The Columbia Lions (5-2) roll into Rupp Arena to take on #1 ranked Kentucky (9-0) tonight. Kentucky is currently a 25 point favorite.
Kentucky’s last five opponents have shot less than 30% from the field. Kentucky has not allowed a team to shoot over 40% from the field all season. The Wildcats are holding opponents to a whopping 27% field goal shooting on the season, an unbelievable stat.
Tonight will be no different. Columbia is shooting just 41% from the field this season and averaging 59 points per game, and this is against teams like Stoney Brook, Bucknell, Wagner and American.
Columbia doesn’t have a player over 6-8 on their roster, so they will not be able to handle Kentucky’s size inside.
Kentucky is no offensive machine at this point of the season either. UK is shooting 47% from the field, but are struggling from three point range. For the season Kentucky is only shooting 29%from behind the arc. This is something they must improve on.
Willie Cauley-Stein will continue to dominate like he has the past few games and the Harrison twins will have big games tonight as well. It would be good to have Tyler Ulis back tonight, but I haven’t heard if he is going to be a go or not.
Devin Booker also needs to bounce out if his shooting slump. Booker is shooting just 1-13 the last two games and 0-9 from three point range.
In case you missed it yesterday, Columbia’s coach thinks they can pull the upset of unbeaten Kentucky. I really don’t think this is going to happen, Kentucky is just too talented and will have the Lions grasping for air midway through the second half.
Prediction: Columbia at Kentucky Devin Booker gets his shot back tonight. Columbia 51 Kentucky 87
— Chad Pugh (@ChadPugh_NOB) December 10, 2014
