The road on the SEC is like going through a meat grinder. Even for the best teams, it’s tough to win, much less win consistently.
For a program called Kentucky, the difficulty level hits the 11 mark. When the blue and white from Lexington show up, arenas mysteriously sell out, teams combine the Kentucky ticket in a package deal in an attempt to try and keep Kentucky fans out of the arena and sell a ticket to a game they know they would never sell without a Kentucky ticket attached.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Face it, this is every teams Super Bowl. Even when Billy Donovan won back to back national titles at Florida, the game that sold every ticket in the house was Kentucky.
So for a team dominated with Freshman, life on the road in the SEC is an experience few of them, if any, have ever faced.
Even the talented team of 2009-10 found life on the road in the SEC difficult. South Carolina ended the 19 game winning streak on the shoulders of Devin Downey. Tennessee handed Kentucky it’s only other SEC loss at Knoxville.
And even when they did win on the road, it didn’t come easy. Who could forget the John Wall save the day block at Vanderbilt to secure a 2-point win or the cell phone game at The Hump where UK had to go to overtime before securing a 6-point victory over Mississippi State.
Saturday, the young Cats (14-4, 2-2 SEC) take their talent back on the road to face the man born right here in Glasgow, Darrin Horn, and his South Carolina Gamecocks (12-5, 3-1 SEC).
Coach Calipari knows how hard it is to win on the road and he understands to win, and win consistently, he needs more out of his Juniors and Senior.
When asked who’s going to give you energy on the road, he pointed to Josh Harrellson, DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller.
[QUOTE]”Again it’s a young team going on the road and you’re counting on freshman and so, we’re expecting a lot and demanding a lot out of those guys and it’s hard. And I’ve got to get our two juniors and senior to do more. They’ve got to be more a big part of what we’re doing at the end of these games. They’re the veteran guys. Two juniors and a senior, and so part of it is that. Let’s go, what are you three doing when the games on the line. What are you giving us?”[/QUOTE]
When asked what would you like to see from them specifically?
[QUOTE]Calipari said, “Make plays, make a block, get a ball, grab a rebound, dive on the floor, take a charge, do something. What are you doing to help us win? Or are we sitting there saying I hope one of these Freshman make a play, which isn’t fair to them.”[/QUOTE]
Coach Calipari has set the challenge. Let’s see how they respond. All three of them know what’s in store at South Carolina. Can they step up and take the point or will the first win on the road come through one of the vaunted freshman?
We find out tomorrow at 6:00 as the Cats take on the Gamecocks. The game can be seen on ESPN. As always, Nation of Blue should have a live feed and Live Chat so come over and chat with the guys at N of B.
Until next time, Go Cats!!!
[SIZE=2]Contact Chip Miller with your Kentucky questions or comments at [/SIZE][EMAIL=”[email protected]”][SIZE=2][COLOR=#2655a3][email protected][/COLOR][/SIZE][/EMAIL][SIZE=2], via twitter at [/SIZE][URL=”http://twitter.com/ukbigbluenation”][SIZE=2][COLOR=#2655a3]@ukbigbluenation[/COLOR][/SIZE][/URL][SIZE=2] or here at N of B, at his NofB Profile, by [/SIZE][URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/members/chip-miller/”][SIZE=2][COLOR=#2655a3]clicking here[/COLOR][/SIZE][/URL][SIZE=2].[/SIZE]
