No. 6/7 Texas at No. 1 Kentucky
Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 – 6:00PM (Central)
Rupp Arena (23,500)
TV: ESPN
The Basics
– Texas and Kentucky have only played once prior to tonight’s meeting. Kentucky won that game, 86-61, in 1993 (Maui Invitational)
– The Longhorns are 0-7 all-time against the A.P. No. 1 ranked team.
– Texas has held each of its first seven opponents to below 60 points AND 37% FG shooting.
– The Horns out-rebounded opponents in 6 of their 7 games and hold a +13.9 rebound margin (44.9-31.0) .
– In their last game (vs UT Arlington), the Longhorns were 22-of-27 (.815) from the free throw line.
– Kentucky is averaging 9.3 blocks per game, the most in the country, and Texas is close behind with 8.3 swats per game, the third most nationally.
– Kentucky is 185-27 all-time when ranked No. 1, and has won 25/27 games as The Associated Press top-ranked team.
– Kentucky is 44-0 under Coach Calipari when holding the opponent to 55 or fewer points.
Schedule/Results
– UK is 7-0 with a notable win over Kansas.
– The Wildcats’ 71-52 win over Buffalo is their narrowest margin of victory in the first 7 games.
Scouting Report
– Head Coach John Calipari admits that the Cats’ defense is ahead of the offense, and the statistics support his claim:'”
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– 10 players are averaging at least 15 minutes/game, but only 3 of them are averaging over 20 minutes/game.
– Freshman Karl-Anthony Towns (6’11”, 250) has 21 blocks on the season.
– With so much talent on the floor, the Cats typically make the extra pass that results in an open look. 8 players are averaging more than 1.0 assists/game.
– Freshman Devin Booker (6’6″, 206) is the team deep threat – he is 14-30 from 3-point range.
– Tremendous offensive balance is a key for UK. They have 7 players that average at least 8,0 points/game.
