Kentucky Wildcats Will Finish Regular Season Undefeated
By Tim Letcher
@TimLetcher
Jamie Rhodes, USA TODAY SPORTS
Given the circumstances facing the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, most teams would have folded. Facing their most heated rivals, on the road, the ‘Cats scored just 58 points, committed 18 turnovers and gave up 18 offensive rebounds. And that was against the fourth-ranked Louisville Cardinals, coached by the legendary Rick Pitino.
Add to those facts that Louisville had not lost a home game in 35 tries (since Kentucky beat them two years ago), and that Kentucky’s national player of the year candidate, junior center Willie Cauley-Stein, had only five points and six rebounds. In fact, Kentucky got only 19 points in Saturday’s game from players who were not freshmen.
When considering those things together, it would spell disaster for most teams. But as Kentucky proved once again on Saturday, they aren’t just any team. This team is special. How special remains to be seen, but after Saturday’s 58-50 win at Louisville, there doesn’t appear to be any team standing in the way of Kentucky completing the regular season unbeaten.
Kentucky faces no other ranked teams (using the current polls) during the 2014-15 regular season. The Southeastern Conference is not totally devoid of talent, but teams like the Florida Gators, Arkansas Razorbacks and LSU Tigers are not off to starts that warrant them being ranked at this time.
The Wildcats will continue to be the national story all season, as long as they remain unbeaten. It’s been 39 seasons since Bobby Knight led the Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect 32-0 record and a national championship. Kentucky’s John Calipari would be forced to go 40-0 to complete an unbeaten season.
While there are still hurdles looming for Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, it appears that the Big Blue will get through the regular season without a loss.
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.
5 Goals For Syracuse in Conference Play
A list of five goals for the Syracuse basketball team during ACC Conference Play. Read More
Temple Is Team To Beat In AAC After Win Over UConn
With consecutive wins over No. 10 Kansas and defending national champion UConn, Temple is established as the team to beat in the AAC. Don’t expect coach Fran Dunphy to say it, though. Read More
Top 5 AAC Title Contenders
Breaking down the top five title contenders in the American Athletic Conference at the start of conference play. Read More
5 Things Baylor Must Accomplish During Big 12 Play
The Baylor Bears have gotten off to a great start this season. Here are five things that the Bears need to do in order to compete in the brutal Big 12. Read More
Top 5 Title Contenders In Big 10 Conference
These five Big 10 schools have a realistic shot at the conference championship. Read More
Top 5 Big East Title Contenders
The Big East is always full of surprises, but many of the title contenders in the Big East are not a surprise. Read More
Top 5 ACC Contenders At Start of Conference Play
A breakdown of the top five contenders in the ACC at the start of conference play. Read More
ACC Power Rankings As Conference Play Looms
Sorting out the top teams as the ACC non-league slate comes to an end. Read More
CBB Top 25 Rankings: RantSports’ Week 8 Poll
Here are the top 25 rankings for Week 8 of the 2014-15 college basketball season. Read More
Butler vs. Villanova: Game Preview, Prediction
The Villanova Wildcats take on the pesky Butler Bulldogs in a crucial Big east showdown. Who comes out on top? Find out here. Read More
Top 5 Pac-12 Title Contenders
The Pac-12 is full of surprises this season. Who will be the team to take home the Pac-12 crown? Find out here. Read More
Florida vs. Florida State Game Preview, Prediction
Florida and Florida State face off in a game that could make or break both teams. Find out which one has the advantage. Read More