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1 spooky 2014 coincidence that Kentucky wants to avoid, and 1 they don't

Things are adding up.
ByDrew Holbrook|
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Mar 8, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) dribbles the ball against the Florida Gators during the second half at Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 84-65. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
Mar 8, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) dribbles the ball against the Florida Gators during the second half at Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 84-65. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images | Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Mark Pope is a believer in signs and wonders. He said he saw the number 9 everywhere before the season started. Pope said he wore number 41 because he saw it rained 40 days while Noah was on the ark, the Israelites were lost for 40 years, Jesus spent 40 days fasting, and Jesus' ministry lasted 40 days after his resurrection. On day 41, things changed for the better: the rain receded, the Israelites were home, Jesus withstood temptation, and he went home to be with the Father.

And now there are some uncanny similarities for the Cats heading into a showdown with Florida.

Kentucky and Florida are battling for the SEC lead

In 2014, Kentucky was trying to recover from a loss to Robert Morris in the NIT the year before. They found themselves at number 25 in the country, heading to Gainesville. The Gators crushed the Cats 84-65, sending the preseason top 10 Kentucky out of the top 25. Now the Cats are just entering the top 25 after falling out of the top 10 and find themselves heading to Gainesville. They do not want a repeat showing of that 2014 game to happen here.

That 2014 team is also one that a lot of people look to when talking about this team. They had James Young, the Harrison Twins, Julius Randle, and Willie Cauley-Stein, a ton of talent. Yet they limped into the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. They were 22-9 after struggling with consistency all year, then got all the way to the title game. This is one of those coincidences no one would mind seeing repeated.

This current team is not as top-heavy as that 2014 team, but it is deeper. If they can come together and continue to play for each other, maybe they can make another coincidence happen.

It all starts on Valentine's Day against the Gators, and here is all the information you need to watch and listen to it.

How to watch and listen to Kentucky take on Florida

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