As Syracuse produced a game-clinching stop in the final seconds of its ACC-SEC Challenge win over Tennessee on Dec. 2, a wave of cheers swept through Rupp Arena. Kentucky fans, in their seats before the Wildcats' 9:30 p.m. local tip against North Carolina , enjoyed the pregame entertainment of seeing their SEC rival falter on the arena's video board.

Considering the Volunteers are a bitter border foe, the reaction was understandable, but it was a bit misguided. Results like Syracuse's win over Tennessee are becoming a problem for the rest of the SEC, including Kentucky.

If the Wildcats are going to claw back from a horrific start and build an NCAA Tournament resume, they need their 18-game league schedule to include as many marquee matchups as possible.

Just one year removed fro

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