It was supposed to happen sooner or later. Everyone has gone through it. Kentucky has gone through it before and this probably won't be the last time either.
Every top college basketball in the program rarely misses the prestigious NCAA Tournament, but every team every now and then does miss.
This season for the Kentucky Wildcats is just one of those seasons. The NCAA Tournament streak is over. It's been a great run since the early 1990s but unless Kentucky wins the SEC Tournament the likely hood of another bid is almost zero to none.
But why has Kentucky been playing so poorly of late? Isn't this the team that was a buzzer beater away from defeating Louisville?
Isn't this the team that started the SEC 5-0 and has beaten Tennessee twice by large margins? Yes, that is Kentucky. And yes, at times this season Kentucky team has looked stellar. But that's just sometimes. Most of the time however they look nothing close to a tournament team.
However, Kentucky fans continue to rip on Billy Gillispie. These ignorant fans continue to stick their noses in BCG's business—saying he needs to go even when he hasn't completed his second season of coaching.
The real reason is not the coach. It's the players.
Over the last three games I have watched this team with close intent. I have examined their play and the way they have played has really caught my eye as to why they have wilted so much these last few games.
No heart. No intelligence. No leadership. No effort.
A team must possess all four of these qualities game in and game out if they want to win. Just because you have possibly the two best players in the SEC means nothing. Kentucky's talent is through the roof.
Jodie Meeks is one of the most talented players in the country.
Patrick Patterson is one of the strongest.
Darius Miller is starting to blossom and has been one of the best freshman in the SEC.
Perry Stevenson plays great defense. He makes good cuts for open dunks and can hit the jump shot when open for the opportunity.
Josh Harrelson possesses a blue collar toughness no one else on the team has.
Kevin Galloway is one of the most athletic players on the team that does a lot.
Michael Porter at times can show toughness, but overall he does a good job of trying to possess leadership.
Ramon Harris, who has had a tough season health wise, is maybe our best defender. He's quiet but gets the job done.
DeAndre Liggins displays selflessness, and is a fantastic passer when he wants to be.
A.J. Stewart has always wanted to play and at times when given the opportunity plays well.
Those players are the players that will play on a nightly basis.
The qualities that those players possess are things that every team wants. Those talents and elements are lethal when all put together. But each of the players must give over 100 percent to reach that level.
Most of the time, when a coach says play 110 percent a player thinks its just a cliche.
We'll it's not.
When a player plays 100 percent they exhibit some skills and are huffing and puffing when a game is over. But the remaining 10 percent comes from the heart, intelligence, leadership, and effort in the game.
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