True Blue Kentucky

A busy weekend is in store for Big Blue Nation as the Ole Miss Rebels come in to town to try to knock off the first place Kentucky Wildcats.  Let's preview what is on tap for Saturday's game at Rupp.

What's at Stake

1. SEC Season Championship -  UK just needs two more victories to claim at least a share of the SEC season crown.

2. Nerlens Noel - The high school phenom is schedule for his visit to Lexington this weekend.   His visit is crucial.

3. The winning streak -  Right now UK has won like eleventy billion (49 to be precise) straight home games.  Why stop now???

4. A number one seed - UK has punched their ticket to March's NCAA Tournament.  They are just now playing for a number 1 seed in the Big Dance.

Series History

Kentucky holds a staggering 98-13 advantage over the Rebs.

2011-2012 Season.

Ole Miss comes into Rupp with record of 15-10(5-6).  They had a decent non conference part of the season with a 10-4 record including a win over Miami.  The SEC has proved to be rather difficult for the Rebels.  Including last night's beatdown at the hands of Vandy, Ole Miss has lost 4 out of their last 6 SEC games.

Players to Watch

1. Terrance Henry - The senior big man averages 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.  He is a 30.2% shooter from three and a 69.7% shooter from the line.

Five games are all that remains in this magical season.  So far we have seen records broken, a ton of alley oops, and poor ole Digger get his panties all wadded up.  Yet we with all the fun, there is still some work to be done.  That work begins with the five games left in the season.

First things first.  UK is not on the bubble.  We will not have to sweat it out like several teams will this year.  Heck, only one point seperates from being undefeated.  While all that is great, Kentucky still has some tough games remaining.  So let's take a look at the Cats remaining season games.

Date:  Saturday, February 18,

Team:  Ole Miss Rebels

Location: Rupp

Ole Miss comes into Rupp after facing Vandy on a Thursday/Saturday slate.  Right now the Rebels have a record of 15-9(5-5).  Their quality wins are against Mississippi State and Arkansas.  They are led by junior Terrance Henry and freshman Dundrecous Nelson.

Date:  Tuesday, February 21

Team:  Mississippi State

So after a hard fought road victory you need to rest, right? Wrong! Reports from various sources across the internet have our very own "King of Camelot" taking in high school hoops tonight in the Windy City. One could only guess his focus is on 2013 #1 overall player Jabari Parker. With the recent reclassification of Nerlens Noel, Parker has risen to the top of the list of high school players for 2013. Parker is a dominant 6'7" forward for the number one team in the nation, Chicago's Simeon High School.

Memorial Coliseum will be rocking as ESPN's Gameday will visit Saturday as a prelude to the UK/Vandy matchup.  The young Cats will be in one of the more hostile environments this season.  Do the Dores have what it takes to knock off the top ranked Cats?  Let's take a look in our preview of Vanderbilt.

What's At Stake.

1. UK would move down the rankings after a loss.

2. Vanderbilt's hope of winning the SEC.  The Dores are three games back now.  A win would help them pull closer.

3. Vanderbilt's tournament hopes.  Vandy still has some tough games left.  A win against UK would be a good tourney resume booster for them.  A pre-season tournament lock, Vandy is now on the bubble.

Series History

UK owns a 134-44 series domination over Vandy.  The Cats won the last meeting in Lexington last season 68-66.

2011-2012 Season

Vanderbilt is 17-7 (6-3) this season.  They have wins against Oregon, Marquette, NC State, and Alabama to name a few.  In past seasons they have been viturally unbeatable at home, but that has not been the case this season.  Vandy has home losses against Xavier, Indiana St, Mississippi State, and Cleveland State.  They have also been beaten by Louisville and Florida.

Players to Watch

1.  Jon Jenkins -  Umh, they have this fellow name Jenkins.  If you don't know him after the last two seasons, then you may want to learn about him quick.  Jenkins is one of the deadliest shooters in college basketball.  He averages 19.7 points a game and has hit 89 three pointers this season.  Jon shoots at a 44.3% average behind the line and at 84.6% from the free throw line.

Forget Duke and North Carolina.  The biggest game this week takes place tonight in Rupp Arena when 7th ranked Florida comes to town.  A lot is on the line tonight, so let's not waste time and look at the Gators.

What's At Stake

Three things are on the line tonight against Florida.  First of all, UK can own sole posession of first place with a win.  Florida would tie UK in the loss column with an upset tonight.  Second.  UK's number one ranking is at stake.  Well it is on every game they play.   A loss will send them down in the rankings.  Last.  UK's home winning streak of 48 straight wins is on the line.

Series History

Kentucky holds a commanding 90-33 lead against Florida.  The Cats have won the last two in a row including a 70-54 victory in last years SEC tournament championship game.

2011-2012 Season

Florida enters tonight's matchup with a 19-4 (7-1) record.  They have wins against Mississippi State, Florida State, Arizona, and Texas A&M.  Their losses include Ohio State, Syracuse, Rutgers, and Tennessee.

Players to Watch

1. Bradley Beal - UK is not the only SEC team with talented freshman.  Beal leads the Gators in minutes played.  He is second in scoring and third in rebounding at 14.3 and 6.1 per game.  The freshman guard shoots 34.5% from three and 74.3% from the line.

Tennesse comes into Rupp tonight trying to cool off the red hot Cats.  The Vols have revenge on their mind, so let us get down to business and preview what to expect tonight in SEC confernce play.

First Meeting

Behind MKG's 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Anthony Davis's 18 points, Kentucky came from behind to beat the Vols 65-62.   UK shot 42.9% from the floor and 40.0% from the arc.  The Cats out rebounded the Vols 37-35.  UT was led by Cameron Tatum who scored 16 and Jeronne Maymon who scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds.  The Vols shot 40.4% from the floor and 35.3% from three.  UT also committed 15 turnovers.

Series Standings

Kentucky holds a 147 to 66 advantage over the Vols.  The Cats have won 8 out of the last 10 against UT.

2011-2012 Season

The Vols got off to a rocky start, no pun intended.  They are 10-11 over all and 2-4 in the SEC.  The lost one day to Georgia and then beat a ranked UCONN team four days later.  They are very inconsistent

Players to Watch

Here are the latest projections of what the inside of a renovated Rupp Arena and the adjoining concourse could look like upon completion. These pictures were recently released at a Lexington City Council meeting.

Kentucky heads to Athens tonight to defend their newly number 1 ranking as the Cats and Dawgs do battle on ESPN.  Let's take a look at what the Cats can expect on their trip to Georgia.

Series History

Kentucky holds a 113-25 advantage over Georgia.  The Bulldogs, however,  won the last meeting in Athens 77-70.

2011-2012 Season

The Bulldogs have a record of 10-9 (1-4).  Their best win on the season came last week against Tennessee.  They have losses against California, Xavier, Alabama, and Cincinnatti.

Players to Watch

1. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - The 6'4"  freshman leads Georgia in scoring at 14.7 points a game.  He is a 32.6% shooter from three, 63.2% shooter from the free throw line, and pulls down 5.1 rebounds per game.

2. Gerald Robinson - The senior averages 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.  He shoots 30.8% from three and 79.1% from the line.