Kentucky's Victory: As If There Was Ever Any Doubt

The Kentucky Wildcats topped Louisville 69-61 last night in a battle to see who was going to the NCAA finals. Rick Pitino and his team are true fighters, but as if there was ever any doubt. I mean, John Calipari was even asked if his starting lineup of freshmen and sophomores could beat an NBA team if given the opportunity for such an intriguing game. Of course, his modest and very vocal "no" has shut down that operation down, but the question is very valid. Now that Kansas has beaten Ohio State, this Kentucky team knows who will be standing in their way during Monday's championship game. They won't be left standing for long.

Kentucky will be going for another NCAA championship, and it makes me remember those days back in the Bluegrass State. You either wore blue or red, depending on if it was Wildcat basketball season or St. Louis Cardinals baseball season. That covered the whole year in sports, and it was a period of time featuring Ozzie Smith at shortstop for the Cards and Rick Pitino as head coach of the Wildcats. Much has changed over the years, but there are those things that stay the same. Kentucky fans expect nothing less than another NCAA championship banner adorning Rupp Arena, and the team is ready to carry forward tradition and bring it back home.

With Kentucky's starting lineup so young, you would think they would have a solid team for the next few years. UK recruiting will have to get that job done by securing new players, as some of the current players won't be around for long at all. At least a few of them are expected to go pro already at the end of this season. I don't blame them because the rules surrounding college players entering the NBA, and at what age, just really don't cut it. Whichever view you take concerning the situation, it's the NCAA way, and I'm just ready to see UK rise to the top yet again. The Wildcats are ready for Kansas, and tradition is ready for the Wildcats.