It’s true, some Cat fans have lost faith in the 2010-11 version of the Kentucky Wildcats, and rightfully so. A 4-4 SEC record is not indicative of the winning tradition of the men in blue.
Kentucky’s 4-4 SEC record is its worst conference mark after eight games since Rick Pitino’s first season, the 1989-90 season. That year, Kentucky went on to a 14-14 overall record and 9-7 in the SEC. Kentucky finished that season out by [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]winning 5 of it’s final 8 SEC games, including a 100-95 win over then #12 LSU, at Rupp.
For one writer, he believes Cat fans who have lost faith are giving up to early on this young team. Seth Davis of Sports Illustrated had this to say about the current Wildcats:
[QUOTE]I stand by my earlier assertions that [B]by the time the NCAA tournament rolls around, Kentucky is going to be the best team in the SEC[/B]. The Wildcats are [I]thisclose[/I] to figuring out how to win. That was clear last week in their near-misses at Ole Miss and Florida. Even so, I still believe John Calipari needs to recruit a few high-character players he knows are going to be around for a few years. Yes, you have to have lottery-level talent to win an NCAA championship, but [B]you can’t get that trophy when you are this dependent on freshmen.[/B][/QUOTE]For Kentucky to get to that level, someone other then Jones, Knight and Lamb will have to emerge. Could it be Darius Miller or maybe Josh Harrellson can find a second wind and become a viable part of this team again. As of late, Harrellson has become the Kentucky ghost, first you see him and then you don’t.
Like Coach Calipari has said, this team is no better then a 4-point win or a 4-point loss. One shot here, one shot there and we’re talking about a completely different scenario. Last years team found a way to win in the clutch. Game after game, they found ways to pull off nothing short of miracles. Look at the SEC Championship game. Truthfully, no way UK should have walked out of there with a victory, but it was like they could will themselves to win.
This years team, although not nearly as talented as last years, could be on the cusp of the exact same thing, finding ways to will themselves to a win, or, maybe in the end, they are just a shot or two short.
Give us your thoughts. Where does Kentucky stand? can they turn the corner and find the way to win?
They start tonight as Tennessee comes a calling with a “Hungry” Bruce Pearl…
Go Cats!!!
[URL=”http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/seth_davis/02/07/hoop.thoughts/1.html”]
Read Seth Davis’ full article at Sports Illustrated[/URL]
