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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Alabama: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

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Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham celebrating against LSU.
Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics

After one of the biggest wins of the season, against Auburn, the Kentucky Wildcats suffered a tough loss on the road to LSU after going up as much as 15 points in the second half. As frustrating of a loss as that was, attention quickly turned toward Alabama who will come into Rupp Arena on Saturday.

In his fifth season at Alabama, head coach Nate Oats has put the Crimson Tide atop the SEC standings and in a position to win their 3rd SEC regular season in that span. Given they have just twelve in program history, that is an impressive feat.

Saturday’s matchup is almost certain to be an offensive showcase, with both teams having two of the best offenses in the country, Alabama 2nd and Kentucky 9th in KenPom offensive efficiency. Looking deeper, this year’s edition of Alabama excels in areas that can really give Kentucky fits with their perimeter shooting, rebounding, and physicality.

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That said, it is an opportunity for the Wildcats to get another quality win and regain some momentum with March just days away. Let’s dive into the matchup.

Defend the Three Point Line

A few weeks ago, John Calipari talked about this Kentucky team’s excellent three-point shooting and needing to guard the three better to have the advantage. “We gotta guard the three-ball better,” he said. “We shoot it so well, that should be our advantage. We can’t be even.”

There will be no bigger test of that than Saturday.

Both teams are top 15 in three-point percentage, Kentucky 1st (40.5%) and Alabama 15th (38%), and both have three players in the top ten of the SEC in three-point percentage, but they differ in how many they shoot. Kentucky averages 23.7 three-point attempts per game, which is above average, but Alabama averages more than 30 attempts, the fourth most in the country.

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With Alabama shooting such a high percentage from three, on a lot of attempts, they are going to make their share. However, Kentucky has to make those shots difficult and key in on top shooters like Mark Sears, Latrell Wrightsell, and Rylan Griffen who shoot 39% on five or more attempts per game.

Be Physical

For much of the season, Auburn was known to be a “bully” team, leaning into their physicality. Against Kentucky last weekend, the Wildcats were the more physical team, with Bruce Pearl going as far as saying he would be turning some plays in the SEC. That is the Kentucky team that needs to come out against Alabama.

The Crimson Tide are physical and one area that shows up prominently is on the boards, as they are a top ten rebounding team in the nation. It’s not just an Oscar Tshiebwe type of player doing most of the work, it is a team effort. Each Wildcat on the floor must box out.

In general, “Do what other teams do to us,” as Adout Thiero has said this season. Get into the guards and make them uncomfortable on the perimeter, don’t allow easy drives to the basket. Be the aggressor.

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Make Your Free Throws

Given Alabama’s physicality, they foul A LOT, amongst the highest rates in the country. That means Kentucky is not likely to get a lot of clean looks at the rim.

Fortunately, this one of Calipari’s best free throw shooting teams, shooting nearly 76 percent from the line, ranked top 50 nationally. In what is expected to be a close game, Kentucky can’t leave points on the board, as they did in losses to Florida, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. Aim to shoot 75% or better from the line.

Opposing Players to Watch

G Mark Sears 6-1, 185 lbs

  • 20.4 PPG (1st in SEC)
  • 4.1 APG (5th in SEC)
  • 43.9% 3P (8th in SEC)

F Grant Nelson 6-11, 230 lbs

  • 12.3 PPG
  • 5.6 RPG
  • 1.7 BPG (4th in SEC)

G Aaron Estrada 6-3, 190 lbs

  • 13.1 PPG
  • 5.0 RPG
  • 4.3 APG (3rd in SEC)

Kentucky Basketball vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

  • Time: 4 PM EST on Feb. 24th
  • Location: Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • TV Channel: CBS
  • Online Stream: CBS Sports and the CBS Sports app.
  • Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
  • Replay: CBS Sports app check local listings.
  • Rosters: UK | BAMA
  • Stats to Know: UK | BAMA
  • KenPom: UK | BAMA
  • Team Sheet: UK | BAMA
  • Odds: The odds for the game have yet to be released, but check out SportsBetExpert for your picks. ESPN’s matchup predictor is the harshest on the Cats, giving them just a 38.2% chance at victory. Followed by KenPom at 43%, EvanMiya at 45.4%, and BartTorvik at 49%. DRatings is the one projection that is in favor of Kentucky, at 53.5%.
  • Predictions: All the projections expect a score game. DRatings has Kentucky winning narrowly, 88-86. Bart Torvik picks Kentucky to lose 92-91. Haslametrics and EvanMiya have them losing 89-88 and 90-89. KenPom expects a 90-88 loss for the Cats.
  • Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Duke : TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Betting Odds/Predictions

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Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Champion's Classic in Atlanta in a Top 25 matchup.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

The Kentucky Wildcats have finished the first week of the regular season 2-0. However, on Tuesday they will have their first big test of the season, traveling to Atlanta to take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Champion’s Classic.

Duke comes in with a roster reminiscent of past Kentucky teams, full of elite freshmen. Meanwhile, Kentucky comes in with the oldest team in program history. It will be a true battle between youth and experience.

The Wildcats are just 1-6 in their last seven Champions Classic games and just 1-5 against Duke over their last six meetings. Can the Wildcats change course? Let’s take a look at the matchup.

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Rebounding Battle

Duke has the tallest team in the country, with an average height of 6’7.5”. That certainly helps them in their battle of the boards, where through two games they are averaging 45 rebounds and 14 offensive rebounds.

Meanwhile, Mark Pope has not been pleased with Kentucky’s effort on the boards to start the season. In their latest game against Bucknell, rebounding was a clear point of emphasis as the Cats grabbed 57 rebounds, including 22 offensive boards.

Kentucky doesn’t give up too much height, but they do give up some athleticism. With a lot of long rebounds from threes, all five Cats on the floor need to box out.

Turnover Battle

In addition to their height, Duke also has the length to be pests on defense. Combining for 18 steals on defense through two games, the Blue Devils are able to create offense.

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After turning the ball over fifteen times against Bucknell, eight of which between Amari Williams and Andrew Carr, they’re are going to have to be aware of the pressure inside and keep the ball moving.

Conditioning

Mark Pope has talked about improving his team’s conditioning, wanting them to be in a shape reminiscent of Rick Pitino’s 90s teams, which Pope was a part of. They will be able to see where they stand physically, and potentially use it to their advantage.

Currently, Kentucky ranks 26th in adjusted tempo, while Duke ranks 181st. However, both team’s average possession lasts less than 15 seconds. This means a fast-paced game should be expected.

Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg has cramped in each of the Blue Devil’s first two games. If Kentucky can be successful in pushing the pace, it will give them a better chance at the win.

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The Stage

This is Kentucky’s most experienced team in program history. However, on Tuesday, many of them will be playing on the biggest stage of their career.

We have seen Kentucky freshmen struggle in this event in the past. Now with a team of veterans, can they contribute when the lights shine the brightest?

Opposing Players to Watch

G/F Cooper Flagg 6-9, 205 lbs

  • 15.5 PPG
  • 9 RPG
  • 4 APG
  • 2.5 SPG

G/F Kon Knueppel 6-7, 217 lbs

  • 18.5 PPG
  • 3 RPG
  • 50% 3P

G Tyrese Proctor 6-6, 183 lbs

  • 12.0 PPG
  • 5 RPG
  • 1.5 APG
  • 50% 3P

Kentucky Basketball vs. Duke Blue Devils

  • Time: 9:00 PM ET on November 12th
    Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
    TV Channel: ESPN
    Announcers: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Jess Sims
    Online Stream: ESPN+, and the ESPN app.
    Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
    Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
    Rosters: UK | DUKE
    Stats to Know: UK | DUKE
    KenPom: UK | DUKE
    Team Sheet: UK | DUKE

Be sure to send us your Kentucky-Duke score predictions down in the comments section!

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Men's Basketball

Recap and Takeaways from Kentucky’s 100-72 Win Over Bucknell

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The Kentucky Wildcats get a 100-72 win over Bucknell to improve to 2-0 on the season, with a matchup against No. 7 Duke coming up next.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

After coming off the first win of the Mark Pope era in a 103-63 win versus Wright State, the Cats were going to have another early test, this time in the Bucknell Bison of the Patriot League. Big man Noah Williamson came into the game as the Bison’s star player after a 19-point season opener versus Delaware and followed that up with an impressive 32-point game versus Southern Indiana in the Bison’s first two regular season games. 

First Half ups and downs

The Cats started with a 10-3 lead entering the first timeout, led by star guard Jaxson Robinson with 5 quick points to open the game. The ‘Cats would later extend their lead with the help of Dayton transfer Koby Brea who made three of his six three-point attempts in the first half. Mark Pope’s squad would also face a struggle in the middle of the half with sloppy play and uncharacteristic misses on the offensive side of the floor. The ‘Cats would get back on track late in the half and enter the halftime break up 47-31.

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Second Half firepower

The ‘Cats didn’t skip a beat as they started to roll in the second half with Kerr Krissa finding his teammates left and right for open shots. Kriisa would finish the game with 12 assists with just 2 turnovers. Brea stayed hot hitting 3 more 3 pointers. Brea finished with 20 points and 6 of 8 from behind the arc. Kentucky would steamroll the Bison with a final score of 100-72 in their second game under head coach Mark Pope as his team gets ready for a clash versus the Duke Blue Devil on Tuesday.

Keys to the game 

The three-point attempts and makes were both up against the Bison from their matchup against Wright State where they only made 11 of 24. Tonight in the win against Bucknell the ‘Cats took 36 threes connecting on 13. The impressive play from Amari Williams who held Bucknell’s star player Noah Williamson to just 7 points on 3 of 12 shooting was a big plus for Pope’s squad tonight. Lastly, Kerr Kriisa was all over the court creating havoc on both ends finishing with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 12 assists in a game where Mark Pope acknowledged Kriisa by saying “I have to be careful. I think I knew exactly who I was getting. I’ve been recruiting Kerr for I think seven years or something. I’m telling you he’s a really special player. He’s a really special young man.” Pope made it known just how important Kerr Kriisa was for his team.

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When are the ‘Cats back in action?

Kentucky will take on the Duke Blue Devils Tuesday night at 9 PM at Champions Classic in Atlanta, GA inside State Farm Arena the game will air on ESPN.

Box Score

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Men's Basketball

Louisville Basketball Struggling to Sell Tickets for #12 Tennessee, Giving Away FREE Tickets

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IMAGN

Kentucky never has to worry about a big game being sell out, nor most regular season games. However, that is not the case for the school an hour down the road.

With a new and energetic head coach bringing an exciting style of play, one would think that Louisville Cardinal fans would be ready to support their program and attend a Top 25 game in their NBA style arena. Yet, you would be wrong.

With a matchup with 12th ranked Tennessee on Saturday, the Cardinals have thousands of tickets available for KFC Yum Center. Earlier this week head coach Pat Kelsey went around Louisville’s campus to encourage students to purchase tickets and attend the game.

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UPS and Louisville boosters have purchased tickets in bulk this week to give away. Now just 24 hours away from tip and in order to have a respectable atmosphere, they have resorted to giving away FREE tickets, as long as you are a Planet Fitness member which costs $10/month.

Sound the “LUNK” alarm for Louisville’s ticket sales.

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