Another Early Season Shocker for Kentucky: Don't Jump to Conclusions

"Here we go again." These are the words that are being uttered by college basketball fans all around the country.

Just like the start of the '07-08 season, the highly anticipated '08-09 season has started the same: with another shocking loss by Kentucky. But what fans have to ask themselves is, "Are the two losses to Gardner-Webb and VMI similar?"

Some Kentucky fans and other basketball fans may say the loss just three days ago to VMI was worse. Billy Gillispie's second year as head coach was supposed to be more comfortable, and the much more injury-free team this season wasn't supposed to suffer losses like this.

However, are there any positives someone can take from this game, or not be worried about a loss like this?

That answer is yes. The loss last season to Gardner-Webb had no positives. No one played well in the loss last season, and Kentucky was dominated through and through. Every aspect of the Gardner-Webb game made one think poor shooting, poor rebounding—can any of these things be fixed?

On the contrary, this shocking loss to VMI had many more things to look highly on. The question of whether or not we could replace our scorers was answered. The play on offense by Meeks, Stevenson, Harris, and Miller was superb. The eight points by Patterson was not, however. We know he is a true All-American.

The rebounding was dominant in the fact we almost doubled VMI's total. Also unlike last season, the Cats fought back and made it a game instead of folding and settling for a 16-point defeat to Gardner Webb.

The true reason why the Wildcats couldn't defeat the Keydets was guard play. Sure, Kentucky left some open threes on defense and allowed too many wide-open shots, but 25 turnovers against a subpar team is unacceptable.

When the Wildcats do find a point guard who can control the ball and distribute the ball to the correct places, that problem will be fixed. The biggest question of all will be fixed.

So wait for the game Tuesday night versus North Carolina and see how Kentucky corrects their mistakes. Just wait to see when the point guard problem will be fixed.

Just don't jump to conclusions. Not yet.