Battle of THE Blue Bloods

I was in Rupp Arena for the 2017 clash between #2 Kansas & #4 Kentucky.  The atmosphere was everything you could want for a top-5 matchup between two winningest programs in NCAA Men's Basketball history.  Then, Kentucky at #1 all-time with Kansas being a close second and gaining.  What ended in a 79-73 loss for Kentucky, was still a great game.  Kentucky shot out to an early lead with a second-half back and forth, ultimately leading to Kansas pulling away late.  I left disappointed, but Fox, Monk, and Bam put on a show.  Both teams left feeling like they were National Championship contenders.  Today, the Jayhawks flock back to the Bluegrass.  Entering Rupp as the all-time wins leader with 2,357 compared to Kentucky's 2,353 victories.

A few weeks ago, this was a game that Kentucky fans, like myself, were dreading.  Was this going to be another national embarrassment of the recent Coach Cal era?  After getting run off the court in Tuscaloosa only to be followed up by a Quad-4 loss at home against South Carolina.  Looking at the remaining schedule was like looking at your own death sentence.  To Cal's credit, he did what he is paid to do as the state's highest paid employee.  This was not working, so he went back to the kitchen and cooked up a masterpiece.  

The Basketball Bennies

Wallace, Fredrick, Reeves, Toppin, and Tshiebwe.  It's not hyperbole, this is Kentucky's perfect lineup, and arguably the best lineup in college basketball currently.  Since its conception, Kentucky has won 4-straight SEC games including at #5 Tennessee.  In their first 19-games, the "bennies" played just under 57-minutes on the court together.  That five has a +/- of nearly +50.  Compared to the original starting five consisting of Wheeler, in place of Fredrick, at a +/- of only +7.18 in double the amount of time.

The incorporation of Fredrick is what I, and others, have been clamoring for.  It's what we thought was coming to fruition with the past additions of Johnny Juzang, Jemarl Baker, and Bluegrass-bred Dontaie Allen.  Embracing the modern era of basketball and spacing the floor.  With Reeves, Wallace, and Fredrick all averaging above 35% from 3-point land, defences now have to spread out to religiously cover the additional areas of attack.  This allows for two things.  One, open cutting and passing lanes which allows for ball movement.  This increased movement and space allows for the athletes of Wallace, Reeves, and Toppin to exploit and attack the basket.  And two, Tshiebwe, the nation's leading rebounder at 13.9 rpg, is able to have one-on-one battles under the basket.  This allows for more points per possession and second chance points opportunities.

These improvements have allowed for Kentucky to ride a 4-game win streak into a primetime matchup against #9 Kansas.  Kansas on the flipside are on a 3-game skid.  With losses to Big XII rivals Kansas St, TCU, and Baylor.  All of whom are ranked and two of which were on the road.  With a 3-4 record against ranked opponents, Kansas has to pick up some momentum to prevent sliding further down the Big XII conference standings and outside the top-10.  This game will be a great litmus test for both teams.  Are the Jayhawks and Wildcats contenders or pretenders?

If Kentucky wins, they will now have two top-10 wins after an abysmal start.  Kentucky will most likely be ranked and well on their way to battling for the SEC crown.  However, if they lose, is it back to the drawing board?  With a very low-scoring win against Tennessee and 3-wins against probable non-tournament teams, is Kentucky actually "good"?  I think it depends on how the game is to play out.  

Kentucky cannot start the game how they have all season.  Even during their winning streak, the Cats have a terrible habit of starting out the game with 0-4 points in the 4-minutes of gametime.  Essentially, gifting the opposition with a 10-4 advantage to start the game.  Kansas isn't Georgia or A&M.  If it starts and ends in a blowout like the one against Alabama, Kentucky will most likely make the tournament but will be around a 9-seed and be out in the first weekend.  However, if they lose a tight match up, like the one in 2017, that shows we can compete with the best.  Similarly with the 2017 team, I would expect this team to go deep in March.  

A returning Naismith Player of the Year, NBA talent, and veteran transfer guards.  Kentucky has the talent necessary to compete at the highest levels and fight for #9.  Coupled with a constantly rotating top-10 and no "great" teams, Kentucky has a shot to make magic happen with the Basketball Bennies.  All of the storied Wildcat runs have earned timeless nicknames.  Will the Basketball Bennies join the ranks of Rupp's Runts, The Fiddlin' Five, or The Unforgettables?  Only time can tell, but it feels like this team is starting to look more and more like Kentucky.

8:00pm on ESPN.  Rupp Arena.  Bill Self's toupee isn't in Kansas anymore.