#2 South Carolina Gamecocks vs. #18 Kentucky Wildcats: Preview and How to Watch

#2 South Carolina Gamecocks vs. #18 Kentucky Wildcats

When: Thursday, February 4th, 7 p.m.

Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC

How to watch: SECNetwork / WatchESPN

Three Point Preview

1. The Wildcats have hit a slight slump since the first matchup between these two teams. Kentucky has lost four out of its last six, and two out of its last three games. After a 85-79 loss to Florida in Gainesville on Sunday, Kentucky dropped below .500 in SEC play to 4-5 and currently sits in 8th place. UK was undefeated in non-conference play with its most notable win coming against then #13 Duke, who has since fallen out of the rankings.

2. Junior center Alaina Coates has dominated foes down low all year, and last week was no exception. Coates is the only player in the SEC to average a double-double in conference play. She averages just over nine boards a game and has pulled in double-digit rebounds in every SEC game this season. She is coming off a huge week in which she averaged 12.5 points and 12.0 rebounds and won the SEC Player of the Week award.

3. A win Thursday night would give the Gamecocks their 10th conference win for the year and would mark their fifth straight season with double-digit conference wins. The women's program only had one season in the prior 20 years in which they posted at least 10 conference wins. Dawn Staley, thank you.

That said, the Gamecocks need to be on upset alert against the Cats with perpetually #1 ranked UConn due up next Monday. The Gamecocks hope to keep their home streak alive going into the biggest game on the women's basketball schedule.