A Cupcake Would Be Nice

I realize that scheduling is as much art as it is science. Plenty of planning and logistics are involved-- taking into account conference commitments, arena availability, academic requirements and who knows what all. A Division 1 program has these things laid out months, even years in advance. It takes huge amounts of work and consideration, and we've all known how this season was going to play out (in terms of game dates) since last summer.

But if Kentucky ever needed a cupcake, this weekend would be the time.

By now, you've surely dwelled upon the Cats' losing streak ad nauseam. Consecutive losses to Ole Miss, Alabama, and Mississippi State have Big Blue Nation reeling. What's wrong with Jodie? Why won't Darius (or Michael) take that open three? What does it take to get Coach Gillispie to call a timeout? And so on...

In my mind, it has to be the absolute worst time of the season to take a full week off. Usually at this point, you're getting a mid-week game followed by a weekend game, rinse and repeat. But instead here at the start of February, Kentucky has seven free days between its loss to the Bulldogs and the upcoming showdown with the Gators. An entire week to dissect the losses, fret about rankings, and worry about where this team is headed.

Well, I think it's about 3 or 4 days too much.

You can make a case that UK really needs the practice time. It gives the coaching staff a chance to work on ironing out those offensive kinks and to drill the team further on taking care of the basketball. Maybe they even step away entirely for a day or two to recharge the batteries, just get away from the gym completely (right, fat chance with Coach G in charge).

But what I think the doctor really should have ordered for this weekend was a serious cupcake. A no-doubt-about-it laugher. Somebody, anybody that the Cats could roll big time, to give them a much-needed shot of confidence, get everyone loose again, and try to gather some....cue Austin Powers accent.... mojo for the stretch run.

Why burn up all the Longwoods and Lamars and Tennessee States before Christmas? Save one of 'em for just such an emergency. (NOTE: do not take a chance on a VMI-type here. What you want is somebody more like Fairdale High School.)

Would a bona fide blowout really "fix" everything that appears to be "wrong" with this team? No. Would it be the best preparation for facing Florida come Tuesday night? Also doubtful.

But that's not the point. Even if it only served as a bit of undermanned roadkill, a nice little cupcake this weekend would have provided UK with a chance to blow off some steam, quit "gripping" so fiercely, and remember that basketball is supposed to be fun.

You want to know what's really fun? Beating the h-e-double-l out of somebody at Rupp Arena. But alas, no cupcake for this weekend. It's another 4 days before the Cats can try to get that horrible, losing taste out of their mouths. What a lost weekend.