Kelsey Tucker

Sports Editor

   After a 29-9 record and an unexpected Final Four bid in last year's season, Wildcat fans were expecting all that and more this year. Losing four stars to the 2011 NBA draft couldn't curb Big Blue Nation's enthusiasm for the 6 freshmen joining the team this year. This season of Kentucky basketball is one to watch.

    Coach John Calipari's third season coaching the Wildcats has been excellent so far. The season started off with the traditional Big Blue Madness on October 14, an introduction of the players and UK's first open practice opportunity. The Blue and White Scrimmage game was held on October 26, another exciting event for UK basketball fans.

    The season began in the beginning of November with Kentucky hosting Transylvania. Kentucky seized the victory, 97-53. Next, Kentucky destroyed Morehouse in Lexington 125-40. Afterward came the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament starting on November 11 when Kentucky faced off against Marist at home, defeating them 108-58. Kentucky played Kansas in New York on November 15, their biggest game to that point, and won 75-65. Kentucky then traveled to Uncasville, Connecticut  to play Penn State and Old Dominion, beating them 85-47 and 62-52, respectively. Kentucky then hosted Radford on November 23, winning 88-40.

    Kentucky continued playing at home on November 26, hosting Portland. The Wildcats claimed victory with an 87-63 score.

    Number one ranked North Carolina came to play in Lexington on December 3. The Kentucky/North Carolina game is always a huge rivalry, and one that is consistently interesting. A block by Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis prevented North Carolina from scoring in the last several seconds of the game, giving Kentucky the chance to score and win the game by one point, 73-72. Freshman Anthony Davis had already been dubbed a standout star before this game-changing play. His signature unibrow and excellent play has inspired phrases such as “Bow to The Brow.”

    On December 10, UK fans were shocked. The now number one Wildcats took on unranked Indiana in Bloomington, expecting a win. However, Indiana was the victor with a buzzer-beater, making the final score 73-72. This upset has further inspired the team to do better. Coach Calipari comments, “I'm proud of my team. I'm proud of how the played and how they gutted it out in the second half, how they played to win.”

    Kentucky's next game is against Chattanooga in Lexington on December 17. Also, an exciting upcoming game is the Louisville rivalry game, which is on New Year's Eve.