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Some would argue that one of the hardest things to do in a season is to beat a team three different times. That's the task Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks have in front of them against the Kentucky Wildcats if they want to play for a tournament championship Sunday.
(1) South Carolina Gamecocks vs. (5) Kentucky Wildcats
When: Saturday, Match 5th 2016, 5 p.m.
Where: Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL
TV: ESPNU / Live stream: WatchESPN
Three Point Preview
1. Today's matchup will be the third overall meeting between these teams in the SEC Tournament, with Kentucky winning the first two. The last postseason match-up took place in 2014 when the Wildcats upset the top-ranked Gamecocks in the semi-finals. That said, recent regular season history is on the Gamecocks' side as they've won three out of the last four meetings.
2. The Gamecocks defense has had a tight lock on the rim as of late. South Carolina has held its last four opponents under 50 points for the game, allowing just 45.8 ppg in their last five. The defense also ranks among the nation's based in opponents field goal percentage, allowing teams to shot above 40% just five times all year.
3. Kentucky has caught fire of late, and possibly at the perfect time. The Wildcats are currently riding an eight game winning streak, and yesterday against higher seeded Florida may have been the pinnacle. Led by the consistent scoring of Makayla Epps and a 33 point second quarter, the Wildcats eased past the Gators Friday en route to a 92-69 victory. If Kentucky brings it the way they have been lately, the Gamecocks will have their hands full.
The winner of tonight's game will play the winner of Tennessee / Mississippi St. in the championship game Sunday.