Columbia, SC (Sports Network) - Two teams at opposite ends of the SEC spectrum
meet up in Columbia this evening, as the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats take on
the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Colonial Life Center.
John Calipari's Wildcats have just one loss on the season, a one-point setback
on the road at Indiana. Since then, Kentucky has reeled off 14 consecutive
victories, moving to 8-0 in the SEC with Tuesday's 69-44 drubbing of
Tennessee. The team is off to its best start in SEC play since 2005 when
Kentucky won its first 10 league bouts.
Darrin Horn's Gamecocks have had their ups and downs this season, but the SEC
slate has been murderous. South Carolina has just one league win to its
credit, a 56-54 victory over Alabama, but the team has lost two straight games
and six of its last seven overall, including a 74-66 setback at nationally-
ranked Florida this week.
Kentucky has dominated this series for the most part and enjoys a 45-10
advantage all-time. The Wildcats have won each of the last four meetings and
are seeking the regular-season sweep after posting a 79-64 win in Lexington
back on January 7th.
The Wildcats dominated the Volunteers in just about every facet of the game to
continue their winning ways. Kentucky shot 53.7 percent from the floor, while
holding Tennessee to a meager 28.1 percent clip. The 'Cats also outrebounded
the Vols 34-29, recorded 11 blocks and outscored UT at the free-throw line
24-5. Freshman Anthony Davis continued his dominance in the low post,
finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds and seven blocked shots. Fellow
freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 16 points and eight boards, while
Terrance Jones finished up with 11 points.
Davis has certainly displayed the kind of low post game that rivals any in the
country. The 6-10 youngster leads the Wildcats in both scoring (13.5 ppg) and
rebounding (10.2 rpg), but also leads the nation in blocked shots (108) and
ranks fourth in field-goal percentage (.650). What makes Davis so dangerous
outside of his obvious interior attributes is the supporting cast around him.
The scoring burden is spread out with four other Wildcats joining Davis with
double-digit averages. Doron Lamb is a close second in the scoring column at
13.3 ppg. Kidd-Gilchrist is next in line at 12.8 ppg, followed by Jones and
Darius Miller with 12.3 and 10.2 ppg, respectively. Kentucky can play shutdown
defense as well, ranking second in the country in scoring margin (+19.9), 10th
in scoring defense (57.9 ppg) and first in field-goal percentage defense
(.360).
The Gamecocks have struggled to find production on a regular basis in terms of
scoring, averaging just 63.0 ppg this year on a less than stellar .419
shooting. There is certainly no prolific scoring threat on the roster, as
forward Malik Cooke represents the best of the bunch at 12.7 ppg. He is joined
in double figures by guard Bruce Ellington (11.1 ppg). Anthony Gill is a
distant third (8.4 ppg). Davontre Harris (7.0 ppg) is the team's top rebounder
at a modest 5.3 caroms per game.
Ellington led the way in the loss to Florida this week with 15 points, on 6-
of-14 shooting. Harris just missed a double-double with 12 points, nine
rebounds and six blocked shots. Cooke added 12 points as well, while Gill
finished with 11. The Gamecocks pulled to within six points after burying
themselves in an early hole, but the Gators converted key free-throws down the
stretch to keep South Carolina at arm's length.
The Sports Network