The Cats are coming off an absolute embarrassment to Tennessee as they lost 71-52 and recorded more turnovers (17) than field goals (14). Kentucky will head down to Oxford for a late Tuesday night game against a win desperate Ole Miss Rebel team.

Ole Miss has been the surprise of the SEC this season. In the preseason, the Rebels were picked to finish 13^th in the SEC. The Rebels were at one time ranked this season and are currently in a 5-team tie for 4^th place in the SEC. After two straight losses, Ole Miss is currently projected as 10 seed in the NCAA tournament and are in need of a quality win to secure their spot. Let’s take a look at what the Wildcats need to do to hold off the Rebels and redeem themselves after Saturday’s performance.

Energy

Following a 19-point loss and in a road environment, energy shouldn’t be an issue. I’m sure Cal has made sure that the Tennessee loss has lit a fire under this team heading into the last week of the regular season. One promising sign heading into Tuesday night, Kentucky has followed every loss this season with a double-digit win.

12-point win against Southern Illinois following Loss to Duke

27-point win against Utah following loss to Seton Hall

11-point win against Texas A&M after loss to Alabama

17-point win against Tennessee after loss to LSU

Kentucky seems to have learned a lesson. On Monday afternoon Immanuel Quickley said, “We learned we have to fight every game”. Quickley went on to mention at least four more times making it apparent that its been a point of emphasis for the team. Lets see the Cats put their talk into action and come out with the sense of urgency that wasn’t seen on Saturday.

Be Better Offensively

Kentucky is coming off their worst offensive game of the season and one of the worse in the Calipari era. Kentucky recorded season lows in field goals made (14), shooting percentage (31.8%), and their lowest mark in points since the 2013 NIT team (52). The Big Blue Nation had to endure nearly 16 minutes of scoreless Kentucky basketball.

I would expect that poor of performance could not be so easily replicated and the Cats will shoot much better on Tuesday night. The Cats will make more shots but PJ Washington, Keldon Johnson specifically need to bring more production on offense.

PJ and Keldon are almost certain to enter the NBA draft this summer and are the two most talented players on the roster. Last week, neither played great in either game.

Last Week Averages

Keldon: 10 points, 6.5 rebounds, 31% FG, 17% 3P

PJ: 11 points, 4.5 rebounds, 31% FG, 0% 3P

Losing Reid Travis has no doubt has forced more defensive attention to Keldon and PJ, but they simply have to be better and be the superstars they can be.

Terence Davis & Breein Tyree

The Kentucky Guards will have to be better than what they were Saturday as they gave up 27 points (11-15 FG) to Jordan Bone with little resistance. Ole Miss guards Terence Davis and Breein Tyree make up one of the best backcourt duos in the SEC, if not the country. Davis a senior, and Tyree a junior, have both played against the Cats before and last season they combined for half of their team’s point in their matchup at Rupp Arena.

Ole Miss @ Kentucky 2/28/18

Davis: 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 44% FG, 33% 3P

Tyree: 13 points, 7 assists, 46% FG

In terms of defense, how do the Wildcat guards respond? Limiting the Ole Miss guards will be the the Cats’ primary defensive focus. We may see more Jemarl Baker and Immanuel Quickley if Ashton Hagans and Tyler Herro don’t respond, expect them to see a little more time on the bench than usual.

Guard the Perimeter

The Rebels are a good three-point shooting team, and one of the best in the SEC. While they shoot a balanced amount of shots from three, they make them. The Rebels play a guard heavy lineup with four guards shooting 35% from three and playing at least 24 minutes. Kentucky’s early season struggles with perimeter defense have now become a relative strength. Kentucky’s guards will need to be prepared to extend out on shooters.

Don’t Foul

While Ole Miss doesn’t get many free throw opportunities, they capitalize on them when they do. The Rebels have the best mark in the SEC and the 8^th best in the nation. Kentucky will need to stay out of foul trouble and play intelligent defense unlike Saturday against Tennessee. If the game is close enough to become a free throw shooting contest, the Cats could be in trouble.

Prediction

With a 9 p.m. ET tip-off, expect the environment in Oxford to be sold out and rowdy. Not to mention, bringing Kentucky to town will certainly bring more attention to the hate group protests by the Rebel basketball team. With what is on the line for Ole Miss, I expect this game to be a fight, especially in the first half. I believe this team will respond as they come out sharp and focused and make a statement on the road against a quality team.

Kentucky: 72

Ole Miss: 65