John Calipari and his extremely young but mega talented college basketball team swept through New Orleans this past weekend. Nothing stood in the team’s way, and nobody from East Tennessee State or Wake Forest had any answers to combat the Cats’ efforts.

Going into the first weekend of play, many of the nation’s top rated media analysts on ESPN and CBS said UK's freshman guards, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe, would fold under the intense pressure of the NCAA spotlight of national television and the CBS cameras. Several even went far enough to predict UK would be the first No. 1 seed eliminated from the tournament.

Funny how today's youth respond to those type of remarks,. They simply don't pay any attention or some say aren't smart enough to understand what the situation is they're in at times.

Whatever their mindset is, the youthful Cats have another different type dilemma for their next game in a march toward the Final Four this coming weekend when they travel north to Syracuse, New York for the Sweet 16 round. Next up is Cornell of the Ivy League, and the Big Red, as they are affectionately referred to by their fanbase, is coming off an impressive win over a good Big Ten team in Wisconsin where they put a 89-67 whipping on a solid Badger team and shot 61percent from the field in the process. Cornell has made a living on patient play offensively, excellent shot selection, and led the nation most of the season in field goal percentage.

It will be a classic example of UK's size, quickness and pure raw physical talent versus the intelligent, patience and precision type philosophy of Cornell and its perimeter game. The shot clock will come into play when Cornell has the ball, and expect them to try and shorten the game with each possession. 

Tipoff for the Big Blue and Big Red will be approximately 9:45 p.m. Thursday evening and televised live on the CBS network (WKYT-27 Lexington or WYMT-57 Hazard).

Should UK win Thursday, it will make the team’s first appearance in an NCAA tournament Elite 8 game since 2004 when a Tubby Smith lead UK was beaten in overtime by Michigan State. UK's opponent Saturday will be the winner of the Washington-West Virginia game at 7:15 p.m. played prior to their Sweet 16 round game.

You can go to www.combsbrothersonkysports.com for more coverage of UK basketball and football as well as KHSAA football and basketball.