College Basketball Game Preview: Alabama vs Kentucky
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NCAA Basketball Betting – Wildcats out to knock off upset-minded Crimson Tide
Team records:
Alabama: 17-14 SU, 13-13-2 ATS
Kentucky: 29-2 SU, 16-13 ATS
March Madness betting players are used to hearing about Alabama football, but Alabama basketball? The Crimson Tide finished with a 6-10 record in the SEC conference, but they made some noise with their first-round on Thursday. The Crimson Tide will now turn their attention to Kentucky in a battle of the programs with the most wins in the SEC, and they’ll take some encouraging things from their first meeting with the Wildcats.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Friday March 12, 1:00PM (ET) – Nashville, Tennessee
SEC MEN’S TOURNAMENT – QUARTERFINALS
The Crimson Tide came back from an 11-point deficit at halftime to upset South Carolina 68-63 in Nashville, and Mikhail Torrance led the way with 17 points. Alabama shot just 39.3% from the field, but they went to the foul line 26 times, hitting 21 of them. At the other end of the court, the Crimson Tide held the Gamecocks to 36.5% from the floor, and South Carolina was just 14-of-20 from the charity stripe.
The Wildcats earned the top seed in the SEC tournament, and they’ll probably be a No.1 seed in the big dance as well after romping to the second spot in the top 25. There may be no team more explosive than the Wildcats, led by John Wall, who is being touted as the top pick in the draft. Wall is arguably the best freshman in the nation, and his main competition is teammate DeMarcus Cousins, who is a load for anyone to handle in the post.
Patrick Patterson adds some veteran leadership, while Eric Bledsoe is another talented frosh. The Wildcats get after you on both ends of the floor for 40 minutes, and they’ve picked up on the personality of coach John Calipari rather quickly.
Gambling software should have the Wildcats as a big favorite in this contest, as they’ve won eight of their last 10 against the Crimson Tide, who fought gamely in a 66-55 loss in Lexington on February 9th. Wall had 22 points and 10 rebounds, but he was held to two assists while turning the ball over six times. The Wildcats killed the Crimson Tide at the foul line, going 19-of-31 to 9-of-10 for Alabama, and they were no match for Cousins and Patterson, who combined for 27 points and 17 rebounds.
Look for the Wildcats to try and push the ball as much as possible, as there are only a few teams that can keep up with Kentucky in the open court. The Crimson Tide will need to force turnovers, and if possible, try to keep the Wildcats on the perimeter. Kentucky can’t shoot the three as well as they think they can, but that won’t stop them from trying.
But the x-factor will be Kentucky’s ability to just go on a run, and we’re guessing Alabama won’t be able to stop it. Take the Wildcats, who will be in many March Madness betting picks this year.
Pick: Kentucky
