John Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats are trying to become the first team to go undefeated since Bob Knight’s Indiana Hoosiers in 1976. There are a few reasons this feat is so hard to achieve, and one is quite simple: Young players don’t always know how to handle the highs and lows of the season, which is longer than high school. Even for a Kentucky team that boasts a record nine McDonald’s All-Americans, maintaining composure is not easy.
Former No. 1 pick Anthony Davis told The Huffington Post last week that he personally guarantees his team will win. But despite his assurances, let’s take a look at three reasons why UK might not take home the ninth title in school history.
GUARD PLAY
–
For what it’s worth, the SEC is not as downtrodden as some people might think, although it’s devoid of another elite team capable of making a deep run in March. Kentucky has three high quality wins — Kansas, North Carolina and Louisville — where it out-classed teams with its superior size and athleticism. Even so, it will be very interesting to see how its youthful roster handles the immense pressure of the one-and-done format. And that, above all else, could prevent the Wildcats from a second national championship under Calipari.
Email me at jordan.schultz@huffingtonpost.com or ask me questions about anything sports-related at @Schultz_Report and follow me on Instagram @Schultz_Report. Also, be sure and catch my NBC Sports Radio show, Kup and Schultz, which airs Sunday mornings from 9-12 ET, right here.
