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SEC Basketball: Kentucky vs. Georgia preview, prediction, TV schedule

By Taylor Sturm

Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA;Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari looks on during the first half against the Florida Gators at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klem
Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA;Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari looks on during the first half against the Florida Gators at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klem /
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Things are heating up in the SEC. Can the Kentucky Wildcats go on the road and get a win over the sneaky-good Georgia Bulldogs?

TV Schedule: Saturday, Feb. 18, 6:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

Arena: Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, GA

To start the season, most believed that the Kentucky Wildcats would win the SEC with regular ease. Fast-forward to mid-February, and the Wildcats find themselves in a dogfight for the regular season crown.

Losses to the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators set Kentucky back, but they have rebounded with a three game win streak that includes a vengeful blowout of the Volunteers. With a game against Florida still to play on the schedule, Kentucky will fully believe they can win the SEC regular season title all by themselves.

Next up for Kentucky are the Georgia Bulldogs. The Wildcats will hope that they can continue this momentum swing on the road in Athens against Mark Fox’s scrappy, find-a-way-to-win team.

The Bulldogs are currently on the outside looking in to the 2017 NCAA Tournament. A little bit too far away from the bubble to be called a bubble-team, their RPI means that a strong finish to the season could lead to a chance at the Big Dance and a definite shot at the NIT. Georgia has no bad conference losses, and their “bad” non-conference losses came to a likely 20-win Oakland team and the Marquette Golden Eagles, who were 14-6 before their recent four of five losing streak.

Next: Florida vs. Mississippi State preview

While Georgia definitely has the chance at pulling off an upset, Kentucky should win this one easily. The Bulldogs played hard against the Wildcats on the road, but Coach Cal and Co. look to have found their winning ways once again. Do not be surprised if this team wins out from now until the 2017 NCAA Tournament – and maybe even then.

Prediction: Kentucky 88, Georgia 70

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