Ohio's grueling non-conference road show comes to end Saturday when it travels to US Bank Arena in Cincinnati to take on 20th-ranked Kentucky. The Bobcats (3-5) will have their hands full with another up-tempo offense. The Wildcats (8-3) like to get the ball up the floor averaging 80.9 points a game. OU has been shaky to say the least on defense where it has allowed opponents to shoot 49.5% and score 77.4 points a contest.

The game will be a homecoming of sorts for Ohio seniors Brandon Hunter and Steve Esterkamp who both played high school ball in Cincinnati. Hunter, a pre-season All-MAC selection who briefly flirted with the NBA last year, has lived up to the hype. He is averaging 18.4 points and 12.6 rebounds and pulled down a Convo record 24 boards in his last outing. Esterkamp, bothered by the flu early in the season, showed a return to form against St. Bonaventure as he scored 24 points on 6-for-13 3-point shooting. Tim O'Shea will look for another good game from point guard Thomas Stephens who seemed to solidify his starting spot with a remarkable performance against the Bonnies. The senior came into the game averaging just 1.0 point a game but put up 23 points and dished out 9 assists in the Cats' win.

The Wildcats are led by senior shooting guard Keith Bogans who, like Hunter, has also been tempted by the NBA. The knock on Bogans in the past has been his outside shot but this season he's shooting 40% (27-for-68) from 3-point land and 50% overall on his way to averaging 17.9 a game. Point guard Gerald Fitch is second on the team in scoring at 11.5 PPG. After serving a 4-game suspension for improper summer league play, 6-8 small forward Erik Daniels has moved into the starting lineup and leads the team in rebounding (6.1 RPG).

UK suffered defections last season by post players Marvin Stone (Louisville) and Jason Parker (South Carolina) but still have good size underneath. 6-9, 236-pound Marquis Estill has emerged in his senior season averaging 11.5 points and 5.3 rebounds. 6-11 Jules Camara (8.3 PPG and 5.3 RPG) and 6-7 Chuck Hayes (9.0 PPG and 5.5 RPG) are also post threats for the Wildcats.

The game is being broadcast by the UK Network and is available locally on WSAZ. Satellite coordinates are SBS 6, Transponder 5. Feel free to join our Live Chat during the game!