When No. 6 Kentucky faces off against Arkansas on Saturday night, they will be looking to break their two-game losing streak on the road. The Cats’ recent setback against South Carolina on Tuesday has put the team on their toes, and they know they have to come out strong in the upcoming game.
Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell, experienced veterans on the team, are well aware of the challenges that await the Cats in hostile environments like Bud Walton Arena. Mitchell understands that every game against Kentucky is a big one for the opposing fans.
“It’s not going to be easy anywhere we go because everybody’s home game against us is the biggest game on the schedule to the fans,” Mitchell said. “It’s newer for us to experience, with the guys we have, but now we’ve kind of got our feet wet with it and we’re getting used to it and we understand more now than ever what’s going to come when we’re on the road.”
For Mitchell, the key to success lies in the team’s togetherness and connectivity on the court.
“It’s all about how connected we are,” Mitchell explained. “There’s times out there when you can’t even hear yourself talk, let alone your teammate or your coach calling out what he wants us to do. When someone does pick up on what coach is saying, we have to relay it to everybody. We have to understand what we need and what we want through the possessions.”
Mitchell anticipates that Arkansas will bring a similar physical presence to the game as South Carolina did. To combat this, the Cats need to be just as physical and set the tone early on.
“You just have to be physical back,” Mitchell stated. “You have to set the tone early and you have to keep that tone. Right now, it’s just understanding the level of physicality that we need and bringing that fight and that competitive edge in all situations, no matter what the environment is like.”
Furthermore, the return of Adou Thiero, who has been sidelined for the past seven games due to general soreness, will provide a boost to Kentucky’s physicality and rebounding. Thiero has been averaging 7.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season, and Mitchell is excited about his comeback.
“The energy he brings is second to none,” Mitchell said. “Some of the plays he makes are really big plays. On top of that, Adou is one of the strongest people on this team. He’s not afraid to get physical. We’re excited to get him back.”
With players like Reeves and Mitchell leading the charge, Kentucky is determined to secure a road win in Fayetteville against Arkansas. The Cats are well aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but they are ready to face them head-on.
