Kentucky players provide students with food waiting to enter Rupp Arena ahead of Kansas game
Big Blue Nation is out in full force camping out for Kentucky–Kansas outside the gates at Rupp Arena. Kentucky’s basketball team took care of some of the students waiting to enter the building for ESPN’s College GameDay, providing them with subs from Jersey Mike’s.
Kentucky is all about taking care of its own — especially for those that go to the lengths of waiting for hours in line on days like today.
Sharp-shooting veteran guard CJ Fredrick provided this fan with a sub who was near the front of the line.
Tip-off between Kentucky and Kansas is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET live on ESPN. The Wildcats are a two-point favorite entering the matchup and the over/under sits at 140, per Caesars Sportsbook.
Jay Bilas reveals keys to Kentucky-Kansas basketball game
ESPN’s Jay Bilas revealed the keys to the Kentucky–Kansas game Saturday. The Wildcats are on a hot streak while No. 9 Kansas reeled coming into the contest.
But there’s a way for Kansas to come out on top on the road in Rupp Arena. If Oscar Tshiebwe is contained, the Jayhawks could come out on top.
Meanwhile, Jalen Wilson has to step up big time for the Jayhawks.
“Oscar Tsbiebwe has been on a tear,” Bilas said on SportsCenter. ‘He’s playing at a National Player of the Year level. He was the National Player of the Year last year, led the nation in rebounding. He’s leading the nation in rebounding again and he just had 37 points, 24 rebounds against Georgia.
“The second half against Georgia is what started this and it’s really the way Kentucky needs to play. They’ve gone with a little bit of a different lineup at times. And Kentucky’s defending at a much higher level.
“Dealing with Tshiebwe, keeping Kentucky out of transition, and really doing a good job on the glass is going to be really important for Kansas. Because Kentucky’s a great offensive-rebounding team. They’re getting 40% of their misses in SEC play. But Jalen Wilson is going to be the key matchup, I think, for Kentucky to deal with. Over the last three games, he’s averaging 30 points, he went 38, 30, and 23. And so he’s going to be the focus of the Kentucky defense to try to keep him from going off.”