Kentucky Should Be Making NIT Plans

As far as gimme games go for a bubble team, this was the absolute definition of one for Kentucky. They were playing Georgia in Rupp Arena -- a Georgia team that had already fired their coach and only had two conference wins. The Bulldogs were absolutely the best team to get at this point, as their season is circling the drain.

Kentucky absolutely needed the game. It was at home. It was the final home game (and possibly the last night at Rupp for junior Jodie Meeks). It was a must-win, can not lose. Yet, somehow the Wildcats managed to do just that.

---

---

The Wildcats actually got scoring from players other than Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks. Michael Porter, Ramon Harris, Perry Stevenson and Darius Miller all made vital contributions. The problem was that Kentucky played no defense.

A Georgia team that has shot 41 percent on the season and 34 percent from outside the arc, shot 50 percent against Kentucky and was a ridiculous 11-of-18 on 3-point shooting. Terrance Woodbury went for 30 points to lead the Bulldogs.

Georgia, a team that was 11-18 and 2-12 in the SEC, showed more heart and pride than Kentucky. The Bulldogs out-rebounded the Wildcats by nine. They went after loose balls. Georgia just outplayed Kentucky.

In just about any other year, this would be the final nail in Kentucky's coffin for the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats have lost seven of their last 10 and have played miserably in the final month.

Yet, with the lack of a lot of good mid-major teams and so many other bubble teams stumbling in the final weeks, well, it still seems possible Kentucky could get into the NCAA Tournament with a win at Florida on Saturday and a few more in the SEC Tournament.

Of course, with the way they are playing, that still seems like a stretch.