Kentucky Wildcats: Right on Track for Historical Season

The Kentucky Wildcats basketball team is 7-0 as it enters Saturday's contest with the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The Wildcats have a new coach, new roster, new system and new expectations this season. They have shown flashes of brilliance, but for the most part, they are playing exactly as they should be playing at this point. They are making mistakes, they are adjusting to the speed of the game at this level, they are learning a new offensive system and at times - they are struggling. Most importantly, with a roster that is filled with new faces, Kentucky is still working on becoming a basketball team.

Here is a newsflash for even the most optimistic of Kentucky fans: this team is going to lose soon. I do not want to scare you, but they could easily lose Saturday against the Tar Heels. In fact, they could lose 2-3 times before entering SEC play. In all likelihood, they will lose 2-3 times in the Southeastern Conference, which is a little stronger than anticipated this season. That would be 4-6 losses if it holds true, but there is more. I think this team will almost certainly lose at least 1-2 games that no one expects them to lose. Perhaps to a mid-major team that heats up for one magical night or possibly to a lowly SEC team on the road. You can mark it down though, there will be an unexpected loss or two (or maybe more).

What I am telling you is that this is the most talented roster that Kentucky has had possibly in the last decade, but it will require a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication and time to reach the expectations that already surround the program.

The good news is that they are right on track to reach those expectations. The talent is in place. John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson are as good as any trio in the country from a talent perspective. Eric Bledsoe, Darius Miller, Daniel Orton and Darnell Dodson are not far behind. Add in role players such as Ramon Harris, Perry Stevenson, DeAndre Liggins and Jon Hood and Kentucky is loaded.

Here is what I know: Kentucky will lose. They may lose 8-10 games. That is part of the process that comes with the learning curve created by youth, inexperience and a major program transition.

Here is the good news: Kentucky has the talent, depth, coaching experience, leadership, guard play and tradition to win a national championship - this year.

Here is my advice: Do not have a meltdown each time that Kentucky has a sub par performance, even if they lose. If they lose to Austin Peay at Rupp Arena, do not purchase FireCoachCal.com or say things you will later regret on message boards. It is a process and that process lasts until March. Stick behind the program and be a True Blue Fan and this process may just last into April.