KU - UK

I know that TC, TR, GR, SP, EW and myself among others have had this Game circled on our calendars since it was announced. Clearly, it's going to be a tough game on the road without Wayne Simien. CBS Sportsline notes:

No. 2 Kansas at No. 8 Kentucky: This is the first road game of the season for the Jayhawks (10-0, 1-0), whose next two games also are on the road (Iowa State, Colorado) but who play Big 12 powers Oklahoma State and Texas just once, both in Lawrence. Something tells us the Wildcats (10-1) are slightly overrated at No. 8, but getting Kansas at home, and without Wayne Simien (thumb), gives the 'Cats a shot.

A common foe notes:

South Carolina Coach Dave Odom, whose team lost at Kansas and Kentucky by four-point margins, immediately noted Simien's absence when asked to compare the Wildcats and Jayhawks.

"Two really good teams," he said. "It's a shame both are not at full strength. ... I'd expect a hard-fought game. But let's face it. One team is not at full strength."

Without Simien, a 6-foot-9 All-America candidate, Kansas is vulnerable to Kentucky inside, Odom and South Carolina players said. Simien had 20 points and 11 rebounds before injuring the thumb on his left (non-shooting) hand against South Carolina on Dec. 18.

"We know first-hand how good Kentucky is inside," Odom said after UK beat the Gamecocks 79-75 on Wednesday. "And Kansas is playing without their best inside player. ... Right now, I'd say size is a bit of a problem for Kansas going into that game."

Before the injury, Simien had six double-doubles in seven games. He was averaging 17.4 points and 12 rebounds.

South Carolina point guard Tre' Kelley noted the scarcity of dominant big men.

"Simien may not be the best player on Kansas, but he is the most important," he said. "Without him, they are going to have problems."

In its no-Simien incarnation, "Kansas is more of an outside team," Kelley said. "But Kentucky can't allow offensive boards like tonight. We had too many."

South Carolina, which started a 6-9, 195-pound center in sophomore Brandon Wallace, had two put-back dunks among its nine offensive rebounds against Kentucky.

Another South Carolina guard, Josh Gonner, noted how UK big men can exploit a smaller team.

"The inside game for Kentucky should be better without Simien," Gonner said. "The (UK) big men know how to pass and move without the ball."

Former UK player Larry Conley, now a college basketball analyst for several media outlets, noted how Kansas has several high-quality players. Among them are senior guards Aaron Miles and Keith Langford, plus a collection of highly touted freshmen, which include one-time UK prospect Russell Robinson.

But Conley tabbed Simien as the key player for Kansas and the second-best inside player in the country (behind only Ike Diago of Arizona State).

"Kansas is not as good without Simien," Conley said. "He's by far their best player."

Virtual matches on the Xbox give the edge to Kentucky.

But the SEC is weak.

And of course one of the great things about KU Basketball is their manager Shannon. Win or lose, Kentucky can't take that away from us.