LEXINGTON, Ky. - Even by Kentucky's lofty standards, what the Wildcats have done to the Southeastern Conference opponents lately is impressive. Just ask the coaches of the league's other teams.
Since Jan. 8, 2002, sixth-ranked Kentucky (16-2, 7-0 SEC) has won 42 of 45 games against SEC teams, its best run against league foes since going 127-3 from January 1945 through December 1954.
Kentucky went undefeated in SEC play during the 2002-03 season, and it wouldn't surprise other league coaches if the Wildcats did the same this season.
"That's not a stretch, in my opinion," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. Added Georgia coach Dennis Felton: "I think it's realistic. Kentucky has been that kind of team in this league forever. They have routinely had the type of team and coaching that could possibly run the table."
Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said Friday that he appreciates the kind comments from his peers, but that hearing those words just makes him want to focus more on the Wildcats' game Saturday at Vanderbilt (13-8, 4-4).
"We have long-range goals and we also have short-term goals we have to recognize," Smith said. "The only way you're going to achieve them is to concentrate on that particular task."
Smith doesn't shy away - too much - from talk of another undefeated SEC run, but said if it happens, it will be more of a by-product of the work the Wildcats do every day.
"All things are possible," Smith said of going undefeated in league play. "We've done it before. We're the only team that's undefeated right now in the league. But that's not something we're concerned about. We're concerned about Vanderbilt."
The game against Vanderbilt is the final game in a stretch during which the Wildcats played five out of six games on the road.
They've overcome adversity during their last two games to keep their streak alive - surviving after team leader Chuck Hayes went down with a broken nose in the first half against Tennessee, then escaping from Arkansas with a one-point win after the Razorbacks missed a shot at the buzzer.
Hayes played with a mask on against Arkansas and said he'll probably do so for the rest of the season. As the senior forward has missed game time because of the injury and adjusted to the mask, his backups - sophomores Bobby Perry and Sheray Thomas - have emerged as viable options off the bench.
"That has given us a real air of confidence," Smith said. "For me as a coach, I know these guys can do it in that type of environment if the opportunity presents itself."
For their part, Kentucky's players are downplaying thoughts of going undefeated in league play. Hayes, a starter on the team two seasons ago, said the current team - which includes four freshmen and three sophomores who play key minutes - doesn't compare to the 2002-03 squad, which included seven juniors or seniors among its top eight players.
"We're a long ways from the team of my sophomore year, as far as the maturity and experience," Hayes said, noting the Wildcats need to work on improving their rebounding and execution. "That is one of our goals, to win the SEC and go undefeated, but we don't talk about that."
After Saturday, Kentucky will play five of its final eight games at Rupp Arena. It's toughest remaining games figure to be at home on Feb. 19 against Mississippi State - a team that recently fell out of the national rankings, but could have starting point guard Winsome Frazier back from injury - and at No. 11 Alabama on Feb. 26.
While he isn't thinking ahead, junior guard Patrick Sparks, a Kentucky native, can look back on what the Wildcats have accomplished in recent years and be impressed.
"That's a big accomplishment for our program," Sparks said of the team's current run. "It's showing that we're being consistent within our league and winning tough games on the road. That's a tough thing to do in the SEC."
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