Two SEC rivals lock horns this Tuesday night at Rupp Arena, as the Alabama Crimson Tide take on the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats for the second time this season. Expect the intensity of this game to be at a high level especially with both programs looking to bounce back from a loss. Who will succeed in doing so?
Let’s now take a closer look below at this matchup. And if you’re craving for more college hoops action, check out our preview of the No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks vs. No. 19 Baylor Bears.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Kentucky Wildcats Preview
Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington
When: Tuesday, February 23, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Alabama Crimson Tide (+13.5) at Kentucky Wildcats (-13.5) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Alabama Crimson Tide (16-10, 7-7 SEC)
All eyes are going to be on the pair of Retin Obasohan and Shannon Hale to lead Alabama’s offense, which is racking up just 67.6 points per contest. Both players finished with 22 points apiece in the loss to the Bulldogs. They lead the Crimson Tide in scoring with 16.9 and 11.2 points this season, respectively.
Furthermore, Obasohan will be entering this match averaging 24.0 points in his past three games. That stretch includes their win over LSU last Wednesday, during which he exploded for a career-high 35 points on 11-for-18 shooting and 11-for-11 from the charity stripe. Obasohan also had 21 points in their previous meeting with Kentucky on January 9.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide defense, which is giving up 67.1 points this year, will be heavily tested by the Wildcats, who are scoring almost 80 points per game.
Alabama is 6-4 SU and ATS in its last 10 games on the road.
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Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (20-7, 10-4 SEC)
Like Alabama, Kentucky also marches into this bout coming off a gut-wrenching, overtime loss to Texas A&M on Saturday night, 79-77.
It was indeed a devastating loss for the No. 16 Wildcats, who had their four-game winning streak snapped thanks to Tyler Davis’ game-winning put-back. But they can at least unleash some of their frustrations when they head back home and play host to the visiting Alabama Crimson Tide this evening.
Expect Jamal Murray and Tyler Ulis to take the reins in piling up the points for Kentucky. The two combined for 43 points in the loss to the Aggies. Ulis, in particular, also made sure to feed his teammates with a game-high of 11 assists in the same game.
Besides the two, Derek Willis could be a key factor against Alabama, as he’ll be aiming to redeem himself from a quiet performance opposite Texas A&M. Willis is only contributing 7.8 points this season, but has managed to score in double-figures in three of his previous five games, which includes a 25-point outburst against Tennessee last Thursday.
So long as Murray and the rest of the Wildcats deliver the goods on offense, it’s almost impossible to see them lose this one.
Kentucky is 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in its past 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Kentucky (-13.5) wins by 10-plus points.
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