The Dallas Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since 1995. This was their last appearance. Hell, they haven't even been to the NFC Championship Game since then.
As you know, Kentucky won in 1996, then again in 1998, and again in 2012. They made a total of seven Final Four appearances during that time.
It's clearly the same resume, right? Well, if you ask ESPN's Jay Williams, that might be the case.
“They're the Dallas Cowboys of college basketball,” he said on College GameDay this morning. “…Every year, we're going to hype them because they have all the draft picks. Every year, we talk about Cal. Cal is one of the best players to do it, but he's Am I on the same level as Bill Self?”
Just to be clear, Williams' comments came along with those of about four or five other people who have caused a stir in the college basketball world for all the wrong reasons.He's walking for clickbait – I remember when he pulled. DJ Wagner transfers to Louisville What about the rumors behind him?
His fellow panelists were quick to put him in his place, but Jay Bilas responded, “They haven't won a title since the Cowboys.”
There are actually three.
Bilas, Seth Greenberg and Andraya Carter each responded with a clear consensus: “Let's not panic about Kentucky this season.” The Cats have obvious deficiencies, especially on defense. But if you can't see this team's otherworldly upside, you're blind.
“He's under a lifetime contract. He's not going anywhere,” Bilas said of Calipari. “They didn't have continuity this year. They had to play a smaller lineup because their big men couldn't play early. They also have older players like Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell. But not all of them were healthy at the same time. Their offense was excellent in the national championship and can still score 90 points even when they fall out of bed. Their guards are notable scorers and , four of the top five scorers are guards. It's all about their guard. But their defense is on the bubble right now.
“I think they're going to continue to get better. If they get 10 to 15 percent better by the end of the regular season, they'll be a force in March. It's a question of whether they can execute it this way and be successful. Problem – They've done it this way and they've been successful. They'll continue to be successful. Not all the old teams are playing. Method Better. They're not, they're not. ”
Greenberg also decided to play the Cats, agreeing that there was plenty of runway and a run was very possible before worrying about the ship sinking.
“Thinking about the lineup, thinking about who plays well together and letting them play defense. I think Kentucky will turn it around. I think Kentucky will make a run in the NCAA Tournament,” he said. “They may not have played well tonight, but they have four weeks to strengthen their defense. They're going to be a team that no one wants to play against in March.”
Carter looked at Kentucky's current resume and how the reality of the loss isn't as bad as it appears on paper. While the record hasn't been overwhelming and there are clearly some games the Cats would like to have back, there's still a lot to love about this group.
“It's not like Kentucky is taking a big hit. Their worst loss was to South Carolina, but we're starting to see what South Carolina is about. Everyone was panicking after losing three straight at home, but… Our three home losses were by an average margin of six points,” Carter said. “It's not like they've taken the brakes off. They're still competing. They've got to wipe out the defense, they've got to move forward, but they're not getting waxed. It's not that I haven't.
“They've got to step up some things, but they're playing hard and scoring, but they're not being explosive. I think the fans should relax a little bit.”
Roll slowly, Jay.
