Kentucky Wildcats at Florida Gators: Live Game Thread

This is the game many people had circled on their calender as a tough spot for Kentucky in the pre-season, but 3/4 of a season of basketball have totally changed that perception, although this game still represents a significantly tougher challenge for Kentucky than their last two home games have.

Florida has had would could generously be labeled a "mediocre" season, although it’s downright awful compared to last year’s team, who ran through the SEC last season without a single setback, including the SEC tournament.

Game particulars:

Essentials for victory

• Rebound — For God’s sake, please rebound. No exposition is necessary.

• Do not settle for threes — Florida will doubtless zone Kentucky, and Kentucky must attack the zone patiently and get good looks from midrange or at the rim.

• Take care of the ball — Kentucky normally does this well, but Florida is a pressure defensive team that can cause turnovers.

• Defend better — Kentucky’s defense has been off and on, but the biggest problem is that the Wildcats have been allowing good shots via the offensive rebound. Knock out the offensive rebounding, and Kentucky’s defense gets better immediately.

• Avoid fouls — Kentucky is not quite as deep on the front line with Trey Lyles down, and although they are plenty big enough for Florida, the ‘Cats need to avoid fouls as much as possible.

This is a game Kentucky should win, but that will be opposed strongly by Florida, who badly needs this win to get back into the NCAA Tournament conversation. Florida hasn’t been very good this year, and at times they have looked downright bad, even at home. Don’t expect that tonight, this game really does mean a lot to them in a way it probably didn’t to teams like Missouri and South Carolina.

Go, ‘Cats!