National media is finally opening their eyes: Kentucky Wildcats are for real

This afternoon, I turned on the tv to watch ESPN, and the talking heads on “Around The Horn” were talking about UK’s game last night against Florida. Three of the first four columnists all agreed in unison the Kentucky is one of the best teams in the country based on their statement win Tuesday night, and also that Anthony Davis is one of the best defensive players in the country. They also mentioned that this team is among the best of John Calipari’s teams at Kentucky and Memphis. Then, Kevin Blackistone, told the other three writers that they were all wrong. He said that Kentucky has long been the best team in the country all season, and that they were destined to win the title this season.

Is it me, or is the rest of the national media slow to catch on to Kentucky and the way they are playing this season? A few weeks ago when Kentucky took the top spot in the rankings, it was ESPN’s Doug Gottlieb who said that Ohio State, ranked sixth at the time, should be the top team instead of Kentucky.

It was also Gottlieb who said last week that between North Carolina and Kentucky, North Carolina is the better team between the two as of right now, even though he also said that both teams are better than they were earlier in the year. Did North Carolina not lose to Kentucky this season, and did they also not lose to Florida State by 33 points? Even Pat Forde, who has always been seen as a “debbie-downer” of sorts in Lexington, had something positive to say about Kentucky in that he believes the Cats will win it all.

Kentucky has also not been given credit for their wins against Kansas, North Carolina, and Louisville, all ranked teams. They are 10-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season, and also carry the longest home win streak in the nation at 49. Going up against Florida, many believed that this game would surely show the real Kentucky Wildcats, and that they might struggle against Top 10 competition.

Well, they did for the first few minutes. But eventually, it was Florida that struggled throughout the game. Coming into the game as the top three-point shooting team in the country, the Gators shot 6-for-27 in an abysmal performance. After the game, John Calipari stated that the Cats needed a challenge in their upcoming games, as if No. 7 Florida wasn’t enough. “What we need to do is have a team come out and go nutty on us, have us have to respond to that, and then hold on to win a tight game.” Kentucky has been doubted time and time again, yet they continue to prove people wrong. Marquis Teague said it best: “We still have something to prove. We have to win it all.”