Ah, the road in the SEC.  It can be unalterably cruel, even vicious, as the Kentucky Wildcats have discovered this season.  Fortunately, Kentucky finds itself with four of the next six in the comfy confines of Rupp Arena, where this UK team has been dominant.  The other two are away at Arkansas (always a dangerous trip) and down to Rocky Top where most basketball observers are penciling in another L for the 'Cats 3 weeks before they get there.

Today's links:

• John Clay: UK women have endgame figured out :: Lexington Herald-Leader
• Weekly Watch: Week 12 - ESPN

• Brennan: Five observations from the week - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN

  Kentucky still hasn’t solved the road. Here’s a fun fact about the Wildcats, courtesy of A Sea Of Blue’s Glenn Logan: Kentucky’s five SEC losses -- all of which have come on the road, the most recent of which was Saturday’s 81-77 loss at Vanderbilt -- have come by a total of 17 points. With a few breaks here and there, a few late buckets down the stretch, a few conversions instead of turnovers and, yes, a little luck, Kentucky could just as easily be 10-0 in the SEC

  Thanks for the link, Eamonn.  That fact just doesn't seem that fun to us for some reason, though.

• Why did Todd change his view about Calipari? :: Vaught's Views
  Did UK president Lee Todd get bad advice on Calipari in 2007?

• Gilchrist, St. Pat’s Remain Undefeated, On Track for National Championship :: ZagsBlog.com
  Gilchrist is terrific, and I can't wait to see him in Blue and White next year.

• This time Liggins’ decision-making hurt Kentucky :: Vaught's Views
  I think this is right. But Liggins gets a pass from me. If we had five of him, we would be undefeated.

• South Bend Tribune: Jenkins shoulders load in Vandy's upset of UK

• Devastating loss or encouraging strides? UK faces critical turning point

  Turning point? Rhetorically, I disagree - we aren't at a turning point because we can't find our way on the road, and wouldn't recognize a turning point if we saw it.

  But in substance, I totally agree with Eric.  You can look at this both ways.

• Minnesota souring on Tubby? (Kentucky fans get an apology) :: Beyond the Arc

  I remind commenters on A Sea of Blue to read the community guidelines before commenting on this story.  This particular writer that Mike Miller cites in this article became a Smith detractor early on in Minnesota, so it's no surprise to see him hating on Smith now.  I bring this to your attention only because it will be news around the Big Blue Nation, but there is no doubt that Smith has done a very good, if not quite great, job at Minnesota so far.

• Kentucky May Get N.B.A. Franchise
• Kentucky Sports Radio :: BTI’s Rants and Ramblings: Cats struggle to stop Stars

• Ex-Wildcats Cobb, Locke headed to NFL Combine looking to make an impression :: WHNT
  I look for both to make a good impression.

• BBL: Cousins not suspended yet; UK women pull out win John Clay’s Sidelines