Kentucky Basketball: Trap Games Wildcats Must Watch Out for in 2015-16

It is extremely difficult for a college basketball team to go undefeated. Last season's Kentucky Wildcats came as close as anyone in recent years, but they still fell short. While this year's squad has gotten off to a great start, there are a lot of games on the schedule that can cause problems.

A first glance at the remaining 2015-16 schedule features a lot of obvious challenges. Road games against Kansas and UCLA highlight the nonconference schedule, while the rivalry matchup against Louisville is always circled. In the SEC, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M have shown they are among the best teams in the conference despite early losses.

However, there are always tough games that sort of sneak up on elite teams. Whether it is due to overlooking an opponent or simply being a bad matchup, unexplainable losses happen all the time in this sport. 

Beyond the listed teams, here is a look at a few trap games the Wildcats should look out for as the year progresses.

Dec. 12 vs. Arizona State

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This has already been a strange year for Arizona State. The Sun Devils lost by three to Sacramento State and in overtime against Marquette, but they also have close wins over North Carolina State and UC Santa Barbara. 

While Arizona State is clearly not a great team, it does have a lot of talent that can cause problems for any opponent.

Savon Goodman is one of the toughest players in the country and can score in the inside, while Tra Holder and Gerry Blakes are inconsistent but can get hot at any moment. Most importantly, this is a group that rebounds well and can potentially match up with Kentucky on the boards.

With this game preceding more high-profile matchups against Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic and a home game against Louisville, the team might not spend a lot of time focusing on Arizona State. This could lead to problems against a veteran lineup featuring three seniors, three juniors and two sophomores in the eight-man rotation.

Jan. 5 at LSU

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This makes the list because a pair of LSU losses in Brooklyn will likely cause people to forget about the Tigers. Without many notable games over the next month, there is a good chance the Tigers will be unranked by the time they face Kentucky. While a team like Florida will always be considered a tough challenge for the Wildcats, LSU might be overlooked early in the conference season.

That would be a massive mistake.

LSU lost a pair of close games already this year, but this is clearly a talented squad that will only get better as the year progresses. Ben Simmons is already the most versatile player in the nation with the ability to fill up the stat sheet, currently averaging 16.2 points, 14.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.

Additionally, the Tigers have a deep group of talented guards in Antonio Blakeney, Tim Quarterman, Jalyn Patterson, Brandon Sampson and more. These players can outwork the Kentucky backcourt and cause some serious problems in a tough road game early in January.

Jan. 16 at Auburn

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Although Auburn is clearly not the best team in the SEC, the Tigers do have talent, and the style could be a serious problem for Kentucky.

The Tigers utilize a frenetic pace, ranking as the No. 11 fastest tempo in the nation and first in the SEC, according to KenPom.com. This could keep the Wildcats out of their element and force them to adjust as the game progresses, which is not an easy feat for a young team.

Auburn also has tough inside scorers and rebounders among Cinmeon Bowers, Tyler Harris and Horace Spencer while complementing this group with talented outside shooters. The squad is currently shooting 43.4 percent from three-point range as a team through four games, which is a small sample size but a good start.

If Kentucky tries to play at Auburn's pace and ends up forcing deep shots early in possessions, this could be a closer game than it seems on paper.

Feb. 9 vs. Georgia

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One of Kentucky's biggest strengths this season will be the three-guard lineup. Few teams in the nation will be able to match up with Tyler Ulis, Isaiah Briscoe and Jamal Murray when it comes to talent, quickness or strength, and it will lead to consistent offensive production.

However, Georgia has one of the few lineups that can handle this group.

The Bulldogs have an experienced trio of guards in senior Kenny Gaines, senior Charles Mann and junior J.J. Frazier. These three players each bring something different to the table, but they all know how to score as well as play tough defense.

With sophomore Yante Maten also impressing so far this season with his work in the low post, Georgia has all the tools necessary to pull off a major upset.

Georgia had Kentucky on the ropes last season up nine with under 10 minutes remaining, and it's certain the remaining players will do everything they can to finish things out this time around.

Feb. 13 at South Carolina

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It is a long season, and South Carolina hasn't really faced the toughest competition, but the squad is already out to a 6-0 start to the year. These wins have featured some impressive offensive work with an average of 85.5 points per game and quality shooting from all over the floor.

Lithuanian teammates Laimonas Chatkevicius and Mindaugas Kacinas have gotten off to a great start to their senior seasons with a combined 30.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. The duo, along with Michael Carrera, have helped the Gamecocks rate alongside Kentucky as one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the nation, per TeamRankings.com.

This could help get a lot of points on second chances, something that has been a bit of a problem for the Wildcats already this season.

Duane Notice and Sindarius Thornwell also have plenty of ability in the backcourt, while McDonald's All-American P.J. Dozier will improve as the year progresses. By the time February rolls around, this will be a formidable opponent.

If Kentucky overlooks this team or any others perceived as weak, the squad will suffer some unnecessary losses.

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