Alabama at Kentucky - 1/12/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction
Photo by Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky Wildcats (4-6) vs Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3)
Game Info: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 9:00 pm (Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center)
Betting Odds: Kentucky Wildcats -1.5 -- Over/Under: 145 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Kentucky Wildcats look to continue to turn around their season when they face the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats and Crimson Tide remain the only undefeated teams in SEC play that has played more than one game -- South Carolina is 1-0 in conference play. UK has won the last two meetings against Alabama, and 17 of 21 in the series push their edge in the all-time series to 114-38. The Wildcats have won 58 of 68 contests in Lexington.
Alabama (9-3, 4-0 SEC) earned its fifth straight win with a 94-90 win over Auburn as Bama scored the final five points of the game. Joshua Primo led the way for the Crimson Tide with 22 points, while Jordan Bruner added 20 points. The Tide are 2-0 on the road this year.
Jaden Shackleford tops four Tide players with 13.1 points, 2.0 treys, and 4.8 caroms. Jahvon Quinerly (13.0 ppg, 3.4 apg), Herbert Jones (12.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg), and John Petty Jr. (12.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg) are the other top contributors. Quinerly has sat out the last two games, and his availability for Tuesday’s game is unknown.
Alabama averages 78.9 points on 42.1% shooting from the field, 32.2% from the 3-point line, and 68.9% from the charity stripe. Bama is a +2.1 in rebound margin and +2.3 in turnover differential. The Crimson Tide allows 71.5 points on 41.5% shooting from the field, 31.6% from the 3-point line, and force 15.8 turnovers.
Alabama is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Bama is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games versus Kentucky. However, the Crimson Tide are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 road games.
Kentucky (4-6, 3-0 SEC) has run off three straight games. UK is coming off an impressive 76-58 victory over Florida on Saturday as Keion Brooks Jr. scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out a game-high four assists in his season debut. The Wildcats, who are 2-2 at home this year, shot 55.8% from the field as well as 46.2% from beyond the arc.
Brandon Boston Jr. leads four Wildcat players in double-figures at 12.8 points, 5.3 caroms, and 1.5 assists. Olivier Sarr (11.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Terrence Clarke (10.7 ppg), and Davion Mintz (10.9 ppg, 2.9 apg) along with Davion Mintz (7.7 pg, 2.8 apg) are the other top contributors. Clarke has sat out the last three games with an ankle injury, and his availability for Saturday is currently unknown.
Kentucky averages 68.5 points on 42.8% shooting from the field, 31.1% from the 3-point line, and 69.3% from the charity stripe. UK is a +3.1 in rebound margin and -1.7 in turnover differential. The Wildcats allow 67.1 points on 40.5% from the field, 30.8% from the 3-point line, and force 12.8 turnovers.
Kentucky is 13-7 ATS in its last 20 games though UK is just 1-4 ATS in its last five contests as the favorite. The under is 8-2 in the Wildcats last 10 contests. However, the over has hit in four of the Cats’ last six games versus the Tide.
Pick: I am going with Kentucky to take possession of sole possession of the first place in the SEC in what should be a fun, fast-paced contest. The Wildcats have been fabulous on the defensive end the entire season, and they have been better at protecting the ball since conference play. Plus, Brooks's return really helps the Cats on the offense side, and Sarr is playing the best basketball of the season.
Daniel’s Pick Kentucky Wilcats -1.5, Over
AUTHOR: Daniel Benjamin
Mitch's Take...
