#40MINS of UK Hoops Live Diary

Hello again Cats fans, Wilder Treadway here reporting live from Memorial Coliseum. The UK Hoops team is back at it today as they play host to the USC Upstate Spartans. Kentucky has improved in every game they've won this season, and Coach Mitchell is looking for even more growth today as the Cats get ready for a big match up with Louisville next Sunday. The Spartans are 2-4 on the season with wins against Norfolk State and St. Andrews and losses to Purdue, George Washington, Old Dominion and West Virginia. Two Cats finished with double-doubles last game, and the tallest player for USC Upstate is 6'1....any predictions on how many Cats will have double digit rebounding efforts today?

Kentucky Wildcats vs USC Upstate Spartans

FINAL SCORE KENTUCKY 101 USC UPSTATE 34 Absolute slaughterhouse today at Memorial Coliseum. The Cats played without their starters basically the final 10 minutes of the game, and looked very sharp throughout. The Spartans were hugely overmatched at every position, and there was very little effort necessary to turn them over. Cats play again on Wednesday at 11 am for "Education Day" against Miami (OH).

2nd Half 8:40: Cats are up by 52 and the band is pelvic thrusting to "Mony, Mony". That is all. Every Wildcat is playing, and every Wildcat is scoring. It's gettin' ugly in Memorial.

2nd Half 15:24: Biggest news from halftime: the Wildcat scored a behind the back halfcourt shot and the crowd went ham. I see you boy. Cats aren't letting up at all and USC Upstate just wants to leave Lexington as soon as possible at this point. I'd be surprised if the Spartans eclipsed the 30 point mark...very surprised. Cats up 63-17.

HALFTIME KENTUCKY 52 USC UPSTATE 15 Kentucky absolutely dominated the first half of play against the Spartans and the scary thing was they never even looked "that good". The ceiling is very high for this UK Hoops team and when all pieces finally come and click together they will be a monster team, if they aren't already. Bria Goss had a good first half with 8 points, and A'dia Mathies also chipped in with 10. Cats have forced 21 turnovers so far.

1st Half 3:15: Cats are now turning the ball over with ease and the Spartans look all sorts of flustered. Kentucky's Maegan Conwright has stepped up her game with three straight shots made. It's turning into another all team effort for UK. In other news, they have officially brought out the T shirt gun, first time I've seen it make an appearance all season. Finally, basketball season is here. Cats dominating 44-12.

1st Half 7:27: Matthew Mitchell is coaching his heart out today, trying to get his team as prepared as possible for the big games coming up the next few weeks. Give Upstate some credit, they haven't backed down and have played hard from the tip, but the Cats are just way faster and better at every position. Bria Goss continues to be the offensive catalyst for the Cats, but Mitchell is pleading with his team to "play better defense" and is visibly frustrated. In other news, I'm pretty sure the crowd is asleep today, very quiet inside of Memorial. Cats still leading 33-12.

1st Half 11:48: What the Spartans lack in height they make up for in size...this team has a bunch of hosses that aren't afraid to rough you up in the paint. With that being said...Kentucky's overwhelming athleticism and talent really trumps everything the Spartans have going for them. Kentucky has already put in a bunch of subs/combos to start the game, Coach Mitchell is still trying to find that perfect rotation. Cats hot from 3-point land, leading Upstate 22-9.

1st Half 15:50: Let me start out by saying no one in America works harder  at their sport than Bria Goss. She is focused and intense on every play, every second, every game. She's had a slow start this season after winning SEC Freshman of the Year last year, but with two quick 3 pointers already today she's looking to heat it up. So far the Cats are shooting well and turning the Spartans over with ease. Kentucky up 10-4 early.

BzzzZzzZZZZzzz: There is only a 6 inch difference between the shortest and the tallest players for Upstate so...naturally Kentucky won the tip. Today's game is being broadcast on Fox Sports South so make sure to check this team out if you haven't already. Kentucky scores an early basket aaaand we're off. I'll start the game with this question: WHY DOES THE BAND DO SO MANY PELVIC THRUSTS WHILE DANCING?!

10 Minutes till Tip: It's a groggy morning for everyone here at Memorial as the holiday break comes to a close today and we all somehow have to start real world living again. There were no days off for the Cats this break though as they have practiced hard each day and have had constant focus on their upcoming games, #athleteproblems. Look for a lot of defensive intensity today and for the Spartans to struggle to score. They only scored 37 points against George Washington in their last game so today could get ugly. The only thing getting me through today is the "Pound the Alarm" starting lineup video for the Cats...thank God for pump up videos.