Cal talks to Terrence Jones and Anthony Davis during the win over Georgia. (Victoria Graff photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

LSU sophomore Ralston Turner doesn’t know Kentucky coach John Calipari “personally,” but that doesn’t mean he’s not a fan.

“I love the way his teams win. He is animated on the sideline with his team. It’s obvious his players love him. I think he allows his players a little bit of controlled freedom on the court, and he’s winning games. Everybody loves success. That’s attractive to people, and players,” said Turner.

LSU will host No. 1 Kentucky Saturday afternoon. Kentucky is the only Southeastern Conference team unbeaten in league play.

“I was at Rupp Arena last year and (Terrence) Jones and (Doron) Lamb are great players,” Turner said. “Kentucky, the whole team is talented. They really brought in some top freshmen.”

Ralston, who averages 8.9 points per game, thinks having UK ranked No. 1 is a good thing for the conference, as well as a motivator for his team.

“I think it is good when football, basketball, baseball, swimming, or whatever sport has a dominant team from the SEC. We are all together. It makes us all look good,” Turner said. “Then if you beat that dominant team, it just makes you look even better.”

Florida coach Billy Donovan was impressed with the Tigers (12-8) when his team won 76-64 last week.

“LSU is a very good team, a very good rebounding team,” Donovan said. “They play hard. They are fundamental. They rebound the basketball.”

The Tigers have been bolstered by the play of point guard Anthony Hickey, a freshman from Christian County averaging 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He’s a 32.5 percent shooter from 3-point range.

“He gives them great speed, great range. He’s a fearless competitor,” Donovan said. “He played with great poise at our place. He gives the team a different element, a deep range shooter with speed and athleticism to also finish at the basket. He’s a very good player who came into the league under the radar. He’s certainly a guy who will be on the all-SEC freshman and should be under strong consideration for freshman of the year in the league. He’s that good.”

LSU coach Trent Johnson says Hickey’s play has been good, but not a surprise.

“Anthony has done a very good job as a freshman taking care of the basketball,” Johnson said. “But nothing he has done has been unexpected.”

Transfer Justin Hamilton has made an even bigger impact. He’s the team’s top scorer at 14.1 points per game and is a 51.8 percent shooter. He’s also contributing 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game.

“He is a very good player. I have not seen all the teams (in the SEC) play, but he is clearly very gifted and Trent is doing a great job finding ways to get him the ball. The thing that makes him hard to guard is he can turn and face the basket and make 10- to 15-foot shots and he’s also very good around the basket with his left and right hands.”

Johnson says Hamilton’s biggest impact has been his leadership on and off the court.

“He has the ability to have the understanding of what we are doing. One thing I really like and appreciate is he is the guy who is first in, last out at practice. He doesn’t bring a lot of attention to himself. He doesn’t pound his chest and do stuff like that. He just lets his game speak,” Johnson said. “Last year was painful for him not playing. He was always in the gym and practicing hard and looking forward to this opportunity.”

Sophomore Andre Stringer, last year’s starting point guard, is averaging 10.4 points per game and shooting 36.6 percent from 3-point range.

“Stringer has had to adjust with Hickey at the point and has been streaky (shooting) off the ball,” Donovan said. “Don’t forget that Ralston Turner is very good, too. They have a lot of good players.”

The Florida coach also noted that Malcom White and Storm Warren give LSU a presence around the basket and that freshman Johnny O’Braynt, who was recruited by Kentucky, has been a big addition. O’Bryant averages 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, but has been battling injuries.

Johnson has had no major complaints about his team’s effort.

“Games we have not won we have had defensive breakdowns at crucial times,” Johnson said. “Our players like each other and understand if we are not right, we are going to struggled. If we are right, we have a chance to win.”