year to be perfect, a Kentucky fan needs to see this team reach their potential and dominate the SEC like they are fully capable of doing. Alex Poythress regains his confidence while the team improves their free throw shooting to become ranked agian. An SEC regular season where the Cats lose maybe 1 or 2 away games en route to a regular season title would be perfect for the team and the fans. Using their newfound confidence of winning the SEC crown, the Cats run through the SEC tournament en route to a 3 seed in the tournament.
Which leads me to……
2. The Cats pull off an improbable run to win the National Championship again!
Alex P0ythress becomes the beast that everyone expected to cause headaches for every team they go up against in the tournament. Archie Goodwin becomes a much more controlled player and a stone cold scorer in crunch time. Nerlens and Cauley-Stein solidify a defense that becomes the best nation while Harrow becomes the leader like all Calipari point guards do. All of this creates a championship team where they defeat the Indiana Hoosiers in the final game. To make it ever sweeter, Kyle Wiltjer hits a buzzer-beating three pointer to win 73-72. Kentucky fans don’t storm the court because ELITE PROGRAMS DON’T DO THAT INFERIOR CELEBRATION (sorry still bitter). The Kentucky students party on State Street and all is right in college basketball.
3. Andrew Wiggins and Aaron Gordon commit to Kentucky.
The wait for Andrew Wiggins’ decision finally ends as he announces he will attend Kentucky next year instead of Florida State after watching the Cats win another national title. The number one recruit in the nation and most heralded high school player to play since Lebron James chooses Kentucky because he wants to win a national title with the best recruiting class every assembled. Not long after, the high flying, Blake Griffin-esque power forward Aaron Gordon follows Wiggins move by picking Kentucky to create a team of freshman that even the 2012 championship team would not to play.
4. The Kentucky Baseball team makes it to the College World Series
After last season where Kentucky was ranked number one for several weeks only to be foiled in Regionals by Kent State with a depleted pitching staff after the 21 inning marathon game, Kentucky uses their strong roster to dominate the Regionals en route to a College World Series appearance. The rest is just icing on the cake for Kentucky fans as the nation starts to realize Kentucky is powerhouse in nearly every sport except football.
Until…
5. Mark Stoops’ Kentucky team routs Western Kentucky and Louisville to start the season.
Max Smith and the Air Raid put up huge numbers against Petrino’s WKU team while the Stoops’ defense proves tough in a 45- 10 victory. 2 weeks later, the Louisville Cardinals come into Commonwealth Stadium where the Air Raid strikes again with Max Smith putting up huge numbers. Teddy Bridgewater has no answer for the pass rush of Kentucky as Kentucky wins 38-14. President Capiluto is smart enough to allow the students to tailgate as they wish and its a beautiful time to be a Kentucky fan.
6. Kentucky’s 8-4 season gives them an unbelievable bowl berth
With only losses to Florida, Bama, South Carolina, and Georgia, Kentucky’s electric team earns a bowl bid, proving this is not just a basketball school. Recruits begin to notice as 4 and 5 star recruits begin adding Kentucky to their list. The wins over Vanderbilt and Tennessee at the end of the season propel the Wildcats to a win in the (Insert Sponsor Here) Bowl.
7. The “Super Seven” recruiting class starts off the season in unbelievable fashion.
A starting lineup of the Harrisons, Wiggins, Gordon, and Lee ride their preseason number 1 ranking to a routs of every team they play. Wiggins is an unstoppable force on both ends as he becomes the early favorite for Freshman and Player of the Year. Gordon and Wiggins put on in-game dunk contest every game as Sportscenter begins to look like a Kentucky recruiting promo every week.
To end the year…
8. The number 1 Wildcats destroy Louisville 100-70
After Calipari’s first loss to Louisville last year, he shows no mercy against Pitino with his most talented team in history. Pitino has no one to guard Wiggins as he scores 30 of the 100 points. The Cats secure a lead of 40 points in this game when Calipari finally calls off the dogs and lets the White Boy Academy take over. Brian Long hits a three pointer in the final seconds as he throws a Three Google right in Rick Pitino’s face as Rupp Arena celebrates a dream year.
The win over Louisville caps off the most unbelievable year in Kentucky sports history. Cats fans walk out of Rupp that day looking forward to 2014 where championship number 10 will likely be raised into the Rupp rafters.