UK:
Record: 18-0
Preseason Rank: #4
Current Rank: #2
The expectations at the beginning of the season were ridiculously high. Now, they're higher. The Wildcats have started the season 18-0 (3-0) and are headed to a #1 ranking for the first time since 2003. Calipari has done such a masterful coaching job that if the season ended now he would have earned Coach of the Year honors. Getting 4 first round draft picks to buy into the team concept and put winning ahead of their personal stats and egos is no easy task. The players have been just as stellar. According to statistics that I made up for this post, John Wall ranks number 1 in the nation in total awesomeness. He is followed closely by Patrick Patterson. Kyle Singler is last.
While the Cats have definitely created some unnecessary drama in games against inferior opponents, the important thing is they find a way to get the win. This team is far from pe
rfect though, and there are several areas that they must improve in if they truly want a shot at the title. First, as awesome as John Wall is, he is a turnover waiting to happen. I don't know how this doesn't get reported more, but his turnovers are going to kill UK at some point. Patrick Patterson needs to become more of a force and demand the ball in crunch time. DeMarcus Cousins needs to stay out of foul trouble; Bledsoe needs to stay healthy; Liggins/Miller/Dodson/Harris MUST MUST MUST hit the open 3. Oh, and it would be nice if Orton made a lay-up every now and then.This is all nitpicking, however, and to complain about an undefeated team seems kind of ridiculous. I look forward to watching the Cats tear through the rest of the SEC and tune up for March.Mid Season Report Card: A
NCAA seed prediction: 1
UL:
Record: 12-7
Preseason Rank: #19
Current Rank: Unranked
Where do we start with this team? Edgar Sosa is the absolute worst "leader" in college basketball. Even the most hardcore UL fans are calling for Sosa's benching to pave the way for the Siva Era. Jerry Smith is a shell of his former self and you have to wonder if he left his jump shot in that jail cell when he did his overnighter in the offseason. Samuels has shown signs of life lately, but his supporting big men have vastly underachieved. Jennings showed loads of potential last season only to show up distracted and unmotivated all year. The team does not have a marquee win on their resume yet. In fact their best victory would have to be Western Kentucky? at this point.
Fortunately for the Cards they still have plenty of quality opponents left, and if they can hold their home court, sneak in a road W or two, they still can and should make the tournament. There has been some Pitino praise from the Cintucky Zone lately as he had the Cards looking strong and cohesive after the winter break, but after this three game losing streak (where the Villanova loss can be placed 100% on Pitino's shoulders) the CZ is starting to rethink things. No one expected this UL team to be great, but we did expect them to be a top 30 team. As of now they are not.
Mid Season Report Card: D
NCAA seed prediction: 10
Check back tomorrow for our mid-season report cards on UC, XU, & UD
Enjoy your Saturday!
No comments:
Post a Comment