[LWC]

Okay, I had time to cool down from the Elite 8 loss.

UK had a great season. I do believe that this was the year to win the title. I am always amazed at how the signature for a Coach Cal team is terrible free-throw shooting. How can he recruit players that are NBA ready but cant hit a free-throw? I digress.

I believe that an Elite 8 is a good season. (Example coming up) It is amazing to me how a team can go 20-14 lose in the 2nd round of their conference tournament and go to the Final 4 is more successful than a team that would go 35-3, win their regular season AND conference tournament, and go to the Elite 8. I know that it is true and I feel the same way but it still amazes me. I bet that Coach Cal could do that and he would be paraded through Lexington like it was Palm Sunday!

I think the Cats can make a Final 4 run in a couple of years. I don't think it will happen next season though. One thing that people forget is that, yes, the Cats had quite a few freshmen, BUT they had Patterson who was a Junior that played like a Senior. There were many games towards the end of the season that he really stepped up when they needed him. Not only on the court but in the classroom as well. A potential lottery pick that actually goes to class! WOW! We wont have that guy next season.

I REALLY liked that Darius Miller started asserting himself more. From his first game as a freshman until last night, you can tell that he has gotten better. It is a hard comparison because he played so poorly against WVU but all of you remember some of his better games. He needs to do is find someone to work with him on his consistency. He has a good shot when it is falling and his confidence carrys him a LONG way, Bledsoe as well.

My official prediction is this:

Nobody comes back: Final 4 of Conference Tournament, NCAA 2nd round appearance

Orton comes back: Final 4 of Conference Tournament, NCAA Sweet 16 appearance

Orton and Bledsoe return: Win Conference Tournament, NCAA Sweet 16 appearance

(By some miracle) either Wall, Patterson OR Cousins return along with Orton and Bledsoe: Win Conference Tournament, NCAA Final 4 appearance.