Not Jerry Tipton's Friday Basketball Notebook

The 2013-14 season is here, and Kentucky will spend the entirety of it trying to atone for the disaster was the 2012-13 season. John Calipari’s team is trying to do something that no team in the history of college basketball has ever done: Win a national championship relying primarily on 6 freshmen who were McDonald’s All Americans. With a disappointing loss to Michigan State, the team will fail to reach its ultimate goal of perfect season, and will instead try to console itself with a national title. To stay apprised and educated, follow me on Twitter @NotJerryTipton. Here’s the weekly notebook: *You're the One: Though the season has just begun, UK fans have to be disappointed with head coach John Calipari. Last Spring, Coach Cal opted to kick point guard Ryan off the team, and banished him to Georgia State. Calipari then decided to cast his lot with the unproven Andrew Harrison. So far, so not good. In his opening game, Harrow went for 20 points, 6 assists and 1 turnover. Then, against SEC Vanderbilt (the same Vanderbilt who broke Kentucky’s heart in the 2012 SEC Tournament), Harrow had 27 points, 4 assists and a single turnover. Compare this to Harrison, who managed a mere 8 points (vs. UNC-Asheville), 2 assists (vs. Northern Kentucky) and 1 rebound (vs. Michigan State). Bet most Cat fans would love a do over. *It Only Hurts When I Cry: On Tuesday, Kentucky was routed by Michigan State, 78-74. While it’s true that the game was played 4 months before the NCAA Tournament, past history tells us that the season is pretty much over at this point. Why? Because no Kentucky team has ever won an NCAA title after losing an early season game in this fashion. The 1995-96 champs did lose to UMass early on that year, but those Cats were a veteran squad, and were playing with Tony Delk out of position at the point, so that really doesn’t count. And yes, the 1997-98 team lost to Arizona early on, but that Zona team was defending national champs, unlike MSU. So, apples/oranges. And the 2011-12 UK team lost to Indiana early on in that championship season, but the Hoosiers proved their worth by starting off the next season ranked #1 in America. So unless these Cats plan on doing something that’s never been done in the billions of years planet Earth has been in existence, then their title hopes are dead. Is it 2014 football season yet? *Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose: In UK’s first 3 games of the season, Julius Randle has been absolutely dominant, averaging 24 points and 14 rebounds per game. This does not bode well for Kentucky. No UK team has ever won a national championship while having a true freshman putting up those kinds of numbers. For example: The Cats’ most celebrated freshman ever, Anthony Davis, was only able to manage 14 points and 10 boards a game. But by having one player so thoroughly dominate the game, Kentucky is running the risk of becoming a one man show. No other recent title winner has had a true freshman put up these kinds of numbers, which means that if the Cats want to placate the ever-demanding Big Blue Nation, Randle will need to not be so good. Does he have it in him? (Hint: No.) * On this date: On this date in 1947, Louisville was on its way to its first of the 5 national championships they claim, which the Cards would punctuate by beating Indiana State in the NAIA Tournament finals.