Kentucky/Florida preview

Tomorrow afternoon the Cats are back in the safety of Rupp Arena to take on the Florida Gators. This is always a good game as the two teams generally just do not like each other, same goes for the fan bases of each program. The entire off season members of each fan base go back and forth over who will win the eastern division, and Kentucky fans scoffed at the idea of members of the media picking Florida emerge as the top team in the east. Well, look where we are now.


Florida already has at least a share of the divisional crown and Kentucky is battling to try and catch Vandy in second. My how much can change in a year, it was this time last year that Kentucky was dominating the SEC without a care in the world, now we are fighting to get second place( which is a long shot).



But that was last year and this is this year. We all know about Kentuckys road struggles, but this game is benign played in Rupp Arena where the Cats have won 32 straight games since Calipari's arrival in Lexington. You would think that would give the Cats some confidence going into this game. We will find out tomorrow afternoon. For now let's talk about what they must do to try and win this game.


First thing, they have got to try and limit Kenny Boynton's (#32) ability to drive to the basket without fouling him. This guy can light it up on the charity stripe shooting a blistering 83% on the season. Second, they need to try to make him give up the ball as much as they can because, not only will he drive to the basket drawing a foul, but he can be deadly from mid-range as well. Kenny has 6 straight double digit games in scoring coming into this one, and he averages 13.3 on the year. So the kid can score.

Alex Tyus isn't the most intimidating player on this Florida team, however he does have the ability to have big games and make plays in critical parts of the game. So Kentucky will have to play solid defense on this kid or he will make them pay down low.

Vernon Macklin is another worry down low, he is a big body who can shove you around and score in the paint with ease. He is averaging 11.3 ppg and 6 rebounds. So Kentucky will have to keep an eye on him under the basket.


Then there is Erving Walker, the pesky little guard that can put up really big numbers given the opportunity averaging 14.8 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.1 spg, and shooting almost 40% from 3. So this is a guy who may give Kentucky fits tomorrow considering Kentucky perimeter defense is less than good at times. And left open this guy will burn it up.


Then we come to Chandler Parsons, it's hard not to like watching this kid play as he just flat out works everyone on the floor every night. Parsons has the ability to put up big numbers as well averaging 11.0 ppg, 3.6 apg, and 7.7 rpg. Oh and if all that wasn't enough, he also is shooting almost 40% from 3 point range.


You can tell by reading this that Kentucky will have their work cut out for them tomorrow. They had better start the game well instead of a slow start like they have been doing, and had better play in your face defense for the WHOLE game or this could be Coach Cal's first loss at Rupp.