Kentucky basketball heads to Columbia tonight to try and get things going in the right direction. The Cats have lost 3 in a row, they are looking at playing on day 1 of the SEC Tournament, and sit on the NCAA Tournament bubble. South Carolina, meanwhile are just 3-11 in conference play.
Easy trip? I don't think so. Lamont Paris is 2-1 against Kentucky, and the Gamecocks are 11-6 at home this season. Colonial Life Arena will be jumping for a chance to beat Kentucky.
Computer models all favor Kentucky
Unlike last weekend, when nearly every computer model had the Cats losing, which they did, this week is a complete reversal:
EvanMiya- 79-70
KenPom- 77-71
BartTorvik- 76-72
Haslametrics- 77-70
ESPN- 75.6% of a Kentucky victory
Vegas agrees that Kentucky will get a much needed win
Our friends over at FanDuel believe the Cats will get a win, too. They have the line currently sitting at -6.5 point favorites. Home teams always get that 1-2.5 point bump, so they see Kentucky as a real threat to win this one easily.
How to Watch Kentucky vs. South Carolina
Time: 7 PM EST
Channel: SEC Network: DirecTV Channel 611, Dish Channel 404 or 408
Location: Columbia, SC (Colonial Life Arena)
Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV (Blue & Orange Plan)
Radio: Stream live at UKAthletics.com or on iHeartRadio via WLAP 630.
Local FM/AM Stations:
Lexington: 98.1 FM / 630 WLAP
Louisville: 840 AM WHAS
London: 103.9 FM WWEL
Hazard/Pikeville: 101.1 WSGS
Madisonville: 93.9 FM WKTG
As for me, I don't know what to think. I really thought the Cats would lose at Auburn. The Tigers were desperate, Kentucky was left reeling after the Georgia game, it just made sense. And I kind of feel the same way here.
South Carolina plays Kentucky tough nearly every time in Columbia, and I don't think this one will be any different. Meechie Johnson is the kind of player that will give the Cats trouble, and South Carolina shoots a ton of 3's, and Kentucky does not defend the 3 well at all. South Carolina does not shoot it well at just 31%, but if they get hot, it could be a long night.
I think this game stays close, and I think the emotional loss at Auburn takes its toll on a team that is running out of steam.
South Carolina 72, Kentucky 68
I hope I'm wrong.