KSR Today: MBB looks to start 2-0, FB prepares for 'Bama

NMS-236485 — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

Crossover season continues for basketball and football, the former taking the floor against Texas A&M-Commerce on Friday at 7 p.m. ET inside Rupp Arena. As for the latter, Kentucky will take on Alabama on Saturday at noon ET at Kroger Field — a monster weekend in Lexington.

Let’s run through things in chronological order, starting with tonight’s basketball matchup.

TAMC is averaging 46.0 points while allowing 75.5 per contest — a -29.5 scoring margin — to go with a 29.8% shooting clip overall and 14.3% from three. The Lions have been abysmal on the glass, pulling down just 28.0 rebounds per contest with a -19.5 margin per game. Jerome Brewer Jr. leads the way with 12.0 points per contest while adding a team-high 7.0 rebounds, followed by Kalen Williams with 11.5 points, the only two double-digit scorers on the roster. Tommie Lewis is also grabbing 4.5 boards per game.

Coached by Jaret Von Rosenberg, the Lions come in at No. 304 in the updated KenPom rankings with the No. 314 overall offense and No. 270 defense. It’s why the Wildcats have a 96.7% chance to pull off the win inside Rupp Arena on Friday, according to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor. It’s also why Kentucky sits comfortably as a 26.5-point favorite on FanDuel Sportsbook with the over/under set at 141.5 points and the moneyline an absurd -50,000 in the Cats’ favor.

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Mitchell, Reeves preview Kentucky vs. TAMC

How are the Wildcats gearing up for the team’s second regular season matchup of the season? And maybe more importantly, how is Kentucky preparing for next week’s Champions Classic against No. 1 Kansas in Chicago?

The old guys on the team spoke to the media on Thursday, Tre Mitchell confirming he was John Calipari’s second-half tweak in the opener vs. New Mexico State and Antonio Reeves raving about the freshmen and the pressure they take off his shoulders, allowing him to capitalize on having the ultimate green light to shoot.

While you’re at it, take a look at KSR’s official basketball season predictions, the squad picking Kentucky’s record in big non-conference matchups, SEC losses and postseason finish.

Spoiler: I’ve got the Cats going to Phoenix.

Reminder: Kentucky vs. TAMC is stream-only

No, you will not be able to flip over to ESPN or SEC Network tonight to watch your beloved Cats. It’s yet another streaming game, the second-to-last time you’ll have to find the broadcast on SEC Network+ and ESPN+ this season — Stonehill (Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. ET) being the other.

Darren Headrick and Cameron Mills will be on the call for tonight’s broadcast.

Need help?

If you have SEC Network through your cable provider: On SEC Network+ through the ESPN app on a connected device (Firestick, Roku, AppleTV, a Vizio SmartTV, etc.).
If you do not have SEC Network through your cable provider, or cable at all: ESPN+ subscription ($9.99/month) through the ESPN app on a connected device.

Still having trouble? You can contact ESPN Fan Support online or by calling (888) 549-3776.

If all else fails, head on over to KSBar and Grille to watch the game, or you can listen to Tom Leach and Jack “Goose” Givens on 840 WHAS, 98.1 The Bull, or on SiriusXM, channel 119 or 191. Coverage begins with the KSR Pregame Show at 4:30 p.m. ET on the UK Sports Network.

Here comes Alabama

That’s just the appetizer — the main dish comes Saturday in the form of Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Kentucky holds firm as a 10.5-point underdog with the over/under set at 46.5 and the Wildcats’ team points listed at 16.5. Some other fun player props to keep an eye on: Devin Leary over/under 203.5 passing yards and 0.5 passing touchdowns, Ray Davis over/under 67.5 rushing yards, Dane Key over/under 42.5 receiving yards, Barion Brown over/under 41.5 receiving yards and Tayvion Robinson over/under 40.5 receiving yards.

ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Kentucky a 14.3% chance to pull off the upset inside Kroger Field.

As a team, Alabama is averaging 31.8 points and 382.2 total yards per contest while allowing 16.5 points and 306.4 yards per game — both top-20 nationally. The Tide are led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, who has thrown for 1,836 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions on 64.8% passing (114-176). Six players have eclipsed the century receiving mark, led by Jermaine Burton with 537 yards and five touchdowns, followed by Isaiah Bond with 420 yards and three scores and Amari Niblack with 218 yards and three scores.

The Crimson Tide have a three-headed monster in the backfield with Jase McClellan racking up 632 yards and five touchdowns, Roydell Williams with 395 yards and two scores and Milroe adding 297 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

The all-time series heavily favors Alabama, who leads 38-2-1 dating back to 1917. Kentucky’s lone victories? A 6-0 win in Lexington back in 1922 and a 40-34 home win in 1997. Mark Stoops is 0-3 in the matchup, suffering a 48-7 loss in 2013, a 34-6 loss in 2016 and a 63-3 loss in 2020. The winning streak sits at seven consecutive games for the Tide.

Mark Stoops prepares for Crimson Tide

How does head coach Mark Stoops feel about the matchup? The Wildcats are in a good spot after getting back in the win column at Mississippi State last weekend, but know they’ve got bigger business to take care of if they hope to make one final statement this season.

“It’s been a really good week of practice. Obviously, we needed that victory last week,” Stoops said. “We’ve had beautiful weather. Guys have been in good spirits. Still have guys that are dinged up, as you can understand. This time of year, all teams are. I’m sure they are, as well. But we’ve had a good-spirited week, which will hopefully carry over for a great game this Saturday. We’re going to need to play really good.”