Vanderbilt might be willing to get into track meet with Kentucky

Mark Pope‘s first Kentucky team ranks No. 30 in KenPom’s adjusted tempo, has scored 90-plus points 10 times in 14 games, and has produced a 42.8 percent three-point shot distribution. The Wildcats want to play with spacing and push the tempo. That style has led to shootouts against teams that play a similar style.

Another track meet could be coming on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gym. Kentucky has played four teams that rank in the top 100 in adjusted tempo. The winner got to at least 87 points in each matchup.

• Alabama (No. 1 in adjusted tempo): Tide 102, Cats 97
• WKU (No. 5 in adjusted tempo): Cats 87, Tops 68
• Gonzaga (No. 44 in adjusted tempo): Cats 90, Bulldogs 89 (OT)
• Florida (No. 78 in adjusted tempo): Cats 106, Gators 100

Each of these games included 70-plus possessions. Vanderbilt currently sits at No. 47 in adjusted tempo. The Commodores just lost a road game to Alabama where the Tide scored 103 points in 82 possessions.

Expect the pace to be up and down in front of a sold out crowd in the Music City this weekend. New head coach Mark Byington has seen his last six offenses at Georgia Southern and James Madison rank inside the top 100 in adjusted tempo. His first Vanderbilt team is no different. The Commodores don’t have a ton of size as they play 6-foot-7 Devin McGlockton and 6-foot-8 Jaylen Carey at the five-spot, but they have found success due to the tempo. Vandy will want to spread the floor and get shots off quickly.

The next SEC game for Kentucky will not be a slugfest with limited possessions like we saw against Clemson and Ohio State. Expect that possession total to creep close to 80. That means a free flowing game as long as the foul calls are not outrageus.

The first one to 100 points could leave Memorial Gym victorious.