One of the top games in the season came from these two teams in an earlier matchup. Alabama pulled out a 102-97 win over Kentucky on the road, led by 25 points and 11 rebounds from Grant Nelson, joined by 24 points and nine assists from Mark Sears. It was the start of a seven-game win streak, though the Crimson Tide had lost its last two games coming into the matchup.
Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson combined for 28 points and eight assists, but those two have been injured, causing Kentucky to lose a few games to be just 7-6 in SEC play. They lost to Texas last weekend but are coming off an 82-61 win over Vanderbilt.
How to watch Kentucky vs Alabama
Date: Saturday, February 22
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Coleman Coliseum
How to Watch (TV): ESPN
Streaming: fubo TV (link: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191260?irad=367782&irmp=374356)
Alabama record: 21-5
Kentucky record: 18-8
H2: Kentucky vs. Alabama odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook (link: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/ )
Moneyline
Kentucky - +285
Alabama -365
Spread
Kentucky +8.5 (-110)
Alabama - 8.5 (-110)
Total
177.5 (over -110/under -110)
Kentucky injury report
Lamont Butler, G: Out (shoulder)
Jaxson Robinson, G: Out (wrist)
Kerr Kriisa, G: Out (foot)
H3: Alabama injury report
Derrion Reid, F: Out (lower body)
Alabama and Kentucky’s series history
Kentucky all-time record vs. Alabama: 117-42
Kentucky vs Alabama prediction
Kentucky’s defense has always been a concern, and if they’re without their top defender (Butler), they could very well give up 100+ points again. But they aren’t the only defense having issues, with Alabama giving up 110 points in regulation against Missouri. Even after landing Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi to try and shore up the defense, it has continued to show holes.
There are plenty of matchups to watch throughout, but whoever has to defend Sears for Kentucky will need to find a way to slow him down. If he finds a way to score 20+ points and get everyone involved, it’s going to be hard to get the road win. If the Wildcats were 100% healthy, I could see them winning a shootout. But for now, I’m going with the Tide.