Kentucky vs. Missouri: Game preview, TV schedule, prediction

Missouri is clinging to an at-large spot for the NCAA tournament. Will a win over Kentucky give them some breathing room?

TV schedule: Saturday, February 3, 2:00 p.m. ET. CBS

Arena: Mizzou Arena in Columbia. Missouri

Sometimes teams can go through ruts in the middle of conference season, and the same could be said for Kentucky 17-5 (6-3). The team had lost three of five heading into last week. But the Wildcats have recovered nicely with an impressive comeback in Morgantown against the Mountaineers followed by an overtime win against Vanderbilt.

The key to this recent successful stretch has been the continuing development of freshman Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped a career-high 30 points in the victory over the Commodores. He originally came off the bench to start the season, but Coach Calipari’s switch to have him start at the point has reignited the offense. Now Kentucky tied for second place in the SEC, two games behind Auburn.

In Busting Bracket’s latest Bracketology, the Wildcats were one of eight SEC teams to receive a bid, tied for the most with the ACC. It was almost nine, but Missouri 14-8 (4-5) was the very first team out. They fell to that spot after losing three games in a row and were looking to regain momentum.

That changed this past Wednesday with an impressive 69-60 win at Alabama. Kassius Roberson continues to lead the Tigers in his final year as he had 22 points in that win. And while they did give up 23 points to freshman star Collin Sexton, Missouri held the rest of the team in check.

Next: SEC Mid-season recap and awards

Considering the number of bubble teams that have lost this week to bad teams, the Tigers are likely to be on the positive side of the bubble regardless of Saturday’s results. But with the game being in Missouri and a rematch coming later in the month in Lexington, this is a needed game for Cuanzo Martin and company.

Prediction: Kentucky 72 – Missouri 76