Kentucky vs. Alabama Prediction & Odds
Unranked Kentucky travels to Tuscaloosa to face #7 Alabama at 1:00 PM ET Saturday afternoon on ESPN. Can the Crimson Tide cover the 5.5-point spread as home favorites?
Kentucky is 10-4 on the year with their best wins coming over Michigan and LSU. Their worst losses came against Michigan State and Missouri. The Wildcats are 4-10 against the spread this season.
Alabama is 12-2 this season with their best wins coming over Michigan State and Houston. Their only losses came against Gonzaga and UConn. The Crimson Tide are 7-6-1 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
621 Kentucky Wildcats (+5.5) vs. 622 Alabama Crimson Tide (-5.5); O/U 152.5
1:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 7, 2023
Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL
Kentucky vs. Alabama Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Crimson Tide in this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 80% of public bets are on Alabama -5.5. Do note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Kentucky Game Notes
Kentucky guard C.J. Fredrick has missed the Wildcats’ last two games with a hand injury and it’s unknown if he’ll be available for Saturday’s clash with Alabama. Frederick is averaging 7.3 points per game in 19.8 minutes per contest for Kentucky this season.
Regardless of Fredrick’s status, Kentucky will need scoring from freshman guard Cason Wallace. The 6’4” Dallas native is averaging 12.9 points and 3.9 assists per game for the Wildcats this year. He’s shooting extremely well from the field (50.4%), and from three (45.6%), while weirdly struggling at the free throw line (57.7%). How Wallace fares will go a long way toward determining the outcome of this game.
Alabama Game Notes
Alabama guard Nimari Burnett recently had wrist surgery and he’ll be out until mid-February. Burnett is fifth on the club in scoring with 7.9 points per game and sixth on the team in minutes with 18.8 per game.
In Burnett’s absence, the Crimson Tide will need the scoring of junior guard Mark Sears. Sears is pouring in 14.6 points per game, which is good for second on the team. He’s shooting the three-ball tremendously this season as well. Mark Sears is shooting 42.5% on three-pointers while taking 5.7 attempts per game.
Kentucky vs. Alabama CBB Betting Trends
Kentucky is 5-16-1 ATS in their last 22 games following an outright win.
Kentucky is 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Kentucky is 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 Saturday games.
Alabama is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following an outright win of more than 20 points.
Kentucky vs. Alabama State CBB Prediction:
Since losing to Gonzaga on December 17th, Alabama has won their last three games by an average of 17.7 points per game. The Crimson Tide are one of the best teams in the country. According to Kenpom.com Alabama ranks 8th in the nation in adjusted efficiency margin out of 363 Division I teams.
When it comes to Kentucky, they’ve been overvalued all season. The Wildcats make a big splash when it comes to recruiting, and their players often have success in the NBA, but that doesn’t always translate to wins on the court in college or covering the spread in a gambling contest. Kentucky is 4-10 against the spread on the season, and I don’t think they’ll be able to cover against an elite Alabama team on the road this weekend. I’ll lay the points with the Crimson Tide.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE -5.5
