Christmas Pudding

The Kentucky basketball team continues to lick it's wounds after a narrow loss at Indiana last Saturday in Bloomington.  The loss has left many fans questioning the toughness of this team and in particular their pre-season All American, Terrance Jones.  Questions have been raised that can only be answered as this young team hopefully matures.  True the crowd in Indiana was off the charts, but hostile crowds have always been a staple in the SEC.  Maybe they get a pass for feeling this intensity for the first time.

Now Kentucky embarks on what is probably the softness part of their schedule.  Games with Chattanooga, Samford, Loyola-Md, and Lamar precede a show down of top five teams on New Years Eve with Louisville.  The importance of these games is not the Sports Center type plays that are sure to come out of these games against over matched opponents, it's how much this team can take from defeat and apply it to getting better.  Will they bring intensity, and a work ethic that shows a willingness to get better?

It's Christmas time and the fans will be in a festive mood.  Many will come to Rupp to see their beloved Cats for the very first time, and naturally hope to see some spectacular dunks and sizzle.  But don't lose sight of the fact that this can be a time to improve and set the standard for what can be the start of a magical time in the Big Blue Nation.  Christmas pudding is a wonderful treat this time of year, but don't forget the turkey and the trimmings.