KSR Gameday: Kentucky Returns to the Road at South Carolina
Kentucky is on the road, again. For the fifth time in seven games, the Wildcats are playing away from Rupp Arena. Tonight Coach Cal’s crew is calling Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina home. Tip-off is at 7 pm ET on ESPN.
South Carolina is one of five SEC teams with a 4-6 record in conference play. Frank Martin’s squad will play his signature bully ball, mucking up the game with physical play, particularly in the paint. Last week the extra physicality appeared to rattle Oscar Tshiebwe on offense. Those tests should prepare him for what he will face tonight in the paint.
Even though the Gamecocks do not appear to present a daunting task for the Wildcats, South Carolina has won two straight against Kentucky in their home arena. Kentucky must rise to the challenge Tuesday night to add another Quad 2 win to its NCAA Tournament resume.
TV, Radio Info
The ball will be tipped off at 7 p.m. ET with Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes and Marty Smith on the call for ESPN. If you can’t watch it, you can listen in a variety of ways:
- AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
- FM: 98.1 WBUL
- Satellite: XM 190, Sirius 132, SXM App: 961
- Online: iHeart Radio
The KSR Pregame Show will begin at 4:30 pm ET on 630 WLAP and iHeart Radio. Get your pregame tipped off even earlier with Jack Pilgrim on Sources Say.
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Tour of Oxford
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Vegas, KenPom Prediction
The Las Vegas line opened with Kentucky as an 11.5-point favorite over South Carolina. The total is 141.5. The over has hit in four of South Carolina’s previous five games. KenPom predicts a 76-63 victory for Kentucky and ESPN’s BPI gives the Cats an 87.3% chance to win.
Coaches, Players Preview Kentucky-South Carolina
Monday afternoon we heard from a couple of Wildcats — Daimion Collins and Jai Lucas — and South Carolina’s Frank Martin previewed the matchup with the Cats. On the shaky Zoom call Martin was complimentary of John Calipari’s team.
No Shaedon Sharpe
Shaedon Sharpe will not be checking into a game this season for the Kentucky Wildcats, ending the sensational saga, for now. After months of speculation, John Calipari confirmed the shooting guard will not suit up for the rest of the season. The writing was on the wall after Sharpe remained on the bench at home against Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. Now the BBN’s undivided attention will be on this year’s team. However, once the season ends all of the focus will return to Sharpe as Kentucky fans speculate if he will enter the NBA Draft, or stick to his word and wear No. 21 next year in Lexington. If he does run it back, 2022-23 could be a lot of fun.
You Gotta Love Oscar
The only thing I love more than Oscar’s unfiltered joy is TyTy Washington‘s Oscar impression.
The Kentucky AD Speaks
Mitch Barnhart spoke with a few select media members Monday afternoon. So far, little has come from the conversation. Mitch shared that donors are forthcoming to help Mark Stoops get a new indoor facility and confirmed the men’s basketball schedule with Louisville will remain the same. The Cats will host the Cards at Rupp Arena despite this year’s COVID-19 cancellation. Prepare to see more Mitch Barnhart stories Tuesday.
Did Duke Win?
No.
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