A look at Kentucky's men's basketball opponents this week:

ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK TROJANS

Tuesday

Freedom Hall in Louisville

(7 p.m., live on Fox Sports South, tape delay on WKYT-27)

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

Location: Little Rock, Ark.

Enrollment: 13,167

School colors: Maroon, Silver and Black

Conference: Sun Belt

Coach: Steve Shields

2011-12 record: 5-10 overall, 2-0 Sun Belt

2010-11 record: 19-17 overall, 7-9 Sun Belt. Lost to North Carolina-Asheville 81-77 in NCAA Tournament first round.

All-time vs. UK: 0-0

Outlook: The Trojans entered the season needing to replace the top three scorers from their Sun Belt Tournament championship team of last season, leaving Shields to lean heavily on one of his better recruiting classes, led by 6-foot-10 center Michael Javes (4.1 points, 2.7 rebounds per game). Three Trojans average double figures in scoring — senior guard D'Andre Williams (11.8), sophomore forward Will Neighbour (11.6) and sophomore guard Chuck Guy (10.4).

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

Saturday

Rupp Arena

(4 p.m., WKYT-27)

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

Location: Columbia, S.C.

Enrollment: 29,957

School colors: Garnet and Black

Conference: Southeastern

Coach: Darrin Horn

2011-12 record: 7-6 overall, 0-0 SEC

2010-11 record: 14-16 overall, 5-11 SEC (sixth place in Eastern Division).

All time vs. UK: 10-44

Last meeting: Kentucky won 90-59 on Feb. 19, 2011, in Rupp Arena.

Outlook: Lexington native Horn needs to start winning again in Columbia, but after a string of transfers, dismissals and even his star player (Bruce Ellington) deciding to share time playing football for Steve Spurrier, another disappointing season might be hard to avoid. The Gamecocks did little to distinguish themselves during the non-conference portion of their schedule, losing to Elon and Tennessee State before beating Clemson (58-55) and putting up a decent fight in falling to No. 2 Ohio State (74-66). Senior forward Malik Cooke is the team's only double-digit scorer (13.3 points per game). Freshman forward Anthony Gill (8.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg) has been a nice addition.

Herald-Leader Staff Report