Tonight, the Boston U. Terriers visit Rupp Arena for a tilt with the Kentucky Wildcats for the first time in over a decade. Former head coach Rick Pitino was prowling the sidelines the last time the 'Cats welcomed the Terriers into the Bluegrass.
I have just one question, though -- Who scheduled all these teams with canine mascots? This is our third in a row!
Game particulars, via UKAthletics.com:
| Boston U. @ Kentucky | |
|---|---|
| Game Notes | Kentucky Game Notes  | Boston Game Notes |
| Date & Time | Tues., Nov. 30, 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Coverage | TV: FS South/BBSN Radio: BBSN GameTracker Online Audio Live Video via ESPN3 Text Updates |
| Location | Rupp Arena Lexington, Ky. |
Unlike last game, Kentucky faces a team with a significant disadvantage in every measurable area, including size. This is one of the rare teams so far that is not longer or bigger than Kentucky in some way, and the second team all year with markedly inferior athletes.
More after the jump.
What Kentucky must do to win:
- Share the basketball. This, I expect to happen. Still, I'm looking at you, Brandon Knight and DeAndre Liggins.
- Attack the rim. This, I am afraid might not happen. It is typical for a team to overreact to criticism, and the "selfish" angle has been way, way over-hyped by the media.
- Continue the effective offensive rebounding. I am very pleased to see the Wildcats doing so well in this stat without a high-quality big man.
- Talk on defense. This team is as tight lipped as razor clam. These guys have got to learn to talk on defense, and Darius Miller needs to provide some leadership on the floor.
- Make free throws. Bad free throw shooting is getting tiresome.
What Kentucky can do to lose or look really bad:
- Jack up a bunch of quick threes, like they did against the Connecticut Huskies.
- Dribble the ball around aimlessly looking for something to do.
- Stand around on offense.
- Play defense like they are shod in lead.
- Fail to learn the lessons of Maui.
That's it. This should be a mismatch, and if it isn't, something is badly broken. But the Terriers are not just going to come in here and lay down -- they are led by seniors and that does matter. Kentucky should win, but Boston U. is going to make them earn it, and if UK starts to lose focus like they did in the late first half against UConn, who knows -- this could turn into a dog and 'Cat fight.