1/12 - (2) Kentucky at Florida

• Leonardo

  

  9 PM on ESPN
  
  Kentucky is 16-0 (1-0 on road)
  Florida is 11-4 (7-1 at home)
• Azubuike24

  

  As a Kentucky fan, I think this is a good match-up for the Cats. However, he's a little breakdown:
  
  Why Florida Can Win
  
  The Gators need a win and they are playing at home. Kentucky hasn't won at the O-Dome since 2004. Billy Donovan has definitely taken notice of what Louisville and Georgia did to UK over the past few weeks, and I don't doubt he has a similar plan. He will use some full court press and lock the Cats up with their good zone. If UK doesn't shoot well from the outside, they could be in for another very close contest. Florida also isn't a very good outside shooting team, but they have capable shooters with Boynton, Walker, Werner and Parsons. Kentucky is very prone to allowing big games shooting from beyond the arc.
  
  Why Kentucky Can Win
  
  At four of the five positions on the floor, UK is just a little better. Tyus and Macklin are very good, but Cousins and Patterson are better. Walker and Boynton are undersized and good, but Wall and Bledsoe are a little better. Depth-wise, with Miller, Liggins, Dodson and Harris, the Cats have far more weapons on the wing, and Florida doesn't have another big man like Orton. Talent and depth-wise, the Cats win the battle. Sticking with that theme, Florida got killed on the interior in Nashville this weekend, and look for Calipari to give Cousins as many touches as he can get, and for Patterson to leave the perimeter a bit and attack Tyus inside. Also look for John Wall, at 6'4, to really try to expose his height and quickness advantage on Kenny Boynton.
  
  Predictions
  
  I think Kentucky will win the game, and it will be a fairly high scoring affair. Florida plans to press UK and that will lead to some very easy baskets, and I do think UK will shoot better from the outside. I see something in the high-70's or low-80's, I'll go with Kentucky by 7, 81-74.
• thedynasty1998

  

  As long as John Wall is on the court, they are the better team.
• Mulva

  

  Florida up 19-15.
  
  Love the pace of this game so far. Very up and down.
• ironman02

  Nice run by UK to take the lead at 23-19. John Wall really sparked that run after the UK timeout. If he is consistently hitting jumpers like that, there is no way that anyone can defend him.
• ironman02

  UK opening up a decent lead at the half, 38-31 . They weathered the early storm from UF and seem to be taking over now. The shot selection from UF has been pretty questionable and it's really costing them. Anything the Gators get close to the basket is just being erased by the big men for UK though, especially Orton. I think he had 3 blocks on a single possession.
• karen lotz

  

  This is the first time I've seen Kentucky play this year. I've been impressed with what Bledsoe has done so far. I have heard a lot about Wall and Patterson and Cousins and rightfully so, but has Bledsoe been this good for them all year?? If he is their 4th option, they will definitely be a tough out in March.
• Azubuike24

  

  He's scoring double digits, but he definitely can be the leader when he has to. A natural PG who's starting at SG because of Wall. Battled an ankle injury much of the year but looks healthy now.
• karen lotz

  

  Wow, Gators are shooting themselves back into it. What a bomb that was
• Azubuike24

  

  How can people not love Erving Walker? I do and he's a Gator...tremendous heart. Now we see why Jai Lucas transferred...
• ironman02

  Wow. Gators getting back into the game here.
  
  This might be interesting down the stretch.
• karen lotz

  

  Great play out of the timeout.
• ironman02

  And Patterson makes the play when they need it the most...just a great player.
• ironman02

  5 point possession. Wow, that one has to hurt.
• ironman02

  What a block by John Wall!!!
  
  I've said it before and I'll say it again. I honestly don't know if anyone will beat Kentucky in the regular season. I know it's extremely hard to make it through a conference schedule unblemished, and a young team could easily slip up at some point, but UK is going to be very tough for anyone in the SEC to handle.
• Azubuike24

  

  Eric Bledsoe with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Definitely the player of the game.
  
  Wall had another off game shooting, but did everything else well including distributing the ball and making some timely plays on both ends. Bledsoe stepped up huge, as did Daniel Orton. I think most agree the season is going to boil down to a few things for UK.
  
  1. Can they guard the 3?
  2. Can they make the 3?
  3. Can others step up and help the big 3?
  
  Florida did make eight 3-pointers, but they also attempted 29.
  Kentucky was 7 out of 18 from beyond the arc.
  Bledsoe, Miller and Dodson combined for 40 points.
  
  Play like this, and you are right, the Cats will be tough to beat.
• cats gone wild

  This game was scary in the first few minutes and in the last 10 minutes until UK put on a run in the last 4 minutes. Wall was quiet but still had 19 points. Bledsoe looked great tonight. He's either quiet or lights out it seems like. Patterson played his usual game while Orton is still a blocking machine. 3 blocks in one minute. Cousins needs help with his temper and his foul trouble. Looks like some easy wins in the next couple weeks.
  This is the first time I watched Walker this year, that boy can flat out play!
• centralbucksfan

  ironman02 wrote: What a block by John Wall!!!
  
  I've said it before and I'll say it again. I honestly don't know if anyone will beat Kentucky in the regular season. I know it's extremely hard to make it through a conference schedule unblemished, and a young team could easily slip up at some point, but UK is going to be very tough for anyone in the SEC to handle.

  I do agree, but still think it will happen, a loss or more that is. Basketball is a funny game and its extremely difficult to keep focus, play good bball every game.
  That being said, Kentucky is very good. They have so many weapons. When one guy isn't on, another is. Wall gets all the PR, but I am as much impressed with Bledsoe and Cousins to be honest.