The top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats hit the road again tonight in SEC College Basketball action when they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. The game is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the odds for the game have the Wildcats favored by almost double figures on the road to pick up the win.
While many are already crowning Kentucky as the champion of this year's NCAA Tournament more than two months before it will be played, head coach John Calipari has been quick to dismiss the notions. He has mentioned on more than one occasion that his team needs to improve and recently said they "weren't that good of a basketball team" at the current time. That was before they went out and whacked Missouri, though, beating the Tigers by almost 50 points at Rupp Arena on Tuesday.
The Wildcats have won all 16 games they've played this season, but they struggled recently in a double overtime win at Texas A&M. Kentucky has only played twice on the road though, also beating Louisville a couple of weeks ago. The Wildcats have been pushed in both games and they could be in for another close on here.
Alabama isn't ranked, but they are an impressive 10-0 in home games this season. Today's game obviously will test that unbeaten record and Alabama is going to have to bring their best game of the season to be able to knock off Kentucky. Texas A&M had quite a few breaks go there way and played well enough to win, but in the end came up short. Could the same happen in this game? If Kentucky comes into the game looking to play their style of basketball and plays loose, Alabama is probably in for a tough time.
The Wildcats are known for playing quite a few players and Calipari has had no problems running several players on the floor during games. A total of 10 Wildcats average double-digit minutes on the floor this season, 11 before Alex Poythress went down with an injury. Because of the multitude of combinations, only two Wildcats average in double figures, but with so many quality offensive players, it's not a problem for Kentucky to score points. They average almost 77 per game and are one of the best rebounding teams in the country.
Defensively, Kentucky is even better — the Wildcats allow only 50.6 points per game to opponents, the best mark in the country. They have length and athleticism and both will shine in this one today. Alabama got caught looking ahead to this game and lost on the road to South Carolina on Tuesday night. They are going to want this game played at a lower-scoring pace, but that's going to be a problem against Kentucky. Look for the Wildcats to dominate this game from the opening tip.
Free Pick: Kentucky 70, Alabama 51
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