KSR Gameday: Kentucky hosts Arkansas in battle of bubble teams

With lower than a month left within the common season, Kentucky wants to begin successful some huge video games to get off the NCAA Event bubble. Tonight is the primary of six Quad 1 video games left on the schedule. At 9 p.m., Kentucky hosts the Arkansas Razorbacks (16-7, 5-5 SEC), one other preseason top-ten crew now merely striving to make the Massive Dance.

Eric Musselman’s crew began the season robust however hit a skid when SEC play started, shedding 5 of their first six convention video games. Since then, the Razorbacks have slowly regained their footing, successful 4 of the final 5, the lone loss coming at No. 17 Baylor. That mentioned, they’re nonetheless a far cry from the crew that many believed might win the SEC. On Saturday, Arkansas virtually misplaced to South Carolina, the worst crew within the SEC. I’d make a joke about that however I can’t since Kentucky misplaced to the Gamecocks.

The Razorbacks are with out standout sophomore ahead Trevon Brazile, who tore his ACL in December, and freshman phenom Nick Smith Jr., who’s out indefinitely with a proper knee difficulty. A trio of guards leads the Razorbacks of their absence. Junior Ricky Council IV is first on the crew in scoring and second within the SEC with 17.0 factors per sport. Freshman level guard Anthony Black, a projected top-ten draft decide, averages 12.5 factors, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per sport. Davonte Davis, who stole the inbounds cross to seal Arkansas’ win over Kentucky in Rupp final season, is on fireplace as of late, averaging 16.6 factors during the last eight video games, together with 44.4% (20-45) from three-point vary.

Like Kentucky, Arkansas is on the bubble with just one Quad 1 win (San Diego State); nevertheless, not like the Cats, the Razorbacks don’t have a Quad 4 loss. Tonight is a Quad 1 alternative for each squads, that are each amongst Joe Lunardi’s “final 4 byes” of the NCAA Event. So, consider tonight as a play-in sport. No strain!

Calipari: “This can be a very onerous sport for us”

Final evening on his radio present, John Calipari praised the job Eric Musselman has finished main his crew again from a tough begin to convention play and seemed forward to a different late, bodily sport in Rupp.

“They’re an unbelievable driving crew,” Calipari mentioned of the Razorbacks. “They’re an unbelievable offensive rebounding crew. Their guards can break you down one-on-one pretty much as good as anyone this yr. Their bigs are bodily and lengthy, they defend. They’re good. They’re well-coached. It’ll be a tough sport for us, going to be a very onerous sport.”

A win tonight can be Kentucky’s seventh straight in SEC play and snap a two-game shedding streak to Arkansas. The Razorbacks gained final yr’s sport in Fayetteville and the 2020-21 assembly in Lexington.

Musselman on slowing down Oscar, Kentucky’s guards

Kentucky has proved it’s extra than simply Oscar Tshiebwe, however limiting the massive man remains to be one among Arkansas’ high priorities tonight. Oscar had 30 factors and 18 rebounds within the 75-73 loss in Fayetteville final season.

“Clearly, we’ve acquired to field out Tshiebwe,” Musselman mentioned following his crew’s win at South Carolina on Saturday. “… The most important factor is he performs volleyball with offensive rebounds. He’s so fast off his toes. And he attracts fouls across the rim, all these issues. Defensively, he’s acquired good anticipation. He’s a high-steal participant for his place, he blocks pictures on the defensive finish. He’s simply tenacious, relentless on the glass, so that you’ve acquired to match that vitality.”

Musselman additionally talked about Kentucky’s guards and the problem they current, particularly Antonio Reeves.

“Reeves is a superb scorer,” Musselman mentioned. “You’ve acquired to ID him as quickly as he crosses halfcourt, he’s a very good transition three-ball shooter…he’s form of developed into a man that they want factors from.”

Oscar and Reeves, Kentucky’s main scorers, mixed for under eight factors within the win over Florida on Saturday. How will they bounce again vs. the Razorbacks?

Watch, Hear

Tonight’s sport will get ESPN’s Tremendous Tuesday remedy. Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes, and Marty Smith can be on the decision for our final 9 p.m. tip of the common season (rejoice!).

• TV: ESPN
• Stream: WatchESPN, ESPN+
• Native Radio: 630 WLAP, 840 WHAS, UK Sports activities Community
• On-line: iHeart
• Satellite tv for pc Radio: Sirius 85 or 190, SXM app 961

The KSR Pregame Present will start at 6:30 p.m. reside at KSBar and Grille, so come on by earlier than you head to Rupp or just tune in from dwelling on 630 WLAP, 840 WHAS, or iHeart Radio.

Vegas, Computer systems

Kentucky opened as a 3.5-point favourite. That has since moved to Kentucky -5.5 at most sportsbooks. The entire is 139.5 factors. The Cats are 6-0 in opposition to the unfold in SEC video games because the loss to South Carolina.

KenPom predicts a detailed one, with Kentucky getting the win 72-69 with a 58% probability of successful. Bart Torvik favors the Cats by one, 71-70, 54% probability of victory. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor goes larger, at 64.9%.

Statistical Comparability

Arkansas’ protection ranks thirteenth in adjusted effectivity on KenPom. Within the final 5 video games (Ole Miss, LSU, Baylor, Texas A&M, South Carolina), the Razorbacks have held their opponents to a median of 59.4 factors on 35% from the ground, 32% from three-point vary.

Arkansas carrying new uniforms tonight

The Razorbacks can be sporting some new threads tonight at Rupp. Yesterday, Musselman shared an image of Arkansas’ new highway unis, which characteristic the traditional “Slobbering Hog” emblem throughout the chest in honor of this system’s one hundredth season. They’re the twelfth new uniform the crew has worn this season.

Orlando Antigua previews Arkansas

Coach O stepped to the rostrum for pregame interviews yesterday, breaking down Arkansas’ glorious backcourt and sharing his ideas on Kentucky’s progress in current weeks. He even acquired requested about his “Monday” UK sweatshirt.

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SEC Standings

With eight video games remaining, Kentucky is tied with Auburn for fourth within the SEC Standings at 7-3. The 2 groups play one another on Feb. 25 at Rupp. At present, the Cats maintain the tiebreaker because of the win over Tennesee.

School Basketball on TV right this moment

There are 4 video games that includes eight ranked opponents tonight, none of them from the SEC. North Carolina at Wake Forest precedes Kentucky vs. Arkansas on ESPN, so cheer for a clear sport in Winston-Salem so a late sport doesn’t begin any later. Regardless, we can be on #YellowBoxWatch tonight.

Lastly, #FreeDoug.