Kentucky vs Alabama Prediction 1/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Kentucky Wildcats and the Alabama Crimson Tide meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Lenovo Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Kentucky Wildcats vs. Alabama Crimson Tide prediction.

Kentucky Wildcats Recap

The Kentucky Wildcats come into this game looking to add on to their 99-85 win over Bellarmine last time out to sit at 9-4 this season. After this game, Kentucky will head home for a game against Missouri.

Wildcats Win 4 In A Row

Otega Oweh leads the Wildcats in scoring with 14.5 PPG along with 4.3 RPG and 2.2 APG while Denzel Aberdeen has 11.4 PPG with 3.5 RPG and 3.2 APG to lead the Wildcats in assists. Mouhamed Diabate has 11.1 PPG with 6.6 RPG and Jayden Quaintance has 10 PPG and 8 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Kentucky so far this season. Collin Chandler has 9.7 PPG with 3.1 RPG and 2.8 APG while Malachi Moreno has 9.3 PPG with a team-high 6.8 RPG to lead the Wildcats on the glass this season. As a team, Kentucky is averaging 83.8 PPG on 47.7% shooting from the field, 31.8% from three and 75.2% from the foul line this season.

Alabama Crimson Tide Recap

The Alabama Crimson Tide come into this game looking to add on to their 102-78 win over Yale last time out to sit at 10-3 on the year. After this game, Alabama will head on the road for a game against Vanderbilt.

Crimson Tide Win 3 Straight

Labaron Philon Jr. leads the Crimson Tide in scoring and assists with 21.9 PPG and 5.6 APG along with 3.6 RPG while Aden Holloway has 16.7 PPG with 3.7 APG and 2.4 RPG. Latrell Wrightsell has 10.7 PPG with 2.7 RPG and 2.4 APG and Amari Allen has 10.2 PPG with 7 RPG and 3.3 APG to lead the Crimson Tide in rebounding so far this season. Taylor Bol Bowen has 9.7 PPG with 4.8 RPG and Aiden Sherrell has 9.2 PPG with 6.3 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Alabama is averaging 93.9 PPG on 47.1% shooting from the field, 35.2% from three and 76.1% from the foul line this season. 

Kentucky Wildcats @ Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Trends: January 3, 2026

Why the Alabama Crimson Tide will win

• Alabama has won each of its last 22 games at Coleman Coliseum against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Kentucky has lost six of its last seven games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Alabama has won the first half in each of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Kentucky Wildcats will win

• Kentucky has won each of its last four games.
• Kentucky has won the first half in each of its last three games against teams with an AP Ranking of 14.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Kentucky’s last seven games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 174 or fewer points.
• Each of Alabama’s last four games against Conference opponents at Coleman Coliseum have produced a total of 179+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Alabama ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (36.5).
• Alabama ranks 365th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (69.5).
• Kentucky ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (1.79).
• Kentucky ranks 31st among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (39.2%).

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction

I’m on Alabama here. I like the makeup of this Alabama team and I still don’t trust this Mark Pope coached team in tough road environments. I think that Kentucky’s play style plays into how Nate Oats wants this game to go for the Tide, and in the end, I think Alabama snags the win and cover here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Alabama -5.5