Dizzy Gillespie

Billy Gillespie must be wondering which way is up, and if his Cats will ever find it. Kentucky entered last night's crucial matchup at South Carolina fresh off a nationally televised pasting of Tennessee. The win completed a season sweep of the Vols and left the Cats in good position to win the SEC East.

Patrick Patterson was again healthy, Jodie Meeks had been as good as any guard in the country over the past two months and the Kentucky role players looked like they actually had roles they were capable of fulfilling.

Enter the Gamecocks. Lexington native Darrin Horn's South Carolina squad utilized a smothering defense to force turnover after turnover and their interior defense sent a school-record 16 shots back at Kentucky shooters. The Wildcats looked hopelessly lost and unable to compete, falling by a 18 point margin that underscores how non-competitive the game was.

Now, a new reality and a sense of urgency accompanies Coach Gillespie's 'Cats; the very real possibility of being excluded from the NCAA tourney for the first time since probation rocked the Commenwealth in the early 1990's. At 19-9, (8-5) Kentucky is by no means dead, but better play well in their final three contests; two of which are very loseable games. LSU brings their 12 game conference win streak to Lexington on Saturday, followed by a visit from Georgia and a season-ending trip to Gainesville. Two of three puts some presure on them to win a game in the SEC tourney; one of three means they may need to get to the final.

Coach Gillespie remarked that it is the first time in his coaching career that this late in the season he had no idea what to expect from his team. However, I imagine he is learning well what to expect from the Big Blue faithful. The seat gets hotter when things get this tight. A trip to the NIT? Well, lets just say there is a real good chance Billy won't need to worry about how the 'Cats will play next year...

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