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What a rollercoaster it’s been for Kentucky basketball this season. The Wildcats started the year with inconsistency and irrelevant victories from beating up on less-talented teams. Their resume was so bad, Kentucky had not even won a Quad One game yet.
But then the Wildcats went to No. 5 Tennessee and beat a Volunteers team that could have made a serious case for the best team in the country at that point. However, despite a top-5 win, Kentucky returned to mediocrity by losing three out of their next five games (including a game to Georgia, who was 4-7 in SEC play at the time).
Since that loss, though, Kentucky has played like the pre-season No. 4 team they were believed to be. The Wildcats have put together four straight Quad One wins and, with just one week left in the regular season, are peaking at the perfect time.
Kentucky is quickly getting healthier, as CJ Fredrick played his game in three weeks on Saturday. Sahvir Wheeler’s status remains up in the air, but each passing day is a step forward in his return to the court.
In their absence, Adou Thiero has been able to see consistent playing time. In fact, you could make the case that he’s been pretty impactful for the Wildcats. It’s clear the freshman guard plays tough every minute he’s in the game, which is a quality Kentucky will need come tournament time.
Antonio Reeves has also hit his stride in the starting lineup, averaging 15.8 points in 36.6 minutes during the five-game stretch. It’s also hard to think that Kentucky winning four of those five games is just a coincidence.
While Kentucky has seen improved play from their guards, Oscar Tshiebwe has been the real MVP for Kentucky over the last five games. He’s averaging 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 64% shooting from the floor during that stretch. The reigning National Player of the Year is also shooting 83% from the free throw line, which is a massive improvement from the 69% he was shooting before the last five games.
Kentucky’s recent surge has all but locked up the No. 3 seed for next week’s SEC Tournament, which would grant the Wildcats a double-bye and start their postseason in the Friday bracket. It would also further elevate their NCAA Tournament seeding.
A tournament appearance alone was in serious doubt not that long ago, which (again) emphasizes the turnaround head coach John Calipari and his team have been able to carry out over the last two weeks.
Now that Kentucky is playing at a high level and the Wildcats have proven they can consistently beat quality teams, what are your expectations for the SEC and NCAA tournaments? As of today, Kentucky would be the third-favorite to win the SEC Tournament and has the 21st-best odds to win the National Title.
4 Responses
Vandy won’t be a push over, and on Saturday thousands of ravenous pigs will be set free @ Bud Walton.
That double bye ( should we get it ) in SEC tourney will be HUGE.
CONFIDENCE. That is what the new guys and freshmen have found. they move up and down with unbelievable speed. finsh layups with strong finish or dunks where before they would just use soft layup and get blocked.
Now playing as a team. More assists proves it as do reebies
Love it kids. go fot it
Prez
Cats play well when up up 30 plus. Its the last 4 minutes at fla that is concerning. Turnovers, fouling giving up points at the free throw line with the clock stopped, losing half of the lead before a time out called. Looked like no leadership on the floor and not a clue from the bench. Likely not going to be playing up 30 in tournament games.
One can see it in their eyes, the players have a renewed look of faith and fierceness and belief in themselves. I truly believe that they believe they can go all the way and bring back #9 to BBN. One game at a time. This may seem like a pipe dream to some, but if you don’t believe, you can’t compete, you can’t dominate, you can’t WIN. This team has guts and can do ‘it’. I was one of the doubting Thomases during that bad stretch; but I still loved them. They are tough and the "refuse to lose" is within them. Can’t wait for the SEC and NCAA tournaments. GO CATS.