#1 - 1998 (10-0)
#2 - 1992 (8-2) I don't think even the most hardcore of Kentucky fans expected a 10-0 start, yet that is where John Calipari has the Cats for the first time since 1992-1993 season when Rick Pitino's team started 11-0. There was lots of apprehension headed into this week after UK's narrow win over North Carolina as UK headed away from Rupp for two big tests. On Wednesday night, John Wall added to his growing legend and helped lead UK to a 64-61 win over UConn. Then on Saturday, the Wildcats won at Assembly Hall for the first time since Joe B Hall pulled out a 68-66 win on December 6, 1980 (remember, this game was at neutral courts for virtually forever). Regardless, UK is 10-0 and just a mere two games from the historic 2000th win with their 90-73 win over Indiana.
UNC ends up losing another game in the race to 2000 this week due to the fact they just played one game. The Tar Heels bounced back from their loss to UK with a 103-64 win over Presbyterian on Saturday night.
THIS WEEK: Kentucky eases into the cupcake portion of their schedule with a game Saturday Night at Rupp against Austin Peay. The Tar Heels also have just one game this week, also on Saturday. Their tough schedule cocontinues as they travel to Arlington Texas, to face the #2 Texas Longhorns.
FORECAST: UK will continue their roll with an easy win at Rupp against the Governors. In all reality, UK could be 14-0 heading into their game at Rupp against the Dirty Cards. As for the Tar Heels? It's very hard to pick against Texas at all this season and even harder in their home state. I look for Texas to give the Tar Heels their 3rd loss of the season. This will be the last time the Heels lose for a while though. After this loss, UNC has four very winnable games before starting ACC play.
Look for Kentucky to gain another game this week, so on Monday morning, the next edition of "The Race to 2000" will look like this: Kentucky 1999, UNC 1992. In case you are looking ahead, the Cat's first shot at 2000 will be Monday Night, December 21, @ Rupp versus Drexel and yes, that game will be televised on ESPN-U.
2 comments:
I'm actually rooting FOR North Carolina to beat Texas. With Villanova losing last night, if the Tarheels pull the upset, then we'll be #2 next week. We've virtually got them beat to 2,000 already. That one game isn't going to make a difference.
I see what you are saying but I would rather see North Carolina denied that 1993rd win. I really won't rest easy on that all time wins thing till we are back up 15 or so... Plus, I don't put as much stock into the rankings in December... as long as we get a 1-2 seed, I am happy
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