Kershaws Corner: Kentucky
South Carolina vs. No. 17 Kentucky
* Kentucky leads the overall series 47-10 and holds an 18-6 advantage in Columbia.
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* The Wildcats defeated the Gamecocks 77-55 last season at Rupp.
* Kentucky has won the last six in the series. Five of the six were decided by 10 points or more.
* USC's last win in the series was on January 26, 2010 in Columbia. (68-62)
Gamecocks in the Last Six Games
* The Gamecocks are averaging 69.4 points per game this season. In SEC play, Carolina is averaging 67.6. In the last six games, USC is averaging 62.0.
* Shot less than 40% in four of the last six games.
* Lost three of the six by double digits.
* The two teams they held under 70 points were Vanderbilt and Alabama. USC won both games.
* Allowed at least 34 points in the first half in four of the six games. USC lost all four of those games.
Gamecock Player Notes
Michael Carrera
* Started 11 straight games.
* Played 30 minutes against Auburn on Wednesday night. That is the most for him since playing 33 at Ole Miss on February 1, 2014.
* Posted back to back double digit rebound games. He had 12 versus Georgia and 13 at Auburn.
* 12 of the 25 rebounds in the last two games are offensive boards.
Mindaugas Kacinas
* Started the last five games.
* Tied his career high of six free throws made against Auburn on Wednesday.
* Has at least five rebounds in seven straight games.
* Scored 10 points against Auburn. That is the most for him since scoring 14 against Auburn in Columbia on February 5, 2014.
Brian Steele
* Played at least 10 minutes in five of the last six games.
* Tied his season high of four rebounds at Auburn on Wednesday.
Demetrius Henry
* The start at Auburn was his 23rd of the season.
* Averaging 15.2 minutes, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 points per game against SEC opponents
Duane Notice
* Came off the bench and played 24 minutes at Auburn.
* The Auburn game was the first time he did not start since the USC Upstate game on December 19, 2013.
* He hit three of his eight shots against the Tigers. In the previous three games, he was three of 21 from the field.
Desmond Ringer
* Played 16 minutes at Auburn. It was the first time he saw action since playing nine minutes at Tennessee on February 8, 2014.
* The 16 minutes are the most for him since playing 23 versus LSU on January 11, 2014.
Jaylen Shaw
* Played in 25 games this season averaging 10.1 minutes per game.
* Hit three of his last six shots from the field.
Sindarius Thornwell
* Only Gamecock to start all 28 games.
* Played at least 32 minutes in each of the last eight games.
* Hit eight of his last 40 field goal attempts.
* Has at least four rebounds in five straight games.
Scouting Kentucky
* Coached by John Calipari. He is 144-33 at Kentucky.
* Ranked 17th in the country.
* 21-7 overall and 11-4 in SEC play.
* Two of their four SEC losses came to Arkansas. They lost 87-85 in overtime in Fayetteville and 71-67 in overtime in Lexington.
* Won six of their last eight games.
* Last two games played both went to overtime.
* Outscored their last two opponents 92-48 in the paint and 43-20 in second chance points.
* Four players are averaging in double figures. (Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, James Young and Julius Randle)
* Randle, Young, Aaron Harrison and Andrew Harrison have started all 28 games.
* Randle is leading the Wildcats with 10.3 rebounds and 15.7 points per game.
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