Kentucky comes in being ranked as high as #1 this year, but have fallen to #22 after losing to six unranked teams, five of which were on the road.
The Gamecocks come into this game unranked, but not rightfully so. South Carolina has one of the best records in the country and play with a consistency other teams don't have.
Youth is Overrated
South Carolina has worked their way to the top of the SEC not with the help of one of the star-studded freshmen such as Ben Simmons, Malik Newman or Jamal Murray you could find in the SEC. But, instead, they've done it with experience.
Their stand-out player Michael Carrera is a senior that has put up numbers for the Gamecocks since his freshmen year. His senior campaign shows much more promise than his previous three years.
He has evolved into a leader of a team that needed a player like him to reach their potential. They had the players in other years, they just never had the attitude; Carrera gives them that attitude.
Sindarius Thornwell is another older player to likely give Kentucky fits. The Wildcats have no experience in any guard positions and will be missing their defensive stopper in Alex Poythress due to injury.
The Wildcats will have to play older than they are for them to stand a chance against these Gamecocks.
Own Energy
Kentucky has been able to stay undefeated at home due to the freshmen feeding off the energy of the home crowd. In true away games this year, the Wildcats are only 2-5.
This team has to find their energy from each other on the road. They won't have 24,000 cheering for them every game and they need to get used to it before March.
Kentucky's Marcus Lee is said the be the "energy guy." Lee is able to get up high for lobs and offensive put backs that get his team fired up. The only problem; he hasn't been playing like himself lately.
Lee has given up many minutes to freshmen Isaac Humphries and proves to be a liability on the court at times. He gets called for fouls more often and rarely has self-control at the rim and fouls out at a higher rate.
Lee needs to perform well, especially with Poythress out. Lee looked solid to start the year, resorting back to those old tactics might be ideal for him.
Board Battle
Kentucky hasn't been the greatest team on the boards this season, as their stud freshmen Skal Labissiere is currently being out-rebounded 74-70 by his teammate 5'9 Tyler Ulis.
The Wildcats have to use their body more often when boxing out and go up with two hands on the rebound.
Kentucky's Derek Willis is a great example of a player that knows how to rebound. Willis can score 2-5 points a game but still grab 7-10 boards to help his team.
As long as players down low for Kentucky focus on grabbing the rebound, the Wildcats can compete with a superb offensive rebounding team like South Carolina.
Players to Watch
Tyler Ulis- Ulis lives for the moments he's needed most. His career high came in an overtime loss to Kansas while he had the flu. This point guard will do everything he can to ensure the Wildcats have a shot at winning this game.
Sindarius Thornwell- Thornwell hurt the Wildcats last year, but he was the only one doing any damage then. This time, Thornwell has backup and won't be alone in his charge to upset the Wildcats.