On January 26, undefeated Kentucky traveled to South Carolina for what most believed would be another notch in their conference belt. Instead, the Wildcats were dealt their first loss of the season, a humbling experience just one day after being ranked #1. Since then, South Carolina has lost four of their last six, while Kentucky has won seven in a row. However, that loss still lingers in the mind of the Kentucky players and coaches, whether they care to admit it or not.During the post game press conference at Vandy, I asked DeMarcus and Patrick if they were looking forward to playing South Carolina again. They grinned at each other and then shared a knowing look. Their grins and silence provided a comical moment for everyone in the press room, but eventually DeMarcus gave the answer he was supposed to, saying that they would prepare for South Carolina just like they would any other game. However, everyone in the room knew better. No, this game means a little something extra.
Early on in the season, the young Cats were open and honest about their desire to go undefeated, and how it was of the team's goals for the season. However, that went crashing down with 5 foot nothing Devan Downey's second half circus shots, which all contributed to his game high 30 points. But on Thursday, Kentucky has a shot to avenge their only loss of the season and remind Downey and the Gamecocks South Carolina that they got lucky once, but twice ain't in the cards.
I could spend some time breaking down the game and the opposing players, but we already know what to look out for. We know it all too well. Instead, we'll just re-watch the highlights of the last meeting, and let our blue blood boil for a bit...
If the players feel anything like I do after watching that, I'd say the Gamecocks are in for a long night on Thursday. And Cal, if the Prez calls on Thursday, tell him you'll call him back on Friday... please.
Our man Gary Parrish also previews the "Revenge Game" below...
We'll have lots more on this game tomorrow, so stay tuned.
I am having major withdrawls not having a game tonight. I did enjoy watching Bruce Pearl get beat tonight on national TV though. He also looked he was ready for his guest appearance on the Sopranos reunion special.
ReplyDeleteAs for the revenge game, I am looking forward to seeing the Cats destroy USC on Thursday. We haven't beaten them in a decade it seems like and we owe Horn a smack down as big as the part in the middle of his James Van Deer Beek hair cut.
Austin and I were talking about this last night as we debating Olympic Hockey (I'm for it Austin hates good things).
ReplyDeleteBut we both think UK beats SC going away. I usually don't like making predictions but I just feel like this team is upset and you don't wanna tick off a team this talented. Downey won't be able to do all the things he did.
Now if we lose You'll know why I don't make predictions--b/c I am terrible at them and they are usually wrong