LEXINGTON - Now is a good time to take a breath if you are a UK basketball fan.
After last night's 84-52 dismantling of Central Michigan, the Cats have built a six-game winning streak, they scored at least 70 points in all those wins and stand at a solid 12-3.
Breathe in, breathe deep. Because Sunday's game in Louisville marks the point where the training wheels come off for this team.
When all is said and done, 2008 won't have revealed nearly as much about this team as 2009 will. Kentucky entered this season young and talented and full of question marks. They'll kick off the New Year as a team that is still young and talented and full of a few less question marks.
Yes, the Wildcats have looked unstoppable on offense for much of December with Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson staging a two-man competition for SEC Player of the Week honors, but their current winning streak has come against teams with a combined record of 19-50. Not exactly a hard court gauntlet. But don't worry, that will come soon enough.
If the Wildcats are to shine in 2009, here are a few resolutions for Billy Gillispie to keep in his back pocket.
PLAY THE FRESHMEN
Kentucky goes as Meeks and Patterson go, but the third most important cog on this team may be freshman guard DeAndre Liggins. Against the Chippewas, Liggins made his first start of the season. He shot only 3-of-8, but recorded a season-high eight assists in 22 minutes of action. The soft-spoken Liggins' has had his share of early struggles in adjusting to the Division I level, none more well-documented than when he refused to re-enter the West Virginia game, but Gillispie continues to support his self-conscious guard as do his teammates.
"I think he's come a long way just personally in his own life," fellow back court member Michael Porter said of Liggins. "I think that's helped him a lot. He's more inclined to be shy and stuff. I think he's stepped out of his comfort zone a little bit and I think that's really helping him as a player."
Landon Slone has also enjoyed something of a breakout as of late. He found his comfort zone against Central Michigan, bringing energy on defense and hitting his open looks. Slone sparked the Cats off the bench for the second game in a row. He scored eight points and helped UK turn an early deficit into a double digit lead in the first half. He's a crowd pleaser with his hustle and he bleeds Kentucky blue. How can Gillispie not play him?
"It was great, I felt more like myself " not only with my shot, but with my game overall," Slone said.
"Being a spark off the bench, I can help the team defensively. The last two games I've really tried to pride my game on that."
Which brings us to Resolution No. 2:
PRESSURE THE BASKETBALL
Gillispie has always been considered a defensive coach and he's ball pressure since Day One in Lexington. After Monday's game he explained why.
"If you pressure the basketball and you try to keep them from catching it on your wing, your post guys never have to change sides in the post," Gillispie said. "One of the most difficult things in basketball is to change sides on the post against a good post player.
"That's very difficult to do in a 40 minute game because it's hard to wrestle with those guys all the time (Pressure) makes such a difference as far as fouls, help situations, all those kinds of things."
The Wildcats put together a solid 40 minutes defensively Monday, blocking seven shots, forcing 15 turnovers and allowing less than 30 points a half. During their 23-4 run leading into halftime, the Cats held the Chippewas to 1-of-22 shooting " and the one was a goaltending call.
That's tough D.
"I think we're getting better, but in the last four or five games I'm not sure that's anywhere near what we'll be facing (beginning Sunday)," Gillispie said.
Which leads to Resolution No. 3:
BEAT THE RIVAL
U of L-UK always bring with it that extra outside element, that passion and zeal that feeds all heated rivalries, but even a robot could decipher that a win on the road against a ranked opponent would give Kentucky great momentum heading into conference play.
The Cardinals present UK's toughest opponent since its home loss to Miami. A win is tangible evidence that this team has improved in the last month -- in addition to the whole bragging rights thing.
"It's going to be really fun, I can't wait personally," said Sloan, who grew up glued to the boob tube during the annual Cards-Cats grudge match. "Growing up being a big UK fan, it's always been fun watching. I've been to one personally and it was an unbelievable atmosphere."
Even those players that came in from out of state have come to realize the game's significance.
"Every time we see a fan they say, "Beat Louisville,'" Porter, a California kid, said. "That's all they want."
If the Wildcats are going to be fine in 2009, that's what they need.