UNC Basketball: 5 key games for the upcoming season
By Reece Helms
December 14th vs Kentucky
March 2, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts to a play during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Kentucky 73-60. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
Just 10 days after playing Michigan State on the road, there is no rest for the weary for UNC, as they will host the preseason number 1 team, and overwhelming favorite to win the NCAA championship this season, the Kentucky Wildcats.
Last season Kentucky lost in the NIT to Robert Morris, and just one year later, they have the best team in college basketball. How is that possible? Well, when you supposedly bring in one of the best recruiting classes in college basketball history, that’s what will happen. Their class included 5 out of the top 10 players in this season. Think about that, 5 out of the Top 10 going to one team. Kentucky got the Hairston twins, Julius Randle, Dakari Johnson, and James Young. If that seems unfair to you, it could’ve been worse, as phenom Andrew Wiggins considered going to Kentucky, as he instead became a member of the Kansas Jayhawks.
Last time North Carolina and Kentucky met, it was the year Kentucky won the National Championship with Anthony Davis. The game was close between the Tar Heels and the Wildcats. In the last few moments of the game, John Henson went up for a potential game winning jump shot, but it was only to be blocked by guess who? Anthony Davis.
The Tar Heels will aim for revenge, as this time they will have the home court advantage. Kentucky is the clear favorite to win this game. This will be one of the few times UNC will be playing the underdog role, but with home court advantage in college basketball, anything is possible.