Kentucky vs Winthrop....A Preview

Kentucky vs. Winthrop Kentucky leads series 1-0

Lwcat
WT Administrator

Kentucky vs Winthrop…12/22/10 Wednesday 1PM-EST/NOON-CST on FSSouth/BBSN

Winthrop

Location: Rock Hill, SC
Enrollment: 6,600
Arena: 6,000

Head Coach: Randy Peele
Career Record: 98-114 (46.2%) 7 Seasons
At Winthrop-62-45 (53.6%) 3 Seasons

2009-10 Record: 19-14
2009-10 Big South Record: 12-6
2009-10 Postseason: 0-1 NCAA play-in-game

2010-2011 Record: 5-6

Winthrop 70 Queens U. 61
VCU 67 Winthrop 54
Hampton 45 Winthrop 44
Winthrop 83 Wake Forest 74
Belmont 71 Winthrop 44
Winthrop 65 Lander 46
Winthrop 88 VMI 82
Liberty 75 Winthrop 72
Charlotte 68 Winthrop 57
Winthrop 77 Jacksonville 66
Dayton 73 Winthrop 58

PPG-65
FG%-40.8%
3 PT%-35.1%
FT%-69.5%
RPG-42.6
Apg-12.8
TO’s-14
SPG-7.3
BPG-2.8

Probable Starting Lineup

George Valentine F 6’8” Jr…………..8.3
Matt Morgan C/F 6’9” Jr……..………7.1
Robbie Dreher G 6’4” So……………15.6
Andre Jones G 6’2” Jr……………….13.1
Reggie Middleton G 6’1” Jr…………11.2

Other Key players

Gideon Gamble G 6’7” So……………6.2
Charles Corbin F 6’7” Sr…………..…5.5
Justin Burton G 5’10” Sr……………..4.6

The Winthrop Eagles have dominated their Big South league in recent years….as they have won 8 league championships in the past 11 years and advanced to the NCAA 8 times. Winthrop defeated Notre Dame in the 1st round of the NCAA in 2007.

Thus far this season, Winthrop has been up and down with a 5-6 record. They have a signature win over Wake Forest out of the ACC. The Eagles start 4 juniors and bring 2 seniors off the bench so they are an experienced team. Although, Winthrop has been inconsistent in their play early in the season, they can be a very dangerous opponent.

The Eagles are led in scoring by Robbie Dreher and Andre Jones who are both shooting lights out from the perimeter….hitting 41.9% and 44.8% respectfully. George Valentine is the leading rebounder with 8.3 PG. while Reggie Middleton leads the team in assists and steals.

You can bet that Winthrop will be pumped to play Kentucky in legendary Rupp arena before 23,000…..they will play hard….but, talent wise they simply don’t match the Cats!

UK is coming off an easy win over Miss. Valley St., but it was not a great game by the Cats. Coach Cal was not happy to see UK out rebounded by MVS and have fewer assists. On the plus side, UK had 5 players in double figures…..and again .again Harrellson was a force on the boards grabbing 12 rebounds and added 2 blocks in 24 minutes. Vargas added 6 rebounds in 10 minutes. Terrence Jones encountered some foul trouble again and was limited to 23 minutes, but he did score 19 points and haul down 8 rebounds.

Coach Cal will likely start employing some type of zone defense in certain game situations where fouls are a concern. As the Cats get ready to face SEC teams….UK simply can’t afford, with a thin bench, to have key players in early foul trouble. Hopefully, Hood and Poole can demonstrate in practice that they deserve some playing minutes. It is not unlikely, that Hood and/or Poole will be needed in some key game situations and they need some playing time.

I look for an easy Kentucky victory over Winthrop…..20 plus points. GO CATS!!!!!!!!