Utah @ Kentucky preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 15, 2018 ) Utah 61, Kentucky 88

It's rare to find a team with less experience than No. 6 Kentucky, but Utah - Wednesday's opponent in Las Vegas - fits the description. “I’ve never thought of feeling sorry for (Kentucky) coach (John) Calipari having to deal with all the young kids,” Utes coach Larry Krystkowiak told reporters. “Because there tends to be numerous stars behind the guys’ names. But you do find a new-found appreciation for dealing with youth.”

Utah is the second-youngest team nationally with a roster featuring 11 freshmen and four sophomores, according to kenpom.com, while the Wildcats are 10th. The Utes are coming off a 60-49 victory over Weber State on Saturday while Kentucky's 67-53 win over Georgia Tech on the same day spoke volumes of its teamwork. Wildcats freshman guard Tyrese Maxey, considered one of the perimeter shooters coming out of high school, went 0-for-9 from the field Saturday but held Michael Devoe, the ACC's leading scorer at the time, to five points. “It was an amazing step,” Maxey told reporters. “I’m 1-for-17 - Coach won’t let me forget - for the last two games, but I’m still super, extremely happy. We won those games. I was out there playing defense. ..."

TV: 11 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT UTAH (8-2): Sophomore forward Timmy Allen averages team highs of 20.6 points and 7.4 rebounds after scoring 19 on Saturday - the first time in four games he didn't reach 20. Freshman guard Rylan Jones (11.7 points, club-best 5.2 assists) practiced Tuesday and could be ready to play Wednesday after missing the second half of a 98-67 victory over Central Arkansas on Dec. 7 and the Weber State game with a rib injury. Sophomore guard Both Gach (11.7 points) and sophomore forward Riley Battin (10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds) are also key contributors.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (8-1): Sophomore guard Ashton Hagans (13.7 points, seven assists per game) is averaging 16.3 points and 8.7 assists over his last six contests after recording 21 and seven Saturday. Junior forward Nick Richards (team highs of 13.8 points and eight rebounds) was sixth nationally in field goal percentage entering Tuesday at 69.9 percent after going 17-for-20 in his last three games. Maxey (12.3 points), who burst onto the scene with 26 points and a late, long 3-pointer against Michigan State in the season opener, is 4-for-26 from the field in his last three games, dropping his field goal percentage to 38.6.

TIP-INS

1. Wildcats sophomore F EJ Montgomery (9.8 points, 5.3 rebounds per game) was held scoreless Saturday after totaling 41 points in his previous two games.

2. The Utes are 29-29 all-time in Las Vegas, including 8-8 under Krystkowiak.

3. Kentucky was sixth in the country in free-throw percentage at 79.8 percent through Monday.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 88, Utah 83