Kentucky Basketball: 3 takeaways from stunning win at Florida
3. It took them 10 games, but the young Wildcats have finally learned how to win
This is stating the obvious, and it is no mystery – but this has been a historically abysmal season for the Kentucky Wildcats. Their loss to Louisville on December 26th made Kentucky 1-6 for the first time in more than a century, and it was the program’s first six-game losing streak since the 1988-89 season.
Just weeks ago, this team was left for dead after their losses to Georgia Tech and Notre Dame – and their subsequent defeats to North Carolina and Louisville did not do any favors the Wildcats. Their double-overtime win at Mississippi State was not pretty, and the Wildcats had issues putting away a Vanderbilt team that is the worst in the SEC this season – but both were obviously important and valuable for a team that maintains an average experience of 0.90 years, one of the lowest marks in Div. I.
But now, after starting the season 1-6, Kentucky has won three-straight to open up SEC play and head into the new week at 4-6. The win over Florida might have been the most shocking result of Saturday’s schedule – but it proves that this young team has gained the confidence and ability to win – and close-out – games.
No team has ever started 1-6 and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, and, obviously, it is way too early for that to become a possibility – but this version of the Kentucky Wildcats could be a thorn in anyone’s side, and especially in a conference like SEC.
Even with Tennessee and Missouri leading the way nationally, the Wildcats remain just one of three undefeated teams in the SEC, alongside Alabama and South Carolina – and they have the potential to remain among those ranks for a while.
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Something will have to give on Tuesday, however, because Kentucky will host the Crimson Tide in a pivotal SEC showdown. With their newfound confidence, the Wildcats have the talent – and now the heart – to compete with an Alabama squad that has rattled off five in a row.
Kentucky’s hands will be full – the Tide have won games over Tennessee, Florida, and Auburn within a week – but this may be the first time where Big Blue Nation can deservedly be excited and confident about their chances ahead of a game.