Kentucky Basketball: 5 Things on Wildcats' Holiday Wish List

Kentucky basketball may have already received its holiday wish list back in the summer. When Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein decided to come back to school for another year, the fans of Kentucky basketball were already dreaming of white and blue confetti falling in April. 

So far this season, everything is pointing that way as the Wildcats are steamrolling opponents and putting up historic defensive numbers. However, there's always a reason to be greedy, and what's a better time to be than when putting together a holiday wish list?

This slideshow will take a look at those items that Kentucky head coach John Calipari is hoping will arrive as the calendar turns to 2015. While there are no midseason transfers joining the roster, there's still a chance a new player can show up with the help of a couple weeks of practice. 

An Undefeated Record Heading into SEC Play

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Notice it's not asking for an undefeated record the entire season, which many members of Big Blue Nation are asking for. This is just getting through the toughest part of Kentucky's schedule.

So far this season, the Wildcats have a couple of nice wins over Kansas and Texas to help solidify the talent this team has on its roster. However, the majority of Kentucky's games have come against teams like Buffalo, Eastern Kentucky and Boston University. 

Three of the next four games will truly test this Kentucky team, though, as the Wildcats play a home game against North Carolina, a neutral-court game against UCLA and a road game at rival Louisville. If the Wildcats navigate this schedule without a blemish, there's no reason why anyone can question Kentucky as the unanimous No. 1 team in the country. 

The Return of March Aaron Harrison

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During Kentucky's run in March, Aaron Harrison looked like one of the best players in the country. On top of that, he was the best shooting threat from deep during that stretch. 

This season has been completely different, though. To say Harrison is struggling is an understatement. The preseason SEC Player of the Year is shooting just 23 percent from behind the arc. On top of that, he's shooting just 34 percent from the field.

To compare, during the 2013-14 season, Harrison shot 35 percent from deep and 42 percent from the field. Those numbers aren't terrible, but considering he was regarded as the best shooter in the class of 2013, Harrison is struggling as a collegiate shooter.

If teams are going to run zone against Kentucky, Aaron Harrison needs to revert to the March version and at least make a couple threes. 

Refs to Swallow Their Whistle in the Post

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Kentucky has the benefit of having incredible depth when it comes to post players. However, what we saw in the Texas game is something that will drive Calipari and his staff nuts. 

The refs in the Kentucky vs. Texas game were calling the post incredibly tight. Both teams racked up fouls, mostly on the big guys. It never allowed Kentucky to get into a flow on the offensive side of the ball, but thanks to its depth it didn't cause too much of a problem defensively.

The six players who are considered big men for the Wildcats racked up 19 combined fouls. Kentucky only had four blocks, an insanely low number for them. Calipari is going to want games to be physical, as that helps the Wildcats since no other team can match their size and strength. 

Continued Strong Team Chemistry

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Look, were there questions about possible egos getting in the way of success on this team? Sure. Hard not to ask that as a question with a roster with this much talent. 

However, through nine games, this can be thrown out the window. Watch this team during a game: The bench is constantly cheering for each other, whether it's one platoon for another or both platoons cheering for the benchwarmers at the end of the game. You can tell there's true excitement and enjoyment playing with each other.

There are currently seven players averaging over seven points per game this season. Only two players, Willie Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson, are averaging double digits through nine games. 

Heck, take a look at Marcus Lee and Willie Cauley-Stein talking about taking a back seat for each other. Against Texas, Cauley-Stein was having the game of his life and Lee only played four minutes. Did he sulk about it? No, he encouraged Cauley-Stein and acknowledged how well he was playing.

The game against Eastern Kentucky, Cauley-Stein told Calipari to let Lee play more since he didn't get the run during the previous game. 

If this continues through March, there might be nothing any other team in the country can do to stop the Wildcats. 

A Close Score Late in the Game

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Sure, blowouts are nice for the faint of heart. But, as a coach, don't you want to see how your team reacts during a close game? 

The Wildcats got a somewhat close call against Texas, but for the majority of the second half, the game was pretty much squarely in Kentucky's hands. Before conference play starts, Kentucky needs to be challenged for a couple of reasons.

First off, it will be good to see what lineup Calipari uses down the stretch. Does he go with an offensive and defensive lineup? Does he stick with one platoon? 

Also, who takes the late-game shots for the Wildcats? Even though Aaron Harrison is struggling, do his heroics in the NCAA tournament let him still take the final shot? 

One close game will show the toughness of Kentucky, and that's something that won't be a bad thing before conference play starts.