If you only look at the standings, tonight’s matchup with the Longhorns might look like a breeze. Texas is 11-7 overall and sitting at 2-3 in the SEC, coming off a home loss to its rival, Texas A&M.
But Mark Pope and Kentucky basketball aren't looking at the standings. They are looking at the tape, and what he sees is a team that went on the road and beat Alabama and took care of Vandy at home.
"Man, this Texas team is potent offensively. My goodness, they just have weapons everywhere," Pope said, previewing the game. "They're one of the top teams in the country at getting to the free-throw line. They have the number one player in the country at getting to the free throw line."
That should worry fans, Kentucky fouls a lot. If they do it against Texas, they could find themselves in foul trouble early as the Longhorns like to draw fouls. Hopefully, the Cats get a kind home whistle in Rupp.
The Kentucky collapse revenge factor
Kentucky fans remember this matchup all too well. Last year in Austin, Kentucky collapsed late. Leading 69-64 with four minutes to go, the Cats fell apart and lost by 4, 82-78.
The architect of that collapse was Tramon Mark, who dropped 26 points. He is back, and he is playing elite basketball in conference play, averaging 18.4 points per game against SEC opponents.
"He's a tough guard," Pope said of Mark. "He's shooting 52% from mid-range... he's a 1.04 points per possession player. He's a big shot maker, physically strong... He's put them on his shoulders a couple of times."
But it isn't just Mark. In SEC play, Dailyn Swain has exploded, averaging 17.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
"Swain is probably their most important player maybe in a lot of cases," Pope noted.
Swain and Mark are two players Kentucky must contain if they want to walk away with a win.
Game details and viewing guide: Kentucky vs. Texas
- Tip-off: 7:00 PM ET
- Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- TV: SEC Network
- DISH: Channel 404
- DirecTV: Channel 611
- Cable: Check local listings
- Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV
- 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
- Spread: Kentucky -6.5
- Moneyline: Kentucky -345, Texas +270
- Total: 154.5
Vegas odds (FanDuel)
The Cats are a favorite in a home game that is expected to be played at a pretty decent pace in the 70's. Kentucky has, of course, started slow in most every game this year; that needs to change. But for now, our friends at FanDuel are Wildcat believers.
This is the classic "trap" spot. Kentucky is feeling good, and Texas is desperate. But as Pope warned: "Anybody that goes on the road and beats Alabama, the beats Vandy at home is a good team. We'll have all the challenge we can possibly stand."
Will the Cats walk out of Rupp with a 4-game winning streak, or head to the weekend with another home loss?