If Kentucky does go undefeated in the regular season

[buster3.0]

If UK does go undefeated in the regular season?

Frankly, I think they will go unbeaten in the regular season and SEC tournament. There is just no team out there remaining that can beat them. I guess if UK does lose it is because UK beats themselves, which all great teams in the past were capable of doing. There are just so many things about this UK team that makes them immune to an upset. The big one is depth. Foul trouble? No problem. Fatigue? Not an issue? Your best scorers are ice cold? Not a problem. This team doesn't really rely too heavily on 1 or 2 players. Going 9 deep, with little drop off between the first five and second 4 gives UK protection against many of the things that causes great teams to get upset. Another thing is that this team relies on great defense, not offense. Relying on a great offense to sustain you can blow up in your face if you are ice cold one night or a team has figured out how to defend you (ie Zone Defense).

That being said, does it make you nervous to be unbeaten going into the NCAA tournament? It seems like a bad omen. I keep thinking about that 1975 Indiana team or 1991 UNLV team. The competition and pressure only becomes greater the further you advance in the tournament.

 

[yabbadabbadoo]

Not too worried really.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

1. These kids are at the University of Kentucky playing for a legitimate contender. They already have the weight of the world on their shoulders. That's part of the reason they came here.

2. Any single-game elimination format brings the highest levels of pressure imaginable. I'm not sure your scenario would add anything to that and I'm also uncertain that being 38-0 going into the Final Four is any different than Ohio State and Oregon being 12-0 going into the BCS national championship game.

What's the difference from a psychological standpoint?

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Throw in Wichita St last yr.
However, as the op stated the depth on this UK team cures alot of ills.
Plus factor in the depth is all at different positions, ie Ulis at PG, Booker at SG, Dakari at C and Lee at PF.
Cal has assembled a juggernaut.

 

[KentuckyWildcat4Life]

There is no program with talent like Kentucky has this year. Kentucky will go undefeated. So sit back and enjoy every minute of it.

 

[BlueSince92]

What Son of Saul said.

There is no law of averages. If this year's squad can take a title undefeated, that will take a huge monkey off the back of all our teams going forward in this era. (And it will finally let the air out of all the "brother can you spare a loss" posts.)

 

[uk78]

Not too long ago we almost lost on our home court and had to go into overtime on the road as well. So, all those factors the OP mentioned didn't stop that from happening. I think Kentucky could get beat if they face a team with a productive center and hot outside shooting. But, only if their own outside shooting and productive centers don't equally achieve for Kentucky.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

So many factors weigh into an undefeated season:
1. Being extremely talented and deep.
2. Schedule (not playing but a couple of extremely tough true road games...U of L is it this yr. for UK and that's ultra rare)and playing in a conference where you are the only top 25 team helps a lot too.
3. Winning close games ( UK has already won an OT game and a 2 OT game)
4. Being lucky/fortunate ( If UK doesn't steal the ball late v Rebs we probably lose and if Lyles doesn't come up with offensive rebound and 2 made FTs at AM with 6 tics we definitely lose.)

So as you can see the recipe is there and it's extremely rare that's why it has almost been 4 decades since it's been done!

Kentucky may or may not go 40-0 but there is no denying that nearing the midway point that the recipe is there!