Another First Leftover
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Published on 01-16-2014 03:19 PM
It isn't often that at this point in the basketball season the projected conference winner is in this much doubt. In a life (my) threatening situation I would have to still pick the UK Wildcats. Being as the situation is now, it doesn't resemble what was expected at the beginning of the season.
Early on the Wildcats were expected to breeze through the conference with The Florida gators a close second. But given the loss at the Bud Walton Arena and some other unexpected developments throughout the SEC things have become a bit nebulous.
How quickly things change. Two weeks ago prior to last night's 22-point drubbing at the hands of the Florida Gators conjecture had Mark Fox being release after this season and Bruce Peal would return to coaching in the SEC. No one ever roots for any coach to be terminated but Pearl would give the SEC a charismatic shot in the arm. Two games before the Florida game Georgia had won at Missouri and at home over Alabama. Mark Fox gets new life?
Historically after a SEC team gets up to beat Kentucky they flop the next game or sometimes, two. It was a white-out night at Bud Walton and they stormed the court. It will be interesting to watch Arkansas' next game which is on the road at Georgia. If the 12-4 Razorbacks can pass the road test they could inject themselves in the race to stay. They are 1-2 on conference play. They don't have to go to Florida.
Texas A&M is 12-4 overall and 3-0 in the conference. They have a much bigger hurdle to overcome because they have to go to Florida and come to Kentucky. But suddenly they are a come a contender.
Florida has to go to A&M and to Kentucky. Though I wouldn't bet my mythical house-and-lot in Georgia, having won an overtime victory at Arkansas with two starters out of the lineup, I would say they have a nose out in front on the backstretch.
Cuonzo Martin brings his Volunteers to Lexington Saturday for a 'High Noon' affair. He has his team playing good fundamental basketball with emphasis on defense. But everybody knows how difficult it is to win in Rupp Arena. John Calipari's record in Rupp as the Kentucky head coach is 77-2.
Would we say the SEC is suddenly a tough conference? I don't know but to say it has suddenly become interesting because for the first time in five years and the winner isn't cut and dried, you could be accurate. For emphasis we will use that small window as a first timer (Cal's era). So buckle up your chinstrap and seat belt it could be a rough ride to March Madness.
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