This is from T.J. Logistical issue so posting it on the board rather than in a content item/article format. Much appreciated from our hoops recruiting ace.
Three Facts
1. Time: The game is at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.
2. Series: UK leads the all-time series against Tennessee 151-67. It's the most wins Kentucky has against a single opponent, and also the most losses. Tennessee also is tied with handing John Calipari his most losses since 2000 (6). The line on Tuesday has the Cats an eight point favorite.
3. Records: Kentucky is 16-5 (6-2 SEC). Last game: 90-84 overtime loss at Kansas.
Tennessee is 10-11 (3-5 SEC). Last game: 75-63 loss at TCU.
Three Keys
1. Contain Kevin Punter: Tennessee goes as far as Punter takes them. The senior is second in the SEC in scoring at 23 points per game and is shooting 48 percent from the floor, 38 percent from deep. He has scored over 30 points three times this season and scored under 20 points just six times. Expect Isaiah Briscoe or Tyler Ulis to guard the Bronx native.
In one game against UK last season Punter scored 14 points in 35 minutes.
2. Size advantage: John Calipari usually has a size advantage with most of Kentucky teams but that hasn't been the case this season. That will change Tuesday. Tennessee's starting lineup didn't feature a player over 6-5. Rick Barnes brought a 6-foot-9 freshman forward off the bench, Kyle Alexander, who played 31 minutes and led the team in rebounds, but at just 215 pounds, the Cats should have a muscle and height advantage against the Vols.
3. Zone: Expect Tennessee to play a lot of zone against Kentucky. The Vols' zone will give Kentucky several three-point oppurtunities. How will the Cats shoot from deep in Thomas Boling Arena? UK started off hot against the Jayhawks but finished just 5-of-23 from behind the arc. The Cats will need to be more consistent Tuesday.
Three Quotes:
1. Rick Barnes on Calipari's coaching: "I think he is a great basketball coach. I think he is great. That is jealously (people saying he's a poor coach). People who try to say that he is not a good coach border on ignorant. I mean, John Calipari has won everywhere he has been, and he hasn't always had the best players."
2. Barnes on what he's seen on UK: "I think chemistry has been good. I think that's the one thing, the fact that they've got terrific guard play. I still think they're looking to establish an inside presence, too. It looks like they're wanting Alex Poythress to be that guy that they can get to. They have excellent guard play."
3. Calipari on Tuesday's game: "This is a quick turn and a hard game. The games I've watched of Tennessee, Rick (Barnes) is doing a terrific job of playing his team the way they gotta play to have success. They beat South Carolina pretty handily. They went to Alabama, had 'em down as many as 15, 16, and lost at the end of the game. Guard play is solid. They fight like heck. They're rebounding, and they're really good."
Three Facts
1. Time: The game is at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.
2. Series: UK leads the all-time series against Tennessee 151-67. It's the most wins Kentucky has against a single opponent, and also the most losses. Tennessee also is tied with handing John Calipari his most losses since 2000 (6). The line on Tuesday has the Cats an eight point favorite.
3. Records: Kentucky is 16-5 (6-2 SEC). Last game: 90-84 overtime loss at Kansas.
Tennessee is 10-11 (3-5 SEC). Last game: 75-63 loss at TCU.
Three Keys
1. Contain Kevin Punter: Tennessee goes as far as Punter takes them. The senior is second in the SEC in scoring at 23 points per game and is shooting 48 percent from the floor, 38 percent from deep. He has scored over 30 points three times this season and scored under 20 points just six times. Expect Isaiah Briscoe or Tyler Ulis to guard the Bronx native.
In one game against UK last season Punter scored 14 points in 35 minutes.
2. Size advantage: John Calipari usually has a size advantage with most of Kentucky teams but that hasn't been the case this season. That will change Tuesday. Tennessee's starting lineup didn't feature a player over 6-5. Rick Barnes brought a 6-foot-9 freshman forward off the bench, Kyle Alexander, who played 31 minutes and led the team in rebounds, but at just 215 pounds, the Cats should have a muscle and height advantage against the Vols.
3. Zone: Expect Tennessee to play a lot of zone against Kentucky. The Vols' zone will give Kentucky several three-point oppurtunities. How will the Cats shoot from deep in Thomas Boling Arena? UK started off hot against the Jayhawks but finished just 5-of-23 from behind the arc. The Cats will need to be more consistent Tuesday.
Three Quotes:
1. Rick Barnes on Calipari's coaching: "I think he is a great basketball coach. I think he is great. That is jealously (people saying he's a poor coach). People who try to say that he is not a good coach border on ignorant. I mean, John Calipari has won everywhere he has been, and he hasn't always had the best players."
2. Barnes on what he's seen on UK: "I think chemistry has been good. I think that's the one thing, the fact that they've got terrific guard play. I still think they're looking to establish an inside presence, too. It looks like they're wanting Alex Poythress to be that guy that they can get to. They have excellent guard play."
3. Calipari on Tuesday's game: "This is a quick turn and a hard game. The games I've watched of Tennessee, Rick (Barnes) is doing a terrific job of playing his team the way they gotta play to have success. They beat South Carolina pretty handily. They went to Alabama, had 'em down as many as 15, 16, and lost at the end of the game. Guard play is solid. They fight like heck. They're rebounding, and they're really good."
