Kentucky Basketball: Top 30 Wildcats games in John Calipari Era

Dec 5, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) celebrates during the game against Texas Longhorns forward Jonathan Holmes (10) in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Texas 63-51. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

25. Texas Longhorns vs Kentucky Wildcats

(14-15)

The first real test for the 2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats came in form of the #6 ranked Texas Longhorns in Rupp Arena. This game was supposed to be a test of the legitimacy of this Kentucky Wildcats team. And boy did they prove they were worthy.

The game was tied at halftime, so the Big Blue Nation was extremely nervous. Their minds were running

“What if we aren’t a good team?”

“Are we overrated?”

“We’re going to lose.”

But, they were proved wrong. The Wildcats outscored the Longhorns 18 to 2 in the first few minutes of the second half to stretch the lead to 44 to 28. Willie Cauley-Stein totaled a career-high 21 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, his first double-double of the season, but it surely wouldn’t be his last.

This test proved the Wildcats were worthy of their #1 ranking and that they were the legitimate team that others were afraid they were. It was only up from here on out for the Wildcats and the Big Blue Nation after pulling out the 63-51 win over the Longhorns at Rupp Arena.

Next: Josh Harrellson's Arrival