SEC Preview: Kentucky Host Missouri in men’s hoops

The 20th ranked Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team (15-4, 5-2 SEC) will host the Missouri Tigers (8-11, 1-5 SEC) Wednesday night at the Rupp Arena in Lexington. In last season’s match up the Tigers lost to Kentucky by 49 points. So what can Missouri do to stand a chance in this game?

Mizzou should watch out for freshman Jamal Murray who has been named SEC Freshmen of the Week two weeks in a row. Murray has helped the team in its last two victories averaging 18.5 points in each game. Guard Tyler Ulis has been solid all year for the Wildcats as well and fellow guard Isaiah Briscoe helps the Wildcats in the backcourt.  Missouri head coach Kim Anderson believes the experience that the Wildcats have is certainly making their team better and better.

University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari believes the way Missouri played highly ranked Texas A&M  in their last game showed many of Missouri’s strengths, which will make tough competition for Wednesdays match-up. In the Texas A&M face-off junior guard Wes Clark led the team with 12 points and nine rebounds, matching his career high. Strong from the free throw line freshman forward Kevin Puryear came in just under Clark with 11 points. He also leads the team this season in overall game scoring with 11.5 points per game. Senior Ryan Rosburg chipped in with 10 points against the Aggies.  Missouri hung most of the way with the Aggies and Anderson believes the team got tired and there wasn’t enough aggression.

The Tigers and Wildcats will square off at 9;00 p.m.