Kentucky weathered the early storm, and then blew away overmatched Tennessee 66-48 Tuesday night. The 2014-2015 Wildcats have now set the record for the best start in program history, going an unbeaten 26-0 this late into the season. Can Kentucky ride its momentum against a struggling Auburn Tigers team? Read on as we break down this SEC showdown.
Looking for a college basketball team with the potential to hand Kentucky a loss? Check out our breakdown of the three teams that can hang with the Wildcats here.
[sc:MarchMadness ]Auburn Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats Preview
Where: Rupp Arena, Kentucky
When: Saturday, February 21, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Auburn Tigers at Kentucky Wildcats – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers have a couple of sharpshooters in K.T. Harrell and Antoine Mason capable of catching fire all over the court. They were firing on all cylinders on Tuesday night, but could not lead Auburn to a win. The Tigers dropped a 79-68 decision to the Alabama Crimson Tide, their seventh loss in their last nine outings.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Harrell and Mason combined to score 45 of the Tigers’ 68 points Tuesday night. Harrell went 6-for-10 from the field, while Mason hit 9-of-13, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. The two have been close to unstoppable in conference play. Mason has averaged 14.6 points in 13 SEC games, while Harrell has 17.8 points per game (first in the SEC).
Auburn’s two senior guards should be able to pour in the points for the Tigers. Kentucky has experienced a dip in its defense, allowing an average of 57.7 points over their past three (about six points over its season average).
The Tigers also have a capable forward to match up with Kentucky’s towering frontcourt tandem. While Cinmeon Bowers gives up some size to other teams’ big men (he stands at 6’7”), he is still averagin a double-double of 13 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Bowers has 14 double-doubles this season, six of which have come against conference opponents.
Bowers may be able to have another big game at Kentucky. The No. 1 Wildcats allowed the much-smaller Tennessee to match them in rebounds (35 each) and outscore them 34-22 in the paint Tuesday night.
Auburn is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games against Kentucky.
Can the Tigers out-fierce the Wildcats? Create a betting account now and make your pick in this cat fight.
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats
Aaron Harrison had an off night against Tennessee, going just 1-of-7 from the field for two points. His twin brother, Andrew, was more than happy to fill-in the scoring void finishing with 14 points. Rookie guard Devin Booker also rose to the occasion by putting up a team-high 18 points as Kentucky routed Tennessee.
The Wildcats didn’t come out with the win without a few scares along the way. They led by just four points following the opening half, but went into overdrive for the blowout late in the second. The Wildcats scored 14 second-chance points in the second half, a little more than they average per game this season (13.4).
Kentucky made 6-of-8 shots after an offensive rebound in the second half. Booker, along with forward Trey Lyles, led the Wildcats with four offensive rebounds apiece. Kentucky may have another big day on the offensive board against Auburn. The Tigers have allowed 9.7 offensive rebounds per game (261st in the nation) this season.
The Wildcats should avoid another scare if big man Karl-Anthony Towns can avoid some early foul trouble. He picked up two fouls in the first 54 seconds against the Vols, and sat out the rest of the first half. Tennessee made 54 percent of their shots without Towns on the floor, and struggled from the field (25 percent) when he was reinserted in the second half.
Towns is also one of Kentucky’s big offensive weapons. He averaged 13.8 points and 9.5 rebounds in four games leading up to Tennessee.
The total has gone under in the last eight games between Kentucky and Auburn.
Writer’s Prediction
Kentucky demolishes Auburn. Take the Wildcats to win and cover.
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