Wednesday, February 21, 2001
Wildcats say they won't look past struggling LSU
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON — Kentucky can clinch the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division with victories in its final two home games, beginning tonight against LSU.
The 13th-ranked Wildcats (17-7, 10-2) have won 14 of their last 16 games and are 9-1 this season at Rupp Arena, including wins over four ranked opponents.
That's bad news for LSU (11-12, 1-11), which has lost 11 of its last 13 games and has only one win over a conference foe all season.
“We're going to have to play extremely well just to have a chance at Kentucky,” LSU coach John Brady said.
“It will be a big challenge for our team, and we're looking forward to it. It will give us another opportunity to see where we are and what we can do.”
The Tigers suffered a heartbreaking 81-74 overtime loss at No.7 Florida last Tuesday and then committed 33 turnovers in losing to Arkansas 87-70 on Saturday. Their last victory — an 82-73 win at Mississippi State — came almost a month ago.
Despite his team's recent surge, which includes seven straight victories, Kentucky point guard Saul Smith said he and his teammates can't afford to look past LSU toward Sunday's showdown at Arkansas.
“They're coming into this game with nothing to lose,” said Smith. “What better way to add a positive to a negative season than to beat Kentucky on its own floor?”
UK coach Tubby Smith has warned his squad about the dangers of underestimating a struggling opponent.
“Right now, you can't af ford to look ahead,” he said. “You've got to focus on this moment.”
Tubby Smith said that to beat LSU, the Wildcats will have to slow down sophomore forward Ronald Dupree. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound slasher is second in the SEC in both scoring and rebounding at 17.2 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. He has had 12 double-doubles in 23 games this season.
“He's very quick, athletic and versatile in the way he scores, both inside and outside,” Tubby Smith said.
LSU at UK
• When: 8 p.m. today.
• Where: Rupp Arena (23,000), Lexington.
• Records: LSU 11-12 (1-11 Southeastern Conference); UK 17-7 (10-2).
• TV: Ch.25.
• Radio: WSAI-AM (1530).
LSU
Player-Ht-Yr-Avg
Brian Beshara-6-8-Sr.-11.6
Ronald Dupree-6-6-So.-17.2
Collis Temple III -6-6-So.-13.4
J. Williams -6-6-Jr.-7.3
Torris Bright -6-4-So.-11.5
Coach: John Brady (60-51, second season; 149-128 overall)
KENTUCKY
Player-Ht-Yr-Avg
Tayshaun Prince -6-9-Jr.-16.4
Jason Parker -6-8-Fr.-8.2
Gerald Fitch -6-3-Fr.-6.0
Saul Smith -6-2-Sr.-6.9
Keith Bogans -6-5-So.-15.9
Coach: Tubby Smith (103-30, fourth season; 227-92 overall)
BY THE NUMBERS
• 70-21: UK's lead in the series.
• 24.3: Prince's scoring average over the past six games.
• 7: UK's win streak.
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Wildcats say they won't look past struggling LSU