The Kentucky Wildcats are gearing up for what promises to be a formidable battle against the Auburn Tigers. As the Wildcats head to Auburn's home arena, known for being the toughest in the conference, they are facing the possibility of being underdogs, a rare occurrence in the John Calipari era.

Under Calipari's leadership, the Wildcats have only been considered underdogs seven times in a game. However, it is worth noting that during his first three seasons at Kentucky, Calipari and his team were only underdogs on five occasions. Remarkably, they emerged victorious in all five of those games.

Tomorrow's matchup against Auburn presents a real test for the Wildcats. Auburn, led by coach Bruce Pearl, has showcased their dominance at home throughout the conference play. Impressively, they have defeated their three ranked home opponents in the SEC with an average margin of victory of 27 points.

While the official spread for the game has not been released yet, it is expected that the Wildcats will be considered underdogs by a margin of 7-9 points. This would mark a significant challenge for Calipari's Cats. Throughout Calipari's 15-season tenure, there have been only nine instances where Kentucky has been a 7-point underdog or more.

Looking back at these past nine games where the Wildcats were considered significant underdogs, they have had mixed results. Out of those nine games, they won outright three times and covered the spread in two games. However, they suffered defeats in four games and failed to cover the spread.

Nevertheless, Kentucky fans may find hope in the fact that two of their most surprising performances as underdogs came in the last three seasons. The unexpected victories against Knoxville in 2021 and 2023 rejuvenated the fanbase and sparked optimism. Another upset win against Auburn tomorrow could have a similar impact.

Recent weeks have been challenging for both the team and the fanbase, with disappointing results dampening spirits. However, a win against Auburn could serve as a reset button, alleviating frustrations and reigniting hope for the upcoming March madness.

On the flip side, a lopsided loss to the Tigers could diminish Kentucky's standing as the elite program in the SEC. Auburn would undoubtedly relish in claiming that title and their team seems poised to prove themselves as the best in the conference.

Tomorrow's game will be a true litmus test for the Wildcats. While it's not necessary for them to win, a competitive showing against Auburn will be crucial in demonstrating their potential as a Final Four contender. Calipari's teams have exhibited a knack for defying the odds, and fans are hoping for another underdog triumph tomorrow.

As the Wildcats brace themselves for this challenging matchup, an entire fanbase waits with bated breath, hoping for a memorable performance that can reshape the trajectory of their season.