UK BASKETBALL: Cats ready for Gators, grind of rugged SEC schedule

LEXINGTON, Ky. (KT) — Kentucky coach Mark Pope is expecting a proverbial emotional ride in the Southeastern Conference this season.

“We’re going to have all of the emotions,” the Kentucky coach said earlier this week. “We’re going to feel like the greatest team ever; we’re going to feel like the worst team ever. It’s just the nature of the deal. The trick is, when we have those emotional swings, how fast can we get back to constructive. Our guys are pretty good about taking frustration and turning it into fight.”

The key, Pope said, is for the Wildcats to focus on the task of improving on a daily basis.

“Being able to get ourselves fresh, whether it’s after a win or a loss, when we roll in here every day and be focused on getting better,” he said. “That is the DNA of a team that has a chance to be great when it matters most.”

Kentucky center Amari Williams said the team’s emphasis on defense will help prepare for the SEC. Kentucky limited Brown to just 54 points, the lowest scoring output against the Wildcats this season and forced 23 turnovers, the most since the 2017 campaign.

“It makes everything easy in the long run, especially when it comes to us playing the tougher SEC games ahead — it is going to help us a lot,” Williams said. “Going into those games with confidence, knowing that we will have more practice when it comes to defense will be nice. Everything is going to work out.”

The No. 10 Wildcats open the conference schedule against sixth-ranked Florida in the team’s third showdown against teams ranked within the Top 10. The Wildcats are 2-0 teams ranked in the Top 10 this season. Florida (13-0) is off to the program’s best start since winning its first 17 games to open the 2005-06 season.

"It's the deepest, most talented, most competitive conference in the history of college basketball," Florida coach Todd Golden said.

The two conference foes split two games last season. The Wildcats edged the Gators 87-85 in the league opener for both teams in Gainesville last season, while Florida defeated Kentucky 94-91 in overtime at Rupp Arena.

“(In the) half-court defense, they’re in the top one percentile, they’re one of the top teams defensively in defense in the country, they’re the No. 2 team on the glass in the country, they’ve got three veteran guards who just score in bunches,” Pope said. “Their bigs are voracious, they’re relentless and skilled and can shoot it. It’s another Top-10 battle. It’s going to be a great test for us to see where we are right now and the lessons we have learned.”

The Gators will be led by the three-guard tandem of Walter Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard. Clayton leads the team in scoring with an average of 17.2 points per game.

“We have a good group that’s bought in and playing for each other,” Golden said. “I’d put our backcourt up against anybody in America. Those three seniors are really, really good players and good leaders. I love our young front-court and the depth they provide as well. I think this is going to be a great game and a great way to kick off SEC play.”

NEXT GAME: Florida at Kentucky, 11 a.m., Saturday. TV/Radio: ESPN, UK Radio Network