KENTUCKY
Record: 26-8
Last Game: W, 82-77 (OT), v. Texas A&M in SEC championship game
Last 10: 8-2
Line: Kentucky -13.5
Notables:
6-4 fr G Jamal Murray 20.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.0 spg, .456 FG%, .788 FT%, .421 3 pt FG%
5-9 so G Tyler Ulis 17.2 ppg, 7.2 apg, 1.4 spg, .856 FT%, .342 3 pt FG%
6-8 sr F Alex Poythress 10.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, .613 FG%
6-3 fr G Isaiah Briscoe 9.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.0 spg
6-9 jr F Derek Willis 8.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, .479 FG%, .914 FT%, .436 3 pt FG%
6-11 fr C Skal Labissiere 6.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.5 bpg, .517 FG%
6-9 jr F Marcus Lee 6.4 rpg, 6.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg, .681 FG%
Very nice event held at the arena tonight. We all were hoping for Duke in Providence but instead it's UK.
First reaction was it's the worst case scenario for us. Compared to the other 4s, Kentucky is miles ahead in my opinion. Calipari is a world-class coach with world-class talent – obviously not inferring that Coach K isn't, but UK has the ability to cut down the nets.
All the stuff you know needs to happen needs to happen. Jameel isn't going to go for 40, but we're going to need 20 and 10 out of him. He has had his way in the paint in the America East. He will have no such luxury on Thursday night. Cal will do everything he can to prevent Warney from getting the ball. He has done a nice job staying out of foul trouble and that has to continue. We will need big minutes from Tyrell and possibly Petras to give Warney a break. He will have to work very, very hard for his points.
The UK backcourt is no joke. Ulis and Murray is as good a duo as there is. Ahmad has to have a huge night defensively, presumably on Murray, and Woodhouse has to be the second outside threat on offense.
Enjoy the week, everybody. Should be fun.