Every past national champion has proven it can win a game in a variety of different ways—be it by virtue of offense, defense or other various intangibles like excellent coaching or the Herculean abilities of star players.
When measured by any of these tests, Kentucky passes with flying colors.
Offensively, the Wildcats average 79.4 points per game, the best mark in the SEC. If Kentucky isn’t slowed offensively, the Wildcats have proven unbeatable this season. When the SEC champions score at least 70 points or more, they are 29-0. Balance has been a calling card of head coach John Calipari’s squad this year, as four Wildcats average double figures in scoring. Freshman phenom John Wall averages 16.9 points and over six assists per game. The prolific point guard has scored at least 11 points in all but two games this season.
Wall has shown that he can win games with his defense as well. Rewind the clocks back to February 20—when Vanderbilt trailed Kentucky at home by one point with under ten seconds left. Commodore guard John Jenkins attempted a game-winning 3-pointer, but Wall would have none of it. The freshman quickly elevated, blocked the shot attempt and grabbed it out of the air to seal the Wildcats’ victory.
Wall was the face of the top recruiting class in the country, but he’s found a strong complement down low. Fellow freshman DeMarcus Cousins, a 6-foot-11 forward, has emerged as a potential lottery pick with his 15.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Cousins has shown that he can carry the team when Wall is cold from the perimeter. Like clockwork, Cousins has scored 19 points in each game when Wall failed to reach double-digits.
Playing in the shadow of Wall is 6-foot-1 guard Eric Bledsoe. The under-recognized Bledsoe is a great three-point shooter, and the guard has exploded for at least 23 points three times this season.
While there are concerns about the Wildcats’ inexperience, veteran leadership comes in the form of junior Patrick Patterson. Patterson was first-team all-SEC last season after averaging 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. With the better supporting cast, Patterson’s production has dropped slightly to 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game this season, but his contributions as a leader cannot be overstated.
On the sidelines, Kentucky is guided by Calipari, who has recent experince in the second week of the tournament. Calipari has reached the Elite Eight five times, including three out of the last four years with Memphis. Just two years ago, Calipari’s Tigers reached the championship game behind star Derrick Rose, but their championship hopes were dashed by Mario Chalmers’s heroic three to push the game into overtime. Calipari was unable to seal the deal in San Antonio, but his Kentucky squad is more well-equipped than any of his teams in Memphis.
The Wildcats enter the tournament on a roll after winning a thriller over Mississippi State to seal the SEC championship. Kentucky has won 12 of its last 13 games, including four against ranked teams.
On Saturday, the Wildcats stomped Tennessee by 29 points on a neutral court. If they can carry this momentum into the Big Dance, they will be an extremely difficult out, and will have a good a chance as any No. 1 seed to become the 2010 champions.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.