LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky point guard Saul Smith wasn't surprised to see South Carolina topple then-No.5 Florida on a 3-pointer as time expired in the schools' Southeastern Conference opener this past weekend.

        “I said back during media day that South Carolina was going to be tough this season,” Smith said of tonight's visitor to Rupp Arena. “Last February and March, they were playing some of the best basketball in the country.

SOUTH CAROLINA at UK

• When: 8 p.m. today.   • Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.   • Records: South Carolina 9-3 (1-0 Southeastern Conference), UK 7-5 (1-0).   • TV: Ch.64.   • Radio: WSAI-AM (1530).   SOUTH CAROLINA   Player-Ht-Yr-Avg   Chuck Eidson -6-7-So.-9.9   Marius Petravicius -6-10-So.-7.9   Tony Kitchings -6-10-So.-10.6   Aaron Lucas -5-11-Jr.-11.2   Jamel Bradley -6-2-Jr.-10.8   Coach: Eddie Fogler (117-105, eighth season; 259-185 overall)   KENTUCKY   Player-Ht-Yr-Avg   Tayshaun Prince -6-9-Jr.-13.6   Jason Parker -6-8-Fr.-8.9   Gerald Fitch -6-3-Fr.-3.7   Saul Smith -6-2-Sr.-8.0   Keith Bogans -6-5-So.-17.3   Coach: Tubby Smith (93-28, fourth season; 217-90 overall)   BY THE NUMBERS   • 76-63: Score of UK's victory in the teams' last meeting, Feb.5, 2000, at Lexington.

        “They've got just about everybody back this year and have continued to improve and play well.”

        South Carolina struggled early last season then won six of its final nine games to finish 15-17. This season, the Gamecocks have jumped out of the gate 9-3 (1-0 SEC) and should be brimming with confidence following their upset of the Gators.

        South Carolina trailed 63-53 with 4:50 to play but outscored Florida 13-5 down the stretch to pull within two points with 2.5 seconds remaining. Sophomore Travis Kraft — who played a total of 13.5 seconds in the game — then inbounded the ball to Calvin Clemmons at the time line, stepped inbounds, took a return pass from Clemmons and drained the 25-foot 3-pointer for the 69-68 win.

        “We did some awfully good things in the last five minutes to give ourselves a chance to do that,” said South Carolina coach Eddie Fogler, who is 3-12 against Kentucky in seven seasons with the Gamecocks. “When you're able to win games like that, it can do nothing but help your confidence and improve your team's image of itself.”

        That's not what Kentucky coach Tubby Smith wants to hear. Although the Wildcats (7-5, 1-0) have won their last four games, they squandered double-digit leads down the stretch against both Louisville and Georgia.

        “There are some things we need to do better as far as late-game situations,” Smith said. “I'd like to see us

        attack the basket more and get the ball inside more where we can force the defense to foul us.

        “I want my personality to be reflected in these guys. I'm a pretty aggressive guy, and I want them to be more aggressive. And that should equate to being able to pull away from people and finish the game.”

        Four of South Carolina's starters have averaged 9.9 points a game or more, led by junior guard Aaron Lucas' 11.2 points and 4.3 assists. Junior guard Jamel Bradley (10.8), sophomore center Tony Kitchings (10.6) and sophomore forward Chuck Eidson (9.9) also are vital to the Gamecocks' attack.

        “They were young last year, but all those guys have matured and gotten stronger,” Smith said. “They've played a schedule that has helped them grow and get some confidence, and that's critical for a young team.

        “They've got size; they've got quickness; they've got athleticism ... so they've got some versatility and can play a lot of different styles. And in this league, or any league, you've got to be able to adjust and adapt, because you're not going to be able to will your style of play on everybody.”

        Kentucky could use a victory over South Carolina as it enters one of its toughest stretches of the season. Over the next two weeks, the Wildcats will play host to No.25 Notre Dame and No.4 Tennessee and travel to No.20 Mississippi and No.16 Alabama.

        “We're only focused on South Carolina right now, but it's hard not to know what's coming up,” sophomore guard Keith Bogans said.

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