The race to 2000 wins: UK/UNC update – the smackdown edition
By Staff
#1 – 1994 (6-0)
#2 – 1990 (6-1)
All through out UK’s tight game over Stanford, my main thought was not that of how a loss would drop us in the rankings, or how fellow bloggers would howl at Calipari, but it was on the race to 2000 wins and the all time victory standings. Thankfully, UK pulled it out and the race for 2000 remained “status quo” this week.
UK was perfect for the week, and came home champs of the Cancun Challenge. And like last week, they needed a little John Wall magic to hold off the Stanford Cardinal 73-65 on Wednesday night. UK dusted off the Cleveland State Vikings without any drama 73-49 in the first round of the Cancun Tourney Tuesday night. UK is now 6-0 for the first time since the 2003-2004 season.
The Tar Heels opened their week last Monday with a 93-72 pasting of UK history footnote Gardner Webb. Then the Tar Heels had a nice long break before they edged a very game Nevada WOlfpack 80-73 Sunday Night in Chapel Hill.
THIS WEEK: Kentucky travels to Louisville for their annual “home game” against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs. Since the UNCA Asheville Bulldogs lost already to the Georgia Bulldogs, I foresee no problem with UK notching #1995 and going to 7-0. Then on Saturday at Rupp, the UNC Tarheels stroll into Rupp for the smackdown of all smackdowns. If UK players thought the Gillispie practices were hell, they are in for a treat this week leading up to the UNC day. Just don’t hold these practices on gameday, Cal.
As for North Carolina’s schedule this week? Wow. Can you say “Final 4 in December”? It really can be as the Tar Heels host the formerly #2 ranked Michigan State Spartans on Tuesday night. Then, as a added treat, they travel to #4 Kentucky and the biggest regular season game of the season so far. As much as I despise the baby blue, I have to give them props for scheduling without fear of losing ground in the race to 2000.
FORECAST: Let’s get this out of the way. There is no way in hell that I am going to pick UNC to beat UK in Rupp. So that is one game that UK can pick up. Don’t get me wrong, UNC very well may come into Rupp and win, who never know. There just is no way I am going to predict it. But in all reality, I do think UK will win. And we know that UK will dust UNC Asheville so the Cats should boast an 8-0 record next Monday.
As for UNC? It boggles my mind that I am doing this but I have to pick Michigan State to beat UNC on Monday. If Florida had not have beaten the Spartans, I would have gone with UNC here, but the Spartans are still pissed off. So yes, I know I am picking UNC to go 0-2 this week and have 3 losses by Christmas. Anyway you look at it, this is going to be a big week for UK as they will pick up ground one way or the other and if this scenario goes as I want, UK will almost guarantee they will be the first team to 2000. Here is what we should see next Monday morning: Kentucky 1996, UNC 1990.
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