Do the Kentucky Wildcats have a tougher path to NCAA basketball title in 2014?

I’ve never been a big fan of the Kentucky Wildcats going 40-0 in the upcoming basketball season, although most of the BBN have set that as a goal. I think that just puts undue pressure on a team and well at Kentucky, the pressure to win is more than enough. Plus, I think that it is going to be a real tossup as to what the best team may be by the end of the year. I think Kentucky has the most talent, but there are viable contenders as well.

It seems that Mike DeCourcy thinks so as well and that Kentucky’s path to the title could be harder than it was in 2014.

"Question: Why do you think Kentucky could win the title but will it be more difficult to win this year than in recent years? DeCourcy: “There is a wider field of good teams than in 2012, but in 2012 we did not pick UK to win. North Carolina was loaded and had more experience. I think North Carolina still would possibly have won it all if Kendall Marshall had not broken his wrist. There will not be a singular challenge as imposing this season, but I would not rule out Louisville, Duke, Michigan State and Kansas. “With that collection of teams, maybe the road to the title is harder. Look at the road UK had in 2012. They beat Indiana, Baylor, Louisville, teams that did not win their leagues, in the NCAA. This time they may face two or three teams that were champions of significant leagues. I am not taking away anything from the 2012 team, but I just think this field of title contenders is wider. I think there are more teams capable of winning this year than in 2012.”"

Over at CoachCal.com, we are getting to know the players a bit more up close and personal and in their own words. Marcus Lee is the latest Cat to let us into his innermost thoughts.

"One of the things I really love about this place is there is always something to do when we’re not playing basketball or going to class. Last week, me, Tod and E.J. went to a UK hockey game. I didn’t even know we had a hockey team until Tod asked me to go with him. We got to drop the annual puck to start the season, which was really awesome. We walked out on the ice and were all freaking out because we thought we were going to fall. Tod almost fell, but he caught himself. Meeting all the hockey players and realizing they were all really chill people and cheering them on was really cool. Of course, if you know me, you know I love volleyball, so I’m always at our girls’ volleyball games. I haven’t missed a home game yet and I’m always keeping track of the away games on my phone. Now that I go to the games, the other basketball players are starting to go, too. Like E.J. always goes with me. James will go with me. The twins will come with me sometimes, and Tod and Hoody are always there. We have slowly made it a team thing to go to the games and cheer them on. It’s funny because my teammates are always asking me what happened since I played in high school. I’ll have to take most of that time to explain one thing that happened, but once I explain that, they’ll ask another question about something different. They’re like, “Marcus, this is difficult.” And I’m like, “It’s easier than basketball to explain.”"

It’s official now. Boogie is getting paid. DeMarcus Cousins and the Kings have come to a four year, $62M deal. Expect Cousins to become one of the top players in the league now with Shaq as his mentor. The new owner of the Kings has been adamant that this team will be built around Cousins and the new deal is proof of that.

"That approach went to a new level last week, when Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal joined the team as a minority owner and spoke at length about his desire to turn Cousins into the best big man in the game from his new role as mentor. While Cousins has been one of the most controversial young talents in the game because of his sometimes-boorish behavior, his talent is undeniable and the Kings are clearly confident that he can be their franchise centerpiece."