Did you ever think you’d live in a world where Florida would be sitting on a seven-game winning streak against Kentucky? In basketball? Not me.
You wonder if it can continue. After Florida’s overtime win Saturday ” the first OT game ever between the two schools ” I guess anything is possible.
Florida has won those seven games by an average margin of 10.7 points and the three-point win in Lexington last year really wasn’t that close. That’s pretty impressive stuff.
There is no question that Kentucky has been on a gradual slide that forced Tubby Smith to run himself out of town. Still, it’s seven straight over what used to be the dominant program in the SEC.
The funny thing is that the one that started it all was the closest game in the streak. Florida won at home 53-52 to close out the 2005 regular season.
So how would I rank the seven straight? (Dude, I can’t help it. I like to rank things).
1. 2005 SEC Tournament: Florida had no chance, right? This was in ‘Cat-lanta. And when the Wildcats made their run in the second half, you knew it was over. Let’s not forget that it was Matt Walsh, Anthony Roberson and David Lee who got this thing started.
2. 2005 at Florida: It ended an eight-game losing streak to the ‘Cats.
3. 2006 at Kentucky: To go on the road and dominate like the Gators did was impressive and I’ll always believe it was the Red Bull boost the Gators needed heading into the postseason.
4. 2007 at Kentucky: Wildcat fans were desperate to win this game. The pressure was incredible. No problem.
5. 2008 at Florida: The win the other night was huge for this young team.
6. 2006 at Florida: Joakim Noah and Taurean Green were amazing in this game.
7. 2007 at Florida: By then it had become a habit. But it never gets old for Gator fans to beat Kentucky in basketball.
Will there be an eighth? It will be difficult because Kentucky is improving and it’s at Rupp. But not as difficult as winning seven in a row.
