The No. 22-ranked Kentucky Wildcats (18-6) travel to South Carolina to play the Gamecocks (21-3) in a matchup that pits the Southeastern’s top-ranked offense against the fifth-ranked defense. Action gets underway at 12:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 13 and will air on ESP and ES3.
The Gamecocks were victorious over LSU 94-83 on Wednesday. Sindarius Thornwell was the game’s high scorer with 24 points on 6-for-15 shooting. The Wildcats are coming off an 82-48 win over Georgia on Tuesday. Jamal Murray led the game in scoring with 24 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
Over the last five games, Thornwell and Michael Carrera have played well for the Gamecocks. During that stretch, Thornwell has averaged 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 block, and 2.0 three-pointers. Not to be outdone, Carrera has put up 20.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 steal, 1.6 blocks, and 2.4 three-pointers. The Wildcats also have their own player combo that has been on a tear in that same time frame. Murray has averaged 21.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steal, and 4.4 three-pointers, while Tyler Ulis has put up 19.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.4 three-pointers.
The aggressive South Carolina offense seems poised to dominate from the foul line. It ranks second in the nation with a FTA rate of 50.4, while Kentucky is among the nation’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 281st-ranked FTA rate of 41.4). Also, the Wildcats’s 28th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 114.4) will face off against the 31st-ranked defense of the Gamecocks (defensive efficiency of 95.5).
The Gamecocks are looking to build on their records of 21-3 Straight Up (SU) and 16-5 Against The Spread (ATS). The Gamecocks have one of the most prolific home offenses in the entire nation, averaging 82.0 points per game. The Gamecocks are an impressive shooting team from the line with 20.0 free throws made per game, one of the highest marks in Division I. South Carolina is known to control the offensive glass, where it racks up an impressive 14.3 offensive rebounds per game.
As for their opponent, the Wildcats have records of 11-13 ATS and 18-6 SU. They sport the 35th-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 76.7 points per game. The Wildcats are a force on the offensive glass, grabbing an average of 13.4 offensive rebounds per game. The Wildcats average 67.1 points allowed per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 73.0 points per game during that span. Teams seem to consistently miss shots against the Wildcats, who are the 32nd-best team in the nation in terms of opponent field goal percentage allowed at .397. When it comes to defending the rim, the Wildcats are one of the best in the nation with an average of 5.8 blocks per game.
These conference foes will be facing off in their first head-to-head contest of the season. When they last met the Wildcats were winners, bringing their SU record in their most recent games to 8-2. The Wildcats also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 7-3. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Kentucky held the edge in all three of these categories one time in the last five meetings. South Carolina never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Kty, ATS Winner – Kty
Notes
“South Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“South Carolina is 21-3 SU in its last 24 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of South Carolina’s last 5 games “.
“South Carolina is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“South Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of South Carolina’s last 6 games at home”.
“South Carolina is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Kentucky”.
“South Carolina is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Kentucky”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of South Carolina’s last 5 games when playing Kentucky”.
“South Carolina is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Kentucky”.
“South Carolina is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Kentucky”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of South Carolina’s last 6 games when playing at home against Kentucky”.
The South Carolina Gamecocks average 78.0 points per game, ranking 62nd in the nation. The Kentucky Wildcats rank 59th in points allowed with 67.1.
South Carolina scores 82.0 points per home game (ranked 44th). Kentucky ranks a poor 142nd in points allowed on the road, allowing 74.9 points.
Kentucky won its last game by a 34-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, South Carolina is 5-1. Kentucky is 9-1 in blowouts this season.
The Kentucky Wildcats rank 28th for their offensive rating of 114.4. The South Carolina Gamecocks have a defensive rating of 95.5 (ranked 31st).
Kentucky has an average field goal percentage of 47.5%. South Carolina is undefeated (4-0) when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The South Carolina Gamecocks and the Kentucky Wildcats both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. South Carolina is 234th and 197th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Kentucky ranks 69th and 35th in these categories.
Kentucky, the 11th-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 5.8 blocks per game. South Carolina ranks 62nd with 4.5.
South Carolina is one of the best teams in the country when it comes to offensive rebounds, ranking 10th. Kentucky ranks just 166th in defensive rebounds.
The Kentucky Wildcats make an average of 6.2 steals per game. When the South Carolina Gamecocks give up 6 or more steals, they are an outstanding 11-3.
