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Kentucky Wildcats: Survive and Advance

By Terry Brown

Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Isaiah Briscoe (13), guard Tyler Ulis (3), forward Alex Poythress (22) and guard Jamal Murray (23) speak to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men
Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Isaiah Briscoe (13), guard Tyler Ulis (3), forward Alex Poythress (22) and guard Jamal Murray (23) speak to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men /
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On Thursday, March 17, the University of Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team will start what will start play in the 2016 NCAA Tournament against the 13th seeded Stony Brook Seawolves. Yes, the Big Blue Nation and head coach John Calipari are upset about the Wildcats getting a 4 seed. Yes, the selection committee bizarrely put the SEC co-champ and Big 10 outright champion on a collision course to meet in the second round. Even more than in previous years, this year’s bracket is as confusing as it gets with no rhyme or reason for some of the teams inclusion and for the seeding for a lot of others. As Coach Cal said at Big Blue Madness a few years back, “Let’s ball.”

Coach Calipari has made a habit of getting his Kentucky Wildcats teams playing their best basketball heading into the post season and this year doesn’t appear to be any different. The Wildcats have arguably the best backcourt in the country in sophomore Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray. Ulis, the SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, averaged 17.1 points and 7.2 assists this season. Murray, named to the SEC First Team and SEC All Freshman Team, averaged a team high 20.1 points while shooting a blistering 42.1% from three point range. And when you include the overlooked Isaiah Briscoe and his 9.6 points 5 rebounds and 3 assists per contest and the Wildcats have three really good guards as they prepare to dance in Des Moines.

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The weak point for the 2015-16 Wildcats has been the frontcourt. The Kentucky big men have, to put it mildly, been inconsistent. Alex Poythress, Marcus Lee and freshman Skal Labisierre have each had stretches of disappointing play. Over the last 5 games, however, things seem to have changed. Skal, in particular, has finally shown flashes of why he was the top ranked recruit in last year’s class. After a bulk of the season where the BBN saw what he can’t do, the last few games have shown us all what he can do. The frontcourt is going to have to produce at a consistent level if this team is going to reach Houston and the 2016 Final Four.

As I’ve already written, I believe this team will make it to the Final Four, giving Calipari and the Kentucky program 5 such appearances in 6 seasons, quite a heady accomplishment. Yes, there have been times where this team didn’t play up to its ability or potential. When the lights have been brightest, the Cats have played their best. At Kansas. At Texas A&M. Ending the season at Florida and the senior day game vs. LSU. Including the SEC Tournament, these Cats have answered the bell.

Not only have the big men been more consistent, but the glue guys – Dominique Hawkins and Charles Matthews- have played really well. And with Kentucky Boy Derek Willis finding his groove (how loud did YOU scream when he hit his overtime three vs. the Aggies?) the Cats are poised for another great run. I’m not betting against John Calipari in the NCAA Tournament. And I’m sure not betting against The Point Gawd Tyler Ulis, not after his 30 point, 5 assist, 45 minute performance in the SEC Tourney Final.

Buckle up, Big Blue Nation, March Madness is going to be fun.

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