Kentucky vs Louisville: Lineups

Look, as much as the fans want to make the Kentucky vs Louisville matchup all about them, there are players that will be on the court.

Here’s a taste as to who will be seen and what we should expect from each of them.

Dieng is a shot blocking machine averaging 3.2 blocks a game. The problem for Louisville lies in the paint on the other issue is that Kentucky plays and practices with a better shot blocker in Anthony Davis (4.6 bpg). Dieng is a pure rebounder and defensive player. His offensive game is lacking as shown by only scoring 10+ points twice in the last 15 games. In this game, Louisville just hopes Dieng can defend Davis enough to slow his 14.3 avg and simply negate the defense with his own.PFFChane Behanan6’6

245

PFSoTerrence Jones6’9

252

Since before the December matchup, where Behanan watched a majority of the game from the bench in foul trouble and only scored 4 points, he’s talked enough smack to be arrested for domestic violence. With the Eyes of March on him, Jones has stepped it Terrence Jones has been on a tear lately 13.5 pts and 8.8 rebounds in the tournament and might not talk smack but do a little smacking around of Chane. Behanan asked for Kentucky and he’s going to get them and all he can ask for in the bigger Jones.SFSrKyle Kuric6’4

195

SFFrMichael Kidd-Gilchrist6’7

232

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist exploited this matchup for all it was worth in the first meeting, crashing the boards and scoring at will finishing with 24 points and 19 rebounds. MKG’s athleticism shut Kuric down offensively leaving him with 2 points and after seeing Kuric struggle in the first 4 games on the tournament, there are no signs he’ll snap out of it this weekend. With Wayne Blackshear a little bigger and athletic, if Kuric struggles again early, look to see the senior pulled.SGSrChris Smith6’2

195

SGSoDoron Lamb6’4

210

A great matchup, although the taller and bigger lamb is a little faster. It’s a great combination of defense versus offense and if Smith is hitting threes, which he can occasionally (1.7per game) and Lamb doesn’t show up when he’s on defense, look for this to be a difference making position.PGJrPeyton Siva6’0

180

PGFrMarquis Teague6’2

189

Siva vs Teague is a matchup everyone will be watching. With both players prone to making turnovers (2.8 tpg Teague and 3.5 tpg Siva), it’ll likely be a situation of “manage the game don’t try to win it”.6 ManSoRuss Smith6’0

160

SFSrDarius Miller6’8

235

These two 6 men won’t likely match up against each other much, but as the first off the bench for both squads their role is just as vital. Smith was the talk of the last game scoring a game high 30 points. Miller has a tendency to play when needed and score when the shot requires it. Biggest difference between these players – Miller will play his role of leader, while Smith’s only role is scoring and scoring in bunches. UofL is in trouble when Smith misses more than 8 shots (2-5) as the more they rely on Smith to make his own shot the more everyone else fades away.

Winner:

Matchups favor the Cats but this is a rivalry game for a chance to add one more to the trophy room. That means the passion will be high and the atmosphere will be electric. Look for both teams to come out a little wild in the first game of the night but the Cats to make that one knockout punch and win this one by 11, 70-59.