The Wildcats face Kansas for the second year in a row in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Kentucky will need an extra effort from every position to upset the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse.

Eligibility Issues Inside

A big match up to watch for in this game will be Kentucky's Skal Labissiere against Kansas' Chieck Diallo. These two freshmen began their seasons exactly the same way.

Both Labissiere and Diallo were not announced eligible for the season right away. Labissiere was cleared by the NCAA days before Kentucky's first official game and Diallo was cleared after Kansas played a few regular season games.

Despite the slight difference, these two have had the same story so far. Both are freshmen that were hyped up in the preseason, almost were ineligible, and struggled to hit their stride.

Granted, all season long Diallo has been the best shot-blocker in the nation. The big man has struggled to consistently score for his team and remain a presence on the floor.

Nick Krug
Nick Krug

Labissiere has disappeared completely at many times in the season. In two of the last three games for Kentucky, Labissiere has put up double-digit points and 3+ blocks in both. He's hitting his flow at the right time as his jump-shooting adjustment made him smoother.

Leadership

Kentucky will need every last bit of their leadership to show up as they face a Kansas team with a mix of experience and youth.

Kentucky's Alex Poythress, the lone senior on roster, will likely see the faces of Perry Ellis and Carlton Bragg Jr. the majority of the game. How he performs against these two on both sides of the ball will determine Kentucky's chances at winning this ball game.

Unexpected experience is the best experience, and boy does Kentucky have that. Derek Willis has been the savior of a struggling Wildcats squad, and looks to continue his hot streak against Kansas.

Finally, the back court; the part that could tell it all. Kentucky's Tyler Ulis is all the experience they got back there after a high ankle sprain sent Dominique Hawkins to the bench.

Ulis will more than likely see the face of Frank Mason III, a 5'11 junior. Kansas' Wayne Selden Jr., another junior, will have his hands full with the sharp-shooting freshmen Jamal Murray.

The Phog

Kentucky is 7-4 against Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse, making them the only team ever to play Kansas 5+ times on the road and have a winning record.

The only problem with that stat, Kentucky hasn't won there since 1983. The last time Kentucky even faced Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse was just over 10 years ago.

After beating utterly embarrassed by Kentucky in a 72-40 victory for Kentucky in the Champion's Classic last year, the great state of Kansas is not happy.

Blood is wanted for a 32-point beat down of a historic program. The crowd inside that arena has no intentions of holding back on these young Kentucky players.

Darron Cummings - AP Images
Darron Cummings - AP Images

They won't just need tough play to get out of Allen Fieldhouse with a win, these 'Cats will need tough skin.

Players to Watch

Alex Poythress- Poythress matches every Kansas player on roster toe-to-toe on athleticism. His defense is a must-have for Kentucky to succeed in a scary environment. The timid Poythress cannot show up, they Wildcats need the beast for this game.

Perry Ellis- He's experienced, he's a shooter, and he knows Kentucky. Ellis is the type of player that is able to down the Wildcats as many of his type have done this season. A good shooting performance from the senior, and the Jayhawks win.

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