Comparison: 2009-2010 Kentucky Wildcats Vs. 1995-1996 Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky has had many great and talented teams grace the Rupp Arena hardwood throughout their illustrious history.

My personal favorite so far has been the 1996 National Championship team dubbed, "The Untouchables." Some of the accomplishments achieved by this fantastic team include:

• A sweep of the Southeastern conference schedule at 16-0, a feat which had not occurred in the SEC for over forty years.
• Their sixth NCAA title, which moved Kentucky ahead of Indiana into sole possession of second place behind UCLA.
• Winning a school record 27 consecutive games.
• Passing North Carolina to become the winningest program in NCAA history, a distinction Kentucky still holds today.
• An 86 point first half explosion against the LSU Tigers on January 16, 1996.
• The highest team Sagarin rating (103.26) ever achieved since the system went into use in the mid-seventies.
• An average winning margin of victory of more than 22 points per game for the entire season.

Now with all the hype surrounding John Calipari's first team at Kentucky, and assuming that preseason All-American Jodie Meeks withdraws from the NBA draft, here are player comparisons for two teams that seem to be pretty evenly matched on paper, talent wise.

Point Guard

'95-'96: Anthony Epps, Jr.; Wayne Turner, Fr.; Jeff Sheppard, Jr.

Epps was the experienced floor leader with a reliable deep shot, not a huge scoring threat. Turner was the super fast frosh with a great crossover, ability to find open teammates, but suspect jump shot. Sheppard subbed for both guard positions, could jump out of the gym, and really came into his own after redshirting the '96-'97 season.

'09-'10: John Wall, Fr.; Eric Bledsoe, Fr.; DeAndre Liggins, So.

Wall is an otherworldly athlete, can drive on anyone, unselfish, and almost surely gone to the NBA next year. Bledsoe is also a great athlete, very strong, can finish in traffic, and has a decent jumper. Liggins has shown flashes of brilliance, has steady jumper and should excel in the Dribble Drive Motion offense.

Advantage: '95-'96. Wall and company have the ability to surpass their predecessors, but the youngsters need to prove it first.

Shooting Guard

'95-'96: Tony Delk, Sr.; Derek Anderson, Jr.; Cameron Mills, So.

Delk was the leading scorer, all-american, and heart of the team. Anderson was a future NBA first rounder with very few holes in his game, Mills a sharpshooter who didn't see a lot of the floor.

'09-'10: Jodie Meeks, Sr.; Darnell Dodson, So.; Jon Hood, Fr.

Meeks is a scoring machine, great free throw shooter, defender, and all-american. Dodson can play the two or three, very athletic with good mid-range and deep shot. Hood can also play the two or three, high school high jump champion, good all around game.

Advantage: '95-'96. Two future pros plus a player instrumental to the '98 title team just too much for the newer 'Cats to overcome.

Small Forward

'95-'96: Antoine Walker, So.; Ron Mercer, Fr.; Allen Edwards, So.

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