The Wildcats are in desperate need of a win.
The Kentucky Wildcats are coming off their worst performance of the season in a beatdown at the hands of Ole Miss and now are in desperate need of a victory.
While the SEC is the most difficult conference in college basketball this season, Kentucky will get the only winless team in the SEC at home on Saturday, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Led by third-year coach Lamont Paris, the Gamecocks are a far cry from the team they were last season, which finished tied for second in the SEC. That is no surprise considering the production they lost last season, including three of their top four scorers.
While they are winless, they have lost five games by five points or less, including games against ranked teams such as Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Florida, Vanderbilt, and Auburn. While Kentucky should win, it is no ‘gimme.’
In addition, the Gamecocks may have the most talented player on the floor Saturday in sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles. The 6-foot-7 stat-stuffing machine is averaging 15.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.
“He’s awesome. Like he’s really, really skilled,” Pope said Thursday of Murray-Boyles. “He’s got unbelievable hands. He uses his body really well. He’s got a great touch around the rim, but I think his hands and his feet are really special. You see him kinda play with the ball, and it’s pretty fun. His passing out of the post is actually really fun.”
While Kentucky point guard and mid-season All-American Lamont Butler is making progress in his injury rehab, he’s not expected to play Saturday.
Let’s take a look at the matchup.
Defensive Pressure
The defense has been the source of frustration for Kentucky for weeks. Rather than improving, it’s been a downward trajectory, with the last two games arguably being the worst.
With Lamont Butler sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Wildcats have really struggled with perimeter defense and getting pressure on the ball. However, that is something Kentucky needs to prepare for against the Gamecocks.
With a -2.27 turnover margin, South Carolina consistently loses the turnover battle. In fact, in all but one game in the SEC, they have lost the turnover battle, with the one game being a tie. Kentucky needs to make sure to keep it that way.
Speed Up the Game
Averaging the longest average offense possession length in the SEC, South Carolina wants to play slow, real slow. This is a stark contrast to Kentucky, who wants to play with pace and find a rhythm.
To be able to do that, one thing Kentucky is going to have to prioritize is defending without fouling, which they have been better about of late. South Carolina is a poor shooting team that looks to drive the ball and welcome contact to get to the free-throw line.
Given how long South Carolina’s possessions are, Kentucky will need to defend the entire possession and also be sure to secure the rebound. South Carolina is averaging 11 offensive boards over their last four games, and that has allowed them to play at a pace they are comfortable with despite losing.
Energy
The way Kentucky came out against Ole Miss is concerning. That also goes back to the second half against Arkansas. One of the biggest concerns from those games, from a macro view, has been the lack of energy.
It would be nice to have Kerr Kriisa on the floor to provide some energy, but he’s not healthy. After the whooping they took earlier this week, the Wildcats need to come out with better energy from the jump and carry it through the game. No more watching 50/50 balls.
Opposing Players to Watch
F Collin Murray-Boyles 6-7, 245 lbs
- 15.5 PPG
- 8.8 RPG (3rd in SEC)
- 59.7% FG (Leads SEC)
G Jamarii Thomas 5-11, 190 lbs
- 13.2 PPG
- 3.3 APG
- 37.2% 3P
G Jacobi Wright 6-2, 185 lbs
- 8.0 PPG
- 2.4 APG
- 2.7 RPG
Kentucky Basketball vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Time: 12:00 PM ET on February 8th, 2025
Location: Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky
TV Channel: ESPN and ESPN2
Online Stream: ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens will have the call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has yet to release the odds, so check back later for those. BartTorvik is most confident in Kentucky with an 87% chance of winning. ESPN is at 86.2%, EvanMiya at 85.6%, and KenPom at 85%.
Predictions: BartTorvik projects the Cats to win 82-70. EvanMiya and KenPom are both going with an 81-70 win. Haslametrics is projecting an 80-70 triumph for Kentucky. I think Tuesday was a big wake-up call that has the Wildcats better prepared against the worst team in the SEC. I’m going with an 85-72 victory, Kentucky!
Send us your Kentucky vs. South Carolina score predictions in the comments section!
Go CATS!