This is the official A Sea Of Blue Open Game Thread for the Kentucky Wildcats @ Arkansas Razorbacks contest, tonight at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Game particulars as follows, courtesy of UKAthletics.com:
| Kentucky @ Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| Game Notes | Kentucky Game Notes  | Arkansas Game Notes |
| Date & Time | Weds., Feb. 23, 8:00 p.m. ET |
| Coverage | TV: SEC Network Radio: BBSN GameTracker Online Audio Online Video via ESPN3 Text Updates |
| Location | Bud Walton Arena Fayetteville, Ark. |
Arkansas is coming off a loss on the road to the Western Division leading Alabama Crimson Tide, but the Razorbacks have won two of their last three, albeit against inferior competition. The Wildcats are coming off two straight wins at home, and this game represents their penultimate opportunity to win another SEC game on the road.
More after the jump.
Keys to a Wildcat victory:
- Defense. This has been problematic for Kentucky on the road. They played great defense on Saturday against the scoring-challenged South Carolina Gamecocks, and if they can bring that to Fayetteville, I like our chances.
- Rotnei Clarke. Clarke demands special attention, and if Kentucky can keep him from getting more than 12 -15 points, Arkansas will be hard pressed to find enough offense to beat the 'Cats.
- Attack the basket. Kentucky did that very well against South Carolina. The Razorbacks lead the league in FTA/FGA, so it's very important that UK attack the rim.
- Avoid fouls. See 3 above.
- Move the basketball, and move without the basketball. When Kentucky does this, they get wide-open looks.
Keys to a Razorback victory:
- Manufacture looks for Clarke from long range.
- Get Kentucky in foul trouble. Arkansas draws a lot of fouls, so they know how to do this.
- Offensive rebound. The Hawgs have the tools, but they are lousy at it. If they can get some OR's they could win this game.
- Feed off the home crowd. Arkansas needs all the help they can get, but if they get some confidence, they have plenty of talent.
Kentucky did not move up last week primarily because voters are skeptical of a 1-5 road team. Winning this game would go a long way toward dispelling that doubt, and pundits will start buying, or at least not selling, Wildcats post-season stock.
Go, 'Cats!