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Kentucky Wildcats up 3 spots in latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 21, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2), guard James Young (1), guard Andrew Harrison (5) and head coach John Calipari huddle during a time in the game against the Belmont Bruins in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Belmont 93-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2), guard James Young (1), guard Andrew Harrison (5) and head coach John Calipari huddle during a time in the game against the Belmont Bruins in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Belmont 93-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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John Calipari
Dec 21, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2), guard James Young (1), guard Andrew Harrison (5) and head coach John Calipari huddle during a time in the game against the Belmont Bruins in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Belmont 93-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

The Kentucky Wildcats dropped 11 spots in this week’s USA TODAY Coaches Poll and are now ranked No. 18. Kentucky lost 82-77 against the North Carolina Tar Heels last week and currently boast a 9-3 record. John Calipari’s team features a collection of the finest freshmen in the country, but dropped two of their past three before winning 93-80 vs Belmont on Saturday.

Kentucky has a prime opportunity to keep moving up in the Coaches Poll next week when they host in-state rival and the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals if they are able to knock off the defending champions. The top five sees Arizona, Syracuse, Ohio State, Louisville and Michigan State separating themselves from the pack.

Two-loss Duke is the highest ranked team with more than one loss, coming in at No. 9.

Kentucky is led by freshmen Julius Randle, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison and sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein and begin SEC play Jan. 8 when they host the Mississippi State Bulldogs.