Kentucky Basketball: Time To Pour A Little Water On "The Bucket"

Please don’t think this is getting ahead of the Cats meeting with Coppin State tomorrow night, because it is not.

Coppin State should be taken seriously, and I have every faith that the Cats will do just that. Way too many of our other opponents have taken lower tier teams lightly this year, much to their chagrin. But New Year’s Eve is going to be a strange bird this year (pun intended).

Louisville has been one of those Jeckyl and Hyde teams this year, while the Cats have not been spotless in their record, they have been consistent, with their losses being to decent teams and with acceptable margins. So does this for tell anything about this Friday’s matchup? Not really.

Everyone knows when the ball goes into the air between Kentucky and Louisville you can throw out the records, stats, and history lessons, because none of them matter. This game is played on raw emotion and sheer determination each and every year, and usually is a borderline brawl. Last year, the Cards went at the heart and soul of the Cats in DeMarcus Cousins, and you can expect the same this year. Rick Pitino wants to beat Kentucky every year, but he wants them punished in the new “House of Cards” in Louisville this year. Pitino wants to show the boosters and big time businesses that support the Cards that their money was not wasted on the new Yum! Center ( what a hideous name for such a nice building). And it truly is a nice place for a ball game, according to anyone and everyone I have heard reactions from and also from Pitino himself.

Pitino is going to try his best to go at Vargas and Harrellson early.

With them in foul trouble the emphasis is going to fall squarely onto Terrence Jones’ formidable shoulders. And to be honest, Jones has had his share of struggles lately, while the rest of the team seems to be finding it’s groove. But do not fear Cats fans, foe I have a strong feeling that Terrence is going to enjoy the pressure this time and like the idea of taking the Cats on his back on national TV for all the world to see. Jones seems to love it when the chips are down, and I believe that Cal is going to get it across to him that this is indeed the case when playing Louisville. This game is going to be physical, intense, and played up by both sides as a marquis match up for this year in College Basketball, and some of that is really true. But, if I am a Cards fan (and I thank God daily that I am not), in my heart I know that Ricky does not have the big guns for this game, and unless the foul situation does rear it’s ugly head, the Cats should rain all over “The Bucket” on Friday.

Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans