Kentucky vs Vanderbilt....A Preview

Kentucky vs Vanderbilt
(1/12/08 Sat. 1:30PM)-CBS

Vanderbilt

Coach: Kevin Stallings
Career Record: 267-171 (.610) in 14 seasons
At Vandy: 144-108 (.571) in 8 seasons

2006-2007 Record 22-121
2006-2007 SEC Record: 10-6 (T2nd-East)
2006-2007 Postseason: 2-1 (Lost in NCAA Sweet 16)

2007-2008 Record to Date: 16-0

Vandy 81-Austin Peay 67
Vandy 77 Toledo 70
Vandy 87 Valparaiso 78
Vandy 77 Utah St. 56
Vandy 95 Bradley 86
Vandy 91 South Alabama 88 (OT)
Vandy 92 Georgia Tech 79
Vandy 83 Wake Forest 80
Vandy 90 Lipscomp 67
Vandy 91 DePaul 85 (OT)
Vandy 83 Tennessee St. 74
Vandy 92 UT Martin 85
Vandy 97 Iona 73
Vandy 76 Rice 58
Vandy 97 Massachusetts 88
Vandy 80 South Carolina 73

Projected Starting Lineup

Shan Foster G/F Sr 6'5" (PPG-20.4)
A.J. Ogilvy C Fr. 6'11" (PPG-18.9)
Ross Neltner F Sr. 6'9" (PPG-8.9)
Alex Gordon G Sr. 6'0" (PPG-10.9)
Jermaine Beal G Soph. 6'3" (PPG-7.2)

Vanderbilt comes into Rupp Arena undefeated and ranked 13th in the nation. Kevin Stallings has done a great job at Vandy, especially in recent years. Cat fans will get to see freshman sensation AJ Ogilvy from Australia....he is Vandy's leading rebounder while shooting a red hot 66% from the field. Foster, Vandy's leading scorer, has been a thorn in UK's side in past games....averaging nearly 16 points and making 16 three-pointers in his last 5 games games against the Cats. Gordon is a deadly three-point shooter hitting 46%. Vandy has great balance with good scoring inside and outside. Vanderbilt is oozing with confidence, especially against UK which they have defeated four straight games.

The Cats are fresh off of a disappointing loss to their arch rival, Louisville where UK played an extremely poor game in the 2nd half. Once again, turnovers plagued UK as the Cats turned the ball over 22 times. Most disturbing for Billy Gillispie and the Cats are the constant setbacks with injuries. Now we learn that Meeks, Crawford and Jasper have injuries....as of yet, we don't know the availability of these players for the Vandy game. There is no question that all these continuing injuries have disrupted UK's practices and preparation during this season. As the Cats start their (Second season) with the SEC games now beginning, the Cats can ill afford to not be at full strength. If UK has any chance for postseason play, they must start winning games. The Cats must start taking care of the ball....get the ball inside to Patterson.....and hit from the outside if they have a chance to upset Vandy!