Three Keys to Overcoming the Current Slump

It is no secret that the Kentucky Wildcats are good. They sit at 15-0 and are off to a 2-0 start in SEC play. However, there is another fact that has been with these Kentucky Wildcats since the new year started, and that is the fact that they’re in a slump. Yes, they’ve won both of their games in 2015, but it took them a combined three overtimes to do so. This is simply not the same Kentucky Wildcats that came out and looked invincible in non-conference play against the likes of Kansas, Texas, North Carolina, and Louisville. So, what will it take to get back to that level? I’ve got three keys to getting out of this slump outlined below.

1) Fast Starts
While the start against Ole Miss in the first game of SEC play was something out of a story book for the Wildcats, they seemed to have regressed in their second game against Texas A&M. Much like early in the season in games against Providence and Columbia, the Kentucky Wildcats simply couldn’t get anything to fall against the Aggies, falling behind 9-0 through the first five minutes of the game. If the Wildcats want to get out of this slump, they are going to have to start every game like they did against Ole Miss…or at least find a happy medium between the two starts.

2) Don’t Let Up
Through two SEC games, the Kentucky Wildcats have had their chances to put away the opponent for good. Against Ole Miss, it was right at the start, as the Wildcats raced out to a 12-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game. Instead of putting their foot on the throats of their opponents, they allowed the Rebels to get back in the game, falling behind by as many as four points before going into the half down by two. In the Texas A&M game, the Kentucky Wildcats were able to get a six point lead with just over nine minutes left in the game by playing a fast-paced offense. Yet, instead of putting it away right there, they reverted back to the half court and ended up being outscored 12-6 in the last nine minutes to send the game into overtime. If Kentucky wants to return to dominating basketball, it has to get those killer instincts back and remember not to let up at all.

3) Regain the Defensive Intensity
Yes, I know that Ole Miss simply played out of their minds. But still, this team is one of the most talented teams to ever take the college basketball court, so there should be no excuse. We held teams like Louisville and Texas, who were both VERY good teams, practically defenseless. Yet, a team like Ole Miss can come in and light it up from everywhere? I don’t think so. And then there was Texas A&M. Yes, they didn’t score a lot by any means, but it seemed as though they could do whatever they wanted down in the post…against our THREE SEVEN FOOTERS!!!!! This should NEVER happen. Aside from a team like Texas, no one should be a force against us in the post. And yet, the Aggies were. The defensive intensity that carried us through the non-conference slate has to return if we want to keep winning, and that’s all a mental thing.

Overall, this team is still great. Their 15-0 (2-0) and has had the will to win, despite playing poorly in these last two games. However, if they want to make history and go 40-0, or even just win a National Championship, they have to follow these three keys. If not, I’m afraid the 2014-2015 Kentucky Wildcats will be put in the same category as the 2009-2010 and the 2013-2014 teams…full of potential but not enough heart.