Welcome to A Sea of Blue's open game thread for the SEC quarterfinal matchup between the #1 seed Kentucky Wildcats and the # 8 seed LSU Tigers. Game particulars as follows, courtesy of UKAthletics.com:
| Quarterfinals: LSU @ Kentucky |
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| Kentucky vs. LSU Fri., Mar. 9, 1 p.m. ET Game Notes: UK  | LSU TV: SEC Network Radio: UK IMG Live Stats Live Video via ESPN3 Live Audio Text Updates Digital Program |
LSU is coming off a big victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in Game 1 of the SEC tournament. LSU is a talented team that is extremely young. In spite of that, LSU is very physical, and during the meeting in Baton Rouge early this year, the game got a little too physical when Malcolm White performed a horse-collar take-down on Anthony Davis, and wound up being ejected from the game and forced by LSU to sit out the next one as punishment for his ill-considered actions.
After that game, White apologized both to Davis and UK, and overall the matter was handled with a great deal of class by LSU coach Trent Johnson. This game figures to be good, hard fun for both teams, and I don't expect either team to act out of character.
What Kentucky needs to do to win:
- Make open shots. Kentucky has been remarkable at scoring the basketball, and if UK can score easily today, it could be an easy game.
- Defend the 2. LSU is not a great 3-point shooting team, and if we force LSU to shoot a bunch of 3's, I think it works in Kentucky's favor.
- Relax, play hard. If UK plays hard, their talent will carry them through this game.
This is a game that Kentucky is unlikely to lose in an upset. It has been a few days since Kentucky last played, and they are no doubt chomping at the bit to get back into game action, something they figure to get plenty of over the next couple of days.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Big Blue Nation, this is tournament time. Losses now have devastating consequences, so every game is life or death for both teams. Let's cheer these young guys on to another SEC Tournament championship!
Go, 'Cats!