Kentucky Wildcats vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Game Time: 7 pm EST

Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY

TV Channel: Tonight’s game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

Announcers: Tom Hart and Andy Kennedy will be on the call.

Live Online Steam: You can watch it online using Watch ESPN, the Watch ESPN app and fuboTV. You can listen to an online radio stream via UK Athletics.

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.

Replay: Check local listings on the SEC Network and WatchESPN. Here is the replay of Kentucky vs. Florida.

Rosters: UK | SC

Odds: Kentucky opened as a whopping 18-point favorite over South Carolina, but the line has since dropped to 15.5 KenPom projects the Cats to be an 16.5-point favorite. Kentucky has covered the spread in six-straight games, but that’s a big spread for anyone to cover, especially against a Frank Martin team that can muddy a game up.

Prediction: ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Kentucky a 94.2-percent chance of winning. KenPom gives the road team a 94-percent chance of winning and projects a, 82-65 win for the Wildcats. TeamRankings projects an 82-66 win, while numberFire went with an 86-68 final score. Go here for our own prediction and betting trends.

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Kentucky will put its eight-game winning streak on the line when South Carolina ventures into Rupp Arena.

After a gritty, comeback win in Gainesville, the Wildcats have proved they can win in any fashion. It took Kentucky until the nine-minute mark to get rolling, but sure enough, the Wildcats prevailed in the end.

The Florida Gators had control for most of the game but Kentucky’s defense kept the Wildcats in contention. When the team’s offense caught a spark, led by PJ Washington and Tyler Herro, they seized their opportunity and never looked back.

The next obstacle for Kentucky’s SEC regular-season title quest will be Frank Martin’s Gamecocks. USC took down Kentucky last year, 76-68, in Columbia. Now, a year removed from that upset loss, the Wildcats will host an 11-10 Gamecocks team in Lexington.

The Gamecocks have an all-conference caliber player in Chris Silva and have proven they can beat a good team. In the month of January, South Carolina has taken down Mississippi State and Auburn while winning at Florida.

Postseason play is roughly six weeks away, and the Wildcats are playing their best basketball of the season. With marquee matchups against Auburn and Tennessee on deck, it’s significant that they sustain their level of excellence to round out their SEC slate.

3 Keys to the Game

Contain Chris Silva

The 6-9 senior is averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game. Silva torched Kentucky last year, scoring 27 points in South Carolina’s win. This time, though, Silva will have to go toe-to-toe against a frontcourt rotation of EJ Montgomery, Nick Richards, Reid Travis and Washington.

In the Gamecocks’ best performances this season, Silva has led the way. His best game of the year was a 32-point, 14-rebound effort in that upset win over Auburn. He also just went for 28 and 10 in a loss to Tennessee.

Stop Silva, and the Wildcats should lock this game up rather easily.

40 Minutes of Execution

Once again, the narrative surrounding Kentucky’s struggles is their inability to grab a firm lead early in games.

In fairness, though, Florida’s game-plan of doubling the post threw Kentucky off-guard and tossed a wrench into the Wildcats’ offensive efficiency. Still, the Cats need to adjust to adversity better and not allow themselves to get down double digits, especially if they’re going to win games like at Mississippi State, vs. LSU and vs. Tennessee coming up.

Behind a highly-regarded players’ coach, the Gamecocks will waltz into Rupp Arena ready for a battle. Kentucky will need to answer this sense of urgency with attention on defense and executing high-quality shot opportunities on offense.

Dominate the Boards

While Kentucky has had their struggles guarding the three-point line, they may catch a break on Tuesday night. South Carolina struggles severely from behind the arc, which will allow Kentucky to sag in and control the painted area.

South Carolina also has a weakness rebounding the basketball, netting just a +0.6 margin this season. In comparison, Kentucky has a +9.3 margin. Even with Silva roaming the paint, the Wildcats should be able to will their way inside and establish momentum early.

Players to Watch

Chris Silva: 14 PPG, 7 RPG

As mentioned before, Silva is far and away South Carolina’s top-threat on offense. Keeping him off the offensive glass will be an important key to UK’s game plan. Silva connects on 75% of his free throws, which will put emphasis on not sending him to the free-throw line.

Silva is averaging 23.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game over his last four outings. He can wreak havoc in the paint, but Kentucky has enough frontcourt depth to keep him from going off.

AJ Lawson: 13.2 PPG

Lawson is a talented freshman who is the team’s second-leading scorer and lead assist man. He’s coming off a 19-point, seven rebound outing in a win at Georgia. He went for 24 in a win at Vanderbilt.

Lawson has also hit a three in all but three games this season, as he can light it up from deep if Kentucky doesn’t stay on him. Ashton Hagans will likely draw the defensive call on Lawson.

Hassani Gravett: 11.1 PPG, 39.8% 3FG

Gravett is a redshirt senior who has provided the Gamecocks with needed experience. With 39 made threes on the season, Gravett is also USC’s best option for outside scoring, as he’s hit multiple threes in seven of his last nine games. His best game of the year was when he went for 22 on 7/11 shooting (4/7 from deep) in a two-point win at Florida. He’s also hit a trio of three-pointers in four of his last six games.

Stopping Gravett in South Carolina’s transition offense should be a priority.