RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team will make the short drive up I-75 on Friday to face No. 2 Kentucky. Tip from Rupp Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Fans can watch the game live on the SEC Network. The live radio broadcast of the game is available in the Richmond area on WCYO-100.7 FM, and can be heard worldwide on EKUSports.com.
WHAT TO KNOW
EKU (1-0) opened the second half with a 15-0 run on its way to a 79-68 win over Chattanooga in the season opener on Tuesday night in Richmond. Last year, the Colonels were 2-14 in games in which they trailed at halftime. This year, they are 1-0.
Sophomore Houston King poured in a career-high 19 points to lead EKU vs. UTC. King went 4-of-5 from behind the arc.
Redshirt junior Darius Hicks – a transfer from N.C. State – played in his first regular season basketball game in nearly two years on Tuesday. He responded with his first collegiate double-double (18 points, 12 rebounds).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Kentucky (1-0) comes into Friday’s game ranked No. 2 in the country. The Wildcats, however, will probably be No. 1 in the country soon after defeating current No. 1 Michigan State, 69-62, on Tuesday night in New York. The last time EKU played a team ranked that high, it was No. 1 Kentucky on Dec. 7, 2014.
Freshman Tyrese Maxey led Kentucky with 26 points in the win over the Spartans.
This will be the 13th all-time meeting between EKU and Kentucky. The Wildcats lead the series, 12-0. The last meeting between the two teams: an 88-67 Kentucky win on Dec. 9, 2015.
EKU has won twice at Rupp Arena: the Colonels beat Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech there during the 1992 OVC Tournament.
UP NEXT
EKU will host the Ohio Chillicothe Hilltoppers (Tuesday) and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Friday) next week at McBrayer Arena.