Florida welcomes Kentucky

[Lumi]

Florida welcomes Kentucky


Kentucky moving on up

The Kentucky Wildcats are the nation?s second ranked team after a weekend loss by Kansas. Kentucky tries to avoid a similar fate as they play at Florida Tuesday night.

Kentucky is a 2 ?-point road favorite. The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 9 pm ET, preceded by Ohio State (+9) at No. 6 Purdue.

Kentucky (16-0 SU, 7-7 ATS) doesn?t have a lot of doubters left. Freshman John Wall (17.2 PPG, 7.1 APG) is an absolute monster, who is already being penciled in for the number pick in the NBA draft.



Patrick Patterson (16.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG) and DeMarcus Cousins (15.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG) are the focus up front, but there are plenty of other complimentary players that make them deeper than expected.

The Wildcats had some tough wins in early December against North Carolina and UConn. Since then, they?ve had five games of being a heavy favorite (going 2-3 ATS), plus rivalry games against Indiana and Louisville (2-0 ATS).

The Indiana contest was the only true road game this year, so this young team still needs to be tested.

Kentucky is 0-1 ATS in the SEC, winning 76-68 over Georgia on Saturday as 20-point favorites. That was even a closer game than the score indicates.

Florida (11-4 SU, 5-5 ATS) was ranked as high as 10th earlier in the season. Consecutive losses to Syracuse, Richmond, and South Alabama put a damper on the season, and they are still trying to rebound.

The latest game was the SEC opener at Vanderbilt on Saturday. Florida was a 5 ?-point underdog and lost 95-87. The backcourt combination of Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker combined for 50 points, but the rest of the squad had 37.

Florida is now 1-4 ATS in its last five spread games.

Florida is scoring 73.5 PPG, just 100th in the country. Kentucky is at 82.4 PPG, ranked 18th. Florida needs to get more consistent scoring up front, and especially in this game against the Kentucky frontline.

These teams split the two meetings last year, with Florida winning at home 60-53 in the regular season finale. That loss helped keep Kentucky out of the NCAA tournament, and they?re looking for revenge.

 

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Preview: Wildcats (16-0) at Gators (11-4)

Preview: Wildcats (16-0) at Gators (11-4)

Preview: Wildcats (16-0) at Gators (11-4)

Kentucky passed its initial SEC test and moved up in the rankings this week after another undefeated team lost.

The No. 2 Wildcats' first road trip in conference play, however, presents a potential stumbling block they prepare to face a hostile environment at Florida on Tuesday night.

Kentucky (16-0, 1-0) beat Georgia 76-68 on Saturday as coach John Calipari's first SEC season began with a victory.

The Wildcats are off to their best start since opening 23-0 in 1965-66, and moved up one spot in the poll after top-ranked Kansas fell to Tennessee. Kentucky, though, was anything but dominant against the Bulldogs.

Georgia led 35-34 at halftime and held the Wildcats to 43.3 percent shooting, their second-lowest mark of the season.

"(Georgia) never quit playing and that is what happens in this league, and that was at home," said Calipari, whose Memphis teams from 2000-09 faced significantly weaker competition in Conference USA. "I can't imagine how that will be on the road."

Kentucky has played one game in an opponent's arena, beating Indiana 90-73 on Dec. 12. They have not had any success in Gainesville of late, losing their last five trips, and went 5-7 on the road last season.

This Wildcats roster has a different look, thanks to the arrival of freshmen DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe. Cousins and star junior Patrick Patterson caused major problems inside for Georgia, combining for 33 points with Cousins scoring seven in the final three minutes to help seal the win.

Wall scored 17 points for the second straight game and is the only player in the nation averaging at least 17.0 points and 7.0 assists while shooting at least 50 percent from the field. He and Bledsoe, averaging 10.3 points, orchestrate Calipari's dribble-drive system.

The freshmen, however, have limited experience in an atmosphere like the raucous one Florida will surely provide Tuesday.

"We are going to find out where we are," said Calipari, whose team plays at Auburn on Saturday. "That is why you do this. We went to Indiana and got down really fast and were down 12 and about to get blown out and we just had to chip away and get back in the game and end up beating them. Now, this will be a team that will be even better and a tougher environment than Indiana. We will see if we are ready for it."

Florida (11-4, 0-1) has proved capable of beating a top team this season, knocking off then-No. 2 Michigan State 77-74 on Nov. 27 in Atlantic City. The Gators rose to No. 10 after an 8-0 start but then lost three straight - one of the defeats coming at home to South Alabama - to fall out of the Top 25.

Florida beat North Carolina State 62-61 on Chandler Parsons' desperation heave at the overtime buzzer from the Gators' half of the court Jan. 3. The Gators, though, could not build on the win as they dropped their SEC opener 95-87 at Vanderbilt on Saturday.

The Commodores shot 52.5 percent from the field and went to the free-throw line 33 times, while junior center Vernon Macklin and freshman forward Erik Murphy fouled out in less than 15 minutes.

"That's not productive defensively and we certainly need to get better," coach Billy Donovan said. "We have to move our feet and do some of those things better."

While the Gators have five players averaging at least 10.0 points, they are led offensively by freshman guard Kenny Boynton, who scored a season-high 28 points against Vanderbilt. Calipari said he "spent a lot of time recruiting (Boynton)."

 

[Lumi]

Matchup Analysis

Kentucky @ Florida
Tuesday January 12
9:00 PM EDT

Kentucky -3.5, Total

Picks | Line Movements



RECORD ANALYSIS:
Straight Up Against The Spread
Kentucky Home Away Total Home Away Total
Year to Date 12 - 0 2 - 0 14 - 0 2 - 6 3 - 0 5 - 6
Last 10 Games 8 - 0 2 - 0 10 - 0 2 - 5 3 - 0 5 - 5
Straight Up Against The Spread
Florida Home Away Total Home Away Total
Year to Date 7 - 3 4 - 0 11 - 3 4 - 4 1 - 0 5 - 4
Last 10 Games 3 - 3 4 - 0 7 - 3 4 - 4 1 - 0 5 - 4

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Date Matchup Line Total ATS Result
03/07/09 Kentucky 53 @ Florida 60 FLA -5.0 147.5 FLA/U
02/10/09 Florida 65 @ Kentucky 68 KEN -4.0 143.5 FLA/U


Kentucky Last 10 Games
Date Matchup Line Total ATS Result
12/29/09 HARTFD 61 @ KEN 104 /
12/23/09 LBST 73 @ KEN 86 -24 L/
12/21/09 DREXL 44 @ KEN 88 -18 128.5 W/O
12/19/09 AUSPY 69 @ KEN 90 -23.5 L/
12/12/09 KEN 90 @IND 73 -8.5 142.5 W/O
12/09/09 KEN 64 @CONN 61 +1 147 W/U
12/05/09 NCAR 66 @ KEN 68 -4 153 L/U
11/30/09 NCASHV 57 @ KEN 94 /
11/25/09 STAN 65 @ KEN 73 -10 L/
11/24/09 CLEVST 49 @ KEN 73 +12.5 W/


Kentucky Last 5 Home Games
Date Matchup Line Total ATS Result
12/29/09 HARTFD 61 @ KEN 104 /
12/23/09 LBST 73 @ KEN 86 -24 L/
12/21/09 DREXL 44 @ KEN 88 -18 128.5 W/O
12/19/09 AUSPY 69 @ KEN 90 -23.5 L/
12/09/09 KEN 64 @ CONN 61 +1 147 W/U


Florida Last 10 Games
Date Matchup Line Total ATS Result
01/03/10 FLA 62 @NCST 61 PK 137 W/U
12/30/09 PRESBY 38 @ FLA 79 /
12/28/09 AMER 60 @ FLA 76 /
12/22/09 SALAB 67 @FLA 66 -19 L/
12/19/09 RICHMD 56 @FLA 53 -6.5 129 L/U
12/10/09 SYR 85 @FLA 73 +3.5 149 L/O
12/04/09 FLA 85 @JKVL 67 /
12/01/09 FLAAM 59 @ FLA 80 /
11/28/09 FLA 73 @RUTG 58 +12.5 W/
11/27/09 FLA 77 @MICHST 74 -3 P/


Florida Last 5 Home Games
Date Matchup Line Total ATS Result
12/30/09 PRESBY 38 @ FLA 79 /
12/28/09 AMER 60 @ FLA 76 /
12/22/09 SALAB 67 @ FLA 66 -19 L/
12/19/09 RICHMD 56 @ FLA 53 -6.5 129 L/U
12/10/09 SYR 85 @ FLA 73 +3.5 149 L/O


Over / Under
Overall Home Away
Kentucky 2-2 1-1 1-1
Florida 1-2 1-1 0-1

 

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Key Player Injuries

KENTUCKY
No significant injuries.
FLORIDA
[F/C] 01/03/2010 - Kenny Kadji out indefinitely ( Back )
[G] 11/13/2009 - Adam Allen out for season ( Knee )

 

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Head-to-Head Series History

Head-to-Head Series History

Head-to-Head Series History
Listed below is a summary of the games results in recent Head-to-Head matchups.

All games in this series since 1997
FLORIDA is 13-12 against the spread versus KENTUCKY since 1997
KENTUCKY is 14-12 straight up against FLORIDA since 1997
14 of 23 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL since 1997

Games over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 3-1 against the spread versus KENTUCKY over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 2-2 straight up against KENTUCKY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons





All games played at FLORIDA since 1997
FLORIDA is 7-5 against the spread versus KENTUCKY since 1997
FLORIDA is 8-4 straight up against KENTUCKY since 1997
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL since 1997

Games played at FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 2-0 against the spread versus KENTUCKY over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 2-0 straight up against KENTUCKY over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[Lumi]

Preview:
Kentucky at Florida
When: 9:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Where: Stephen O'Connell Center, Gainesville, Florida

Overall Team

Offense

The Florida Gators are ranked 116 for offensive field goal percentage shooting 44.5% while attempting 60.5 shots per game. The Gators shooting percentages include 70.4% for free throw percentage and 30.9% for three point percentage so far this season.

The Kentucky Wildcats are ranked 7 for offensive field goal percentage shooting 49.8% while attempting 59.2 shots per game. The Wildcats shooting percentages include 68.4% for free throw percentage and 39.3% for three point percentage so far this season.


Home and Away

The Florida Gators are 7-1 at home this season, and 0-1 against 11-3 opponents.

At home the Gators are averaging 74.0 scoring, and holding teams to 53.6 points scored on defense.

The Kentucky Wildcats are 1-0 while on the road this season, 1-0 against conference opponents, and 15-0 against non-conference opponents.

On the road, the Wildcats are averaging 90.0 scoring, and holding teams to 73.0 points scored on defense.

 

[Lumi]

Trends - No. 2 Kentucky at Florida

Trends - No. 2 Kentucky at Florida

Trends - No. 2 Kentucky at Florida


ATS Trends

Kentucky

Wildcats are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games following three or more consecutive home games.
Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Wildcats are 21-7-2 ATS in their last 30 games as a road favorite of 0.5-6.5.
Wildcats are 20-7-1 ATS in their last 28 games as a road favorite.
Wildcats are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. Southeastern.


Florida

Gators are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Gators are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. Southeastern.
Gators are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 Tuesday games.
Gators are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games following a S.U. loss.
Gators are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Gators are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Gators are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 90 points in their previous game.
Gators are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.


OU Trends

Kentucky

Over is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 overall.
Over is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 games following a S.U. win.
Over is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 games as a favorite.
Under is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 9-2 in Wildcats last 11 road games following three or more consecutive home games.
Under is 8-2 in Wildcats last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 games as a road favorite.
Under is 6-2 in Wildcats last 8 road games.
Under is 6-2 in Wildcats last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.


Florida

Under is 4-0 in Gators last 4 games following a S.U. loss.
Under is 4-0 in Gators last 4 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 8-1 in Gators last 9 home games.
Under is 10-2 in Gators last 12 overall.
Under is 22-7 in Gators last 29 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 6-2 in Gators last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 12-5 in Gators last 17 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.


Head to Head

Home team is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Wildcats are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Florida.

 

[Lumi]

(2) Kentucky (16-0) at Florida (11-4)

(2) Kentucky (16-0) at Florida (11-4)

(2) Kentucky (16-0) at Florida (11-4)



Tuesday, January 12th, 9:00 p.m. (et)


FACTS & STATS: Site: Stephen C. O'Connell Center (12,000) -- Gainesville, Florida. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Kentucky 11-0, Florida 7-1. Away Record: Kentucky 1-0, Florida 2-1. Neutral Record: Kentucky 4-0, Florida 2-2. Conference Record: Kentucky 1-0, Florida 0-1. Series Record: Kentucky leads, 86-32.

GAME NOTES: Off to their best start since the 1966 season, the second-ranked Kentucky Wildcats aim for their 17th straight victory, as they travel to Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators in SEC action from the O'Connell Center.

John Calipari's first season in Lexington has certainly been a pleasant one thus far, as his Wildcats have yet to taste defeat. One of only two unbeatens left in the country (Texas is the other), Kentucky is boasting its best start of a season since beginning the 1966 campaign 23-0. The Wildcats opened their SEC slate this past weekend with a 76-68 victory at home over Georgia.

The Gators were not so fortunate in their conference opener, dropping a 95-87 shootout at Vanderbilt on Saturday. The loss brought an end to a three-game win streak and leaves Florida at 11-4 overall. Still, Florida is extremely tough to beat in Gainesville, as UF is 7-1 at home this season and a stellar 76-9 since 2005.

Kentucky holds a significant 86-32 advantage in the all-time series with Florida, but the Gators have won eight of the last 10 meetings, including a 60-53 decision in Gainesville a year ago.

The Wildcats are one of the youngest teams in the country, but they also may be one of the most talented. A trio of freshmen highlight the starting five, but that hasn't prevented the team from dominating at both ends of the floor. Kentucky is averaging 82.4 ppg on nearly 50 percent shooting (.498), while allowing just 64.5 ppg on well under 40 percent shooting (.383). John Wall is not only the top freshman in the country, but he very well may be the top player overall. Wall has done just about everything for the Wildcats this season and currently leads the team in scoring (17.2 ppg), assists (SEC-best 7.1 apg) and steals (34). It helps to have a dominant duo up front in the form of veteran Patrick Patterson (16.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and youngster DeMarcus Cousins (15.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg). Yet another freshman, Eric Bledsoe (10.3 ppg) aids Wall in the backcourt. It was Cousins who led the team against Georgia and kept Kentucky undefeated on the season, as he was instrumental late in the game, finishing with 16 points, including seven in the final three minutes to preserve the win. Patterson and Wall both tied for the scoring lead with 17 points apiece, while Bledsoe chipped in with 12. Kentucky struggled from long range (2-of-14), but made up for it by forcing a whopping 26 turnovers.

The Gators don't possess the same kind of offensive firepower that Kentucky does, but Florida has been more than happy to slow things down at times and rely on stingy defensive play to get the job done. The Gators have limited foes to a mere 61.7 ppg on just .405 shooting, while forcing 15.7 turnovers per game. There is scoring balance despite the rather pedestrian numbers, as five Gators are averaging double figures, led by freshman Kenny Boynton's 14.6 ppg. Alex Tyus and Erving Walker follow with 11.7 and 11.5 ppg, respectively. Chandler Parsons (11.2 ppg) is a valuable asset off the bench, while Vernon Macklin (10.0 ppg) contributes as well. It was certainly not a normal defensive effort in the recent loss to Vanderbilt, as the Gators allowed the Commodores to ring up 95 points on them, a season-high for Florida. The Gators hit 13 three-pointer in the game and got career performances from Boynton (28 points) and Walker (22 points), but it wasn't enough in the end, as Vanderbilt shot .525 from the floor and outscored Florida 26-16 at the free-throw line.

The Wildcats have shown that they can win even when they don't put their best effort out. While Florida showed some offensive punch in Nashville this past weekend, knocking off Wall and company will require a balanced effort at both ends of the floor.

Predicted Outcome: Kentucky 74, Florida 65