Why the Kentucky Wildcats' Madness Will Extend into April

Here we sit, it's SEC Tournament Eve 2010.  Kentucky has wrapped up the conference crown and has their wildcat mascot sitting at his rightful place, the SEC throne.  The Wildcat passes laws, pardons people, while Scratch acts as the court jester.

This all changes on Friday though.  The Cats will suit up to face the winner of the South Carolina/Alabama game.  This is where "March Madness" really beings.  Nashville is Kentucky's first stop along the road to Indianapolis. This team is primed for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, don't believe me?  Stick around and let me prove it.

Fountain of Youth

All season people had put the Cats down for being too young.  I think this is the time of year where that is an advantage, at least with this team.  The trio of freshman, John Wall, Eric Bledsoe and DeMarcus Cousins, were all playing AAU ball not too long ago.  These leagues all play multiple games on the same day, and games on back-to-back days.  This will help the Wall, Bledsoe, and Cousins feel right at home come tourney time.

On The Road Again    

Big Blue is currently slotted in as a No. 1 seed.  They are currently ranked third in cbssports.com's RPI.  This likely will lead the Cats to play in the Syracuse Region.  They would start in Milwaukee and then head to Syracuse.  Then if we all get our wishes, to Indy.  This brings me to my next point.

There's No Place Like Home

Kentucky has beaten every team it has faced this year.  Every one.  Those two losses?  Kentucky beat both Tennessee and South Carolina this year.  I'm not sure many other teams can say that they beat every team on their schedule. 

Those losses both occurred on true road games.  Kentucky doesn't have any of those games left.  The SEC playoff is in Nashville, which is a town that turns blue when the Cats are in town.  Neutral site games are all they have left.  If the Wildcats end up in Indianapolis, you can bet there will be plenty of blue in that town too.

Numbers Game

Kentucky's starting five average 62 ppg.  That's 16 from Wall, 10 from Bledsoe, 15 each for Patterson and Cousins, and right around 6 for both Miller and Dodson, both of which have started this year.  Not many teams can match that production across the board.  How many teams have four players average double-digit points?

Chicks Dig The Long Ball

The major knock against this team, besides youth, has been outside shooting.  This has improved over the last five games too.  Miller and Dodson have become consistent threats from downtown.  This just helps open the lane for Wall, Cousins, and Patterson to operate.  This team gets very difficult to stop when everyone is on the same page...just ask Arkansas.

Put Me In Coach

Believe it or not, this year will be No. 54's first NCAA tournament game (KNOCK ON WOOD!).  Patterson came to UK to win and make runs in March.  This is his year, he will be driven and hungry to win.  Patrick doesn't have to shoulder the load like in past years.  He will have plenty of help come time for the "Big Dance."

In conclusion, this edition of the Wildcats is set to make a run that lasts in to April.  They are talented and when the team is rolling, it's very hard to stop them.  They have a coach that has been in previous "Final Fours" and knows what it takes to win.  Look for the Cats to spread the madness come March.