Kentucky basketball needs one more win for perfection

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Kentucky basketball has had a historic season as the boys in blue have marched through their schedule and have yet to drop a loss. Now, we are a week into march and a suffering Florida Gators squad will make their way into one of the toughest places to play in college basketball, Rupp Arena, in what will be the Wildcat’s final outing to fulfill perfection in the regular season.

Since the tournament era began in 1938, seven teams have gone undefeated in the regular season that went on to win the NCAA Championship. The most recent team to go undefeated in the regular season? I think most will be able to remember, the Wichita State Shockers of last year, and the team that UK was able to upset in the round of 32 in the Wildcats run to the championship game.

Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats /

Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky looks to continue with the best start in school history, and their quest for perfection with a victory over the .500 Gators. Billy Donovan and company have only won three out of their last nine outings, including a four game losing streak in which they lost to the Wildcats in Gainesville by seven. Florida however will enter today’s game winning their previous two contests over Tennessee and Texas A&M.

The key to the win for the Wildcats will to crash the boards like they do so well. The Gators are a not too glamorous in that category, coming into today with a 224 ranking in rebounding, only finding 33.4 per outing. Kentucky on the other hand ranks in at 17th with 38.5 per game.

Juniors Michael Frazier II and Dorian Finney-Smith will be key for the Gators if they want to find success among Big Blue Nation. The two compiled for 26 total points in the last meeting between the two squads.

The Wildcats, plain and simple just need to keep up with what they have been doing – but of course you didn’t need me to tell you that. Coach John Calipari continues to utter how special this team is with a statement he released at yesterday’s pregame media opportunity.

"I told them we have limited time together, let’s do everything together because this is a unique group."

More from Bluegrass Dominion

Today could be bitter sweet. Assuming the Wildcats win the game as projected, Big Blue Nation will be able to celebrate its team’s best start (and finish) in school history with 31-0 perfection in the regular season. However, today could be sad as well, as BBN will witness the beginning of the final chapter to this great team’s story, the post season. It has been such a memorable run this regular season, so let’s gear up for one more go around with this “unique” team here in the Bluegrass.

Here’s all the info you’ll need for tonight’s tilt.

Date: March 7th, 2015

Tip-off Time: 2:00 p.m. ET

TV Channel: CBS

Radio: NewsRadio 630 WLAP (Flagship) (Full list of UK Sports Network affiliates)

Live Stream: CBSSports.com

Next: 30-0, One-and-Done's, Two Championship Games in Three Years. Is Kentucky Killing College Hoops?