Beyond the Tweak: Tournament Environment Benefits the Cats
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Photo © Paul Abell[/caption]
Much has been made about the tweak heard round the basketball world. I must shamefully admit that I am in the group Cal referred to when he said that many people would not be able to spot said tweak. Outside of a complete turnaround in attitude, effort, confidence, and improved execution, I can't point to anything basketball-wise that Kentucky is doing differently. But things certainly have changed.
Even in the darkest of times--so like, three days ago--no one was denying the talent of this loaded roster. What people were questioning, is what in the world was preventing these guys from playing up to their obvious potential. In fact, many people had stopped questioning anything about this team. They were simply resigned to what appeared to be a season doomed for mediocrity. Something has happened in the past two days that has people tweaking their tune, however.
I would like to advance a theory (since my basketball IQ isn't high enough to spot the mysterious tweak) that has more to do with the nature of this years Kentucky player than anything else. Our young team is suited for tournament basketball. Anyone who has ever been to a conference or NCAA tournament game can attest to the fact that the environment in the building is completely different than that of a game in Rupp Arena, on the road, or even at a neutral site. The arena is packed with multiple teams, diluted with fans of various allegiances (Kentucky fans predominate SEC, but the effect is still there), games are played consecutively, and the winner advances. The entire thing is--dare I say it--very AAU-esque, an advantage for our players not far removed from the loose-style of ball such situations require.
While some teams respond to this environment by heaping insurmountable pressure onto themselves, the opposite has been true of of the Cats. Away from the pressure-cooker of Lexington, in the presence of the choicest, most loyal fans that Big Blue Nation has to offer, this Wildcat team has played as well as they have all year--and it is clear that when they play well, they're hard to beat. It is not only the players that seem to be having fun. Coach Cal is getting in on the action as well, screaming less and smiling more.
I know what you're thinking: "Well this is fun and all, but it can't really mean anything, can it?" After all, a large portion of the fanbase had given up visions (some might say delusions) of grandeur for this season. I'll leave you with this comparison to the 2011 UCONN squad. After going 9-9 in the Big East, losing 7 of their last 11 games, including 4 of their last 5, the Huskies rattled off 11 straight wins en route to a Big East, and more importantly, National Championship. They finished the season 32-9. Were they battle-tested? Of course they were. So is Kentucky (still top 5 in RPI and SOS).
The team that gets hot at the right time . . . stoke the fire tomorrow Cats.
Photo © Paul Abell[/caption]
Much has been made about the tweak heard round the basketball world. I must shamefully admit that I am in the group Cal referred to when he said that many people would not be able to spot said tweak. Outside of a complete turnaround in attitude, effort, confidence, and improved execution, I can't point to anything basketball-wise that Kentucky is doing differently. But things certainly have changed.
Even in the darkest of times--so like, three days ago--no one was denying the talent of this loaded roster. What people were questioning, is what in the world was preventing these guys from playing up to their obvious potential. In fact, many people had stopped questioning anything about this team. They were simply resigned to what appeared to be a season doomed for mediocrity. Something has happened in the past two days that has people tweaking their tune, however.
I would like to advance a theory (since my basketball IQ isn't high enough to spot the mysterious tweak) that has more to do with the nature of this years Kentucky player than anything else. Our young team is suited for tournament basketball. Anyone who has ever been to a conference or NCAA tournament game can attest to the fact that the environment in the building is completely different than that of a game in Rupp Arena, on the road, or even at a neutral site. The arena is packed with multiple teams, diluted with fans of various allegiances (Kentucky fans predominate SEC, but the effect is still there), games are played consecutively, and the winner advances. The entire thing is--dare I say it--very AAU-esque, an advantage for our players not far removed from the loose-style of ball such situations require.
While some teams respond to this environment by heaping insurmountable pressure onto themselves, the opposite has been true of of the Cats. Away from the pressure-cooker of Lexington, in the presence of the choicest, most loyal fans that Big Blue Nation has to offer, this Wildcat team has played as well as they have all year--and it is clear that when they play well, they're hard to beat. It is not only the players that seem to be having fun. Coach Cal is getting in on the action as well, screaming less and smiling more.
I know what you're thinking: "Well this is fun and all, but it can't really mean anything, can it?" After all, a large portion of the fanbase had given up visions (some might say delusions) of grandeur for this season. I'll leave you with this comparison to the 2011 UCONN squad. After going 9-9 in the Big East, losing 7 of their last 11 games, including 4 of their last 5, the Huskies rattled off 11 straight wins en route to a Big East, and more importantly, National Championship. They finished the season 32-9. Were they battle-tested? Of course they were. So is Kentucky (still top 5 in RPI and SOS).
The team that gets hot at the right time . . . stoke the fire tomorrow Cats. 
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