South Carolina vs Kentucky | Preview, Predictions, Odds

Thursday, February 25, 2010 – Free NCAA Pick

South Carolina Gamecocks (14-12) vs. #2 Kentucky Wildcats (26-1)

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The No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats will host the South Carolina Gamecocks in SEC action on Thursday night at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Gamecocks toppled the nation’s number one ranked team 68-62, handing Kentucky their only defeat of the season the last time these two met back on Jan 26, 2010. South Carolina has won the last three meetings overall, but UK still maintains a huge advantage in the all-time series at 41-10, including a 21-2 edge in games played in Lexington.

The Gamecocks has struggled of late, losing three straight games, including a 63-55 setback at home to Tennessee on Saturday. Brandis Raley-Ross led the way with 16 points, while Devan Downey, who leads the SEC in scoring at 22.7 ppg, added 15 points, and Lakeem Jackson chipped in with 10 points in the win. South Carolina struggled offensively shooting just 31.7 percent from the floor and a miserable 19.2 percent from three-point range, while allowing the Vols to shoot 48.8 percent from the field, and were outrebounded 40-30. The Gamecocks area averaging just 72.8 ppg, and have one just one time in nine true road games this season.

Kentucky meanwhile, is gunning for their 44th SEC Championship, and has lost just one game this season to South Carolina. The ‘Cats extended their win streak to seven in a row with a thrilling 58-56 win at Vanderbilt this past weekend. The win gives them an impressive 11-1 record in league play, with a two-game lead in the conference standings over Vanderbilt with four games remaining. Demarcus Cousins led the way with 19 points, while leading scorer (16.8 ppg) John Wall along with junior Patrick Patterson, chipped in 13 points apiece in the win. UK held Vandy to an ugly 32 percent shooting while forcing the Commodores to commit 15 turnovers. The ‘Cats is averaging a healthy 80.4 ppg on 48 percent shooting, while limiting foes to just 65.3 ppg and well under 40 percent shooting. Cousins has been a force in the paint, averaging a double double with 16.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game –second in the SEC.

The odds makers have the Wildcats as –16-point favorites in this one.

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This one should go to the Wildcats, but as they learned in their previous match up, South Carolina has the ability if given an opportunity to put them away. However, in light of the Gamecocks’ record on the road, my play is Kentucky by 10-points.