:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58327137/904690036.jpg.1515994872.jpg)
How to watch Kentucky Wildcats (14-3, 4-1 in SEC) at South Carolina Gamecocks (11-6, 23- in SEC)
Date: January 16th, 2018
Game Time: 9 pm EST
Location: Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina
TV : ESPN
Online Stream: You can stream the game online or on a mobile device using WatchESPN.
Replay: UK Basketball Live and WatchESPN
Radio: Tom Leach and Mike Pratt will have the UK radio network call on 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington or online at UKAthletics.com.
Odds: UK opened as a 3-point favorite, but some oddsmakers already have the line down to 1.5. KenPom projected the Cats to be a 2.5-point favorite in Nashville.
Predictions: UK has a 60.9-percent chance to win, according to ESPN’s matchup predictor. KenPom gives UK a 59-percent chance of winning and projects an 71-68 win for the Cats.
While we wait for the game to tip off, check out this piece on the rise of DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis in New Orleans:
The Kentucky Wildcats are set to face the South Carolina Gamecocks this Tuesday at Colonial Life Arena,
Kentucky needs a win to keep pace with Florida and Auburn atop the SEC standings. The Tigers are undefeated atop the SEC, while Florida is tied with Kentucky at 4-1 in league play.
South Carolina (11-6 overall, 2-3 conference) boasts an impressive defense along with the ability to rebound the ball offensively. The Gamecocks can get to the line at a high rate as well, but the team struggles offensively everywhere else.
Even when they get to the line they only hit 67.7% of their free throws. They rank 322nd in the nation in field goal percentage with a pitiful 41% conversion rate.
Much like Kevin Knox for Kentucky, 6’9 forward Chris Silva is South Carolina’s leading scorer (14.2) and rebounder (7.9). He’s also the only player on South Carolina averaging over a block per game (1.3). He’s the player to watch for the Gamecocks.
Kentucky has held opponents to only 41% shooting from the field this year. Expect South Carolina to score around their 70.9 average, though they have only scored 66.8 points per game in their five conference games.
Kentucky is third in the SEC in field goal percentage at 48.8%. They also rank seventh in the conference in scoring (78.3). The Wildcats are really rounding into to form with the ascension of P.J. Washington and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, yet it will take a healthy scoring night from Kevin Knox to counteract a good Gamecocks defense.
Kentucky has had trouble defending the paint since SEC play has begun, so Maik Kotsar (who leads the team in field goal attempts and minutes) will be the x-factor for the Gamecocks. Even with that said, expect the Wildcats to win Tuesday night’s game.