Kentucky Gets No.1 Disease and Falls to Gamecocks

         What a day for the new No.1 ranked team in the AP and Coaches Poll, as the unranked South Carolina Gamecocks(12-8) shocked the new No.1 Kentucky Wildcats(19-1) to hand the Wildcats their first loss of the season by a score of 68 to 62.  This was the first time in school history the South Carolina Gamecocks have beaten a number 1 ranked team, and it couldn't have come at a better time.  South Carolina was led by Senior Guard Devan Downey who scored 30 points on 9 of 29 shooting from the floor, as he fearlessly attacked the rim again and again against John Wall and company.  There was no doubt that Wall knew he had his hands full with Downey, as Wall played off the ball more in order to allow space and not get beat.  However, Wall needed help in this game, as Calipari pulled up his big men to double team Downey out on the perimeter.  This game was a defensive battle, as both teams defensive strategies were extremely successful, causing each squad to shoot under 40% from the field.  Furthermore, turnovers played a role, as the Wildcats coughed it up 15 times in this one, providing Downey ample opportunities to push the ball up the floor and create fast breaks.  The Cats were kept on their heels, as the Gamecocks used the crowd to further pump themselves up, and further deplete the fight in the new AP No.1 team. 

         It's been the wierdest thing so far this year, but I think Kansas, Texas, and now Kentucky would all tell you that having that number 1 stamp on your back isn't at all easy to defend.  In prior years, the number 1 ranked teams have rolled to victory over unranked opponents, however, this year has been different, as each number 1 team noted above has had it's share of close calls and now Kentucky see's itself defeated.  The pressure of being number 1 may have played a role tonight, as Kentucky's talent is unquestionable, yet their leaders are all Freshman, as Guard John Wall, Forward DeMarcus Cousins, and Guard Erik Bledsoe are each in their first year and don't any experience playing in tough environments on the road.  It will be interesting to see how Kentucky responds in their next matchup against Vanderbilt on January 30th, however, that game will be at home.  It's clear that men's college basketball is wide open this year, as anyone can get beat by a team that puts on the pressure and plays tough defense.  Nice showing from the Gamecocks, and if they keep it up, then they may even get a NCAA tournament bid out of this.