A Sea Of Blue - Gameday: Missouri Tigers at Kentucky WildcatsOnline Home of the Big Blue Nation: Kentucky Wildcats Sports for the Discerning Fanhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46621/aseaof-fav.png2013-02-24T00:30:11-05:00http://www.aseaofblue.com/rss/stream/37868252013-02-24T00:30:11-05:002013-02-24T00:30:11-05:00Mizzou 83, Kentucky 90: Postmortem
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<img alt="Uncle Julius!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aUvT9W-wApbEvcvNFRo2YGm2JK8=/0x362:2813x2237/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8629757/20130223_pjc_sf6_672.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Uncle Julius! | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Kentucky defeats Missouri in overtime, winning one of the biggest games of the season and coming back from a 13-point first half deficit.</p> <p>Holy, crap, what a basketball game! So help me, I was ready to give up on this team after the first ten minutes. I thought it was going to be another <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/florida-gators">Florida</a> or <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/tennessee-volunteers">Tennessee</a> affair. But then, somehow, the Wildcats knocked a 13-point bulge for Missouri down to four.</p>
<p>Then the second half happened. All the players that didn’t really participate in the first half came to life in the second. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175895/archie-goodwin">Archie Goodwin</a> started it off by scoring seven quick points. Then Julius Mays got involved, and lo and behold, we had ourselves a nip-and-tuck ballgame.</p>
<p>Kentucky managed to get out to a seven-point lead at the 9:14 mark and held it until the 7:25 mark in the game, gaining it back a couple of times before the game got tough again with about 5:00 left in the game. It was nip and tuck the rest of the way, going into overtime where the Wildcats finally prevailed by a final tally of 90-83.</p>
<p>I really don’t know what to say to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/missouri-tigers">Missouri</a>. They played really hard, did a lot of good things, and arguably had a great opportunity to win this game. To be fair, Kentucky had the momentum throughout the entire second half, and Mizzou in general, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123927/phil-pressey">Phil Pressey</a> in particular, found ways to stay in the game and close enough to win. Unfortunately for them, the Wildcats were just too much at home.</p>
<h4 id="player-observations">Player Observations</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<p>The game ball is no contest. Many players had really good games, but one was head and shoulders above the rest, making huge shot after huge shot, big play after big play. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52236/julius-mays">Julius Mays</a> had 24 points on 6-12 shooting, 4-8 from 3, 8-9 from the line, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and only 1 turnover. Game ball.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175899/alex-poythress">Alex Poythress</a> was the player we saw against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/duke-blue-devils">Duke Blue Devils</a>, the player we thought we had when the year began. He played one of the best games of any player this year, and in any other game would have won the game ball without a thought. 21 points on 8-10 shooting, 1-1 from the arc, 4-6 from the line, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a partridge in a pear tree.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Archie Goodwin was great. He was the player that we have been hoping to see, and even though, at times, he drives us all a little crazy, he was fantastic tonight. 18 points on 7-12 shooting, 2-3 (!) from 3, 2-4 from the line, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal 1 block, but 7 turnovers. He had fully half of Kentucky’s total turnovers, and although this was his second good game in a row, he really needs to fix that.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145570/kyle-wiltjer">Kyle Wiltjer</a> played the fewest minutes he has played in a long time, and he was not very effective tonight. He managed 4 points, all from the line, on 0-2 shooting and 0-1 from the arc. He had 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 turnover, although that turnover wasn’t his fault.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175897/willie-cauley-stein">Willie Cauley-Stein</a> may not have scored a lot, but he did a lot of good things and, in many games, would have been the player of the game just for his effort and hustle. 7 points on 3-7 shooting, 1-7 from the line, 12 rebounds (4 offensive), an assist, a steal, and 7 blocks. He was within 3 points and 3 blocks of a triple-double.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123991/ryan-harrow">Ryan Harrow</a> once again had a very good game, even an outstanding one. He didn’t shoot the ball great, but he didn’t shoot it bad and he was very aggressive, particularly in the first half, where he had 12 points. 16 points on 6-14 shooting, 0-2 from 3, 4-4 from the line, 8 (!) rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and only 3 turnovers.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123769/jarrod-polson">Jarrod Polson</a> played, but he didn’t play much, only 9 minutes. He was 0-2 from the field, although the shots he took were good ones.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Jon Hood played a couple of minutes, but didn’t impact the box score.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="team-observations">Team Observations</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Kentucky is still a poor defensive team. They just don’t do a good job in the half court most of the time, although they do try very hard. WCS is getting better at blocking shots, and it really showed up this game. But the ’Cats had way too many breakdowns.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The offense is really starting to be threatening. When Goodwin is even a marginal threat to score from the perimeter, it really opens things up for Poythress, Harrow and Mays.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>I have to be honest – when you watch Kentucky play, you don’t think of them as an NCAA Tournament team. But then you look at the score and wonder how they got that done. This team is a lot of things, but they are not quitters, and they are starting to believe in themselves. At the end of the day, if they believe in themselves, that’s almost enough for me.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>I still can’t say Kentucky has an identity, but they are beginning to come into some kind of focus. They really got after the 50/50 balls tonight and came up with most of them. If that turns out to be their legacy, it will be one we can all appreciate – even admire. "Blue collar" is the phrase that comes to mind after tonight.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>This was a huge win. It was huge. It was huge not because the pundits say it was, and not because I say it was. It was huge because this was the game right in front of us, and we won it. That’s it. When you are a team living on the edge of NCAA Tournament interest, the only game that matters is the next one.</p>
<p>Living in the "precious present" is hard. It is hard for a team, and it’s particularly hard for fans. But since we are here, and the present is pretty sweet, let’s just enjoy it, shall we?</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2013/2/24/4023448/missouri-tigers-83-kentucky-wildcats-90-ot-postmortemGlenn Logan2013-02-23T22:09:02-05:002013-02-23T22:09:02-05:00Mizzou 35, 'Cats 31: Second Half Game Thread
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<p>After watching that first half, I have no Earthly idea how we wind up going into the half only down four. Missouri massacred Kentucky on the backboards, Kentucky shot a whopping 39%, and yet somehow they wind up withing a couple of field goals.</p>
<p>Kentucky did not play well at all in this half. All I can say about that is that if they can’t play any better than this, they deserve to lose. It was just a half of pure frustration for me.</p>
<p>Honestly, though, Kentucky did just enough to stay firmly in the game, and I guess, in the end, the only stat that matters is the final score. Kentucky did make a couple of big shots, and despite a horrendous 7-12 at the line, they have not managed to lose the game in the first half, which, at one point, looked likely.</p>
<p>Missouri, frankly, has absolutely no excuse not to be up ten or more. They dominated Kentucky on the glass, got innumerable good looks from everywhere, and mostly made their living off of layups. All I can say about that is that if we can give up that many easy baskets and still be in the game, I guess we have a chance after all.</p>
<p>If everyone will just play basketball, we could be in for a good second half. Right now, we have two guys, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123991/ryan-harrow">Ryan Harrow</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175899/alex-poythress">Alex Poythress</a>, doing all the scoring and making all the plays on offense, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175897/willie-cauley-stein">Willie Cauley-Stein</a> making all the plays on defense. If we could just get a little help from the other guys, who knows?</p>
<p>Go, ’Cats!</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2013/2/23/4023124/missiouri-35-at-kentucky-31-second-half-game-threadGlenn Logan2013-02-23T20:45:03-05:002013-02-23T20:45:03-05:00Mizzou at Kentucky: Live Game Thread
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<p>Kentucky welcomes Missouri to Rupp Arena for the first time as SEC members.</p> <p>So "they" say that this is a must-win, that the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kentucky-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Kentucky Wildcats</a> cannot afford to lose at home to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/missouri-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">Missouri Tigers</a> and get into the NCAA Tournament.</p>
<p>What do "they" know, anyway? But a win here would be really, really big.</p>
<p>Game particulars as follows, courtesy of <a href="http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/022213aaa.html">UKAthletics.com</a>:</p>
<table style="width: 216px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><img src="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/kty/sports/m-baskbl/auto_bsimini/8256133.jpeg" height="93" alt="Gameday" width="216"></td></tr> <tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #0060a9; color: #fff; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; padding: 3px;">Gameday Information</th></tr> <tr><td style="padding: 5px;">Kentucky vs. Missouri<br> Weds., Feb. 20 - 8:00 p.m. ET<br> Rupp Arena<br> Lexington, Ky.<br> Game Notes: <a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/kty/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/release/release_20130222aaa.pdf">UK</a> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fget.adobe.com%2Freader%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2F2013%2F2%2F23%2F4022770%2Fmissouri-tigers-at-kentucky-wildcats-live-game-thread" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/icon-acrosmall.gif" border="0" height="10" alt="Get Acrobat Reader" width="9"></a> | <a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/kty/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/release/release_20130222aaa_miss.pdf">MU</a> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fget.adobe.com%2Freader%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2F2013%2F2%2F23%2F4022770%2Fmissouri-tigers-at-kentucky-wildcats-live-game-thread" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/icon-acrosmall.gif" border="0" height="10" alt="Get Acrobat Reader" width="9"></a> </td></tr> <tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #0060a9; color: #fff; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; padding: 3px;">Coverage</th></tr> <tr><td style="padding: 5px;"> <strong><a href="http://www.ukathletics.com/mbbgameday/">Gameday Live</a>: Online audio, blog and stats</strong><br> TV: ESPN<br> Radio: <a href="http://www.ukathletics.com/multimedia/affiliates.html">UK IMG</a><br> <a href="http://my.textcaster.com/ServePopup.aspx?id=1594">Text Updates</a> </td></tr> </tbody></table>
<p>To win tonight, the Wildcats need to:</p>
<ul> <li><p>Keep the Tigers off the offensive boards. Mizzou is a very good offensive rebounding team, and an excellent rebounding team overall. Kentucky must at least keep them under their average on the offensive glass.</p></li> <li><p>Force <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123927/phil-pressey" class="sbn-auto-link">Phil Pressey</a> to shoot the ball. The more he shoots, the better chance we have. Not layups, mind you, but threes and tough floaters.</p></li> <li><p>Attack the rim and get to the free throw line. I hesitate to say this, but it’s one reason Kentucky is tough. The problem is, they can easily overdo this and fly recklessly into the defense, drawing charges instead of fouls.</p></li> <li><p>Be confident. When Kentucky is confident, they are good, particularly offensively.</p></li> <li><p>Out-hustle the Tigers. When Kentucky wins the 50/50 balls, they usually win the game.</p></li> <li><p>Take care of the basketball. When Kentucky does not turn it over, they are usually right there in the game.</p></li> <li><p>Play the game. Kentucky often over-thinks basketball, and it works against them. Just play hard, make the easy pass, and they will have a chance.</p></li> </ul>
<p>Missouri is a better team on paper than this version of the Wildcats, and so despite what the line is, Kentucky is going to have to play a quality game to defeat Missouri. Forget that Mizzou has not won on the road mucn – right now, consider them due.</p>
<p>If Kentucky is up for this game and can keep their heads about them, they will win. If not, they will lose.</p>
<p>Go, ’Cats.</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2013/2/23/4022770/missouri-tigers-at-kentucky-wildcats-live-game-threadGlenn Logan2013-02-23T14:43:52-05:002013-02-23T14:43:52-05:00Game Preview: 'Cats Vs. Tigers
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<img alt="Kyle Wiltjer must defend better today than he did against Vanderbilt." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NzDJ0a5bGa_GycRusHhFIIHRLjg=/0x170:2666x1947/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8604457/20130221_kkt_sf6_293.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kyle Wiltjer must defend better today than he did against Vanderbilt. | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Kentucky Wildcats welcome the Missouri Tigers into Rupp Arena for the first time as an SEC foe. This game is pregnant with NCAA Tournament implications for Kentucky.</p> <p>Tonight, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kentucky-wildcats">Kentucky Wildcats</a> take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/missouri-tigers">Missouri Tigers</a> for the first time as SEC opponents, a game many pundits are pointing to as a major measure of Kentucky’s worthiness for the NCAA Tournament this year. With the value of the Wildcats’ win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/mississippi-rebels">Mississippi Rebels</a> losing most of its luster recently due to Ole Miss’ strugges, tournament bracketologists look at this as though it is a must-win game for Kentucky.</p>
<p>Missouri also needs this victory, primarily due to their very poor road résumé – The Tigers have only one SEC road win to their credit, a thumping of cellar-dweller <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/mississippi-st-bulldogs">Mississippi St</a>. That’s hurting their credibility and seeding as an NCAA Tournament team, but not enough to put them into jeopardy of not getting a bid.</p>
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<p><i> </i></p>
<p style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold"><i>RELATED: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2013/2/22/4017452/missouri-kentucky-basketball-preview">Game Preview from Rock M Nation</a></i></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<hr style="color: #4169E1; background-color: #4169E1;">
<p>Here are how the two teams compare, courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="http://statsheet.com/mcb/games/2013/02/23/2013-02-23_missouri_vs_kentucky">Statsheet.com</a>:</p>
<table cols="3" border="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup width="180"></colgroup>
<colgroup span="2" width="85"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="LEFT"><b>Rank and Records</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b>Mizzou</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#0062AB"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">UK</font></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="LEFT"><b>RPI</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">#31</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">#49</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="LEFT"><b>Strength of Schedule</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">#54</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">#62</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="LEFT"><b>Overall</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">19-7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">18-8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="LEFT"><b>Conference</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">8-5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">9-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="LEFT"><b>Home</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">15-0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">13-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="LEFT"><b>Away</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">1-6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">4-5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="LEFT"><b>Top 25</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">2-2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">0-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="LEFT"><b>RPI Top 50</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">3-3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">0-5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<h4 id="series-history">Series History</h4>
<p>Kentucky and Missouri, despite being geographically pretty close, have rarely played. The Wildcats are <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Missouri.html">currently 4-0 against the Tigers</a>, and their last meeting was back in 1999 in the Maui Classic. Kentucky has only met once in a regular season game, all the way back in December of 1960. Every other meeting up until today’s game was a tournament affair.</p>
<p>John Brown owns the record for points against the Wildcats by a Missouri player, 34 back in 1971. For Kentucky, Bill Likcert scored 29 against the Tigers in their very first meeting back in December of 1960.</p>
<h4 id="missouri-personnel">Missouri Personnel</h4>
<table cols="13" border="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup width="40"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="143"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="64"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="43"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="40"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="47"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="59"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="43"></colgroup>
<colgroup width="45"></colgroup>
<colgroup span="4" width="43"></colgroup>
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<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">NO</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">NAME</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">STATIUS</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">POS</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">HT</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">WT</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">CLASS</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">PPG</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">FG%</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">RPG</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">APG</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">SPG</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">BPG</font></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="RIGHT">21.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52474/laurence-bowers">Laurence Bowers</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">227.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">14.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">53.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">6.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">42.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99998/alex-oriakhi">Alex Oriakhi</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">255.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">10.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">58.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">8.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">1.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123927/phil-pressey">Phil Pressey</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">5-11</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">175.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">JR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">11.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">36.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">3.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">6.9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">5.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53869/keion-bell">Keion Bell</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">200.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">11.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">55.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">4.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">32.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145905/jabari-brown">Jabari Brown</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">205.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SO</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">14.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">39.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">3.9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">3.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100256/tony-criswell">Tony Criswell</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">MR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">240.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">JR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">5.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">44.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">5.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">14.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175947/negus-webster-chan">Negus Webster-Chan</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">MR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">200.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">FR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">2.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">29.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">2.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">31.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123381/danny-feldmann">Danny Feldmann</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">225.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SO</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">75.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">44.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175951/ryan-rosburg">Ryan Rosburg</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-10</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">250.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">FR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">42.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">4.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175943/corey-haith">Corey Haith</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">5-10</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">160.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">FR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">14.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="RIGHT">10.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175945/dominique-bull">Dominique Bull</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">220.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">FR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="RIGHT">33.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101069/earnest-ross">Earnest Ross</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">222.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">JR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">10.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">42.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">5.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="RIGHT">35.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175949/stefan-jankovic">Stefan Jankovic</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R-U</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-11</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">230.0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">FR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">3.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">35.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" colspan="13" height="16" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="16" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" colspan="12" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Starter</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="16" align="LEFT">MR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" colspan="12" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Major Reserve</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="16" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" colspan="12" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Reserve</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="16" align="LEFT">-U</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" colspan="12" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Unavailable</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Missouri is a very balanced scoring team with all five starters averaging in double figures in points. There is really nobody in the starting lineup that can’t lead Mizzou in scoring on a given day. The leading scorer is Lawrence Bowers (14.2 ppg), despite missing five games in the early part of the SEC season with an injury. Predictably, the Tigers are a much better team with Bowers on the floor. Bowers is also the best percentage 3-point shooter on the team, although Ross and Brown take more.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/connecticut-huskies">Connecticut Huskies</a> transfer Alex Oriakhi is the team’s leading rebounder at 8.6 rpg. Oriakhi is one of the best offensive rebounders in the nation, and it is important for Kentucky to find a way to neutralize that. Missouri is also the best defensive rebounding team in the SEC, so getting offensive rebounds against them will be difficult.</p>
<p>The ice that chills the Tiger drink, though, is point guard Phil Pressey. Pressey is in the top 25 in the nation in assist rate. Pressey is best when he distributes the basketball instead of looking for his own shot, which also happens to be true of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123991/ryan-harrow">Ryan Harrow</a>, who will be defending him. Containing Pressey’s penetration will be key to a Kentucky victory tonight.</p>
<h4 id="four-factors-and-ken-pomeroy-analysis">Four Factors and Ken Pomeroy Analysis</h4>
<div style="margin:0px auto;text-align:center">
<a href="http://statsheet.com/mcb" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;color:#999;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:11px">College Basketball</a><br><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://statsheet.com/charts/chartlets/2013/02/23/mcb_games_2013_02_23_2013_02_23_missouri_vs_kentucky_862398.js"></script>
</div>
<table cols="5" border="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup width="106"></colgroup>
<colgroup span="2" width="68"></colgroup>
<colgroup span="2" width="85"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="17" align="CENTER"><b><br></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" colspan="2" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21" valign="MIDDLE"><b><font face="Times New Roman">Missouri with ball</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" colspan="2" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#0062AB" valign="MIDDLE"><b><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Times New Roman">Kentucky with ball</font></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="32" align="CENTER"><b><i>Category</i></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">Missouri<br>Offense</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#0062AB"><b><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Times New Roman">Kentucky<br>Defense</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#0062AB"><b><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Times New Roman">Kentucky<br>Offense</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#EAAE21"><b><font face="Times New Roman">Missouri<br>Defense</font></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">Adj. Efficiency</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/summary.php?s=RankAdjOE">107.7</a> 2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/summary.php?s=RankAdjDE">102.7</a> 12</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/summary.php?s=RankAdjOE">105.4</a> 4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/summary.php?s=RankAdjDE">97.6</a> 4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">Adj. Tempo</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/summary.php?s=RankAdjTempo">68.4</a> 3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><br></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/summary.php?s=RankAdjTempo">65.2</a> 7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" colspan="5" height="18" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b><i>Four Factors</i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">Effective FG%:</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankeFG_Pct">50.9</a> 3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankDeFG_Pct">45.2</a> 2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankeFG_Pct">52.2</a> 2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankDeFG_Pct">49.2</a> 10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">Turnover %:</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankTO_Pct">20.2</a> 7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankDTO_Pct">14.9</a> 14</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankTO_Pct">20.8</a> 8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankDTO_Pct">19.5</a> 8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">Off. Reb. %:</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankOR_Pct">35.1</a> 3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankDOR_Pct">33.3</a> 10</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankOR_Pct">34.8</a> 4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankDOR_Pct">25.1</a> 1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">FTA/FGA:</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankFT_Rate">38.2</a> 7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankDFT_Rate">30.1</a> 5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankFT_Rate">46.1</a> 1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/stats.php?s=RankDFT_Rate">33.0</a> 7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" colspan="5" height="18" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><b><i>Miscellaneous Components</i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">3P%:</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFG3Pct">33.6</a> 5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFG3Pct&od=d">33.2</a> 7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFG3Pct">35.1</a> 4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFG3Pct&od=d">33.6</a> 9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">2P%:</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFG2Pct">51.2</a> 3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFG2Pct&od=d">43.5</a> 3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFG2Pct">52.0</a> 2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFG2Pct&od=d">48.5</a> 9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">FT%:</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFTPct">78.0</a> 1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFTPct&od=d">71.9</a> 13</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFTPct">65.2</a> 12</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankFTPct&od=d">68.4</a> 6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">Block%:</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankBlockPct">8.8</a> 2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankBlockPct&od=d">15.5</a> 1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankBlockPct">10.2</a> 5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankBlockPct&od=d">9.1</a> 12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" height="18" align="LEFT">Steal%:</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankStlRate">10.6</a> 10</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankStlRate&od=d">6.9</a> 13</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankStlRate">9.0</a> 5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">
<a href="http://kenpom.com/teamstats.php?s=RankStlRate&od=d">11.7</a> 5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="5" height="17" align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE">Based on SEC play only. Number to right is conference rank<br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br>The Four Factors chart shows the two teams are very even, but they don’t really account for the recent changes in the Wildcats’ personnel, which is to say the injury of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175893/nerlens-noel">Nerlens Noel</a>.</p>
<p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://kenpom.com/index.php">Ken Pomeroy</a> table shows a little better the impact of the two very bad losses that Kentucky suffered last week. Notably, Kentucky is currently the 4th worst defensive team in the SEC, a conference not really noted for that much strength. The 30-point UK loss to Tennessee has a lot to do with that, as well as the recent narrow victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/vanderbilt-commodores">Vanderbilt Commodores</a> in which the Wildcats allowed Vandy to score over 1.14 points/possession.</p>
<h4 id="game-analysis">Game Analysis</h4>
<p>Missouri comes into this game off a big home win against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/florida-gators">Florida Gators</a>, so this game, while not really meeting the criteria of a trap game, looks very much like a game in which a letdown is possible. That, the improved offensive play by Kentucky against Vanderbilt, and the value of playing at home with a hyped, partisan crowd still feeling the excitement from an ESPN College GameDay appearance auger in favor of Kentucky.</p>
<p>For Kentucky to win this game, they must control the penetration of Pressey and keep Oriakhi off the offensive glass. Those two items are jobs #1 and 1a for Kentucky. Giving the Tigers a bunch of second shots is a sure recipe for disaster, and when Pressey gets into the paint, he draws fouls and kicks out to open 3-point shooters.</p>
<p>Kentucky, offensively, must find a way to keep some of the efficiency they found against Vandy on Wednesday. Kentucky was very good at finding good, open shots and getting the ball to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175897/willie-cauley-stein">Willie Cauley-Stein</a> in deep post position and off pick and rolls. Mizzou is mostly a man-to-man team, but they do play zone on some possessions.</p>
<p>It will be critical for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145570/kyle-wiltjer">Kyle Wiltjer</a> not to be a liability on defense in this game. He really struggled against Vanderbilt both times this year, and Vandy went right at him. You know that fact is not lost on Frank Haith, so I expect the Tigers to immediately attack Wiltjer when he comes in the game.</p>
<p>Speaking of Haith, he got an NCAA Notice of Allegations this week. Although I suspect he and the Mizzou faithful will deny it, that is a distraction that you really don’t need going on the road, where you have had very little success this year, to play in front of 22K + opponents and a talented, if underachieving, basketball team. That may be the unspoken factor in this game.</p>
<p>This game’s outcome is very difficult to foresee. At their best, these two teams are very equal. It’s tough to tell how the intangibles, such as the continuing adjustment to the loss of Nerlens, the Haith allegations, and the struggles of Missouri on the road will figure in. To me, it looks like a push, and the oddsmakers have the line between -1.5 and -3 for Kentucky. Of the two teams, I think Kentucky needs this more, but Missouri desperately needs a quality road win, so there’s that.</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2013/2/23/4021784/missouri-tigers-at-kentucky-wildcats-game-previewGlenn Logan