Showdown in The Bluegrass

Alrighty College Hoops Fans, the warm up season is almost over, and conference play is around the corner. This means its time for the Showdown in the Bluegrass!

The no. 18 Cardinals of Louisville (pronounced Lu-a-vull) welcome into Freedom Hall the University of Kentucky Wildcats!

And it will be a barnburner. Ricky Pitino has his Cardinals fired up after a shocker at Minnesota, losing 70-64. Coming out in their next game and torching UAB and Robert Vaden, 82-62.

And other than a shocker against Western Kentucky on Nov. 30^th, 54-68 on a neutral court, Louisville comes in ranked 18^th, and 8-3 after a one point stunner against UNLV on Dec. 31^st, before the highly anticipated match up on Jan. 4^th.

The Wildcats of Kentucky come in 11-3, riding a six game win streak. After a shocker in the opener against VMI, the Cats have “stayed the course” of the warm up season, losing to powerhouse and no. 1 UNC, and at the time no. 21 ranked Miami (Fla), and dominating most everyone else.

Though their last close win was against a pesky Florida Atlantic. The Cats bounced back to put away Central Michigan by 32 pts.

Though the Cards will be ranked lower, and maybe even fall out of the top 25 this weekend, that is the indication of their near collapse of late. Samardo Samuels and Edgar Sosa were shut down with Sosa being benched in the loss to Minnesota after sloppy play. Samuels has rebounded some, and Sosa is still struggling.

The Cats are coming in with Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks heating up. Meeks is averaging 24.1 ppg, while Patterson is at 19.3 ppg and 9.4 rpg.

Perry Stevenson is contributing heavily on the boards and blocked shots. While freshman DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller are maturing, with Liggins finally having the confidence to take over the offense when needed. Miller has a bit more to go but still Billy G. has the confidence to give him some on the job training.

This could be UK’s last chance to get a key victory to maybe finally gather some votes for a top 25 ranking, as the SEC season is upon us. Despite wins over a now surging West Virginia and Kansas St., the Cats have not garnered any respect as it comes to the top 25 rankings.

The Wildcats have to dominate inside, while shooting good shots. Get the ball in to Patterson, free up Meeks for the three-pointer, have Liggins penetrate for the lay-up or pass out to the perimeter for the jump shot. If the Cats pull this one out, it would be a big momentum boost going into conference play with a seven game win streak, facing two of their top three foes right off the bat.

The SEC is touted as weaker than it has been in the past years; however, the most of the Cat’s opponents in conference play have formidable records with the worst at this time being the 8-5 Mississippi St Bulldogs.

The Cats could dominate, and don’t be surprised when they beat Tennessee to win the SEC East. Vanderbilt, LSU, and Tennessee will be their toughest opponents. As usual and in most conferences, road games will be key all around the SEC, where even the best can fall at any time.

UK by many experts were picked to be third in the SEC East, however, they are showing that they will contend for the regular season title, and have the ability to put together streaks to possibly win the SEC Tourney.