Kentucky Wildcats at Midseason: Are the 'Cats Ready for the SEC?

The University of Kentucky Wildcats start 2009 in the same fashion as 2008. That is playing the Louisville Cardinals in the annual "Battle for the Bluegrass." The now midseason game that will in many ways calibrate how far these 'Cats have come since there losses to the likes of VMI and UNC.

The game against the Cardinals will be a tough one, and I'm not here to make a call on that one. Though I would love to see the 'Cats pull one out. I want to talk about the upcoming SEC play that will start on the 10th of January with Vanderbilt.

Going into conference play, the 'Cats are going to have to do what they did last year, WIN. The only difference is that they are looking a lot better right now at 11-3. Still they have dropped three of there four games with other major conferences and need to build a better resume.

Leading off with the Commodores, Kentucky will have their hands full, but I don't think it will be like last season. With Shane Foster gone and Vandy dropping games to Illinois and Georgia Tech, the 'Dores are nothing like last year's team.

Then you have the Tennessee Volunteers, who have proven a few times this season that they are very beatable. If Meeks were to have a Christmas-like performance, the 'Cats could take down the Vols.

The LSU Tigers and The Alabama Crimson Tide could be a problem, but looking at their schedules, they have not played very tough schedules or really had any signature victories. Both teams have lost to Texas A&M.

Finally you have the Florida Gators, who, at some point, looks to be strong, but against quality opponents, they tend to sputter. They have losses to Florida State and Syracuse while just squeaking by North Carolina State and Washington. They will still be very tough, and UK needs to have at least one form the Gators.

The SEC looking like it does this year, Kentucky must do well but also play well to get into this years dance. The Cats look a lot better in 2009 and must, at least, split series with Tennessee and Florida while not dropping any games that they shouldn't.

The 'Cats should come out of he SEC with at the most four losses and be ready to make some noise in the conference tournament if they want to continue on.