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Big Blue Nation will be celebrating Kentucky's national championship for a while. But the Wildcats' title, though decisive and complete, also feels crazily hollow. Then again, so does the entire season.

John Calipari claims he doesn't need a national title for validation or for his legacy. But when you've been branded the best coach to have never won it all, it does matter. And John Calipari very much matters Monday night.

Kentucky didn't play great against Louisville. But despite their B-game, the Wildcats still advanced to Monday's title game against Kansas.

You can't even invent reasons why Kentucky could leave New Orleans without the NCAA championship trophy.

After Sunday's victory over Baylor, John Calipari is two steps away from his first national championship. To get that elusive title, though, he'll have to go through former UK coach Rick Pitino. How very appropriate.

Thanks to Kentucky's victory over Indiana, we are now a combined 80 minutes away from a game never thought possible until now: a Commonwealth Armageddon in New Orleans.

Friday's South Regional semifinal between Indiana and Kentucky isn't just about IU's return to prominence. It's also about the connection between coaches Tom Crean and John Calipari.

Were you looking forward to Calipari versus Calhoun? Iowa State did not seem to care. But Kentucky surely took notice -- these Cyclones will not be an easy out Saturday.

The one-and-done Kentucky Way isn't necessarily right or wrong. It's simply a by-product of a system in need of a mulligan.

Book excerpt: Gene Wojciechowski tells the story of how Christian Laettner came to play for Duke

Book excerpt: Gene Wojciechowski tells the story of how Rick Pitino came to coach at Kentucky.

Billy Gillispie's honeymoon ended his second game in Big Blue country. Kentucky recovered and made its record 49th NCAA tournament, but the roller coaster of a season ended earlier than usual, writes Gene Wojciechowski.