With today's win against Florida (ending a seven game losing streak to the Gators), the Kentucky Wildcats all but slammed the door shut on any doubts that they belong among those getting fitted this week for dancing shoes. Barring a disaster in their quarterfinal game at next weekend's SEC Tournament, the only question that should remain, when it's all said and done, is whether Kentucky's resume warrants a 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th seed (personally, Taco Salad and many of his colleagues believe that a 12 seed gives the Cats the best shot at making the Sweet 16).
In that regard, it's time to stop talking about the losses to Gardner-Webb and San Diego. Those losses were not "crippling" as many basketball pundits claim. What is more, those losses were sustained by a completely different Kentucky team--a team adjusting to a new coach (and therefore a new system); a team full of young bit players learning how to become relevant every-day difference makers; and, a team coping with a litany of injuries.
Keep in mind that the Selection Committee doles out at-large bids based on who is playing the best basketball now--not who played the best basketball in November and December. According to this standard, Kentucky certainly should have its name called next Sunday. Indeed, the numbers show as much: (1) 12-4 in SEC play (putting them 2nd in the SEC East and two games ahead of 3rd place Vanderbilt; (2) winners of 11 of their last 13 games; and (3) victories over #4 Tennesse and #16 Vanderbilt. Kentucky has also demonstrated they can play with the nation's best, showing tremendous meddle in tough losses to #1 UNC and former #1 Tennessee.
Further, the February Vanderbilt loss is a non-issue. Many great teams have struggled mightily in Memorial Gym (see #1 Tennessee's loss at Vanderbilit this year, as well as several losses by #1 ranked Kentucky teams). Moreover, the last time I checked, Vandy had won 32 of its last 33 on that floor.
The fact is, Kentucky is a much better team than the team that stumbled out of the gate to a 7-9 start. Those "bit players" have learned how to play, and more importantly, they now know how to play together (just see the performances put in today by Stevenson, Stewart and Harris). Even without Patrick Patterson this team is playing Top 50 basketball. It's time to put the debate to rest: Kentucky IS a 2008 NCAA Tournament Team.
3 comments:
I never thought i'd say this but it's actually fun to watch Joe Crawford play. He's playing aggresive (charging the hoop), showing finesse (how many times did he do that spin move today and then lay it in), and leadership (they actually look for him when they need to score). He's always been up and down but this is the highest i've seen him. Better late than never. If Bradley and Crawford keep up this type of play, they could surprise alot of people. Sawyer picks them a 5 seed after they win the SEC tourney.
I would think San Diego winning its conference tournament and making the Big Dance helps Kentucky's cause.
What a big-hearted, over achieving bunch of basketball players! Wow! Just to make it to the Big Dance is an accomplishment after what this team has been through. Billy G is getting it going here in Lex-town. Regardless of how things turn out this year, watch out for The Cats in '08-'09, baby!!!
With a healthy Patterson and Meeks next year we could be really good! If we get a quality point guard (hmmmm, not sure who that will be next year) they could be really fun to watch!
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