Kentucky Basketball: Keys to Wildcats' 2012 NCAA Tournament Run

The Kentucky Wildcats tore through the regular season, finishing as the No. 1 team in the country. They only lost once on the year, and they're easily big-time favorites heading into the NCAA tournament. 

In his third year as Kentucky head coach, John Calipari has led the Wildcats to a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance after going 30-1 overall and 16-0 in SEC play.

The Wildcats won the regular season SEC title but lost in the finals of the SEC tournament. 

Calipari has done a superb job while at Kentucky, especially considering he's had to deal with such drastic roster changes every year. 

Kentucky is poised and ready for big things in the tournament. With that said, read on to see what the keys are for the Wildcats pursuit of another national championship. 

Superstars Who Must Shine

Anthony Davis 

The freshmen sensation has been absolutely dominant this season. Despite little experience, Davis will have to push forward and help carry the Wildcats to a championship run. 

Davis led the Wildcats in scoring, rebounding and blocks. He averaged 14.4 points, 9.8 boards and 4.7 blocks per game. 

If Davis is a no-show at the tournament, the Wildcats will be in deep trouble. They can still win without him, but because he's such a dynamic force, Kentucky is far better off when he's performing at a high level. 

Terrence Jones 

The Wildcats are relying on Jones' experience to help them thrive this year.

Having been on a solid run in the tournament last year, Jones knows what it's like to deal with the immense amount of pressure. 

Kentucky is a very young squad, which could come back to haunt them in the big spotlight. Jones has been there before, so he'll have to step up and make sure the Wildcats stay on track and avoid any slip ups. 

Role Player Who Must Emerge

Darius Miller 

Miller has already emerged for the Wildcats. He's a senior with great experience, but because this is a fresh start for all, Miller will have to make sure he doesn't fade from the limelight with all the stars around. 

Perhaps the best sixth man in the country, Miller averages 25 minutes per game, and he's capable of having a monster performance. 

He'll have to do whatever he's asked of in the tournament in order to help Kentucky win. If things aren't going well, Miller has to provide a spark off the bench to make sure the Wildcats rise to the top. 

Offensive Strategy to Watch

The offensive game plan has to be to let the forwards go to work. 

Kentucky has been so successful this season because Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have been tearing it up. 

Sure, guard play is important, but these are three of the best forwards in college basketball, and they must excel in all facets of the game for every game if the Wildcats are going to win the title. 

The Wildcats are a very strong team, but if they don't get top-notch performances from their forwards they won't be cutting down the nets. 

Defensive Strategy to Watch

On defense, the Wildcats just need to let Davis do what he does best. 

He's been a beast of a player down low, and the rest of the team feeds off of that. Davis had six blocks in the final game of the regular season, as the Wildcats shut down Florida with ease. 

In fact, during the regular season, Davis had five or more blocks in a game 15 times. He's a powerful player that loves to deny opposing teams. 

Kentucky is very suffocating on defense, and it all starts with Davis. 

Biggest NCAA Tournament Hurdle

Syracuse

I do worry about Syracuse's loss to Cincinnati and some close wins to unranked teams.

But the fact of the matter is, I do believe Kentucky and Syracuse are the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country, respectively, and the only team I see beating Kentucky this year is Syracuse.

If they meet in the finals, Kentucky has to deal with a team that moves the ball very well across the floor and uses a total team effort to overtake you.

Syracuse may not have the most talent in college basketball, but they play together as good as anybody. That can never be understated.

Last-Second NCAA Tournament Prediction

National Champions

For me, there's Kentucky, and then there's everybody else.

The Wildcats have overpowering talent, complete with freshman sensation Anthony Davis, and they are playing well together behind head coach John Calipari.

That's a devastating combination that explains why Kentucky may be the most consistent team in the country this season.

With championship hopes on the line, led by Calipari's experience, I think Kentucky is going to blow through the tournament and prove it's one of the most dominant teams in years.