It will be a battle between SEC opponents when the Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3) welcome the No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats (10-2) to Coleman Coliseum. The game will air on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
Kentucky Wildcats at Alabama Crimson Tide ATS Prediction
The last time the Wildcats played, they were blown out by the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils, 118-84. Duke’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Kentucky. The Blue Devils had a rate of 4.2, while the Wildcats posted a mark of 16.5. Keldon Johnson led Kentucky in scoring with 23 points on 8-for-16 shooting.
The Crimson Tide had no trouble getting past the Southern University Jaguars in their last game, 82-62. The Crimson Tide had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (44.4 vs. 27.5) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.573 vs. 0.409). Donta Hall was the top scorer from either team with 20 points on 8-for-9 shooting from the field.
After the Wildcats won both games against the Crimson Tide last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last game, Kentucky won 86-63. Kentucky did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (20-28; 71.4 percent). Alabama, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 5.3).
A focal point for the Alabama offense is getting to the free throw line. The Crimson Tide rank 25th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.309), but Kentucky is among the best in the NCAA at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 37th by yielding a FTA rate of 0.179). Moreover, the Wildcats rank third in offensive rebounding percentage (40.8 percent), while the Crimson Tide rank 56th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.2 percent).
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Free Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Kentucky, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Kentucky averages 5.8 blocks per game, which ranks 10th in the NCAA. Alabama ranks 112th in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
The Crimson Tide rank 31st in three pointers allowed per game (19.3) while the Wildcats rank 113th (22.2).
Alabama ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (10.4) while Kentucky ranks 83rd (12.3).
The Wildcats lead the nation with 27.6 rebounds allowed per game while the Crimson Tide are 54th with 32.3 rebounds allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.8, down from 13.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Crimson Tide have scored an average of 76.8 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 70.0 points per game (1.3 below their season average).
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