Vicky Graff Photo
If John Calipari has his way, Rupp Arena will be loud and rowdy tonight when Kentucky takes on Georgia.
“Everybody wants to have engaged fans,” Calipari said after Wednesday’s win over Mississippi State. “I just walked into that arena. This Georgia game, I want it to sound … when I went to the Philadelphia Phillies playoff game, folks, I got chills. It was so loud, and people were so engaged.
“I want that Georgia game to feel that way … like it is that’s our fans having a 10-point edge, being those people. And today they were really good.”
Rupp Arena often gets criticized for not being loud enough because so many “older” fans have lower arena seats. Calipari said that is no reason for fans not to be loud.
“And I know some of you are older. You can do it sitting. You don’t have to stand. You can wave and scream,” Calipari said. “And if someone says, ‘Come on, you’re losing your mind,’ say, ‘Coach told us to. Go talk to him. He’s on the other side of the court. Go talk to him.’”
Georgia is a surprising 13-4 overall and 3-1 in Southeastern Conference play this season. It’s only SEC loss came at home to Tennessee when the Volunteers rallied late in the game to win, Georgia’s only loss in its last 12 games. Georgia has road wins over South Carolina and Missouri.
Jabri Abdur-Rahim, a 6-8 senior guard, leads Georgia in scoring at 12.8 points per game and his shooting 41.5 percent from 3. He also grabs 4.0 rebounds per game.
Niagara transfer Noah Thomasson, a 6-4 guard, added 12.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He is a 36 percent 3-point shooter.
Seven-foot center Russel Tchewa, a South Florida transfer, is pulling off 6.6 rebounds per game and averaging 6.4 points and 1.1 assists per game also. He’s a 51 percent shooter overall from the field.
Georgia’s offense is not nearly as potent as the UK offense. The Bulldogs are averaging 75.5 points per game — 163rd in the county. Georgia allows 70 points per game, 132nd in the country, but that will be severely tested by UK.
Kentucky (13-3, 3-1 SEC) leads the nation in scoring at 90.8 points per game behind the potent scoring of Antonio Reeves and UK’s other guards.
Kentucky is about a 10-point favorite in the game that is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. on the SEC Network.
2 Responses
Big Z has finally been cleared to play; I never thought it would happen. I doubt that he is in playing shape but even if it’s just a couple of minutes at a time that would be enough to give Ugo a break. This will allow Mitchell and Bradshaw more time at the 4 spot and maybe Edwards will be more comfortable playing the 3. This should help our rebounding and defense with two 7 footers on the floor.
Good observation Barry
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