Lexington, KY -- (Sports Network) - In what appears to be a non-conference mismatch, the fourth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats welcome the Sam Houston State Bearkats to Lexington this evening.

The Bearkats are surely proud of their 2-0 start to this season, but considering the fact that both victories came at home over the likes of LeTourneau and Texas College, those wins need to be kept in perspective. Tonight's game marks a major leap in competition level for Sam Houston State, which finished 12-4 in Southland Conference play last season, good for first place in the West Division.

As for Kentucky, it has won its first two games under new head coach John Calipari, who brought his tremendous resume' over from Memphis prior to the start of this season. The most recent win was much closer than expected, however, as the Wildcats knocked off Miami-Ohio on Monday by a 72-70 final. Kentucky is considered by most fans and analysts to be the class of the SEC, a league that figures to be rejuvenated after a couple of mediocre years.

This game marks the first-ever meeting between Kentucky and Sam Houston State on the hardwood.

Sam Houston State played extremely well at both ends of the floor against Texas College last time out. Offensively, the Bearkats racked up a stellar total of 34 assists against 14 turnovers, and they shot 58.5 percent from the floor as well. Defensively, the club limited the opposition to 35.6 percent shooting while forcing 23 turnovers. A 40-26 rebounding advantage played a major role in the triumph as well. Gilberto Clavell scored 19 points in only 18 minutes for Sam Houston State, as he connected on 9-of-13 shots from the floor. Corey Allmond and Antuan Bootle tallied 13 points apiece in the win, and Ashton Mitchell added 12 points and five assists.

Freshman John Wall was the hero for Kentucky in the victory over Miami-Ohio on Monday, as he nailed a jumper with less than one second remaining to break a tie. Wall finished that game with 19 points, five assists and three steals, while fellow freshman DeMarcus Cousins posted 10 points and 10 rebounds. As for Patrick Patterson, the club's star power forward, he tallied 17 points and 10 boards. The Wildcats connected on 6-of-11 three-pointers in the contest and shot just a shade under 50 percent from the floor. They earned a 37-25 rebounding advantage as well, including an 18-7 edge on the offensive boards. Patterson posted 20 points and 12 rebounds in the season-opening victory over Morehead State, and many fans were surprised to see him return to Kentucky rather than enter the last NBA Draft.