Kentucky vs. Providence: Game Preview, Prediction

The top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats return to the Rupp Arena floor on Sunday afternoon, facing the 25th-ranked Providence Friars.

Both teams enter the game unbeaten at 6-0. Kentucky has cruised through its opening part of the schedule, beating its opponents by an average of 36.8 points per game. This week, Kentucky beat Montana State 86-28 (not a misprint) and Texas-Arlington 92-44. Kentucky opponents are averaging just 45.7 points per contest.

Head coach John Calipari has so much talent that he is using platoons this season. Kentucky’s starting five plays together and then is replaced by the second team of five different players who all play together as a unit. This formula has allowed all of the talent on the Big Blue roster to get equal amounts of playing time so far this season. Kentucky features nine McDonald’s All-Americans, plus potential NBA lottery pick Willie Cauley-Stein.

Ironically, it’s the shooting guards for both platoons that lead the team in scoring. Sophomore Aaron Harrison and freshman Devin Booker each average 11.2 points per contest. Sophomore center Dakari Johnson averages 11 points and eight rebounds per game, while playing less than 20 minutes per contest.

As if Providence wasn’t facing a big enough task, the Friars will be coming into this game on short rest. Providence beat Yale 72-66 at home on Friday. The Friars will face the deep, talented Wildcats less than 48 hours from the end of that game.

Providence is led by senior forward LaDontae Henton, who is averaging 23.4 points per game, good for sixth in the country this season. Tyler Harris is second on the team, posting 13.6 points per outing.

The Friars have beaten the Florida State Seminoles and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish so far this season, but this game will be a big step up for them. Kentucky’s defense and depth will be the difference in this game.

Final score prediction: Kentucky 80, Providence 58

Tim Letcher is a contributing writer for www.RantSports.com and a member of the Football Writers Association of America and the United States Basketball Writers Association. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.