Kentucky vs Arkansas Basketball 2015: Live Radio Broadcast, Preview: SEC Matchup of the Year
ByWith just three games to go to achieve a perfect regular season, the Kentucky Wildcats (1) are playing a ranked SEC foe for the first time this season in the Arkansas Razorbacks (18).
Unlike Kentucky, Arkansas wins on the strength of their offense, which is averaging nearly 80 points per game and 17 assists per game. Kentucky is at least fortunate to face what could be their toughest conference opponents on their own court.
CLICK HERE to listen to the game live via TuneIn. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET in Lexington, Ky.
12-3 in the SEC and 23-5 overall, Arkansas is surging with seven straight wins and 10 wins in their last 11 games. If any team has the offensive firepower to challenge Kentucky's defense, it may be Arkansas.
"When this league was at its best, Arkansas was very relevant," Razorbacks coach Mike Anderson said in a pregame press conference, according to the Associated Press. "We feel like we're trending in that direction."
The SEC's second leading scorer, sophomore power forward Bobby Portis, leads Arkansas' offense. Averaging 17.5 points per game, Portis' matchup with Kentucky's big men - mostly likely either Willie Caulie-Stein or Karl-Anthony Towns - and whether or not that eases the pressure on guard Michael Qualls, a six-foot-six guard averaging 15 points per game.
Arkansas has also won their last three matchups against Kentucky, which many of the team's returning sophomores know full well.
"I think our guys will have fire... I just think they have a competitive edge about them," Wildcats assistant head coach Kenny Payne said in a pregame press conference. "The freshmen know that this team has beaten us twice.
"We'll be facing really good players, and (Portis is) one of them," he said. "He can really shoot the ball to be that size. He's good around the basket and can shoot 3s. He's excellent from the post and shooting turnaround jumpers. He's a really good player."