By LARRY VAUGHT

For months, DeMarcus Cousins has said playing against home-state rival Alabama would be his biggest game of the season.
Monday the talented Kentucky freshman center, who was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week again, changed his approach to tonight’s game.
“It is just another game. I can say that with a straight face, no big deal,” said Cousins.
He controlled his emotions well earlier this season when UK played at Auburn. He had 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots in 30 minutes.
“It will be the same. Like I said, it is just another game. That is the way it is, and should be,” Cousins said.
Yet it was obvious that this is far from a normal game for the Alabama native.
He had to change high schools during his prep career and was not named Mr. Basketball, even though most recruiting analysts thought he clearly was the state’s best player. He came to UK with a controversial reputation and no love for his home state schools.
He says he “didn’t even know Anthony Grant” because the first-year Alabama coach never tried to recruit him, a statement Grant verified.
“I never had a chance to be involved with DeMarcus,” Grant said.
He did meet UK freshman Eric Bledsoe’s coach, but that was about the extent of his attempt to recruit UK’s other Alabama player.
“I think for every player you go to the right situation for you,” Grant said.
Cousins, who is averaging 16.4 points and 10 rebounds per game, said he was recruited by former Alabama coach Mark Gottfried, but said while he thought about going to Alabama it was a “bad situation” for him.
“I am here now. That’s all that matters,” Cousins said.
Kentucky coach John Calipari said he did not know there was “any bad blood” between Cousins and Alabama.
“That’s in the past and I don’t know why there would be. He’s been great (at Kentucky),” Calipari said.
Cousins indicated he knew several Alabama players. “They are a big, athletic team. They can play ball,” he said.
Bledsoe didn’t say anything. He was originally scheduled to be available to the media Monday, but never came out before practice started.
Cousins did say he thought the whole state of Alabama would be watching the game to see him and Bledsoe.
“It won’t be all friends and family. Probably there will be more hoping for the worse (for me),” Cousins said.
So he’s considered a villain in Alabama?
“I guess so,” Cousins, who said he was more of a Memphis fan than Alabama fan growing up, said.
Cousins expects Alabama to be physical inside with him like other teams have been. He says he now takes that strategy as a compliment.
“I feel like I have grown up a lot. My decision making is a lot better, but I have matured more, and I feel like my basketball IQ has gotten better. The choices I make in the game, as far as basketball, have gotten a lot better,” he said.
The Kentucky freshman says he doesn’t want to put any pressure on himself tonight.
“I just want to try and get a a win,” he said. “I would like a top-notch performance obviously, but I would like a win more.”