Kentucky vs. Indiana: Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread Info and Predictions

In a rematch from one of the regular season's most exciting games, the top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats will take on the Indiana Hoosiers to determine who will play for the South region championship. 

The Wildcats have had no problems disposing of Western Kentucky and Iowa State in their first two games. This will be their toughest challenge yet, and one they will want to win to keep their title hopes alive and avenge their only regular-season loss. 

Playing in their first NCAA tournament since 2008, the Hoosiers have made the most of it. They are playing in the Sweet 16 for the first time since making it to the national championship game in 2002. Tom Crean's rebuilding effort has finally paid dividends, even if it took longer than most people anticipated. 

Where: Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA

When: Friday, March 23 at 9:45 p.m. EST

Watch: CBS

Live Stream: NCAA.com

Betting Line: Kentucky (-8), according to Vegas Insider

Kentucky's Keys to Victory

Stay out of foul trouble, and contain Indiana's perimeter shooting. 

One of the big reasons the Wildcats lost to Indiana earlier this season was because of Anthony Davis' foul problems. He got in trouble early, and was only able to play 23 minutes in the 73-72 loss. He has to be on the court for 30-35 minutes this time around. 

Indiana's bread gets buttered from behind the three-point line. The Hoosiers have a good inside presence with Cody Zeller, but they love to shoot the ball from deep. 

The Wildcats are more athletic than the Hoosiers, so they will have to make sure there is always someone watching the three-point line like a hawk. 

Indiana's Keys to Victory

Establish Cody Zeller inside before shooting from the outside, and keep Anthony Davis in check. 

The Hoosiers have to make sure they are getting Zeller enough touches early, to at least make Kentucky respect the inside. Davis is going to be draped all over him, so it is important for Zeller to have success early. 

When the Hoosiers get their inside game established, then they can start shooting three-pointers. They have to hit those shots behind the arc to hang with the stronger and deeper Wildcats. 

What They Are Saying

Anyone who knows college basketball will appreciate the rich, storied history of both these programs. Indiana and Kentucky are two of the marquee names in all of college basketball.

Marquis Teague told the State Journal in Kentucky just how important this rematch is for the Wildcats. 

"

That was a rough day for us. We hate to lose any game, but the way we lost, that just made it worse. Like I said, we've had to move on past that day. So I guess...we got them again. We're just going out and play our hardest... We're really not saying anything about revenge...or anything like that. We're just going to come out and play like we would any other game...

"

Most Important Player to Watch: Kentucky F Anthony Davis

No player in college basketball changes games like Davis. He is a monster in the middle, with the ability to block shots and wreak havoc on opponents. He doesn't have to score to be a difference-maker. 

As mentioned before, a problem the Wildcats had the last time they played the Hoosiers was Davis getting into foul problems early. If Zeller is forcing the issue, causing Davis to play hard, things will get very interesting in Atlanta. 

Key Matchup: Cody Zeller vs. Anthony Davis

The two big men in the paint are going to dictate the outcome of this matchup more than anyone else on the floor. 

Zeller has been Indiana's best and most consistent performer all year. He gives the team a nice balance in the middle with all the outside shooters they have. He makes everyone around him better, because opposing teams have to game plan against him.

Davis had one of the most dominant freshman seasons in recent history. He averaged a double-double in the regular season, and also contributed nearly five blocks per game. No one affects games like he does, especially on defense. 

Prediction

These two will play another close game, but the result will be flipped this time. 

Kentucky 77, Indiana 72

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