It's going to be a tough, physical game between Kentucky and West Virginia.  When they met last year in Las Vegas--and what kind of odds could have you have gotten that it was a prelude to an Elite 8 matchup a year later--Kentucky rallied to win 54-43 (ironically, the game featured Josh Harrelson's only career double-double).  Points may well be hard to come by again this time and that's one of the reasons I think John Wall will be a key.  He has not yet had one of his big games in NCAA play, being content to run his team as the floor general because the Wildcats have not really found themselves in danger of losing in the second half of any of these games.  But that figures to change today and that's why I see a Player of the Year-caliber performance from Wall in the script for a Kentucky victory.  We've seen take over many games at crucial moments and there's a good chance he'll be called on for a repeat performance.  Demarcus Cousins figures to be a major factor as well.  He hasn't had a really dominant rebounding effort in the tournament and this would be a great time to have one, since WVU doesn't have a good matchup for him.  Bob Huggins' club is just 3-3 this season when it gets out-rebounded.  I don't look for WVU to do well against the Cats' first-shot defense but offensive rebounds is the way the Mountaineers can make up for that and Kentucky has had a couple of games in which it gave up way too many second-chance opportunities.  Tell me Kentucky wins the rebounding battle in this matchup and I'd say you can pack for Indy.

 

v. Louisville
September 2 / 3:30pm eastern
listen on UK-IMG Sports Network
See full schedule