True Blue Kentucky

Forget Duke and North Carolina.  The biggest game this week takes place tonight in Rupp Arena when 7th ranked Florida comes to town.  A lot is on the line tonight, so let's not waste time and look at the Gators.

What's At Stake

Three things are on the line tonight against Florida.  First of all, UK can own sole posession of first place with a win.  Florida would tie UK in the loss column with an upset tonight.  Second.  UK's number one ranking is at stake.  Well it is on every game they play.   A loss will send them down in the rankings.  Last.  UK's home winning streak of 48 straight wins is on the line.

Series History

Kentucky holds a commanding 90-33 lead against Florida.  The Cats have won the last two in a row including a 70-54 victory in last years SEC tournament championship game.

2011-2012 Season

Florida enters tonight's matchup with a 19-4 (7-1) record.  They have wins against Mississippi State, Florida State, Arizona, and Texas A&M.  Their losses include Ohio State, Syracuse, Rutgers, and Tennessee.

Players to Watch

1. Bradley Beal - UK is not the only SEC team with talented freshman.  Beal leads the Gators in minutes played.  He is second in scoring and third in rebounding at 14.3 and 6.1 per game.  The freshman guard shoots 34.5% from three and 74.3% from the line.

Tennesse comes into Rupp tonight trying to cool off the red hot Cats.  The Vols have revenge on their mind, so let us get down to business and preview what to expect tonight in SEC confernce play.

First Meeting

Behind MKG's 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Anthony Davis's 18 points, Kentucky came from behind to beat the Vols 65-62.   UK shot 42.9% from the floor and 40.0% from the arc.  The Cats out rebounded the Vols 37-35.  UT was led by Cameron Tatum who scored 16 and Jeronne Maymon who scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds.  The Vols shot 40.4% from the floor and 35.3% from three.  UT also committed 15 turnovers.

Series Standings

Kentucky holds a 147 to 66 advantage over the Vols.  The Cats have won 8 out of the last 10 against UT.

2011-2012 Season

The Vols got off to a rocky start, no pun intended.  They are 10-11 over all and 2-4 in the SEC.  The lost one day to Georgia and then beat a ranked UCONN team four days later.  They are very inconsistent

Players to Watch

Kentucky heads to Athens tonight to defend their newly number 1 ranking as the Cats and Dawgs do battle on ESPN.  Let's take a look at what the Cats can expect on their trip to Georgia.

Series History

Kentucky holds a 113-25 advantage over Georgia.  The Bulldogs, however,  won the last meeting in Athens 77-70.

2011-2012 Season

The Bulldogs have a record of 10-9 (1-4).  Their best win on the season came last week against Tennessee.  They have losses against California, Xavier, Alabama, and Cincinnatti.

Players to Watch

1. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - The 6'4"  freshman leads Georgia in scoring at 14.7 points a game.  He is a 32.6% shooter from three, 63.2% shooter from the free throw line, and pulls down 5.1 rebounds per game.

2. Gerald Robinson - The senior averages 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.  He shoots 30.8% from three and 79.1% from the line.

Here are the latest projections of what the inside of a renovated Rupp Arena and the adjoining concourse could look like upon completion. These pictures were recently released at a Lexington City Council meeting.

Alabama will head in to Rupp Saturday to take on the Cats at noon.  UK will look to extend their nation's leading home winning streak to 47 with a win over the Crimson Tide.  Here is the preview of Alabama.

Series History

Kentucky holds a 101-36 win advantage over the Crimson Tide.  The Cats won the last meeting during last year's SEC Tournament 72-58.  UK has won the last 6 out of 7 against Alabama.

2011-2012 Season

Alabama comes into Rupp on a 2 game losing streak.  They post a record of 13-5 (2-2).  The Tide has some decent wins over VCU, Maryland, Purdue, and Georgia.  Some of their losses include Kansas State, Georgetown, Mississippi State, and Dayton.  They also lost at home last night to Vandy.  Vandy's hot shooting put the Tide in an early hole that they could not climb out of.

Players to Watch

1. JaMychal Green - Alabama is led by their 6'8" forward in Green.  He averages 13.7 points  and 6.7 rebounds a game.  Also he shoots 53.8% from the field and 71.6% from the line.  Green is as physical of a player that there is in the SEC.

2. Tony Mitchell -  Not to be out done by his inside counter part, Tony Mitchell averages 13.7 points and leads Bama in rebounding at 7.4 a game.   He is a 30.8% three point shooter and shoots 60.0% from the line.

40 minutes of Hell is back as Mike Anderson's Arkansas Razorbacks invade Rupp Arena tonight for some prime time action.  The Cats and Hawgs tip off tonight at 9:00 pm EST on ESPN.  Let's take a look at are vistors from Arkansas.

Series History

Kentucky holds a 24-8 record against Arkansas.  The Cats have won 10 out of the last 11 against the Hawgs.  Arkansas last win against UK came last season in Fayetteville in OT 77-76.  Kentucky did however dismantle Arkansas 101-70 the last time they played at Rupp.

2011-2012 Season

Arkansas enters tonight's matchup with at 13-4 (2-1) record.  They have played some quality teams in UConn, Oklahoma, and Mississippi State.  The Razorbacks best win so far this season was against Mississippi State.  It should be noted that Arkansas has not won a game on the road this season.

Players to Watch

* Game note* Arkansas leading scorer Marshawn Powell is out for the season with a knee injury.

1. B.J. Young - The freshman guard averages 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.  He shoots 43.8% from three and 71.4% from the line.

2. Mardacus Wade - The 6'2" guard averages 11.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.  He shoots 49.3% from three and 78.7% from the line.

The Cats begin a two game road trip tonight as they travel to Auburn to take on the Tigers.  Game time is set for 8:00 pm EST.  Let's take a look at the Tigers so far in the 2011-2012 season

Series History

UK holds an 85-17 series lead over Auburn.  The Cats have won 12 in a row in the series and 26 out  of 27 games against the Tigers.  Auburn's last win, oddly enough, happened 12 years ago today when Chris Porter led the Tigers to a 66-63 victory.

2011-2012 Season

Auburn comes into tonight's game with a record of 10-5 (0-1),  They have been blown out in their last two games by Florida St (29 points) and Vanderbilt (30 points).  Their best win of the season came against South Floirda.

Players to Watch

1. Kenny Gabriel - The 6'8" forward leads Auburn in scoring and rebounding with 11.9 and 7.8 per game.  Gaberiel is a 38.1% three point shooter and shoots 65.7% from the line.

2. Frankie Sullivan - The 6'11" guard averages 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.  He shoots 37.0% from three and 65.9% from the foul line.

3. Chris Denson - The sophomore guard averages 10.7 points a game.  He is a 38.5% three point shooter and shoots 71.4% from the line.