KSR Gameday: Kentucky Hosts Florida at Rupp Arena
It feels good to be back in the Bluegrass. For the first time since dismantling Tennessee on Jan. 15, the Wildcats will host an SEC opponent on a Saturday afternoon at Rupp Arena. Kentucky tips off against Florida at 4 pm ET on ESPN.
This Florida team does not bring the same bite as Billy Donovan’s old crew, but they should come to Lexington prepared to scratch and claw to a victory. The first team out of the NCAA Tournament according to Joe Lunardi, a win today could move Mike White’s team off the bubble and firmly place them into the field of 68.
The Gators have won four straight, thanks in large part to Colin Castleton’s return. The Florida big man missed six games with a shoulder injury. One of the 20 best shot-blockers in college basketball, how he matches up with Oscar Tshiebwe could define the outcome of today’s game.
It’s the second straight Saturday Kentucky will face a high-volume three-point shooting team. They aren’t on Nate Oats levels, but awfully close, averaging 26.3 long-range attempts per game to rank 30th nationally and second only to Alabama in the SEC. Almost a quarter of their total points come from three-point land, shooting 30.7% from behind the line. If it’s anything like the Alabama game, that strategy will not play against a UK defense that ranks 21st nationally in three-point defense.
Kentucky has won five straight and nine of its last ten. The Wildcats have momentum at the right time. It’s a good day to keep it rolling this afternoon at Rupp Arena.
Jacob Toppin’s Status: Unknown
You’ll never believe what John Calipari said when he was asked about Jacob Toppin: “I haven’t seen him.” As one Kentucky fan put it, “getting an injury at Kentucky is the quickest way into the Witness Protection Program.” Toppin had 10 points in eight minutes when he rolled his ankle at South Carolina. The third or fourth different ankle injury this season, most have missed at least one game before returning to the lineup.
TV, Radio Info
The ball will be tipped off at 4 p.m. ET with Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes 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 81, Sirius 81, SXM App: 81
- Online: iHeart Radio
The KSR Pregame Show will begin at 1:30 pm ET on 630 WLAP and iHeart Radio. Get your pregame tipped off even earlier with Jack Pilgrim on Sources Say.
Vegas, KenPom Prediction
The Wildcats opened as 11.5-point favorites, but money is pouring in for the Gators, dropping down to Kentucky -9.5 Saturday morning. That number could dip even further by tip-off time. The total is 140.5. Florida has failed to cover the spread in three straight games, all in which the under hit.
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KenPom picks the Cats to cover, predicting a 77-64 win and giving UK a 89% chance to win. ESPN’s BPI believes the Wildcats have a 90.5% chance to win.
Impressive Kentucky Numbers
Kentucky ranks in the top 20 nationally in rebound margin (2nd), scoring margin (5th), rebounds per game (7th), points per game (9th), field-goal percentage (9th), assists per game (11th), defensive rebounds per game (18th), 3-point field-goal defense (19th), adjusted offensive efficiency (5th) and adjusted defensive efficiency (12th).
The Key for Kentucky to Peak at the Right Time
The Wildcats appear to be clicking when it matters most right before the NCAA Tournament. Players are embracing their roles and starring in them, allowing any of the six featured players to go off on any given night. To keep this team focused when the going gets tough — the next five opponents have an average 24.8 NET ranking — Coach Cal lives by a creed.
“Fresh minds and fresh legs win at the end of the year,” Calipari said. “We are what we are. We’re established. We’re just trying to get sharper and more consistent and disciplined. Most of that is mental.”
Saturday’s College Basketball Slate
- Texas A&M at No. 1 Auburn | Noon | ESPN
- #20 Texas at #10 Baylor | Noon | ESPN2
- Oklahoma at #8 Kansas | CBS | 1 pm
- Seton Hall at #15 Villanova | Fox | 1 pm
- Army at Navy | CBSSN | 1:30 pm
- West Virginia at Oklahoma State | ESPN2 | 2 pm
- Florida State at North Carolina | ESPN | 2 pm
- Memphis at #6 Houston | ABC | 3:30 pm
- Indiana at #17 Michigan State | Fox | 3:30 pm
- #16 Ohio State at Michigan | ESPN | 6 pm
- Mississippi State at LSU | ESPN2 | 8 pm
- #12 UCLA at #21 USC | ESPN | 10 pm
- #22 St. Mary’s at #2 Gonzaga | ESPN2 | 10 pm
Oscar Gives Back
When he isn’t grabbing rebounds, Oscar Tshiebwe is putting smiles on faces across the Big Blue Nation. This week he paid a visit Beaumont Middle School to share his experience and inspire a few other kids who also call the Congo home.
United We Stand
CBS News’ Steve Hartman was on the road in Louisville, Kentucky this week to witness a spectacle you may not have heard before. Prepare to be blown away by some of the most talent young singers from across the Commonwealth.
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