Indiana vs Kentucky: Why Can't the Hoosiers Beat the Cats Again?

I've never been a believer in simply meeting or exceeding expectations when there is more success to be had. Which is exactly why it will be a disappointment if the Indiana Hoosiers lose to Kentucky on Friday in the Sweet 16.

The general consensus at the beginning of this season was that the Hoosiers would be improved with the addition of freshman Cody Zeller, but not to the point they are now. Nobody predicted three wins against top five teams, nor a perfect record against non-conference opponents. 

So why now should we be satisfied with a Sweet 16 appearance? The last time I looked, it was only championship banners hanging in Assembly Hall. Because as coach Tom Crean said when he was hired, "It's Indiana." 

You can't be an elite program if you don't expect to win it all every year, and it's not an unrealistic idea at this point. Sure, Indiana barely escaped with a win against VCU, but so did Syracuse in its first tournament game, and they easily won the next.

Who should the Hoosiers be worried about by now? The No. 1 team in the land came to Assembly Hall and walked away the loser, only one of two losses all year. So did Nos. 2 and 5 in a difficult Big Ten schedule. 

The best way to look at the upcoming rematch against Kentucky is that the Wildcats weren't able to beat two teams this season, and the Hoosiers were one of them. Forget that they've been dominant in the tournament thus far or the entire season for that matter. You beat them once, so beat them again.

Michigan State? The Buckeyes? Both teams fell to the Hoosiers this year. Is Florida a worry with their good record in a weak SEC? Nope. And Syracuse without Fab Melo is just a ticking time bomb.

They say anything can happen in March and that should be the mantra of the Hoosiers this weekend, because "anything" happened all year in a season full of exceeded expectations.