[URL=”http://www.ajc.com/sports/uga/no-3-kentucky-tests-342162.html”][/URL]
I love checking out what Kentucky’s opponents are saying about the upcoming matchup with Kentucky.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK][URL=”http://www.ajc.com/sports/uga/no-3-kentucky-tests-342162.html”]From Atlanta Journal-Constitution:[/URL]
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Undefeated against SEC East opponents in Athens this season, Georgia will have to beat the nation’s No. 3-ranked team in order to complete an improbable home sweep of the division.
The [URL=”http://g.ajc.com/r/Cw/”][COLOR=#004488]Bulldogs[/COLOR][/URL] wrap up their home schedule Wednesday night against Kentucky in Stegeman Coliseum, which has turned into quite the home-court advantage this season.
Georgia is 12-3 in Stegeman, including victories over three nationally ranked opponents (Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Vanderbilt) and all four SEC East opponents to visit thus far (Tennessee, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Florida).
Kentucky has taken note.
“We could go to Georgia and lose,” Wildcats coach John Calipari said. “They’re beating everybody down there.”
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This game has scared me for a while. It is definately one of the world famous “trap games” on the schedule. This will be a very improved team compared to the Bulldog team we played earlier in Rupp Arena.
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But in old Stegeman Coliseum the Dogs have found a supportive environment, which certainly will be needed against a Kentucky team (27-2, 12-2 SEC) that is led by freshman stars John Wall (16.8 points and 6.2 assists per game) and DeMarcus Cousins (16.2 points, 10.3 rebounds) and junior Patrick Patterson (14.9 points, 7.6 rebounds).
The Kentucky game will be Georgia’s fourth reserved-seat sellout of the season and is expected to be the second complete sellout after the student-ticket allotment is sold, according to marketing director John Bateman. Georgia had no sellouts last season.
“Definitely the atmosphere is changing, and I’m just really excited to be a part of it,” said starting guard Ricky McPhee, a Parkview High graduate who walked on to the UGA team two seasons ago after transferring from Gardner-Webb. “I’m really happy the fans are coming out to support us. I just cherish every moment.”
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The 2 games the Cats have lost have been in wild environments. As I have said before, we are everyone’s Super Bowl and hitting the 3 will be a great factor for Kentucky if they can hit them. Threes tend to shut crowds up on the road.If the Cats go 2-22 from the 3 again they will give Georgia momentum they will need to pull an upset.
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McPhee and the [URL=”http://g.ajc.com/r/Cw/”][COLOR=#004488]Bulldogs[/COLOR][/URL]’ two other seniors — forward-center Albert Jackson, the team’s only four-year letterman, and forward Tyler Whatley, a transfer from Wofford — will be honored in Senior Night ceremonies before Wednesday’s game. Jackson and Whatley will join McPhee in the starting lineup, per Fox’s practice of starting his seniors in their final home game.
“It’s definitely something I’ve been looking forward to, playing against Kentucky, one of the best teams in the nation,” said McPhee, who leads the Georgia team in minutes played. “It’s going to be extra special for me, being Senior Night.”
Although Georgia was within a basket of Kentucky in the final minute of a 76-68 loss in Lexington on Jan. 9 — the [URL=”http://g.ajc.com/r/Cw/”][COLOR=#004488]Bulldogs[/COLOR][/URL]’ SEC opener — Calipari says this is a different UGA team.
“I just can’t begin to tell you in watching the tape how much [they] have improved,” Calipari said.
Particularly, it seems, at home.
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Emotions can change the way games are played. Senior night at Georgia will have the Bulldogs really up and the Cats need to make sure to not let them get hot right out of the starting gate. Kentucky has to hit 3 pt shots early, in my opinion, to set the tone. Then go inside and dominate. Go Cats!
