It was all the motivation the Kentucky Wildcats should have needed. After upsetting UK in Rupp Arena on Sunday, South Carolina coach Eddie Fogler capped his press conference with a loud declaration: ''The better team won today.''
But instead of taking offense, the Wildcats nodded in agreement. The defending national champions seem content to assume an underdog role in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, which begins today in Memphis.
''South Carolina would beat us seven times out of 10,'' UK coach Rick Pitino said Monday. ''But that doesn't mean we can't make a Final Four or win a championship.''
Sixth-ranked UK (27-4, 13-3 SEC) begins play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, facing the winner of tonight's Auburn-Tennessee game. By Sunday evening, UK will know what it can expect in the NCAA Tournament:
It could play three games in less than 45 hours. It could face two teams which have beaten it already. It could made a quick exit or a determined stand.
''If we can get our confidence back going into the (NCAA Tournament), we would have a great chance of repeating,'' UK senior guard Anthony Epps said. ''But if not, it could be a very tough road these last few weeks.''
Fourth-ranked South Carolina is
No.Ç1 in the SEC with a bullet. After starting 5-5, including home losses to UNC Asheville and Charleston Southern, the Gamecocks (23-6, 15-1 SEC) have won 18-of-19 games and swept UK.
''We are very confident right now,'' USC senior Larry Davis said. ''If we keep up our intensity, I like our chances this week.''
Another USC-UK rematch looms in the finals. But Mississippi (19-7, 11-5) seems a legitimate upset pick.
Ole Miss plays at 1 p.m. Friday against the winner of today's Vanderbilt-Mississippi State game. If UK wins its first game, it would get less rest before possibly meeting Ole Miss at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Ole Miss beat UK 73-69 on Jan. 11 in Oxford, and the Rebels have won eight of their last 10. Junior
forward Ansu Sesay, averaging 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds, made the All-SEC first team.
''Sesay's playing as well as anyone in the country right now, so Ole Miss could go a ways,'' Pitino said. ''Arkansas could put three good games together. Mississippi State or Vandy could surprise.''
Georgia (21-7, 10-6) is a dark horse, owning the only SEC win against USC. But it would have to
beat LSU, Arkansas and (presumably) USC to reach the finals.
All three USC guards - Davis, Melvin Watson and BJ McKie - made the All-SEC first team. Another USC-UK meeting might be a battle for an NCAA No. 1 seed.
''I never thought we'd win 27 games, even before we lost Derek Anderson,'' Pitino said. ''So we still believe we can win another championship.''
SEC Tournament stories
CATS HAVE NINE LINEUPS March 5, 1997
SEC FINAL: UK-CAROLINA? March 3, 1997
