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The #1 ranked Kentucky Wildcats(22-1, 8-0) travel to Columbia to play the South Carolina Gamecocks(9-12, 1-6) today at 6pm on ESPN.

Brad Nessler and Jimmy Dykes will be the announcers for the game.

Kentucky is favored by 12 points today.

The game will also be live streamed on ESPN3.com and on Nation of Blue if there is a feed available.

Here is some background information on today’s contest:

The Wildcats have held their last three opponents to 50 points or less. It marks the irst time UK has done so since the 1950-51 team held four straight opponents to 50 or fewer points.

Today’s contest against the Wildcats marks the 10th time the Gamecocks will play the AP No. 1 in its history, and the third time in the last three seasons. South Carolina is 1-8 all-time vs. the AP No. 1. The last time South Carolina faced the top-ranked team the Gamecocks suffered an 87-62 loss to North Carolina on Nov. 25, 2011.

The Gamecocks have faced Kentucky on two previous occassions when the Wildcats were ranked No. 1, going 1-1 in those contests, with the most recent the historic 68-62 victory vs. UK on Jan. 26, 2010, in Columbia.

In In the SEC statistical standings South Carolina ranks first in rebounding defense (32.1), tied for third in steals per game (7.2), fourth in turnover margin (+1.3) and is third in the SEC in offensive rebounding (12.8).

South Carolina ranks fifth in the SEC and is among the nation’s top 40 with 5.0 blocks per game. Sophomore forward Damontre Harris ranks 33rd with 2.3 blocks per game, which is fifth in the SEC.

The Wildcats have ive players averaging double-igures led by Anthony Davis’ 13.5 ppg average. Anthony Davis currently ranks irst nationally in blocked shots per game (4.7).

[U][B]PROJECTED STARTERS*[/B][/U]

[U][I][B]Kentucky Wildcats[/B][/I][/U]
P # Name Pts. Rebs. Assts
F 3 [B]Terrence Jones[/B] 12.3 6.4 2.0^
• Shooting 49.5 pct. from the ield
F 14[B] Michael Kidd-Gilchrist[/B] 12.8 7.7 2.1
• Shooting 75.9 pct from the free thow line
G 20 [B]Doron Lamb[/B] 13.3 3.3 1.8
• Shooting 81.8 pct from the free thow line
F 23 [B]Anthony Davis [/B]13.5 10.2 4.7^
• Has 11 double-doubles on season
G 25[B] Marquis Teague[/B] 9.8 2.6 4.4
• 2.8 assist/turnover ratio in last four games

[U][I][B]South Carolina Gamecocks[/B][/I][/U]
P # Name Pts. Rebs. Assts
F 13 [B]Anthony Gill [/B]8.4 5.0 1.3
• Shooting 49.2 pct. from the ield
F 15 [B]Malik Cooke[/B] 12.7 5.0 2.0~
• Leads team in scoring, steals and assts.
G 23 [B]Bruce Ellington[/B] 11.1 1.6 2.4
• Second on team with 25 3-pointers made
F 24 [B]Damontre Harris [/B]7.0 5.3 2.3^
• Team leader in blocks (48)
G 32 [B]Damien Leonard[/B] 6.0 1.3 0.5
• Scored 15 points last time vs. U

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The #2 ranked Kentucky Wildcats, with a record of 14-1, square off with SEC East foe South Carolina who come in with a record of 8-6.

This is the first conference game for both teams. Kentucky is 60-18 all time in SEC openers.

Both teams have played North Carolina with Kentucky winning by 1 in Rupp Arena, while South Carolina lost in Chapel Hill 87-62.

The spread for today’s game: Kentucky is favored by 21.

The game can be see on [URL=”http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/010612aaa.html”]SEC Network[/URL].

You can also watch the game online at ESPN3.com, FirstRowSports.tv, and by joining the live stream and chat on Nation of Blue.com.(if stream is available.)

Here are quotes from Coach Cal on starting the SEC.

[B][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial Narrow][I]On approaching the SEC schedule as another season…[/I][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial Narrow]“We haven’t talked that much about it, I just said when we start playing teams in our league the level of talent goes up, the level of us knowing each other goes up and the level of intensity goes up. We talked about that but they understand. This is the hard part right now.”

[B][I]On freshman being surprised by SEC play …[/I]
“Probably, when we get on the road they will see. The game Saturday will be a war, (South Carolina) plays an aggressive zone and press, as a matter of fact, they play a lot like how Louisville plays. They scramble in the press and come at you in different ways. (Bruce) Ellington is now playing, they struggled early but have won six of seven and that’s with Ellington back so they are a team that could come in here and beat us if we aren’t playing the way we need to be.”

[B][I]On Bruce Ellington playing football and basketball …[/I]
“It’s a unique story, there aren’t many guys that I know that could go out there and do what he does and in between games go play another game. It says a lot about their team and their players to say we know we need them so were fine with it, we know you’re practicing football so just go in there and play.”

[/B][/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][FONT=arial][COLOR=#000000]Here are the four factors in winning today’s game:[/COLOR][/FONT][B][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial Narrow][B]
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