#4 Alabama vs #8 Kentucky: NCAA Basketball Predictions, Odds & Best Bets

The SEC continues to bring us tons of ranked matchups this conference season and we’ve got another Top 10 showdown today as the Alabama Crimson Tide go into Rupp Arena to try and take down the Kentucky Wildcats. Nate Oats and the Tide look to bounce back following their loss to Ole Miss at home, but taking down the Wildcats in Lexington is no easy feat.

Kentucky is 11-0 at home this season and are the most efficient offense in the nation. They rank 14th in eFG% and TO Rate, while also crashing the glass, and ranking 56th in offensive rebounds allowed. They play very fast and dare teams to keep up offensively, but lucky for Alabama, that is their play style as well.

The Wildcats are Top 25 in pace while their visitors come in as the fastest team in the country. The Crimson Tide struggle to force turnovers, but they play very sound basketball on both sides of the floor, limiting three point shots from their opponents and contesting them well. Offensively they run, run, run and get to the free throw line plenty. But can they slow down Kentucky and pull off this upset on the road?

#4 Alabama Crimson Tide vs #8 Kentucky Wildcats: SEC Showdown

Matchup Information – Alabama vs Kentucky

• Venue & Location: Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY)
• Date: Saturday, January 18th, 2025
• Tip Off: 12:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Alabama +1.5 (-105)
• Kentucky -1.5 (-115)

Money Line

• Alabama +104
• Kentucky -124

Total

• Over 178.5 (-110)
• Under 178.5 (-110)

Pope and Wildcats Back at Home Tonight

Last time out, the Wildcats handled a very defensive Texas A&M team, but they were missing their stud point guard. Tonight they will certainly have their hands full trying to slow down the Alabama offense. However, Kentucky has already had some practice doing so this season.

They played a thriller against Florida a couple weeks ago, who ranks 81st in pace, winning 106-100 by the time the clock struck zero. The Wildcats have an entire week off before they go to Vanderbilt next Saturday, so their full focus should be on the task at hand: Taking down the Tide. As for Alabama, their next game is against Vanderbilt as well, but they host them back in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday. While I’m not calling it a look ahead spot, the Tide will need to rebound a lot quicker than Kentucky, and that may cause some issues on the court.

Both teams sit at 3-1 in the conference, looking up at Ole Miss and Auburn who are a perfect 4-0. Only one can win tonight, and I certainly lean with the home team in this SEC clash.

#4 Alabama Crimson Tide #8 Kentucky Wildcats Best Bets

Alabama vs Kentucky Prediction: Kentucky Wins & Covers, Under 179

Best Bets: Kentucky ML (-124) BetOnline

On paper, I’d call these teams about even. You have two offenses that play extremely fast, shoot plenty of threes, and try to get to the free throw line whenever possible. The difference in my eyes, is the home court advantage of the Wildcats, and the fact that Alabama is way too reliant on the three ball.

If their shots from downtown aren’t falling, it’s tough for the Tide to keep up, especially against an offense like Kentucky’s. In my opinion, the Wildcat’s are good enough at defending the perimeter and keeping their hands to themselves, and that should be enough to slow down the Tide. With a total as high as this, obviously we are going to see plenty of points. So the difference maker should be the stops on the defensive end, and I think Kentucky can rally more of those than their visitors.

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