KEYS TO THE GAME
* STYLE OF PLAY: Kentucky figures to apply the same full-court pressure that Boston College put on USC. The Trojans don’t expect the Wildcats to shoot their tournament average (52.7%) against their zone/man package.
* MATCHUP TO WATCH: Anyone against Tayshaun Prince. The Kentucky junior is averaging 29 points and made nine of 12 three-point shots in Kentucky’s two wins.
* INTANGIBLES: Guard Jeff Trepagnier has energized the Trojans early with several memorable dunks. Kentucky has to keep him grounded. Brandon Granville, USC’s primary ballhandler, can’t have eight turnovers as he did against Boston College.
* MAGIC NUMBERS: Brian Scalabrine hasn’t had a 20-point game in nearly a month, averaging 10.2 points over the past six games. Kentucky figures to pay attention to Sam Clancy, allowing Scalabrine to start fast.
* FINAL ANALYSIS: Kentucky, though young, is the best team the Trojans will have faced in the tournament. USC can win if it keeps it close and steals it at the end. But Kentucky should run down the Trojans and pull away in the last five minutes.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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