SEC Championship 2011: Kentucky vs. Florida, Keys to Victory

Kentucky vs. Florida for the SEC title is the way it should be.

The two most talented teams in the conference, the two best coaches in the conference square off in a rubber match that not only determines who is the SEC champion but also who is the better team.

There are so many questions coming into this game such as: Will Doron Lamb play?  Can Kentucky keep their momentum going?  If you ask me, this is a game that will show the rest of the country the SEC can still play basketball.

Key 1: Darius Miller Must Continue To Play Well

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LOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 31: Darius Miller#1 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at the KFC Yum! Center on December 31, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. Kentucky won 78-63. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

It's no secret that I love the way Darius Miller plays basketball.

The 6'7" guard out of Maysville, Ky. has at times been in a league of his own in conference play. His length and speed have been a handful for anyone assigned to defend him.

Against Florida, Miller had nine points in the Feb. 5th loss but 24 points in the Feb. 26th win.  Miller is a big part of the Kentucky rotation and needs to continue to be a scoring option.

Key 2: Can Billy Donovan Outcoach John Calipari?

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 12: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Florida Gators looks on during their game against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the semifinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 12, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by

Since Coach Cal has been the head coach at Kentucky, Billy Donovan is 1-3 against Kentucky. 

This is the biggest game between the two coaches to date and can really determine the best coach in the SEC.  Donovan needs to figure out a way to stop the dribble drive and really get his players to attack Kentucky on offense. 

If Donovan can get his game plan to work, expect Kentucky to get into foul trouble and shake up the Cats seven-man rotation.

Key 3: Will Doron Lamb Be Able To Play?

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 12: Doron Lamb #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the semifinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 12, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

Kentucky lives and dies by the three-point shot, and Doron Lamb is by far the Wildcats best three-point shooter.

Late in this afternoon's victory over Alabama, Lamb went down with an ugly ankle injury. This for Kentucky is a major problem not only in their shooting abilities but also taking out a big chunk of the seven-man rotation.

Lamb averaged 17 points per game in the two matchups between these schools and has greatly improved on the defensive side.

With Lamb and also DeAndre Liggins hurt, that makes only five players in Kentucky's seven-man rotation 100 percent...

Key 4: How Does Florida Attack?

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 12: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Florida Gators dunks against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the semifinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 12, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty I

With Lamb and Liggins hurt, this also takes away from the speed we see Kentucky play with.

This means Terrence Jones and Josh Harrellson must step up and make big plays.  Chandler Parsons can really take advantage of this by running at the Wildcats two big men and possibly getting them into foul trouble.

Sorry Big Blue Nation, but Eloy Vargas isn't going to stop the Gator big men from putting on a show.

Key 5: Which Point Guard Executes Better To Lead Their Team to the Title?

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LEXINGTON, KY - MARCH 01: Brandon Knight #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball during the SEC game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena on March 1, 2011 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 68-66. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Brandon Knight vs. Kenny Boynton is the matchup of the game. 

Simply put, these are the two men that determine how well their team executes.  Both men play so well with or without the ball, but there are definitely advantages both players have on each other.

Knight is a 6'4" point guard with great shooting ability, as well as a great instinct on finding the open man.

Boynton however uses his impressive speed to blow past defenders to the basket.

Knights' stats vs. Florida: 20.5 points/game 2.5 rebounds/game five assists/game

Boyntons' stats vs. Kentucky: 16.5 points/game two rebounds/game 2.5 assists/game