When Does the First L Come?

by:Patrick Barker12/16/09
ncb_u_jwall1_576 After getting past the three game gauntlet which Coach Cal said would prove where we were, the Cats have to be feeling pretty good about their chances of going undeafeated out-of-conference.  With Austin Peay, Drexel, Long Beach State and Hartford the next four, it would take a major slip-up to not have a 14-0 start to the season.  Then the Filthy Cards come to town.  Does anybody really believe the Cards stand a shot at winning in Rupp?  I suppose that the argument could be made that it's a rivalry game, emotions will be high and that might cause a closer game than some might think, but I think that's just a pipe dream. So let's go on the assumption that the Cats start 15-0 before entering conference play.   So when does the first loss come? I tend to agree with SI's Seth Davis that the Cats won't lose until January 26th at South Carolina.  I don't know why, but USC is always a tricky place to play.  Any W you get there is a good one, no matter how bad they may be.   Of course, this means that UK wins at Florida.  For some reason, Florida doesn't really scare me this year.  They've obviously gotten off to a very good start, but I can't see it lasting.  I don't have any inside information, but I see Florida losing it come conference play. So there you have it.  According to me (and Seth Davis), UK should be 19-0 heading to Columbia.  Of course, it wouldn't surprise in me the least if John Wall made Devan Downey cry by halftime and the Cats win by 30.  But you have to be feeling good about at least being unbeaten heading into conference play.  The last time that happened?  The Jamal Mashburn-led '92-'93 team that went 9-0. The precedent has been set.  Go undefeated, make the Final Four.  Go Cats.

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