Kentucky Wildcats Face Tough Stretch of Upcoming Games
By Tim Letcher
@TimLetcher
Marvin Gentry, USA TODAY SPORTS
John Calipari, head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, is fond of many sayings, but one in particular seems pertinent this season. Calipari likes to say that Kentucky is the “Super Bowl” for every opponent they face. He means that each team Kentucky faces will give their maximum effort and, many times, play their best game of the year when they face the Wildcats.
If Calipari thought that was the case before, it will be even more magnified now that the Wildcats are the nation’s only unbeaten team. Kentucky will have a target on its back from now until the end of the season now that the Wildcats are 21-0 and the undisputed best team in college basketball.
There has been talk all season about whether or not this Kentucky team could finish a perfect 40-0 this season. Calipari has assembled a group of players unlike any other team in recent memory. Now, the pressure of being the hunted team will mount even more, and the timing could not be worse.
Kentucky is in the midst of four straight games against teams that are in the mix for NCAA Tournament bids. The Wildcats topped the Alabama Crimson Tide 70-55 on Saturday night at Rupp Arena in the first of those games. Now, three tough contests remain, including two tough road games.
The Wildcats’ next game is a home contest against the Georgia Bulldogs, who are 14-6 overall and squarely on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. A signature win over Kentucky could be enough to get Georgia into the field.
Following the Georgia game, Kentucky hits the road to face the Florida Gators. While this isn’t one of the best teams that Billy Donovan has had in Gainesville, the Gators have the talent to make things tough on Kentucky, especially in the O-Dome.
If Kentucky survives those two games, they will take an unbeaten record to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers. LSU has played inconsistently all season, but they will give Kentucky all that they want at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU has the size to match Kentucky on the inside, which makes this game interesting.
This will be a tough stretch of games for the Wildcats, especially carrying the burden of the unbeaten record. It will also be a chance for Calipari to prepare his team for what lies ahead in the NCAA Tournament. If the Wildcats can survive these games and remain unbeaten, it will bode well for their chances in the Big Dance.
Tim Letcher is a contributing writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
Balanced Lineup Gives Kansas Upper-Hand
Numerous double-digit scorers have the Kansas basketball team celebrating success again. See why the Jayhawks have such great depth and balance. Read More
Virginia Executing Bennett's Plan Almost Perfectly
The Virginia Cavaliers may not be undefeated, but they do have the type of team that could make a significant run in March. Read More
Big 12 CBB Power Rankings For Week 13
The top three teams in the Big 12 are separating themselves from the rest and have shown no signs of slowing down any time soon. Find out more here! Read More
Louisville vs. Miami: Preview, Prediction
Miami faces Louisville in a must-win situation for the Canes, but do they even stand a chance against the Cardinals? Read More
WVU vs. Oklahoma: Game Preview and Prediction
It's crunch time in the Big 12. Two of the top four teams face off on Tuesday night, as the West Virginia Mountaineers face the Oklahoma Sooners. Who comes out on top? Find out here. Read More
Week 13 Pac 12 Basketball Power Rankings
The Wildcats are the class of the conference, and there’s plenty of scrambling as the second half of conference play is about to begin. Read More
St. John's vs. Butler: Game Preview
The Johnnies are desperate for a big conference win, but will they be able to get it away from home against Butler? Read More
Big East Power Rankings For Week 13
A look at how the Big East conference is shaping up in Week 13. Read More
Monte Morris Should Have Shot To Win Big 12 POY
There are many great players in the league this season, but Monte Morris belongs in the conversation for Big 12 Player of the Year. Read More
Mid-Major CBB Power Rankings: Week 13
One Missouri Valley Conference team had a huge statement victory this past weekend. Find out where it landed in my Week 13 mid-major power rankings. Read More
Georgia vs. Kentucky: Game Preview, Prediction
The Kentucky Wildcats take their unbeaten record into an SEC match-up against the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. Read More
Game Preview, Prediction for Iowa State vs. Kansas
Two of the top teams in the Big 12 face off on Monday night. Who will come out on top between the Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas Jayhawks? Find out here. Read More