Is Kentucky going to cover that 20-point spread tonight?
Mark Zerof | USA Today
Las Vegas has your Wildcats giving up 20 points to the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin tonight in the Cats’ season opener in Lexington. That doesn’t seem like much of a spread for a team coming off a 93-point win, but Stephen F. Austin is coming off a first-round upset over No. 3 seed West Virginia in last year’s NCAA tournament and four consecutive Southland Conference titles. It’s no cupcake and the ‘Jacks will be playing to win, as this is a team that is capable of keeping it (somewhat) close, especially since it will be the first real competition for John Calipari’s young team.
Stone Cold Stephen F. is, along with Valparaiso, one of the more difficult games of the non-conference slate, outside of those five or six marquee opponents. Cal would probably prefer to flip this one with Sunday’s game against Canisius, if he could, to get one under his belt before meeting a decent, experienced team.
So I ask you, Big Blue Nation, Kentucky going to cover that twenty tonight? Are you confident the young Cats will run the visitors out of Rupp Arena? Or will inexperience lead to mistakes and a game that is closer than we would like?
I’ll hang up and listen. Go Cats.
7 Comments for Is Kentucky going to cover that 20-point spread tonight?
Well they only return three contributors from that team, none of which were the star players.
They also lost Coach Underwood to Oklahoma State. This is not the SFA of recent yore.
They’ll cover. SFA has a new coaching staff, lost their top players from last season and they’re small. Pride and winning experience count and could keep SFA around while the young Cats work through any jitters they may have. In the end, UK’s size, length, speed and Rupp will be too much for the Lumberjacks
It’s gonna be challenging. A quick look at their stats from last season showed 8-9 guys in the regular rotation, with 3 players shooting over 37% from the perimeter. They have some length with several guys in the 6’4″-6’6″ range. Seems to be weak in the paint. Bam better be rested and ready to play some minutes, and the guards better have good perimeter defense.
Uk advantages in length(slight) and probably talent, but experience will play into this game. Not sure about style of play for sfa.
37.
I actually hope it is a competitive game. Winning tight games helps prepare for the tournament more than blow outs. They should be comparable to the level of Ole Miss.
If the Cats don’t cover, this will be a long year.
Yes Za…because the first game of the season is ALWAYS a great predictor of future success…. 🙂