Jan. 23
All the talk shows in Kentucky must be talking positively about the Wildcats now that coach Tubby Smith's team has an eight-game winning streak that includes back-to-back impressive Ws against Notre Dame and Auburn.

	Tubby Smith won a national title at Kentucky in '98.

Those same talk shows weren't as pleasant after Kentucky lost to Louisville on Dec. 28, baby! Recently I spoke to Rick Bozich, the outstanding columnist from Louisville, and he told me that those shows were going bananas, screaming and yelling about Tubby back then. Kentucky fans live and die Kentucky basketball, and those fans and the media do a serious evaluation of every game he coaches.

Since the Louisville loss, Kentucky has come on strong. If you heard my comments during the Cardinals-Wildcats telecast, you know this doesn't surprise me. I said it then and will say it again: Tubby Smith is a winner who knows how to handle adversity.

He can flat-out coach, and he has weathered all the storms in the pressure cooker that is Kentucky basketball. Expectations run wild, and they settle for nothing short of greatness.

The fans at Kentucky are as passionate as any in the sport. They will travel, and they will be in force Saturday -- as many as can get into Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa when the 'Cats take on Alabama (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). Those fans follow their team all over the country, and that brings pressure to succeed.

Look at Tubby's numbers -- he has done an amazing job in Lexington. He's exactly 100 games over .500 as the Wildcats' coach (146-46), including 14-3 this season. Kentucky is one of two unbeatens in SEC play at 4-0 (Florida sits at 5-0). He's simply one of the best strolling the sidelines in the game today.

All Tubby did after the loss to Louisville was go to the gym and work, work and work. He faces the storm and does his best. That usually means success, and it doesn't come against Cupcake City opponents. Saturday's test against a hungry Alabama team will be difficult. Kentucky last won at Tuscaloosa in 1997, and the Crimson Tide has won the past two meetings. Alabama has never won three straight series meetings.

After reaching the pinnacle of the rankings, Alabama has struggled lately. After losing three of four, coach Mark Gottfried's Tide will look forward to playing at home. 'Bama currently enjoys the fourth-longest home winning streak (28 straight). BYU leads with 44 straight victories in Provo entering this weekend.

Look at Tubby's numbers: He has done an amazing job in Lexington.

Guard Maurice Williams has been struggling with his shooting lately, hitting just 35 percent in his past three games. You know that Kentucky guard Keith Bogans will be fired up, with something to prove after making just 2-of-10 shots in last season's game vs. the Tide.

Tuscaloosa will be rockin' and rollin', baby! But Tubby will be prepared, doing his thing with the X's and O's, motivating and inspiring his 'Cats in the best way possible. Kentucky fans, be glad you have a leader the caliber of Tubby Smith. He is one of the special coaches in America. If you don't believe me, ask many of his peers who must prepare to face his teams. The Wildcats will always attack you defensively -- they will compete with a sense of pride and a sense of urgency.

Can the Tide turn their fortunes around on their home floor against a hot Kentucky squad? I can't wait to call the game Saturday night.