LEXINGTON, Ky. — The LSU Tigers arrived late Friday afternoon and went through about a 50-minute walk through at Rupp Arena in preparation for Saturday’s game with the eight-ranked University of Kentucky.
The big arena is expected to be near capacity for the game between the Tigers and Wildcats, although travel to the game could be a little tricky if forecast freezing rain and sleet arrives overnight. The game tips off at 12:30 p.m. CST and will be televised nationally by CBS Sports as the first game of their Saturday basketball double header. Verne Lundquist and Billy Packer will have the call.
The radio broadcast will be available in Louisiana on the LSU Sports Network (Eagle 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge) and on the internet at www.LSUsports.net.
The Tigers worked on several offensive formations against the press during the workout and Coach John Treloar took the team through the Kentucky scouting report during the practice. LSU comes into the game off a 66-63 overtime win over Arkansas at the Pete Maravich Center in Baton Rouge on Wednesday night, while the Wildcats rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to defeat Ole Miss in Oxford, 53-50.
Glen Davis has had three consecutive double doubles for LSU coming into the game, with 26 points and a career high 18 rebounds. But how will the freshman and sophomores Brandon Bass and Tack Minor react in their first trip to Rupp Arena. Darrel Mitchell and Antonio Hudson have both played in the building before.
The Tigers and Wildcats meet for the 41st time in Lexington, where Kentucky leads, 36-4. It was in 1989 that the Tigers last beat Kentucky, 64-62, giving Kentucky nine straight wins at Rupp, including the 1993 SEC Tournament Championship game. LSU has 21 wins all-time against Kentucky in 95 games, tied for the fourth most wins against Kentucky all-time behind Tennessee (62), Vandy (37) and Alabama (33). Indiana and Georgia also have 21 wins against Kentucky.
After the Kentucky game, the Tigers return to Baton Rouge for two games next week against Ole Miss (7 p.m.-Wednesday) and Mississippi State (2 p.m.-next Saturday).