Nate Ament is a big-time player. We know this. He was a massive recruit who almost picked Kentucky before heading to Knoxville, and he is looking like a bona fide lottery pick right now.
But if you ask me, he isn't the forward Kentucky needs to focus on tonight.
Ament is going to score. He is probably going to get his 20 points. Ja'Kobi Gillespie probably will too. But that is just 40 points. You can live with that if you are Kentucky. It is the other guys, the ones doing the dirty work, that should worry Kentucky the most.
The Glass Eaters: Jaylen Carey and Felix Okpara
In the first meeting in Knoxville, Jaylen Carey was a nightmare on the glass. He grabbed 6 of Tennessee's 16 offensive rebounds.
That cannot happen again.
Extra shots, whether they come from turnovers or offensive rebounds, are absolute momentum killers. When a defense is scrambling after a missed shot, the offense usually gets a wide-open look. Carey thrives on creating that chaos. He will bang away at your big men until they break.
Then there is Felix Okpara. He popped up on the injury report and is questionable for tonight's clash. That would be a big win for Kentucky if he can't go.
Since Kentucky knocked off the Vols last month, Okpara has been playing on a different level during Tennessee's four-game win streak. He is averaging 6 points and a huge 11 rebounds per game.
But here is the wild stat: Okpara has missed exactly one shot since January 13th.
One.
Kentucky's big men are going to have to want it more. They have to box out, be physical, and keep both guys from getting easy put-backs. It will be a war of attrition in the paint all night long. But it is not just the rebounding Kentucky has to worry about.
J.P. Estrella is the Wildcard
But maybe the most dangerous big man on the Vols' roster right now is J.P. Estrella. He has taken off during this win streak, averaging 12 points and 6 rebounds.
He played just 9 minutes against the Cats in Knoxville, but was a perfect 2-of-2 from the field. If he gets extended run tonight, he adds another player who could add to what Nate Ament is going to do offensively.
So, yeah, Nate Ament is good stuff. He will get his highlights and he will get his points.
But if Kentucky loses this game, it won't be because of Ament's jumper. It will be because Carey, Okpara, and Estrella got theirs.