The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - Michigan State and Kentucky, two schools looking for football coaches, play today in a basketball matchup the Wildcats say will resemble a football game.

The 21st-ranked Spartans (4-2) have seven players 6-foot-8 or taller and 13 who weigh more than 200 pounds. UK has only 6-11 Jules Camara, 6-9 Marquis Estill, 6-9 Bernard Cote and 6-8 Erik Daniels to counter Michigan State's bulk.

Just sizing up the rosters has the No. 12 Wildcats (5-1) expecting their most physical test this season.

"You'll throw elbows, you'll get bruises, you'll get bumps," said UK forward Chuck Hayes. "It's mano-a-mano. It's my biceps versus your biceps, and let's go at it."

"They're going to do a lot of reaching and grabbing, but we've just got to play through it," said leading scorer Keith Bogans.

Michigan State has outrebounded all six of its opponents by an average of more than eight boards a game. Kentucky has been outrebounded twice in six games, and Smith said his team can't beat the Spartans unless the guards help the frontcourt players attack the glass.

"We give away a lot of bulk," Smith said. "Hopefully, we can make up for it with quickness."

The Wildcats won't have to worry much about rebounding if they continue their torrid shooting. Kentucky has shot 59 percent, including 55 percent from 3-point range, over its last three games, posting double-digit victories in each.

Estill is shooting 71 percent and established himself as UK's go-to guy inside, averaging 12.5 points a game.

Estill's post presence has opened up the perimeter for Keith Bogans and point guard Gerald Fitch, who are averaging a combined 34 points a game. The duo is shooting 56 percent from the field, including 51 percent from 3-point range.

"They can create problems for you in different ways," said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. "They have a little bit of an inside threat, they have a little bit of an outside threat."

Bogans worked feverishly over the summer on his outside shooting and it's showed. He's reached 20 points in Kentucky's last three games after scoring 20 points or more only five times all of last season.

"It's been a while since I've been this hot," said Bogans, leading the team with 19 points per game. "I'm having a lot of fun right now."

Kentucky has had at least four double-digit scorers in each of its games, something that doesn't surprise Smith.

"I always anticipate that being the norm," he said. "We've got good shooters. As long as we keep taking good shots, we'll make them. If we take bad shots, we'll miss them."

Just getting shots is Izzo's main concern at the moment. The Spartans have as many turnovers as they do assists (103).

Leading scorer Chris Hill also leads the team with 19 turnovers. Five teammates have 10 or more.

"If there's one guy turning the ball over 5 or 6 times, you can maybe deal with that. But we've got 2 or 3 by everybody," Izzo said. "Some of it is youth, some of it is not playing together long enough, but some of it is un-discipline. That's the part I want to change. That's the part that's inexcusable."

Izzo is looking forward to his team's first true road test of the season. The Spartans played in the Great Alaska Shootout, but haven't met an opponent on their home court.

Izzo is fond of Rupp Arena, where his team lost 60-58 to Kentucky in 1999.

"I really enjoyed it when we went down there. I know that sounds crazy, but it's one of the places I've always dreamed of taking a team to," he said. "Their fans are rabid. It's a religion down there.

"If the people could go shopping, go see Santa, go skiing, go horseback riding or go to the game, there's no question where they're going. They're going to the game. That's not the case everywhere."

The Wildcats will break out gray throwback uniforms as part of their continuing celebration of their 100th season.

The Spartans will be the third ranked opponent in seven games for Kentucky.

No. 12 UK vs. No. 21 Michigan State

Tipoff: 4 p.m. today, Rupp Arena (23,000), Lexington.

Records: UK 5-1, MSU 4-2.

Radio: WSAI-AM (1530).

TV: Ch. 12, 7.

Series: UK leads 40-5.

KENTUCKY

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Chuck Hayes	So.	6-6	8.3
Jules Camara	Sr.	6-11	9.5
Marquis Estill	Sr.	6-9	12.5
Keith Bogans	Sr.	6-5	18.7
Gerald Fitch	Jr.	6-3	14.8

Coach: Tubby Smith (137-44, 6th season; 261-106 overall).

MICHIGAN STATE

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Adam Ballinger	Sr.	6-9	10.7
Aloysius Anagonye	Sr.	6-8	8.7
Alan Anderson	So.	6-6	8.7
Kelvin Torbert	So.	6-4	8.0
Chris Hill	So.	6-3	16.8

Coach: Tom Izzo (171-67, 8th season; same overall).