Friday, November 28th, 11:59 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Orleans Arena (7,500) -- Las Vegas, Nevada. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: KSU 4-0, Kentucky 2-1. Away Record: KSU 1-0, Kentucky 0-1. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, Kentucky 0-0. Conference Record: KSU 0-0, Kentucky 0-0. Series Record: Kentucky leads, 7-0.

GAME NOTES: The Kentucky Wildcats have never lost to the Kansas State Wildcats on the hardwood and they will try to continue that trend tonight, as the programs square off in the semifinal round of the Las Vegas Invitational. Kentucky was one of four teams to have the honor of hosting the first two rounds of this tournament and they made quick work of both Delaware State (71-42) and Longwood (91-57). The victories were a nice rebound for the Kentucky, which opened the season with a shocking loss to VMI (111-103) and an expected setback at top-ranked North Carolina (77-58). As for KSU, it also enjoyed the luxury of hosting a regional in this event, prevailing over Southeast Missouri State (88-68) and Oakland (83-64). KSU has yet to be defeated overall, winning all five of its contests, with four win coming by 19 or more points. KSU and Kentucky have clashed seven times previously on the hardwood and Kentucky has won each of those meetings. The winner of this game will move on to face either Iowa or West Virginia in the finals on Saturday.

KSU knocked down 13-of-29 shots from beyond the arc and 14-of-20 at the foul line, as it cruised past Oakland on Tuesday. The team also shot a solid 45.9 percent from the floor and forced Oakland into 22 costly turnovers. Jacob Pullen headed the charge with 26 points and five assists, while Denis Clemente posted 19 points and eight helpers. Luis Colon got into the mix as well, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds. On the season, Pullen leads the squad in scoring at 14.8 ppg and he is also distributing a team-best 4.6 apg. Clemente ranks second to him with 13.4 ppg and 3.8 apg, while Jamar Samuels contributes 11.0 ppg and 5.8 ppg off the bench. As a team, KSU is scoring a hardy 83.6 ppg and dishing out 19.0 apg.

Kentucky forced 21 turnovers and held Longwood to a dismal 30.3 percent shooting performance from the floor, as they notched a convincing victory on Monday. The Wildcats scored 24 points from those turnovers and they also dominated the boards 50-33 in the win. Patrick Patterson led the charge with a double-double of 28 points and 12 rebounds and he also delivered six assists. Jodie Meeks added 17 points and five boards, while Josh Harrellson had 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench. On the year, Meeks paces Kentucky in scoring with 24.3 ppg and he is also grabbing 5.0 rpg. Patterson is second in scoring (16.0 ppg) and assists (3.8 rpg) and he tops the roster in rebounding at 8.5 rpg. Ramon Harris chips in with 11.0 ppg for the Wildcats, who are scoring 80.8 ppg on 49.8 percent shooting from the floor this season.

Kentucky appears to have rebounded from its slow start and with another balanced effort, it should prevail over a KSU club that has played a soft schedule up to this point.

Predicted Outcome

Kentucky 74, Kansas State 68