Tonight is the final game of the three-game home stand for the Kentucky Wildcats as they welcome the Mississippi St. Bulldogs into Rupp Arena.
Game particulars are as follows, courtesy of UKAthletics.com:
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| Gameday Information |
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| Kentucky vs. Mississippi State Weds., Feb. 27 - 8:00 p.m. ET Rupp Arena Lexington, Ky. Game Notes: UK  | MSU |
| Coverage |
| Gameday Live: Online video, audio, blog and stats TV: SEC Network Radio: UK IMG Text Updates |
The Wildcats have been trending upward the last two games offensively, even though their defense has been very weak. Since losing Nerlens Noel to injury, Kentucky has not held a single opponent below 1 point per possession, and has allowed over 1.1 points per possession 3 times out of the last five games. That’s not good.
MSU is depleted, but they are not going to just hand Kentucky this game -- they have nothing to lose. In a lousy season like this, the one highlight they would love to be able to point to is taking Kentucky down at home, a place where the ’Cats have not been as invulnerable as in previous years.
Here’s what I’m hoping for:
Better defense. This team lacks a commitment to defense, and it will be their undoing. I hope to see that change tonight.
Can Alex Poythress make it two in a row? He hasn’t had back-to-back good games all year.
Kyle Wiltjer had a quiet game against Mizzou. I’d like to see him roar back tonight.
Willie Cauley-Stein to just keep doing what he’s doing.
Uncle Julius to add to his legend, or failing that, at least play well.
More of the Ryan Harrow we have seen lately.
Fewer turnovers, more offensive rebounds.
I truly hope this is a game that Kentucky can win without a tremendous amount of drama, but honestly, this team could probably play Lexington Community College’s intramural team and still wind up in a dogfight. Some teams are just like that.
Could we, just once, get a convincing victory? Please?
Go, ’Cats!