GAME NOTES: The surprising Vanderbilt Commodores will do battle with the disappointing Kentucky Wildcats in SEC action. Vanderbilt has won its first 16 games of this season, the best start in program history and the longest winning streak as well, and is currently ranked 13th in the country. The most recent triumph for the Commodores came on Saturday over South Carolina by an 80-73 final in the SEC opener. They have only played two true road games to date, both of which have resulted in victory. As for Kentucky, it has been idle since last Saturday when the club dropped an 89-75 decision to Louisville. Today's game marks the SEC opener for the Wildcats, who have lost four of their last five outings to fall to 6-7 overall under first-year head coach Billy Gillispie. Kentucky owns a 128-40 advantage over Vanderbilt in the all-time series between the teams, but the Commodores claimed a narrow victory over the 'Cats last season.

Vanderbilt is led by the outstanding duo of Shan Foster and A.J. Ogilvy, as one of those two players has led Vanderbilt in scoring in every game this season. Foster is averaging 20.6 ppg on the strength of his 51.1 percent shooting from three-point range. As for Ogilvy, who is just a freshman, he is racking up 19.6 ppg on 64.5 percent shooting from the field, and the rookie is tops on the boards as well with 7.3 rpg. Alex Gordon adds some balance to the lineup with 10.5 ppg for Vandy, which is netting 86.8 ppg while limiting the opposition to 75.4 ppg. Ogilvy was simply too much to handle against South Carolina, as he scored 25 points, including 21 in the second half. Foster and Gordon tallied 13 points for the Commodores, who finished 15-of-17 from the foul line and earned a 42-34 rebounding advantage.

Ramel Bradley did everything that he could do to keep Kentucky close in the game against Louisville last weekend. Bradley scored 27 points in that clash on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor and 8-of-9 efficiency from the foul line. He also dished out five assists in that clash, but the Wildcats finished with only 11 assists against 22 turnovers. Joe Crawford was the only other double-digit scorer for Kentucky in the setback, as he posted 19 points and eight rebounds. Patrick Patterson, who struggled shooting the ball against Louisville, continues to lead Kentucky as a freshman with 16.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg. Crawford is netting 16.1 ppg, and Bradley is posting 14.8 ppg. The Wildcats are scoring 72.4 ppg while limiting opponents to 65.3 ppg on 37.4 percent shooting from the field, but those positive numbers have not led to a winning record.

Expect an inspired effort by Kentucky tonight against an undefeated team. The Wildcats have much more talent than their record suggests, and Vandy is due for its first setback.