Without a doubt, the marquee matchup in this year’s Big 12/SEC Challenge will be the battle between two undefeated teams in the Kentucky Wildcats and Texas Longhorns. Kentucky’s super team has been playing up to expectations this year, sweeping aside all comers with ease. However, Texas has the size and the talent up front to give the Wildcats their biggest challenge yet.
Can Kentucky pass their Big 12 challenge? Find out with our full game preview below. And for more previews of all the big college basketball games this season, stay tuned to our NCAA basketball section.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Texas Longhorns vs. Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview
Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington
When: Friday, December 5, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Texas Longhorns (+11.5) at Kentucky Wildcats (-11.5) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns have gotten off to a very impressive start to their season with seven straight wins. Their three most noteworthy wins thus far have been over Iowa and Cal (both on a neutral court) by 14 and 16 points, respectively, followed by a dramatic 55-54 win on Nov. 30 at the home of the defending champion Connecticut Huskies courtesy of a last-second Jonathan Holmes three-pointer.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Holmes, a senior, has been the leading scorer for the Longhorns (12.7 PPG) in the absence of sophomore guard Isaiah Taylor, who has been missing for the past four games with a wrist injury and will be out for the remainder of Texas’ nonconference schedule.
Junior Javan Felix has been playing capably in place of Taylor in the starting lineup, averaging eight points and two assists per game, but Taylor’s offensive ability will be missed against the Wildcats.
Even without Taylor, though, Texas can still cause Kentucky some serious problems because they are one of the few teams in college basketball that possess the size to stand up to the Wildcats’ outstanding frontline.
Freshman Myles Turner, the second-ranked prospect in this freshman class behind Duke’s Jahlil Okafor, has lived up to the hype with 12 points and seven rebounds per game alongside Holmes, 6-9 juniors Cameron Ridley and Connor Lammert. That tall and talented quartet is the reason Texas has been dominating the boards, ranking fifth so far with 45 rebounds per game.
Having that kind of depth up front could allow Texas to disrupt the flow Kentucky has found early in the season due to its overwhelming size advantage inside. It could even change up Coach John Calipari’s weird lineup rotation, which may further throw his players off their game.
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats
Yes, it’s early and yes, they’ve been blowing out teams they should be blowing out, but my word have the Kentucky Wildcats so far lived up to all the sky-high preseason expectations surrounding them this season. In their seven wins, the Wildcats’ smallest margin of victory was 19 points against Buffalo in their second game of the season. Their average margin of victory for the season so far is 36 points.
The next game after Buffalo, of course, was against then-No. 5-ranked Kansas, who Kentucky proceeded to annihilate 72-40 at the Championship Classic. The Jayhawks were reduced to a miserable 20 percent shooting, with as many turnovers as field goals made (11).
It’s been flat-out domination from Kentucky, which has been evident in every number you come across. According to the ratings at the ever-reliable kenpom.com, the Wildcats are third in adjusted offense and second in adjusted defense. Wisconsin is the only other team in the top 10 in both categories.
Texas will be the toughest test to date for Coach Cal’s team because of its size to match up with Kentucky, but without Isaiah Taylor, it’s questionable whether the Longhorns will have the depth in the backcourt to stick with the Wildcats for all 40 minutes. Remember, Coach Cal has a team so deep that he’s essentially resorted to playing two five-man units in a platoon.
Furthermore, Kentucky will be playing in front of a jam-packed Rupp Arena, where it has gone 18-2 in its last 20 games (12-7-1 against the spread).
Writer’s Prediction
Kentucky remains undefeated with another convincing home win. Create a betting account now and get in on the action around this college basketball juggernaut.
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