Preview/GameThread: Texas A&M vs. Kentucky - SEC Tournament Finals

Before we jump in to today's matchup, can we discuss yesterday's comprehensive beating of LSU? Y'all don't mind, right? Of course you don't. Because beating the crap out of LSU is hilarious.

Y'all, we didn't just beat LSU. We destroyed their will to live. This was the type of ass kicking that exposes some deeeeeeep rooted program flaws - the kind where guys quit on their coach with 27 minutes of game action remaining.

We were up 35-13 at halftime, we pushed the lead to absurd heights in the 2nd half, and we held LSU to the lowest scoring output for the entire season by a major conference team!

But hey... Ben Simmons got a double double. Which ESPN was quick to note. He was completely disinterested and had one foot out the door towards the NBA... but good job notching that double double, guy. You'll stay in the headlines.

On to the next.

Note: Our preview of the original matchup, which goes into much greater detail on individual Kentucky players, is available here

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Kentucky is at full strength

In the first matchup, which I'm clearly going to link because it was perfect and amazing, we were facing Kentucky's bench guys down low.

Poythress (starter) was out injured, Lee (starter) had been hurt in the previous game and was questionable, and Willis (first sub, stretch four) had also rolled an ankle in the prior game and ended up getting hurt in the 2nd half against the Aggies.

Lee eventually fouled out, which left Kentucky with their 4th and 5th best forwards in the game during crunch time... and we all know how that worked out.

Today's battle down low will be much, much tougher. Poythress is their best "back to the basket" threat, and his post defense allows Lee and Skal the freedom to protect the rim from the opposite block.

His return is a game changer, no doubt.

Texas A&M hasn't lost in a month

No lie, our last defeat was in Baton Rouge on February 13th. Since then, we've run off eight straight victories with an average margin of victory in double figures.

Forget this "hottest team in the SEC" business - we're one of the hottest teams in the country.

If we play like we did against LSU yesterday, Kentucky's return to a full strength front court won't matter.

Kentucky fans travel

As anyone who has been to an A&M/Kentucky game at Reed Arena can tell you... Kentucky fans travel in alarming numbers. The SEC Tournament is no different, which is why today's game will essentially be a de facto road game.

We have the best road record in the SEC, but we didn't really grab our road wins anywhere of note. This could very well be our most hostile environment of the season.

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Guys... don't hate me. But the combination of a hostile crowd and a full strength front court forces me to give Kentucky a slight edge today. We're certainly capable of winning, especially if we repeat yesterday's performance, but it's going to be an uphill battle.

I hope I'm wrong.

BTHO Kentucky