Boston University Terriers @ Kentucky Wildcats (10): Game Preview

Tonight, the Kentucky Wildcats take on the Boston U. Terriers in Rupp Arena, the first meeting of the two teams since 1994, a game which the then-#7 ranked Wildcats defeated the Terriers 90-49 behind balanced scoring from Antoine Walker, Rodrick Rhodes, Tony Epps and Tony Delk.  Boston University was former UK head coach Rick Pitino's first head coaching job, and he did reasonably well there, getting Boston U. to the NIT in 1980 and the NCAA Preliminary round in 1983.

Here are some facts about the Boston University Terriers, courtesy of BBstate.com:

Personnel

The Terriers have had a huge turnover since last year, losing all but three of their players, eight to graduation.  The replacements are seven freshmen and three other players, either walk-ons or transfers.

Here is how the 2010-11 Terriers shape up in terms of losses and additions over last year:

Boston U. Roster With Comments

Four Factors Analysis

The Four Factors to Winning look like this for these two teams, courtesy of Statsheet.com:

At this point in time, Kentucky is the superior team, four factors-wise.  There is no statistical area of these four where the Terriers are currently superior.

Overall Analysis

• Kentucky is bigger, quicker, and more talented than Boston U.
• Kentucky is a significantly better ballhandling team.
• Boston U. is a poor FG% defensive team.
• Kentucky shoots bad free throws.  Fortunately, Boston U does not send people to the line a lot.  That may change this game.
• Kentucky matches up very well with this team inside, one of the few times we have been able to say that.
  
• Kentucky does not force many turnovers, which is a big problem for them.  Perhaps they will force some this game.  That is a stat that is killing the Wildcats.
• Last game put a big dent in UK's eFG%.  Hopefully, they will begin a rebound in that area tonight.
• Hopefully, Darius Miller will finally show some leadership on the floor in this game.
• Hopefully, the Wildcats will have figured out that getting to the rim is only part of the Dribble Drive Motion -- particularly Brandon Knight and DeAndre Liggins.

This game is a pretty big mismatch on paper.  Boston U. has played two more games, but also has two more losses, and has beaten only one team inside the top 200 in the nation so far this year -- George Mason.

If this game is competitive in the second half, I cannot imagine Calipari being happy.