NCAA Tournament 2011: Are the Kentucky Wildcats Better Than They Were Last Year?

The Kentucky Wildcats are back in the Final Four for the first time since the Clinton Administration. This comes a year after the Wildcats had an early and disappointing exit in the Elite Eight against West Virginia. It seems unorthodox to refer to Kentucky's trip to the Final Four as improbable, with the history this program has achieved over the years. 

However, that label seems fitting after the season they have had so far. The Wildcats had five players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, but those loses were minimized by having the nation's number one recruiting class for a second consecutive year (and soon to be third). 

Kentucky began the 2009-2010 season on a 19-0 run and were considered a Final Four contender throughout the year after demolishing the SEC. This year, the Wildcats struggled throughout the season and were hardly seen as the undisputed best team in the conference, outside of Lexington.

These early struggles can be attributed to the increased competition in the SEC East and their biggest obstacle of the year. Enes Kanter was suppose to be the replacement for DeMarcus Cousins, but the ruling of his permanent ineligibility in January delivered another blow to a Wildcats team already short on depth. Only 10 Wildcats stepped on the court this season with six of them averaging at least 28 minutes a game. Last season, thirteen Wildcats appeared in the box score with nine players averaging at least 11 minutes a game.

The success of this reflects the success John Calipari has had wherever he's gone. Coach Cal is now only the second coach to led three different schools to the Final Four, after his in-state rival Rick Pitino. This fact seems to be lightly reported in the wake of the miraculous play of VCU, Butler's return to the Final Four, and Kemba Walker. Although he has yet to cut down the nets in the championship game, he has proven himself as an elite coach.

So is this Brandon Knight's edition of the Wildcats better than John Wall's?

Wall's team didn't lose last season until January 26th on the road in Columbia, South Carolina. Knight's team lost four times this season before that same date.

Wall's team demolished their first three opponents on the way to the Elite Eight. Knight's team barely survived the first round against Princeton.

Wall's team could have given the New Jersey Nets a run for their money last year. Knight's team wouldn't have fared so well this year against the Cleavland Cavaliers.

Many would argue that this team has already surpassed last year's due to their deeper run in to the NCAA tournament. After all, a Final Four appearance and a potential championship are more revered banners to hang at Rupp Arena than one of the 2010 SEC Tournament. The Wildcats production declined this year all major categories except in three point and free throw shooting.

Last year's team was unarguably more talented from an NBA perspective. John Wall was the top pick in the draft and DeMarcus Cousins went fifth overall. Patrick Patterson, Eric Bledsoe, and Daniel Orton were also first rounders.

With or without Enes Kanter, the 2011 Wildcats have nowhere near the talent from a year ago. Terrence Jones has been projected as a likely top ten pick all year, but Brandon Knight's stock has been all over the draft board thus far (going up at the moment).

Whether or not the 2010 Wildcats were better, deeper or more talented than the 2011 Wildcats won't matter in a week if they win two games in Houston. Champions are always remembered more than groups of talented players that failed to reach their potential.