| 20 March 2010
OK, the second round games are winding down and the SEC is still in the thick of things ... at least on paper. Does the SEC have what it takes to nail another NCAA Basketball title or are the fans simply expecting too much?
Kentucky has the only legitimate shot at a title. Yep, the rest of the league can take it on the chin, but sometimes the truth hurts. If SEC fans are hoping for a title, then you had better put on the Blue colored glasses and pull for UK. This is not rocket science, at least not this season ... Kentucky and Tennessee are the only two SEC teams mathematically eligible for a shot at a title (couldn't resist).
I am not saying that the Wildcats from the Bluegrass State are a lock to make the Final Four, much less the Big Dance. Do the fans from the rest of the conference (read: Tennessee Vols) honestly believe their team has a legitimate shot? Seriously?
Tennessee Volunteers
Fan discontent was beginning to make its rounds before December ever arrived. Now the faction of seasonal fans appear to be firmly entrenched back inside of the UT camp. At least for now. The Vols are making another trip to the Sweet Sixteen and most likely their date with their tourney exit.
Can UT make it deeper than the Sweet 16? Yes, they can. This is the only team in the nation to topple two number one teams this season ... and should have beaten a solid Purdue team earlier in the year. But, do the Vols have what it takes to win it all?
Most likely, no. The book on Bruce Pearl is out. Slow the game down and press in the back court. It really is that simple.
On top of it all, Tennessee does not have the half court game strength to win a championship. The Vols lack depth inside and rely too heavily on three pointers to pull away in tight games. The three has to eventually stop dropping.
In order to get there, and sneaking a peek at the bracket, UT will likely have to beat both Ohio State (achievable, but not realistic) and then Michigan State ... that is a load for a team with a general lack of an inside game.
Tennessee should be able to move into the Elite Eight as long as they remain consistent on their shot selection and improve their free throw shooting percentage. Anything beyond the Elite Eight is gravy for this team.
Kentucky Wildcats
You have heard the names, Patterson ... Cousins ... Wall ... just to name a few. This team is loaded. When the UK Wildcats focus and play within the Calipari system, they are successful. Very successful.
The Wildcats are not world beaters. Far from it. At the same time, the team nucleus is present. The Wildcats have enough one-and-done players to easily win a championship. Yes, I used the 'e' word. The burning question is not 'can they', but rather 'will they'?
Kentucky has a tough row to hoe at this point in the tourney. With a looming match-up in the Sweet Sixteen versus the Wisconsin Badgers (prediction), Kentucky should roll into the Elite Eight.
Looking at the bracket, and a potential match-up against a solid West Virginia team, Kentucky must be prepared to buckle down. For Kentucky, the Elite Eight game is the most dangerous. Many teams begin to lose their focus at this point while the hungry teams sharpen their claws. Watch out for the Mountaineers if the match-up comes to fruition.
Originally, I had predicted UK as an Elite Eight Bust team and the last SEC team standing. The Wildcats have the talent to take this tourney by storm. BUT (large word in all caps), can Calipari get the team to focus?
At this point in the season, it should not take a ton of coaching to get a team up for a March Madness game. Honestly, it shouldn't. Kentucky has a very young team. While I do not see them as being happy just to be there, the Wildcats will be facing several deep teams that are stocked with upper classmen. There probably is not a more talent laden team in the tourney ... we'll just have to wait and find out the outcome.
