Kentucky Wildcats at LSU Tigers
When/Where: 6 p.m. Tuesday at the PMAC | Baton Rouge
Television: ESPN
Radio: WDGL-FM 98.1 (Baton Rouge)
Last meeting: After splitting the regular season series, LSU fell victim to Kentucky in the second round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, 85-67. Kentucky’s 18-point blowout was unlike the two regular season games, which were decided by a total of six points.
LSU’s last game: The Tigers rebounded from the two-game losing streak to defeat visiting Alabama, 71-60, Saturday in the PMAC. The win gave LSU its second consecutive 6-4 start to SEC play.
Kentucky’s last game: The Wildcats were tested by a gritty Florida team, but maintained its unblemished record with a 68-61 victory Saturday in the O’Connell Center. It was only the second game in Kentucky’s previous eight decided by less than 10 points.
Kentucky (23-0, 10-0 SEC)
Possible Starters and Top Reserves:
Sophomore [G] Aaron Harrison (6’6’’): 11.5 ppg, 26.0 mpg, 2.5 rpg, 32.3% 3-point (40-124).
Sophomore [G] Andrew Harrison (6’6’’): 7.9 ppg, 24.4 mpg, 3.9 apg, 36% FG (49-136).
Freshman [G] Devin Booker (6’6’’): 10.7 ppg, 21.2 mpg, 1.5 rpg, 47.1% (40-85).
Freshman [F] Karl-Anthony Towns (6’11’’): 9.0 ppg, 20.1 mpg, 6.2 rpg, 51.8% (72-139).
Junior [F] Willie Cauley-Stein (7’0’’): 8.9 ppg, 25.5 mpg, 6.3 rpg, 58.4% (80-137).
Sophomore [G] Dominique Hawkins (6’0’’): 1.9 ppg, 10.1 mpg, 1.0 rpg, 31% FG (9-29).
Freshman [G] Tyler Ulis (5’9’’): 5.5 ppg, 22.0 mpg, 3.6 apg, 44.7% (21-47).
Sophomore [C] Dakari Johnson (7’0’’): 7.5 ppg, 18.2 mpg, 5.4 rpg, 51.4% (54-105).
Freshman [F] Trey Lyles (6’10’’): 7.5 ppg, 21.7 mpg, 5.3 rpg, 46.6% (55-118).
Sophomore [F] Marcus Lee (6’9’’): 2.8 ppg, 12.5 mpg, 3.0 rpg, 61.7%( 29-47).
LSU (16-5, 5-3 SEC)
Possible Starters and Top Reserves:
Junior guard Josh Gray (6’1’’): 8.6 ppg, 28.5 mpg, 4.4 apg, 41% FG (68-166).
Junior guard Keith Hornsby (6’4’’): 12.5 ppg, 35.1 mpg, 4.4 rpg, 37.3% 3-point FG (44-118).
Sophomore forward Jarell Martin (6’10’’): 16.0 ppg, 35.0 mpg, 9.0 rpg, 48% FG (134-279).
Sophomore forward Jordan Mickey (6’8’’): 17.0 ppg, 35.1 mpg, 11 rpg, 3.4 bpg, 52.8% FG (150-284).
Sophomore forward Darcy Malone (7’0’’): 1.3 ppg, 9.9 mpg, 1.3 rpg, 43.8% FG (7-16).
Sophomore guard Tim Quarterman (6’6’’): 12.3 ppg, 32.9 mpg, 5.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 43.7% FG (94-215).
Freshman guard Jalyn Patterson (6’0’’): 5.4 ppg, 20.6 mpg, 1.1 spg, 36.1 % 3-point FG (22-61).
Three Things to Watch for
LSU’s new-look starting five against Kentucky’s platoon
The Tigers got a much-needed boost with the additions of sophomore Tim Quarterman and freshman Jalyn Patterson to the starting backcourt against Alabama on Saturday.
LSU shot 50 percent from the field against the Tide and assisted on 12 of its 22 field goals. The Tigers are 15-4 this season when they’ve assisted on at least 50 percent of their field goals.
Making Quarterman a starter gives LSU four double-figure scorers in its starting five: sophomore forwards Jordan Mickey (17.0) and Jarell Martin (16.0), junior guard Keith Hornsby (12.5) and Quarterman (12.3).
But the Tigers haven’t faced a team with as much depth as the unbeaten Wildcats. Kentucky’s “Platoon System” features 10 players averaging at least 10 minutes per game and seven who play at least 20.
The constant rotations allow coach John Calipari’s Wildcats to be fresh. They’ve taken advantage of the extra rest by outscoring their opponents by 22.1 points per game, which is the highest mark in the nation.
Bigs against Bigs
LSU’s All-SEC big-man duo of Martin and Mickey will face its tallest task of the season when they square off against Kentucky’s plethora of big men.
The Wildcats’ intimidating frontcourt — studded with junior Willie Cauley-Stein, sophomores Dakari Johnson and Marcus Lee and freshmen Karl-Anthony Towns and Trey Lyles — have anchored Kentucky’s stifling defense this season.
The Wildcats are first in the nation in field goal percentage defense (33.5) and second in scoring defense per game (51.5) and blocks per game (7.0).
Despite Kentucky’s abundance of talent, Martin and Mickey have formed one of the SEC’s most formidable tandem. Martin and Mickey are the SEC’s highest scoring and rebounding duo, totaling for 33 points and 20 rebounds per game.
The pair has combined for 22 double-doubles this season, and Mickey’s 13 ranks seventh in the nation.
Going against No. 1
LSU is no stranger to No. 1 teams, nor a No. 1 Kentucky squad.
Beginning in 1951, the Tigers have faced an AP No. 1-ranked team 19 times, going 3-16 in those matches. LSU has gone 1-8 in nine games against a No. 1 Kentucky team.
The Tigers’ lone upset of a No. 1 Wildcats club was an overtime thriller Feb. 11, 1978. LSU won 95-94 despite having all five of its starters fouling out. The 95 points is the second-most the Tigers have ever scored against a No. 1 team.
In last season’s only game against a No. 1 squad, LSU couldn’t out-shoot a hot Florida club that went 57.4 percent from the field (31-of-54) for a 79-61 victory.