Third-ranked Kentucky is on fire.
The Wildcats are on a 13-game winning streak, including blowout victories over then-No. 1 Florida and former No. 1 Alabama and have not tasted defeat since a 71-67 defeat at the hands of Michigan State on Dec. 14, 2002.
They average 78.4 points per game and allow 66.3 points per game. They outrebound their opponents by 4.6 boards per game and hold their opposition to 41 percent shooting from the field.
All are obstacles LSU must overcome in Saturday’s game in Lexington, Ky., at Rupp Arena at 1 p.m. The game will be televised by Jefferson Pilot Sports on cable channel 7.
“I think Kentucky is the best team in the country right now,” said LSU head coach John Brady. “For a team to go in there right now and beat them, it would be the upset of the century.”
But Brady said the nature of college basketball presents his team with a great opportunity.
“I am not saying we can’t beat them,” Brady said. “I told the team after the [Vanderbilt] game this is the greatest thing about college basketball. People beat people all the time at this level that aren’t supposed to, and you have got an opportunity Saturday at 1:00 to do it. Why not? Just practice. Relax and go up there and play. Whatever happens, happens.”
LSU improved its Southeastern Conference record to 3-7 Wednesday with its 79-60 win over Vanderbilt.
The Tigers shot 51.8 percent from the field, including 58.6 percent in the first half. They went on a 27-0 run in the first half to put the game out of reach early.
They have won two out of the last three conference games after losing five consecutive SEC matchups.
Brady said for LSU to have chance to win they will have to do certain things better than they have all year.
“I told them they are not going to get any more pressure, and they are going to face the best defensive pressure that they have faced all year with 23,000 in the stands,” Brady said. “Also, not only are we going to feel the pressure, but we are going to have to rebound better than we ever have at this point in the season against that team. It will be a great challenge for us, and it will be fun. I am looking forward to it.”
The Wildcats are led by 6-foot-5 senior guard Keith Bogans, who averages 16.5 points per game. Junior guard Gerald Fitch chips in 12.4 points per game, and sophomore forward Chuck Hayes leads the team in rebounding with 6.6 boards per game.
Senior Ronald Dupree leads the Tigers, scoring 15.9 points per contest. Collis Temple III is coming off a strong effort against Vanderbilt, when he scored 19 points and sank his first five 3-point attempts.