The Kentucky Wildcats make the return trip to Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C. today for the second game of the year against Darrin Horn's South Carolina Gamecocks. This is the last game Kentucky will play in the series of games against lower-ranked SEC foes. After this game, the schedule difficulty ratchets up significantly.
The last time these two teams met in Lexington, it was rather more competitive than Kentucky fans expected. In fact, the Wildcats got pounded on the offensive glass by the Gamecocks despite their greater size and rebounding skill. The Wildcats got the win, but nobody left Rupp Arena feeling particularly good about it.
Since then, the Gamecocks have gone 1-6, playing only two teams not ranked in the top third of the SEC. After this game, South Carolina's schedule is the inverse of Kentucky's with only 2 teams in the top third of the league on their schedule.
South Carolina is currently coming off two straight road losses, both fairly close, against the Florida Gators and the Mississippi Rebels. Both games were very competitive, so don't imagine that this Gamecock team is incapable of upsetting Kentucky, they are. They just haven't delivered one yet despite playing some very good teams close.
No injuries to report for either team.
See the previous UK-USC preview, these have not changed significantly, except that this time, the game location favors South Carolina.
Just like last time, Bruce Ellington will be a key matchup for Kentucky. Ellington makes the Gamecocks go, and is also a significant threat to score both off the dribble and from outside. Ellington has been struggling shooting the three ball lately, but if there is anything that has been consistent, it is the fact that teams shoot great from outside against UK, particularly on the road.
Malik Cooke is the other key matchup for Kentucky. Cooke has been hot lately, averaging 15.7 points and 5 rebounds over the last three games.
South Carolina must find a way to deal with Anthony Davis if they are to have any success. Nobody really has so far, especially lately, so this is just a nightmare for them.
The way Terrence Jones is playing right now, he is really trouble for South Carolina. They just don't have anyone who can guard him both on the perimeter and in the post, and the Davis-Jones tandem is the deadliest shot-blocking combos in the nation.
South Carolina is a very aggressive defensive team, especially at home. Even though they haven't really been a good defensive team, especially during the SEC portion of the schedule, they play very hard and with great intensity.
One thing South Carolina does do very well is offensive rebound, and that is the one significant concern for Kentucky in this contest. If the Gamecocks can whip the Wildcats on the offensive glass and make some otherwise empty possessions count, they could hang in this game for a while, and when that happens, Kentucky tends to allow teams to challenge them. Since this is a road game, a situation in which South Carolina hangs around certainly favors them.
Ellington is also due for a good game. He only joined the team around midseason and his game isn't quite as fully-baked as it was last year, his minutes have been on the rise, and like any good player in a bit of a slump, he's definitely due for a good game. As "up" as the Gamecock faithful will be for this game, this one is a good candidate to see his best play in league this season.
But Kentucky, quite frankly, has just been running over teams lately with a combination of smothering defense and efficient, disciplined offense. Kentucky has been grinding teams into the dust in the half court, often forcing them to take challenged shots out of the sheer frustration of not being able to locate one. When Kentucky;s early offense hasn't worked, the high screen and roll with Marquis Teague and either Davis or Kyle Wiltjer on the pick and pop just always seems to be able to locate an open look late in the clock.
Kentucky is very likely to win this game, but it may not be easy, depending on how motivated Darrin Horn can get his somewhat woebegone Gamecocks. You can never count a road game in the SEC a victory, no matter how much the home team has struggled, and despite not getting wins lately, South Carolina has been playing teams tough.
0 recs | 25 comments
Only one question...
Devon Downey isn’t playing, is he?
BeachBubbaTex - February 4, 2012
Heh.
Not unless they have found a way to distort the time-space continuum in Columbia. :-)
Glenn Logan - February 4, 2012
Downey not playing for Carolina but...
sandstorm is ready to play i bet.
Go Cats’
UKWildcats #1 - February 4, 2012
Really excited about this game
UK has put together 2 consecutive dominating performances – I really want to see them make it 3 in a row.
I think the key to a quick start is for one player to really assert himself early. Against LSU that was Terrence, but it could be any of the starters. If the Cats get that they win in a route and are never seriously challenged.
JLeverenz - February 4, 2012
my bet is MKG or Lamb
BeachBubbaTex - February 4, 2012
We will learn a lot about the Cats today.
If they are looking ahead to Florida, they will get a nasty surprise. This team is capable of play UK tough if they catch the Cats sleeping. I don’t think Coach Cal will let this happen but they need to bring a good game to Columbus to stay unbeaten in the SEC.
kywineman - February 4, 2012
With UF's win, the margin of error is small, and the players know Florida has won, they'll be ready.
UK1972 - February 4, 2012
Go in focused we can put this team away easily
If we get a slow start, or don’t have the focus we need, it could be a long day. This will be a good look at how well the guys can prep for a game. Think early in SEC or NCAA tourneys; they are not always sharp in those early round games, but they have to be sharp enough to win. This might be a sneek-peak at that type of game.
sweasyf - February 4, 2012
I think the way this schedule has played out
has been great for preparing a young team for the reality of tournament ball. Over the next few weeks we will be playing teams that are equivalent of those early NCAA rounds and some teams that are closer to Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight caliber. I expect the Cats to be well seasoned by the time the post season rolls around.
kywineman - February 4, 2012
I think the guys need to take a lesson from the ladies today.....
go in there, stand up, look them right in the eye, and then run them off the floor. Thye need to step on the gas as soon as the ball is tipped and not let off until they sound the buzzer at the end of the game. Anything else could get them beat.
Greg Alan Edwards - February 4, 2012
6 pm is an odd game start time
They are accustomed to early afternoon games or night games. With a 6 o’clock start they have had to sit around quite a bit today. I hope that does not affect an aggressive start to the game. Getting on the boards will be very important against this team.
jdogblue - February 4, 2012
Should have given Terrance Jones plenty of time to take a nap.
kywineman - February 4, 2012
Let's hope not :)
jdogblue - February 4, 2012
What does fully-baked mean for basketball?
When I hear a person described as fully-baked, I think of one thing only. I think Glenn might have accidentally cast aspersions on Mr. Ellington and his recreational habits.
KDH2011 - February 4, 2012
Coaching just caused a turnover by Maryland.
With possession in their half of the court, the Maryland coaches sent three men off the bench to check in. The guard with the ball was under pressure from UNC and threw the ball to one of the players running up the sideline. Not a smart move.
kywineman - February 4, 2012
amazed that does not happen more often
memphis wildcat - February 4, 2012
they are letting them play...
hope this game does not spill over :)
memphis wildcat - February 4, 2012
I like a good back and forth physical game, but these guys are getting
plumb hateful…..lol…..
There wasn’t this much beating and banging going on when my Dad’s log Cabin was built……sheesh!
Greg Alan Edwards - February 4, 2012
i never seen so many non-calls on over the back
memphis wildcat - February 4, 2012
Go Terps!
a2d2 - February 4, 2012
That call on Lin (sp) was totally bogus.
kywineman - February 4, 2012
agree - assume you mean his 4th foul
memphis wildcat - February 4, 2012
The Terps have guts......you gotta give them that.....
they won’t back down an inch!!
Greg Alan Edwards - February 4, 2012
Well, I guess just a bit too much UNC......
but a good game, nonetheless
Greg Alan Edwards - February 4, 2012
let's go cats
thanks so much for putting this online!! I live in Kansas and I’m with my national guard unit today. I can’t watch the game, but I can follow here and get all the action :)
CptCatFan - February 4, 2012
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