Alabama vs. Kentucky Pick
Is No. 8 Kentucky giving up too many points to Alabama when the two meet up today in the SEC Tournament semifinal at 1PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Kentucky is favored in the game, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -10.5 points. The over/under total is listed at 137 points. Kentucky has won seven straight meetings with Alabama, including a 67-58 win at Bama on Feb. 11. Today’s game will be held from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Kentucky is on a nine-game winning streak now thanks to a 71-60 win over Georgia yesterday. The Wildcats are now 27-5 overall and 16-2 in the SEC. They have covered the spread in three of their last four games to get to 17-15 against the spread on the season. Kentucky averages 86.3 points per game on offense while allowing 71.7 on defense. Over their last five, Kentucky is putting up just 72.6 points per game, but allowing only 63.6. Malik Monk is averaging 20.6 points per game to lead the team while Edrice Adebayo is adding 13.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest.
Alabama is coming off a 64-53 win over South Carolina yesterday for its second win in this SEC Tournament. The Tide are now 19-13 on the season and 15-15 against the spread. They are averaging 68.5 points per game on offense while allowing 64.1 on defense. Over their last five, they have been holding opponents to just 55.6 points per game. Braxton Key is leading the team with 12.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while Dazon Ingram is adding 10.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest.
While I like what Alabama has done lately, Kentucky finally seems to be hitting its stride. The Wildcats have won nine straight and have covered in three of their last four. While usually playing down to their competition, UK has been taking care of business lately. The Cats were able to win by 11 at Bama earlier and I think it can do the same, if not better, today at a neutral site.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: KENTUCKY -10.5