Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Why the BBN should be proud of this team
Dec 14, 2013; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) and forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) and North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) react after the game at Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
When your team loses, it brings out the worst in yourself- and the fan base as a whole usually, especially when a team has high expectations. All the hype surrounding this Kentucky team has brewed the perfect storm. First, coming off a national championship we lose first round of the NIT to Robert Morris weeks after losing Nerlens Noel. Next, Louisville wins everything. Naturally we say to ourselves, “revenge will come”, so Calipari recruits like none other and signs one of the top basketball classes of all time. With such a stacked (but young) roster, the “40-0” talk begins. There is nothing wrong with having high expectations, but there is a thing called being realistic as well. Realistically, 40-0 was way too much to ask of a team as young as the Cats.
After the first few games, the Cats showed improvement in each game. They lost to Michigan State on the road, it was unfortunate, but it removed some of the pressure on this team. Then they took a loss to Baylor on a neutral site also- that game hurt a little more, because it seemed like the team quit on it rather than simply being beat. Finally, a loss at North Carolina, the first true road game.
I can honestly say I did not see this team being 8-3, but that’s where we’re at. The Cats will likely fall a spot or two in the polls next week from our #11 ranking now. The road doesn’t get any easier for this team either. On the 21st at home the Cats take on Belmont (who beat UNC). Belmont is currently 8-3 as well. Then on the 28th at home, the game we have all been waiting on, Cats vs Cards. Louisville is currently 9-1 (one loss to UNC) and ranked #6. From there on out UK gets into conference play and things can get tricky.
There are some bright spots in all this, however. UK was outscored in the paint in all three losses: 38-34 against UNC, 38-26 against Baylor and 44-40 against Michigan State; this is something that can be fixed. In those three losses, UK lost by single digits, the game came down to the final minute, and all three teams were ranked in the top 15 of the polls the following week. Kentucky was also the “underdog” in two of those three games. While a win is a win and a loss is a loss; Kentucky isn’t getting blown out.
As this team grows and progresses throughout the season I think we will really see these players come into their own and develop. It may not be pretty to watch all the time, but I think the end result will satisfy. And while we all thought that this year was “National Championship or bust” (which I would still like to see), this is a tough year in all of college basketball. The David’s are taking down Goliath’s already (see UNC schedule). IF this team were not to go as far as they hope to, UK could expect to see a few of these guys back on the roster next year. But regardless, don’t let a few losses discourage you from this team- they are fun to watch and they do make freshman mistakes (because they are), but they’re coming into their own and I still believe they can be great. I like my team.