The schedule calls for No. 9 Kentucky (11-2) to visit LSU (8-5), but it's the individual battles that matter most on Tuesday.
LSU's Ben Simmons -- projected by many to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft -- will face a ranked opponent for the first time in his collegiate career. The freshman phenom is averaging 20.5 points, 5.4 assists and an SEC-best 13.1 rebounds this season.
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Skal Labissiere was expected to carry the same torch for Kentucky, but is yet to meet the standard of Wildcats basketball. The No. 2 prospect in the country averaged 3.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in the six games before Saturday's victory over Ole Miss. Barely an improvement, he finished with nine points and three rebounds in that contest.
With the Simmons hype train crossing his path, he'll look to send the rest of college basketball a reminder.
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A free live stream of the SEC battle can be found here.
Preview
Game Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: Pete Maravich Assembly Center
Odds, via Vegas Insider: Kentucky -3
Radio: 630 WLAP
TV: ESPN
What They're Saying
No. 9 Kentucky at LSU (9 ET, ESPN/ESPN App) 2nd time in ESPN 100 era the top 2 recruits (Ben Simmons, Skal Labissiere) will meet as freshmen
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 5, 2016
Tomorrow's game v. LSU, Ben Simmons (9pm ESPN) will be first time Kentucky has faced the #1 overall recruit since Harrison Barnes, UNC.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 4, 2016
Anthony Davis says he "definitely will be in attendance" at Kentucky-LSU tonight.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) January 5, 2016
Note: Davis -- who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Hornets in 2012 -- won a national championship with Kentucky as a Freshman in 2012.
LSU could win every game for the next 54 years (2,140 games), but Kentucky would still have a higher all-time win percentage. #CatFacts
— UK Cat Facts (@UK_CatFacts) January 5, 2016
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