Kentucky (9-6, 0-2 SEC) is desperate for a win, but Mississippi State (10-5, 2-0 SEC) has proven to be no pushover. The Bulldogs have conference wins over Texas and Oklahoma, and guard Josh Hubbard is averaging 34.0 points in those two games.

Kentucky dropped out of these Power Rankings back on Dec. 4, following a 5-3 start. A day later, the Wildcats lost by 35 points to Gonzaga in Nashville, and it looked like the wheels were falling off.

Despite brilliant play from Tramon Mark, Sean Miller received a rude introduction to life in the SEC. A career-high 30 points from Elijah Strong and a road win over LSU get the Gamecocks out of the cellar. The beginning of SEC play brought the Tigers back to reality after a dream nonconference slate.

Jaland Lowe’s lingering right shoulder injury flared up again for UK basketball in the Wildcats’ game against Mississippi State.

As John Calipari thrives at Arkansas, the Wildcats are losing games, blowing leads and struggling to play with effort.

Will Jayden Quaintance play for Kentucky Wildcats basketball today vs Mississippi State at Rupp Arena? See latest on the UK basketball forward.

The Kentucky men’s basketball team will get its second crack at a first SEC win Wednesday, when it hosts Missouri at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats (9-5, 0-1 SEC) are coming off an 89-74 loss at Alabama last Saturday. The Tigers (11-3) won their SEC opener Saturday, beating Florida 76-74 in Columbia, Missouri.