Is there any team that can stop the Kentucky Wildcats from having a perfect season?
As we say goodbye to February, and welcome in the month of March college basketball fans start to get excited because in less than a few weeks starts the NCAA tournament. The overall number 1 seed and number 1 team in the country the Kentucky Wildcats look like they are going to be impossible to beat. Some say this team has a starting lineup that would be drafted within the top ten of the NBA'S draft selection. No one is giving any other team a shot because they feel they don't have the talent to compete with Kentucky. The question I have is that if the Wildcats have been challenged enough to where they wont loose their composure in the tournament. The SEC isn't as strong as other conferences in the country so I wonder how they will be able to handle the pressure. This team has so much talent it feels like I am watching a professional basketball team coached by John Calipari who has done an incredible job. The players that make this team such a dominance are Willie Cauly-Stein, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew and Aaron Harrison, and Devon Booker. These five players are a big reason in the success this season for the Wildcats. What is interesting about this team is when you think you are getting a break from their starting center or any other position player another is coming in with the same talent and same size.
I truly think they can run the table, and win the national championship but it wont be easy. When it comes to the NCAA Tournament many upsets occur, and teams turn it up a notch in the level of play. Those who are top seeds in the tournament know it gets harder and harder because of the opponents they play, and the competition gets better. Last year everyone thought Wichita State was going all the way to the championship game for being undefeated but when they got to the sweet 16 it was a different story, and were beaten by the Kentucky Wildcats. It would take alittle pressure off the team if they were to loose in the regular season so they wouldn't have to think about the hype of their undefeated season. For how young these players are this pressure is something that can help them grow as players, or it can break them down.
I think there are some teams that would be able to defeat the Wildcats if they were to matchup in the tournament. These schools come from very good conference competition they are Duke, Wisconsin, Virginia, Arizona, and Gonzaga. These teams are well coached and are disciplined enough into not falling for the opponents game plan. Each team has a certain advantage point to where it can disrupt the Wildcats fast pace game. These teams also have a different style of play where the defense of Kentucky could be confused. Alot of teams the Wildcats have faced this season haven't had much size but with these five teams they have plenty of size and depth that can play with the Wildcats. The one thing that separate's the Wisconsin Badgers from the rest of the group is they don't commit fouls unless they are playing catch up. The Badgers are one of the best teams in getting to the foul line and shooting free throws. The Badgers also take there their time in executing their offense and are a half court offensive team.
The Arizona Wildcats along with the Gonzaga Bulldogs will give the wildcats big problems from the full court defense they play. They also play a three guard spread which means good ball handlers on the court. the three guard spread the Wildcats haven't yet seen this season because most teams are worried about matching up against the size. Arizona is also good from the perimeter in shooting the three's which could give Kentucky problems because of them playing a lot of help defense. Gonzaga on the other hand likes to drive the ball which can cause problems if the big man start to get into foul trouble. If this were to happen it would give Calipari a hard time in managing the minutes for his players. Gonzaga also likes to pass the ball until the best shot is open for the player capable of making the shot. Many teams around the country I think will be studying up on Kentucky in trying to set up a game plan for them.
Duke and Virginia are both very good defensive teams like the Wisconsin Badgers. Duke play man to man defense and cover the on ball screen very well. Virginia plays a lot of man to man defense along with double teaming the one controlling the ball. Duke and Virginia have many players who can score and hurt you from the perimeter. Virginia has many big players that like to crash the boards and aren't afraid if they need to get physical. Virginia is the second team that many think would give the Wildcats many problems. Virginia's basketball team has been known for there suffocating defense and slow pace offense. Duke runs a two or three guard offense who have plenty of offensive players that can keep them in any game.
Overall, we can all say the Wildcats are the best team from what we have see thus far into the season but the real season starts in a few weeks. Many teams needs to just play there game and not lose their composure in the games. I think it will be a tough task in trying to beat the Wildcats but it can be done. Teams just need to study up on the way they run certain offensive plays or what type of defensive plays they use a lot. I think the biggest problems they could run into is a team with a good size depth down low or a spread type of offense. I think the finals will be the Wildcats facing off against the Wisconsin Badgers.
