Kentucky Wildcats vs South Carolina Game Day Links
South Carolina has been one of those teams that has always gotten under my skin. The Devan Downey days have disabled me from having any type of like-ability towards them. Watching two teams storm the court against John Calipari leaves a gut wrenching feeling in the pit of your stomach as well. A surprising loss to the Gamecocks last season has Kentucky prepared to travel back to South Carolina motivated to come out with the win. Sophomore Aaron Harrison says that if the Cats play like they did last year, they will lose again.
"“If we go down there and play like we did last year we’ll lose again,” guard Andrew Harrison said."
One thing to watch for in Saturday’s game against the Gamecocks is the point guard play. The Kentucky Wildcats are a really good team when Andrew plays well. Kentucky is a GREAT team when Andrew is at his best. Ulis has been pretty consistent throughout the season and many feel that he should play over Andrew. Coach Calipari pointed out in his press conference how everything that has happened bad in Lexington is Andrews fault. Will number 5 block out the negativity and play at his best level?
"How can Kentucky counter attack what will be an intense atmosphere in just the first sellout since 2011, when, you guessed it, the Cats were in town for that one as well."
Just a few weeks ago it seemed as if this game would have pretty high implications. The Kentucky Wildcats can not overlook this team, but the Gamecocks have cooled their breaks a bit from the end of Non-Conference play. Currently South Carolina is sitting at (10-7) and (1-4) in conference play. Frank Martin has commented on his teams poor play while being in the Conference and knows that his team will have to play next to perfect to win the game tomorrow.
"South Carolina had a solid pre-conference season, going 9-3 outside of the league. However, SEC play has been tough on Frank Martin and his team. The Gamecocks have lost four of five SEC games, and now stand at 10-7 overall and 1-4 in the league. Three of those SEC losses have come by four points or less."
What can South Carolina do to knock off the top ranked Kentucky Wildcats? One thing that South Carolina has done well this season is play defense. They are currently holding their opponents to 36.6 percent shooting from the field. Like the Wildcats at times South Carolina has struggled to put the ball in the basket. This season they are shooting .442 from the field which is ranked 137th in all of college basketball. They will need a big performance from their Sophomore guard Sindarius Thornwell who is quite confident in himself and his team.
"Pardon Sindarius Thornwell if he’s not exactly scared of Kentucky after the Gamecocks upset the Cats last year in Columbia. “I don’t think anybody’s intimidated,” Thornwell told reporters. “We’re going to prepare for them just like we did Coker [College].”"
Jan 20, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) dunks the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
A few things to watch out for in the noon game tomorrow. Intensity, it is an early game on the road and the Cats have shown signs of playing down to a teams level. Inside out play will also be key. Can Kentucky avoid sticking to the three ball to break the zone and beat it with inside out passing. Swagger, will the boys play with the mojo to run over a lessen SEC opponent. Finally, Willie Cauley-Stein is two steals aways from making history. WIth two more steals, Cauley-Stein will be the only player in the Kentucky Wildcats history to have 200 blocks and 100 steals in his career. I have been off on my predictions lately but hope to get back on track here. After a slow game against Vanderbilt, Kentucky will come out firing hot and fast, 70-54 Kentucky.