by Paul Jordan
We all know what today’s game means for the Wildcats. The number one ranking in the country is at stake and all that stands between us and that are the 8-10 Arkansas Razorbacks. Granted, I think that Arkansas is the most dangerous 8-10 team in the country but this is a game that UK should win and win easily. I think that today’s game is a measuring stick for UK. After a full week of hard core practice and hearing all about “killer instinct”, it will be interesting to see how UK responds. Will they charge out of the gate, put their foot on the neck of the Razorbacks and win by 25 +. Or will UK play passive with a lead and have this turn into another nailbiter?
If UK does start to show glimpses of that killer instinct, I think we can be looking at a national champion. As much as I hate to nitpick wins, UK has been missing that one characteristic of a champion that can put a team down, and dominate a lesser opponent thoroughly. We saw that against Drexel and Hartford. Now is the time to start seeing it against SEC opponents.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the fact that UK has this incredible will to win and that no matter what another team throws at us, we are going to scoff at it and blow them away at the end or that when the game is tight, we know John Wall is going to blow past four Auburn players like they are standing still. Or that DeMarcus Cousins will grab that offensive rebound against two guys and slam it home. Or that Patterson will knock down that 8 foot jumper with time running down. UK has not had this “will to win” for many years, nor this many playmakers.
But as much as today’s game is for a 4-0 record in the SEC, it is also for the rest of the teams in the country watching. Larry Vaught wrote the other day that the SEC teams do not fear UK. In a way, I really did not get it, but I do know. Today, and for the next few games, all the eyes in the country will be on UK, especially if they ascend to the number 1 ranking.
This game is for those other teams. UK needs to show them that if they fall down 10-15 points, they are done. There will be no comeback. I think that other teams may not be as frazzled when they fall behind 10-12 because they know there will be a chance at a comeback later. Let other teams know that UK doe have a killer instinct and if a teams falls down 10, they are finished and it is going to be a 30 point blowout.
As much as I hate the Florida Gators football team, they have usually had this instinct. Most teams know that once they fall behind 14 points, it is all over and it is only going to get worse. It is a demoralizing thing for the other team. If the Gators are ever up 10-14 points, you know it is over. The fans, announcers, and even the other team know they are dead.
Let’s bring that to Wildcat basketball. Once it happens, teams will start to play tighter when UK goes on that 6-8 point streak and they will say “Aw man, here comes the pain. We’re done.” It’s not too late for UK to instill this into their season. But it needs to start soon.
Don’t worry … the “Know Your Enemy” and other gameday features you are so used to are not going away . Corey will have his “Inside the Numbers” up soon . I’ve been involved in a good bit of “non blog, real life” stuff the last day or so and have not been able to keep up with this like I am used to, but that is almost all over. Alan will have post game analysis of today’s game and we will be back with a vigor very soon. —- Thanks Paul
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