Last week, we created a new poll question... "What non-conference game do you want to win the most?" With a few days still left to vote (see side bar), here are the results so far...
1.) North Carolina
After more than sixty votes, the overwhelming majority of us want to see the Cats beat North Carolina the most. This makes sense for several different reasons. Kentucky only has a slim margin remaining over UNC as the winningest program of all time. UK wants to reach 2,000 first, and should, but this game still represents a heavy weight bout between the two most successful programs of all time. Not only that, but North Carolina (along with Kansas) have become the top current programs in all of college basketball today, while we were most recently sent packing for the NIT under the expert direction of Billy Clyde. A win here would mean a lot to our program and could signify an official return for Kentucky as a true national contender. A loss here would hurt... bad.
2.) Louisville
The Cardinals are a distant second, but you can't really downplay the importance of this game either. Calipari and Pitino don't like each other anymore, despite what they tell the media. The fact that they're now in the same state only reheats the rivalry the two once shared in the CUSA. Pitino was our redeeming savior in the 90's, but he left us for greener pastures (get it? green = cash = Celtics... pardon the pun), and UK has never been the same. Despite the national championship in 1998, Kentucky has yet to return to a Final Four and the state of the program has been constantly up and down under Tubby and Clyde. Then enters Cal, and with him, a new sense of excitement and expectation. No UK fan doesn't want to stick it to Ricky P this year. Period.
3.) Sam Houston State
Okay... this was added as a joke, and some of you just couldn't resist the urge. Of course, it is a big game (they all are), and here's why. For the past two seasons, Kentucky has lost home games to a few teams that really had no business playing UK within 20 points, much less beat them on their home floor. VMI, San Francisco, Gardner Webb... these games represented a very low time in the history of our program. We hope and pray those days are over, but a loss to one of these teams this year could really throw a halt on UK's return to the top of College Basketball. But don't worry guys... it ain't going to happen. Not this year. Those days are over... and hopefully for good.
4.) UConn
Here's another big game, maybe not quite as bad as Sam Houston State, but still pretty big. UK plays UConn in Madison Square Garden on ESPN. This is a game that high school recruits make a point to watch and a big win here could be a seed planted into their minds when both Coach Cal and Coach Calhoun coming calling for their services later on. At the very least, it is a nationally televised battle of top 25 teams and the whole College Basketball world will be watching. Gotta' win it.
5.) Indiana
Clearly this game doesn't mean what it used too when Knight's ugly read sweater was still stalking the sidelines. That was when Indiana was still relevant and consistently ranked in the top 25. Now, they're doing good to post double digit wins. However, that will most likely change under the leadership of new coach Tom Crean. When it does, this game will once again mean more to Big Blue Nation.
So, what says you? What game means the most? Be sure to vote in the poll if you haven't already and then post your personal thoughts in the comments section below.
More later... stay tuned.
1.) North Carolina
After more than sixty votes, the overwhelming majority of us want to see the Cats beat North Carolina the most. This makes sense for several different reasons. Kentucky only has a slim margin remaining over UNC as the winningest program of all time. UK wants to reach 2,000 first, and should, but this game still represents a heavy weight bout between the two most successful programs of all time. Not only that, but North Carolina (along with Kansas) have become the top current programs in all of college basketball today, while we were most recently sent packing for the NIT under the expert direction of Billy Clyde. A win here would mean a lot to our program and could signify an official return for Kentucky as a true national contender. A loss here would hurt... bad.
2.) Louisville
The Cardinals are a distant second, but you can't really downplay the importance of this game either. Calipari and Pitino don't like each other anymore, despite what they tell the media. The fact that they're now in the same state only reheats the rivalry the two once shared in the CUSA. Pitino was our redeeming savior in the 90's, but he left us for greener pastures (get it? green = cash = Celtics... pardon the pun), and UK has never been the same. Despite the national championship in 1998, Kentucky has yet to return to a Final Four and the state of the program has been constantly up and down under Tubby and Clyde. Then enters Cal, and with him, a new sense of excitement and expectation. No UK fan doesn't want to stick it to Ricky P this year. Period.
3.) Sam Houston State
Okay... this was added as a joke, and some of you just couldn't resist the urge. Of course, it is a big game (they all are), and here's why. For the past two seasons, Kentucky has lost home games to a few teams that really had no business playing UK within 20 points, much less beat them on their home floor. VMI, San Francisco, Gardner Webb... these games represented a very low time in the history of our program. We hope and pray those days are over, but a loss to one of these teams this year could really throw a halt on UK's return to the top of College Basketball. But don't worry guys... it ain't going to happen. Not this year. Those days are over... and hopefully for good.
4.) UConn
Here's another big game, maybe not quite as bad as Sam Houston State, but still pretty big. UK plays UConn in Madison Square Garden on ESPN. This is a game that high school recruits make a point to watch and a big win here could be a seed planted into their minds when both Coach Cal and Coach Calhoun coming calling for their services later on. At the very least, it is a nationally televised battle of top 25 teams and the whole College Basketball world will be watching. Gotta' win it.
5.) Indiana
Clearly this game doesn't mean what it used too when Knight's ugly read sweater was still stalking the sidelines. That was when Indiana was still relevant and consistently ranked in the top 25. Now, they're doing good to post double digit wins. However, that will most likely change under the leadership of new coach Tom Crean. When it does, this game will once again mean more to Big Blue Nation.
So, what says you? What game means the most? Be sure to vote in the poll if you haven't already and then post your personal thoughts in the comments section below.
More later... stay tuned.
hahahhaahahaha i think i was actually the only one who couldn't resist the urge... i voted for sam houston state 1 time from 3 different computers and it counted them all lol
ReplyDeleteas much as it pains me to give UNC respect, they are at the top of the heap right now and have been since Roy Boy has been in Chapel Hill. That is the spot we want and as Ric Flair would say.. To be the man.. You gotta beat the Man.. I expect some huge match ups with UNC down the road. We owned them while Doherty and Guthridge were there, but it will be so much sweeter to beat them when they are one of the best teams in the country.
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