Kentucky basketball: Game preview, 3 keys vs Mississippi
By Drew Koch
2. Keep the Rebels off the offensive glass
Mississippi is the SEC-leader in offensive rebounds. The Rebels are grabbing an astonishing 13 offensive rebounds per game. Comparatively, the Wildcats are snagging almost 12 offensive boards per contest.
The odd thing about Ole Miss’ offensive rebounding is who’s getting those boards. Terence Davis, Bruce Stevens and Marcanvis Hymon are leading the Rebels in rebounding. None of those guys are over 6’8″. In fact, their leading rebounder is Davis, a 6’4″ guard.
Jarred Vanderbilt has been an absolute beast on the boards over the past 5 games. Vanderbilt is averaging 10 rebounds per game during that stretch and 7.8 rebounds per game overall. Of Vanderbilt’s 93 total rebounds, 39 (42%) are offensive rebounds.
Next to Diallo, Vanderbilt is the most athletic player on the Kentucky basketball team. He uses his quickness, athletic ability and long wingspan to get great positioning underneath. If the other Wildcats do their job and box out their assignments, Kentucky has enough length and size to keep the Rebels off the offensive glass.