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GAME NOTES: The second-ranked Kentucky Wildcats begin play in the 2010 SEC Tournament with a quarterfinal-round matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The winner of this game will move on to Saturday's semifinals to collide with either Ole Miss or Tennessee.

Alabama is the fourth seed from the SEC's West Division, and it appeared that the program's stay in this tournament would be short-lived after falling behind South Carolina by 18 points in the second half of yesterday's first- round game. To the surprise of everyone, the Tide mounted a furious comeback and escaped with a 66-63 victory. Alabama has won this tournament six times, the second most in the league, but the last crown was captured way back in 1991. Still, the Tide is 58-43 in this event and 17-14 overall this season.

The Wildcats have won this event 25 times and own a 111-22 record in SEC Tournament games. Still, they haven't cut down the nets since 2004 and haven't reached the title game since 2005. Kentucky is a stellar 29-2 overall under first-year head coach John Calipari, and the team won 14 of its 16 games versus SEC opponents during the regular season. The 'Cats are the top seed from the loaded East Division of the SEC.

During the regular season, Kentucky won its only meeting with Alabama by a 66-55 final, and the Wildcats own a commanding 99-35 advantage in the all-time series.

Alabama is generating 68.5 ppg this season while allowing 64.5 ppg to opponents. The Crimson Tide rely heavily on the talented duo of Mikhail Torrance and JaMychal Green. Torrance leads the club with 15.5 ppg, and he has dished out an impressive total of 160 assists. As for Green, he checks in with 14.1 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Yesterday, Torrance scored 17 points to lead Alabama, while Justin Knox added 16 points and seven rebounds against South Carolina. Green posted 10 points and seven boards for the Tide, who overcame 39.3 percent shooting from the floor on the strength of a 21-14 edge in points from the foul line. In the second half, 'Bama managed to limit the Gamecocks to 36.5 percent shooting, impressive to say the least.

Kentucky leads the conference in many statistical categories, including scoring offense (79.9 ppg), scoring margin (+14.4 ppg), field goal percentage (.478), field goal percentage defense (.382), rebounding margin (+9.1 rpg) and assists (14.9 apg). Freshman sensation John Wall, who was recently named the SEC Player of the Year, is scoring 17.0 ppg to go along with a league-best 6.2 apg, and fellow rookie star DeMarcus Cousins, the SEC Freshman of the Year, checks in with 15.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 1.8 bpg. Don't forget about veteran Patrick Patterson and his 15.0 ppg and 7.6 rpg. Eric Bledsoe, a third standout freshman, rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.4 ppg. Kentucky is holding opponents to 65.6 ppg on 38.3 percent shooting from the floor, so this is much more than an explosive offensive team. It is argued by many that Calipari possesses the most talented team in the nation, and it is hard to argue that point.

Expect a double-digit victory for Kentucky today, as the inexperience of Wall, Cousins and Bledsoe will be masked by their overwhelming talent. Expect the Wildcats to start fast and finish strong.