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Kentucky coach John Calipari asks, where do my 'Cats stand statistically within the SEC?

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Ten games into the season, and the Kentucky Wildcats are sporting a pristine 10-0 record, with two wins against top-15 competition.  OK, so you already knew that, but do you know how UK stands within the conference in the many statistical categories?  If not, prepare yourself for an onslaught of SEC stats, standings, as well as enough conference information to make one forget about Bob Knight and his "unamusing" musings.

After the jump comes ... the rest of the story.

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More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

Kentucky coach John Calipari asking for directions to "that place Knight use to coach."

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Today's 12:00 pm EST (CBS) match-up between the No. 4 ranked Kentucky Wildcats (9-0), and Indiana Hoosiers (4-4) at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, marks the renewal of Kentucky's original rivalry game.  The 'Cats and Hoosiers have hooked up 52 times since 1924, with 44 of those games being played since 1965.  The rivalry has been peppered with colorful characters, close games, upsets, wide margins, and landscape-changing contests.  It's a rivalry that has eclipsed time, and today stands as one of the hottest non-conference rivalries in college basketball. 

UK versus IU elicits varying images, based on which side of the Ohio River ones loyalty lies, but for me, when I think of Indiana, I think of ...  

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More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

More, please.

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With the basketball 'Cats fresh off their 68-66 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels, and the football 'Cats officially going country with their third Music City Bowl invite in four years, there is much happening in the world of Kentucky sports.  While normally I write about a particular event or topic, today I'm going to venture into the realm of diversification and include in this post thoughts on the happenings of UK basketball and football.

For more, make the jump with me:  

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More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

It's time for Kentucky to flush the past four years.

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This is what college basketball in the Bluegrass is all about. 

UK versus North Carolina; the two winningest programs in the history of college basketball.  UCLA, Kansas, Indiana, and Duke, although great programs, will always be pretenders when it comes to claiming the title of "King of College Basketball."  No, that illustrious title belongs to ... at present, the Tar Heels of North Carolina: Two national championships in the last five years; three Final Fours in the last five seasons; a 183-38 overall record (.828) since the 2003-'04 season (Roy Williams' first in Chapel Hill); a 72-24 conference record (.750) in the last six years; winners of five straight games over UK; and a 21-4 NCAA Tournament record since Williams took over the reins from the deposed Matt Doherty. 

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More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

Early term grades are out, and a celebration is in order.

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With the "soft" portion of the Kentucky schedule now in the rear-view mirror, and dates with No. 10 North Carolina, No. 14 Connecticut, No. 20 Louisville, and Indiana looming large in Big Blue's headlights, it's time to cast a critical eye toward the progress of this youthful edition of the 'Cats.  We've all heard and read John Calipari plead for patience with this group ... don't expect too much, too soon, has been his oft-heard mantra.  And while I certainly agree this team is an unfinished work of art, following closely the evolution of Cal's (would be) masterpiece is too tempting to toss aside.

For the particulars, follow me after the jump:

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More photos » by John Amis - AP

Kentucky running back Derrick Locke will hopefully show his backside to the Volunteer defenders.

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We all know about the streak.  We all are embarrassed by the streak.  We're all tired of the streak.  Afterall, losing 24 straight to any school, in any sport, is repulsive to most sports fan's sense of fair play.  It's simply no fun playing the nail, opposite Tennessee's (6-5, 3-4) ball-peen hammer. 

But this game tonight (7:00 PM) isn't about the streak.  It isn't about 24 years of blowouts, near-misses, and overtime heartache.  Rather, this game is about second place in the SEC East.  Nothing else matters.  All the pontificating about streaks are merely window dressing compared to the importance of the game at hand ... the importance of Kentucky (7-4, 3-4) overcoming major injuries to star players, the preseason loss of All-SEC defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, of having to play 11 straight games, and of losses that should have been wins ... for this program to still rise to a  high level of accomplishment in spite of the adversity speaks volumes about the character of the young men wearing the blue and white, and about the elevated level of talent Rich Brooks and staff have brought to Lexington.  And in a year where most predictors of such events had the Wildcats finishing considerably south of second place, for UK to play in the Outback or Chick-Fila Bowl would certainly be an attention-getter both nationally, and within the borders of the Commonwealth. 

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More photos » by John Amis - AP

Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks gives his thanks, now it's my turn.

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Still basking in the afterglow of unexpected victory after Kentucky's 34-27 triumph over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, I suddenly find myself in a thankful mood.  Thankful for not only the UK win, but upon reflection, thankful for those who have propelled the football program forward in 2009, instead of settling for a "rebuilding" year.  It would have been easy for the team to call it a year after starting quarterback Mike Hartline was injured six games ago, but this squad has persevered.  

We've settled for less than acceptable results in the football program for far too long around these parts, but now, with four straight bowl games imminent, and a possible 4-4 SEC mark (and gasp, second place in the SEC East) looking UK squarely in the face mask, it's time to give up the kudos for those who go to battle every Saturday ... to those who fight through pain and injury ... and to those who sacrifice.  A little recognition for achievements not enjoyed at Kentucky in a very long time is also in order, so after the jump, join me in giving some props to the warriors who are right for the fight ...

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More photos » by Wily Low - AP

Will UK fans tear down the goal posts on an opponent's field?

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UK (6-4, 2-4 SEC), coming off a victory at Vanderbilt which secured the 'Cats' bowl eligibility, tackles the 6-4 (4-3 SEC) Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Georgia tonight at 7:45 EST.  Kentucky, hoping to improve the chances of playing a bowl game outside the state of Tennessee, haven't beaten the Bulldogs in Athens since 1977, a 33-0 'Cat-washing of the pre-Hershel Walker Bulldogs.

If UK clinches a winning season tonight, this is who they must execute the coup-de-tat against ... after the jump:

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More photos » by James Crisp - AP

UK point guard John wall scores over Rider's Justin Robinson.

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Kentucky came to play this afternoon in the Wildcats' 92-63 victory over the Rider Broncs, that much is not up for debate.  Impressive not only on the offensive end, the 'Cats brought their hard hats to the defensive end of the court, as John Calipari's club dropped the hammer on the Broncs' outside game, which should be a welcome sight to UK's coaching staff as well as Big Blue fans everywhere. 

For more of the good stuff, follow me after the jump:

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John Calipari imploring his team to defend ... at least that's what I hope he's doing.

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Nobody ever said defense optional basketball isn't fun to watch.  Well, wait, allow me to amend that statement -- UK does play pretty good post defense, allowing opponents to make only 19 of 61 two-point shots (31.3%) through their first three games.  But when opponents make a combined 33 of 69 three-point attempts (47.8%), as did Miami and Sam Houston State, their abysmal two-point average is rendered a little less meaningful. 

As the numbers shout to us, the perimeter "defense" ain't pretty, but isn't it good enough (for now) that these 'Cats are capable of illuminating the scoreboard at a blissful rate, especially if teams choose to run and gun.  Of course, some of UK's future opponents will opt for the Morehead blueprint of slowing the game down by using up as much of the 35-second shot clock as possible.  What's encouraging, though, is that these youthful 'Cats have been tested by both offensive philosophies, and have thrice come out the winner.  But, as sure as Nicholas Cage will drop a cool two-million on a Cessna, UK's competition level will be increasing in the very near future.  For a look at where the 'Cats need to improve, and where they are thriving, follow me after the jump.

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