UK vs. Duke preview

   Tomorrow night, just five nights after an opening game against Maryland.  Kentucky and Duke will square off in what is normally called CATlanta, GA. If Kentucky hopes to have a chance to pull off a victory, they will have to have an extremely better effort than what we saw in Brooklyn. If they give up 28 offensive rebounds against Duke, mark it down as a loss and move on. But after watching Cal's reactions on the sideline during the Maryland game, something tells me that rebounding will be much improved. 

   Another aspect of the game to keep an eye on will be Duke's ability to shoot the 3. Several players on Duke's team shot 40% or better from three in their opening game against Georgia State. But, Kentucky seems to have the ability to close out on shooters fairly quickly, so we shall see. 

   Then there's Mason Plumlee. This guy seems like he has played for Duke since the 90's, but the kid can play. This will very possibly be one of, if not the best big man Kentucky will play all year. It should be a very good challenge for Nole and Cauley-Stein in their young NCAA careers. Again, for Kentucky to have a chance, these two have got to have a better effort than they had Friday night, at least in the rebound column. If both of these guys aren't in double figures in rebounding it could turn out to be a long night. 

   Cal will definitely have his hands full trying to keep his guys from being over excited in this game. Duke is a team that every player wants to play against, and with it being the second game of the year, it could get ugly at times. But, if the freshman can control their emotions, and play to their potential, Kentucky could very easily win this contest. The only good thing about playing these two opening opponents, Kentucky is getting some valuable "big game" experience very early this year. That will come in very handy later in the year. 

   To hold you over until tomorrow night I'll leave you with this quote from Dick Vitale. 

"If you want to beat Kentucky, you better get them early this year."

Also worth noting is the announcers ESPN is sending to Atlanta for the Duke Kentucky game. Dickey V will of course be there in all his greatness. But, by now I'm sure you've heard that none other than that Big Bobby Kinght will be there as well. Needless to say, I bet he has a rough way to go tomorrow night. Also, you will all be witness to when he actually has to speak the word that, in the past he has refused to say.... KENTUCKY. I really hope ESPN sets up a halftime interview between he and Cal. Now that would be worth watching.