Busting Brackets
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SEC Power Rankings: Kentucky slips, Tennessee takes top spot

By Dakota Cox

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 61-59 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 61-59 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 28: Keldon Johnson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates against the Monmouth Hawks at Rupp Arena on November 28, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 28: Keldon Johnson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates against the Monmouth Hawks at Rupp Arena on November 28, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4. Kentucky Wildcats

Last Week: 3rd (↓ 1)

Sliding back one slot is more of a punishment for Kentucky than a reward for Mississippi State. Their 7-2 record might sound nice, but an embarrassing loss to Duke at the beginning of the year and an upset loss to Seton Hall really hurt their luster.

Despite PJ Washington’s 29 points against Seton Hall, the Wildcats still found a way to lose in overtime. The squad around Washington seemed to slack in that loss, and that does not bode well for teams in the title contention. If Kentucky wants to win, they have to be able to bend without breaking. In their two losses this year, they broke.

This team has been led by 4 players who are averaging over 10 points a game, but only one of them has experience in a Wildcats uniform. With new faces, chemistry issues are a concern. That being said, this is not new to John Calipari. He has experienced this every year for as long as most fans can remember.

In this system, early struggles are common. It happens to the best of teams. It shows that it takes more than talent to be a good team. Hopes are still high on the Wildcats, and this one upset should be able to spark them in their games moving forward.

All eyes will be on Kentucky next week as they play North Carolina. UNC is a second chance for Kentucky to prove themselves against a top-ranked opponent. We’ll have to wait and see what happens for them.

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