Alabama vs. Kentucky Prediction: Expect A High-Scoring Track Meet For Rob Dillingham, Wildcats Against Tide
The Kentucky Wildcats and Alabama Crimson Tide will square off from Rupp Arena on Saturday afternoon. Will Rob Dillingham and the Wildcats run the floor with Mark Sears and the Crimson Tide? Ben Rajavuori is expecting a fast-paced barnburner and provides his analysis and pick for Alabama vs. Kentucky.
Ben Rajavuori - February 24, 2024, 10:30 AM EST
5 minAlabama vs. Kentucky Prediction: Expect A High-Scoring Track Meet For Rob Dillingham, Wildcats Against Tide
The loaded slate of college basketball games this Saturday features an electric SEC matchup, as the Alabama Crimson Tide travel to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. Alabama currently leads the SEC with a conference record of 11–2, sporting a record of 19–7 overall. Kentucky is not too far behind them, as they have a record of 18–8 overall and an 8–5 record in conference play. The spread is super close on this game, as Kentucky is a very slight 2-point favorite at home. However, I’m not concerned with the spread here, as we have a monster total of 178.5 points in this matchup. With a total this high, can the game still go over?
Alabama vs. Kentucky DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: February 24, 2024
- Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Alabama vs. Kentucky ODDS
- Spread: Alabama +2 (-110), Kentucky -2 (-110)
- Total Odds: O 175.5 (-110), U 175.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Alabama (+110), Kentucky (-130)
Alabama vs. Kentucky Prediction
This game will feature the two best offenses in the SEC. Alabama is rated as one of the top offenses in the country, and they are rated number one overall in offensive efficiency on KenPom. Kentucky is right behind them, as they rank 9th in offensive efficiency on KenPom, which is second in the SEC conference. On top of elite offense, this matchup will also also feature two of the fastest-paced teams in college basketball. Not too many teams prefer to run as much as Alabama, as they rank 3rd in average possession length on offense. They rank 14th in adjusted tempo overall. On the other hand, Kentucky has no problem matching that pace. They rank 23rd in the nation in average possession length on offense, and they have an adjusted tempo that ranks 18th overall. Not only do these teams both love to run, but they also love to make their threes at a very high rate. Kentucky has some of the best three-point shooters in the nation, including Reed Sheppard, who is shooting 50.9% from three on the season. They also have Antonio Reeves and Rob Dillingham, who are both shooting 44% from three on the season. As a team, Kentucky is second overall in three-point percentage in the nation, draining 40.5% of their threes per game. Alabama has no problem matching that. They have Latrell Wrightsell, who is shooting 44.5% from three this season. They also have Mark Sears, who is one of the best offensive players in the nation, who is also shooting 44% from three. As a team, Alabama loves to shoot the three ball, and they are doing so at a 38% clip, which is 14th in the nation. This game has all the makeup of an NBA-type final score. While it is somewhat unlikely that both teams hit triple digits, it’s not out of the question. There is a very good chance this ends up as the highest-scoring game tomorrow, and it has the highest total on the board at 178.5. We have seen Alabama reach into the upper 170s and break 180 multiple times in conference games already this season. This would be another prime spot, as it features the two best offenses in the SEC and the two fastest-paced teams. The spread being close also helps us, as a close game will likely mean fouling at the end, and also a potential overtime period. This is a very high total, but I have confidence we can get into the 180s and above in this game tomorrow.
Alabama vs. Kentucky Pick
Pick: Alabama/Kentucky Over 178.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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