John Calipari compared his Kentucky team this season to last season’s North Carolina team on his radio show last night.
“Last year North Carolina was in the same position we’re in with five games to go, we’ve got six,” Calipari explained last night. “Everybody said they’re an NIT team.”
Hunter Shelton or SI.com looked at both teams’ tournament profiles at this stage of the season, and it turns out that Calipari is correct.
Here’s a look at Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament résumé right now and North Carolina résumé at the same stage of the season last year:
Following that heinous loss to Pitt at home, here was UNC’s NCAA Tournament résumé:
Overall record: 18-8 (10-5 ACC)
Quadrant 1 record: 2-7
Quadrant 2 record: 3-0
Quadrant 3 record: 8-0
Quadrant 4 record: 5-1
Strength of Schedule: 36th
Now, here’s Kentucky’s with six games to go this season:
Overall record: 16-9 (7-5 SEC)
Quadrant 1 record: 1-7
Quadrant 2 record: 6-1
Quadrant 3 record: 3-0
Quadrant 4 record: 6-1
Strength of Schedule: 36th
Of course, the Tar Heels went on a big run and ended up in the national championship game against Kansas.
Those are very similar tournament profiles and should be reason for at least a glimmer of hope as the Wildcats try to turn things around heading into March.
