The Cats could use a Morgantown Miracle

Wake up frustrated this morning? You’re definitely not alone.

The Duke hatred welled deep within us all last night, making the forthcoming loss to Florida that much more traumatic. And if we’re being honest with ourselves, the Cats didn’t deserve to win. It was merely late game good fortune that kept Kentucky in the hunt.

The potential behind this UK team is painfully obvious, especially with the addition of Jarred Vanderbilt, but I’m not sure anyone on this planet, including Coach Cal, knows exactly what it will take to make them play up to their capabilities. If it’s gonna happen, one day, it’s just gonna click. And sure, there is plenty of time left before March Madness gets into full swing.

But I can’t think of a better time for the Cats to get their mojo back than when they face off with soon-to-be top 5 ranked West Virginia next weekend.

The de facto main event and potential decider of the Big 12/SEC Challenge, UK vs. WVU will be even more hyped up with College Gameday emanating from Morgantown. And barring a surprising upset bid from TCU tomorrow night, the Mountaineers will enter this game as the AP’s top ranked team from the Big 12.

The Cats will likely enter this game unranked. But for hype purposes, we all know just having “Kentucky” on the jersey will do the trick.

The last two times Cal and Bob Huggins have squared off have both gone in Kentucky’s favor, with UK having knocked WVU out of the 2011 and 2015 NCAA Tournaments. Nonetheless, I’m sure BBN can rally around the 2010 Elite Eight loss yet again.

A loss in Morgantown would likely prove inconsequential. But a win, regardless of the fashion, would earn the youngest team in college basketball some major confidence points. And despite the setbacks that have plagued UK so far this season, confident Cats are still dangerous Cats.

All of this, of course, is assuming we can get past Miss. St. on Tuesday.

@JayWinkKSR