A Big Test for the Wildcats

 A little over a month ago I wrote of two consecutive games that could potentially derail the Wildcat's run at greatness.  Of course the Devean Downey train derailed it several weeks ago, but alas, tonight arrives the first of those two road tests when UK heads to Mississippi State.

Two big questions for tonight's game:

1.  Will Mississippi State play with the urgency that tonight's game truly implies.  The Bulldogs are clearly on the outside of the bubble looking in.  A win over Kentucky goes a LONG way to getting them back in the discussion.  A loss tonight?  The situation is honestly pretty stark in Starkville.

2.  How will DeMarcus Cousins react to playing against a premier perimeter defender?  Jarvis Varnado is one of the nation's leading shot blockers.  He is big and physical.  Cousins hasn't always responded very maturely or positively in these situations.  How he handles his emotions tonight will determine the Wildcat's fate.

It is a sneaky gem tonight in the SEC and a great look at how well the Wildcats are preparing for March.  Expect Mississippi State to play very physical, to use their fouls inside and to zone the Wildcats all game long.  If Kentucky can knock down shots and learn how to move the ball against a zone, they are a national title contender.  Until they figure it out, I truly see them a clear notch behind Syracuse and Kansas, and have trouble picking them over squads like Villanova, Purdue, Duke and Kansas State.

Maniac's Pick:  Mississippi State is likely to lead early, and perhaps even late, but give me the Wildcats winning and covering in a true statement win for March,

Kentucky -2.5

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