How's the view from the front of the pack? Ask John Calipari.
While most contenders simply escaped the first few rounds to earn a berth into the NCAA's Sweet Sixteen, Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats set their team bus in cruise control on their way to Atlanta. It's been smooth sailing so far. The Wildcats blasted Western Kentucky and Iowa State by 15 and 16 points, respectively, to earn their third-consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearance. In the aftermath, Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger was quoted as saying, "If they make jump shots, no one beats them."
Most would agree with that.
The region has done no favors for Big Blue Nation — the 3- and 4-seeds survived the opening weekend, including Indiana, which handed Kentucky its lone regular-season loss — but there are few breaks needed when this bunch is hitting its stride. Future NBA draft picks, scary scoring margins and sheer athleticism made Calipari's squad the preeminent favorites back in January and not much has changed since then.
And with injury or eligibility concerns for No. 1 seeds in other regions (North Carolina's Kendall Marshall, Syracuse's Fab Melo), even more is on the line for Kentucky this weekend. So can anyone in the South cause the Wildcats to hit the brakes?
The Competition
vs. Indiana
This has been labeled as "The New Dream Matchup" for this region since, well, Duke sort of ruined any chance of a 20-year reunion of Christian Laettner's shot. Now it's another storyline centered around one Christian's shot — the Hoosiers' Christian Watford's game-winning 3-pointer that sent Kentucky packing back in December.
Tom Crean's Indiana team will enter this game with confidence, knowing that it can and has beaten this loaded Kentucky team once before. On that same note, the Wildcats will come into the game with fire. Calipari said he would not be discussing anger or revenge over that outcome with his team in the lead up to Friday's game. But rest assured — there will be plenty to go around. If Kentucky plays to its potential, not many teams can play to its level, and that includes Indiana.
vs. Baylor/Xavier
A Tu Holloway upset would work wonders for Kentucky, as the short-on-talent-but-high-on-toughness Xavier Musketeers would be a welcome matchup for the Wildcats. Yes, point guard Marquis Teague would have to square off with Xavier's senior preseason All-American Holloway, but the freshman could handle his share of the load. There are mismatches all over the floor if Xavier squeaks into the Elite Eight
However, Baylor presents other issues. The Bears have struggled against top competition this season (3-5 against ranked opponents), but their athleticism throughout the lineup rivals the top-seeded Wildcats. Between the Quincys (Quincy Acy and Miller) and the PJs (Pierre Jackson and Perry Jones III), the Wildcats would need to be in top form.
Keep An Eye On
Kentucky is stocked with future NBA players, each drawing attention at some point or another throughout the season. Many basketball analysts will focus on Teague, who was often dubbed the "weak link" in this Kentucky roster but is coming off his best collegiate performance against Iowa State (24 points, seven assists, four rebounds, two turnovers).
Terrence Jones will be the one to watch this weekend in Atlanta. Jones scored just four points and grabbed one rebound against Indiana in December, essentially a non-factor in the outcome. But when the 6-foot-9 forward is engaged in the game, the Wildcats play at a much higher level. Jones will find himself with more and more space to play in as teams continuously strain their collective neck to locate ever-improving freshman superstar Anthony Davis.
In the tournament, he's put up a 22-point, 10-rebound night against Western Kentucky before scoring just eight points against Iowa State. This team is too loaded for every player to post huge numbers every game, but a couple impressive outings from Jones should have his team heading to Drew Brees' neck of the woods.
Tourney Struggles
Free throws? Pregame meals? Room service?
This is a tough one because of how dominant Calipari's bunch has been this tournament.
The last thing Coach Cal will want to hear in March is free throw problems (here's looking at you, Chris Douglas-Roberts), but it has been a question mark in his team's two losses this season. Kentucky hit 58.8 and 63.2 percent from the line against Indiana and Vanderbilt, respectively.
The team's tourney free throw percentage is just a pinch under its season average, but nothing appears to be overly alarming. Perhaps the only concern is that there has not been a glaring concern to date. Will one rear its ugly head at an inopportune time?
Follow The Leader
Calipari knows what he's doing. He also knows that this is one of the best teams he has ever assembled and clearly the time is now. The job he did in blending this extraordinary collection of talent fittingly earned him consideration for National Coach of the Year awards, but that's hardware he's already claimed. It's old news by now.
Three Final Fours. 539 wins and counting. That national title never looked so attainable.
