The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - Kentucky took some time to savor its crushing victory over top-ranked Florida. Now it's time to go back to work.

Coach Tubby Smith said he expects his No. 6 Wildcats to settle back into their usual blue-collar performance today at Mississippi.

The Wildcats (17-3, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) may have to play without starting forward Erik Daniels, who has a cyst under an arm, Smith said Friday. Daniels is taking antibiotics.

Smith said he cautioned his team to come down from its emotional high after knocking off the Gators 70-55 Tuesday to emerge as the only unbeaten team in SEC play.

After taking the day off Wednesday, the Wildcats had a spirited practice Thursday in preparation for the Rebels, Smith said.

"You have to go to work the next day," Smith said. "You have to perform over and over again. That's kind of the way I approached it. It's not a matter of proving yourself, it's more or less improving ourselves every time we come on the basketball court."

Smith said he hasn't had to keep after his players about putting the Florida game behind them and focusing on Ole Miss (12-7, 3-5).

"At some point, you can tell when your team is starting to understand, because they start to police and coach themselves a lot," Smith said.

Said senior guard Keith Bogans: "We're feeling good right now and we're focused. We got that win out of us; it's past us now. We have to focus on (Ole Miss). The main thing is just to do what we do best - and that's to play good defense."

It will be the 100th meeting between Kentucky and Ole Miss and it will feature teams going in opposite directions. The Wildcats are riding an 11-game wining streak; the Rebels have lost their last three.

Kentucky has dominated the series, winning 88 times, though Ole Miss has won two of the last three meetings in Oxford.

Both teams are digging in for a defensive struggle.

The Cats' defense has been dominant since the SEC season began, allowing a conference-best 57 points a game. Mississippi is right behind, limiting its SEC opponents to 62.5 points.

Mississippi coach Rod Barnes said the Wildcats, who have held six of their last seven opponents to less than 40 percent shooting, are a workmanlike bunch.

"They have guys that will get down and defend you," he said. "They are not relying on their offense as in the past."

Smith complimented Ole Miss' defensive style. "You know they are going to go hard every possession, and you better be ready to match their intensity," he said.

The Wildcats' offense also has hit its stride. During their winning streak, the Wildcats have shot 49.3 percent and averaged 79.7 points a game.

"Our offense is clicking right now," forward Chuck Hayes said.

The Rebels are led by forwards Justin Reed, who averages 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds a game, and Aaron Harper, who adds 13.9 points. Smith said the 6-foot-8 Reed could be a matchup problem.

"He's very mobile and very aggressive around the basket," Smith said. "Our post people seem to have trouble with guys like that."

The second part of 100 Years of Kentucky Basketball will air on Channel 64 following the game broadcast.

No. 6 UK at Mississippi

Tipoff: 3 p.m. today, C.M. "Tad" Smith Coliseum (8,700), Oxford, Miss.

Records: UK 17-3 (7-0 Southeastern Conference), Ole Miss 12-7 (3-5).

Radio: WSAI-AM (1530).

TV: Ch. 64.

Series: UK leads 88-11.

Line: UK by 5 1/2.

KENTUCKY

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Chuck Hayes	So.	6-6	8.9
Erik Daniels	Jr.	6-8	9.6
Marquis Estill	Sr.	6-9	11.3
Keith Bogans	Sr.	6-5	16.7
Gerald Fitch	Jr.	6-3	12.3

Coach: Tubby Smith (149-46, sixth season; 273-108 overall).

MISSISSIPPI

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Aaron Harper	Jr.	6-7	13.9
Justin Reed	Jr.	6-8	14.8
Derrick Allen	Sr.	6-8	8.3
Trey Pearson	Fr.	6-4	4.6
David Sanders	Sr.	6-3	9.3

Coach: Rod Barnes (98-53, fifth season; same overall).