The one-and-done recruiting philosophy of John Calipari is built for this time of the year. They suffer chinks in the armor November through February to excel in March. Too bad Joel Embid got hurt for the other KU, because we had a big checkmark next to their potential, but we digress.

Six straight covers including beating the only undefeated team in the country, then the national champions.

Talk about fortunate, not only goes Michigan have a pair of double-digit losses over their last 11 games, but also five times in their last 10 games they have wins of four or fewer, three by three or fewer.

Now facing a team trending upwards big time, that bend but do not break streak will burst. On the other hand, Kentucky has eight losses by five or less, but freshman laden teams get baptism by fire on how to win.

Demonstrative of how much this team improved, they lost twice during the regular season to No. 1 Florida. In the championship game, they fought from behind and lost by one with a chance to win with their late possession. This team has come a long way.