LEXINGTON, Ky. -- When Southern Illinois coach Barry Hinson set about preparing his team to face No. 2 Kentucky on Friday night, he skipped the gymnasium and headed straight to a home improvement store.
"We may be the only college basketball team that's going through the landscaping aisle at Lowe's to help us be a better team," Hinson said. "But you do what you can."
The coach, who has spent weeks preparing SIU to combat Kentucky's front line that goes 6-11, 6-10, 6-8 and 6-8, purchased a giant leaf rake.
"We're not going to face anybody like Kentucky in our league or for the rest of the entire season.