Kentucky set to face South Carolina: Game Preview

The anticipation surrounding Zvonimir Ivisic’s debut for the Kentucky Wildcats has yet to die down. Two days after his first game, the media couldn’t help but ask Kentucky assistant coach Chin Coleman about the big man. With Ivisic’s addition, the Kentucky coaching staff now has to manage three players who are seven feet tall or taller – Ivisic, Aaron Bradshaw, and Ugonna Onyenso. How will head coach John Calipari handle this situation?
Coleman expressed confidence in Calipari’s ability to manage the team. “We’ll figure it out,” he said. “Coach Cal will figure it out. He’s done an unbelievable job with the moving pieces, figuring out who’s in and who’s out. He’s the best at it for a reason.”
When asked about the potential impact of Ivisic, Coleman mentioned that he hopes the big man will provide shot-blocking and make the team a better rebounding unit. He also believes that Ivisic’s presence alongside Bradshaw, who is also a good shooter, will help space the floor for the team.
With multiple players on the roster missing time due to injury or ineligibility, Coleman acknowledged that it takes time for the coaching staff to find the best way to use the available pieces. “We’ll continue to grow and figure out different things,” he said. “It’s going to take us a little time to figure this out.”
Tuesday’s game against South Carolina poses a challenge for the Wildcats. Despite finishing last season with an 11-21 record, the Gamecocks have surprised many this year with their impressive performance. They currently hold a 15-3 overall record, with a 3-2 conference record and a dominant 9-1 home record.
Coleman acknowledged the Gamecocks’ improvement and praised their style of play. “They’re playing good right now,” he said. “They have a lot of confidence, they don’t beat themselves.” He also highlighted the clash of styles between the two teams, with Kentucky looking to play at a fast pace while South Carolina prefers to slow things down. Coleman emphasized the need for the Wildcats to dictate the tempo and play the game at their pace.
The game is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on the SEC Network.