POINT SPREAD: Kentucky is an Underdog at Alabama

Kentucky is back in enemy territory for another high-profile Saturday road game in the SEC. Can the Wildcats pull off the stunner in Tuscaloosa? Las Vegas is giving Alabama the edge at Coleman Coliseum.

The Crimson Tide open as a 7.5-point favorite over Kentucky. The total is set for 177.5. After seeing how the last Alabama game unfolded, a 110-98 loss at Missouri, there might not be such a thing as “too many points.”

Kentucky fans are currently well aware of the Wildcats’ injury situation, but it’s worth repeating. Handicapping this matchup is more challenging without Jaxson Robinson, Lamont Butler, and Kerr Kriisa in the lineup. Butler and Robinson have missed consecutive games. Tonight’s injury report will likely reveal a third straight absence.

Those absences can throw a wrench into the pregame forecast. That might explain why they’re all over the place. KenPom is calling for a 94-89 Alabama victory, while Bart Torvik is even more generous, giving Alabama a 98-89 edge.

The two teams faced off a month ago in Rupp Arena. It was a high-scoring affair that was tied with five minutes to play. Alabama took over down the stretch in a 102-97 victory, Kentucky’s first home loss of the season.

That monumental win for Alabama feels like a lifetime ago. Last Saturday, Coleman Coliseum hosted the most anticipated game in program history, a matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2. Auburn blitzed them by taking a 14-4 lead en route to a nine-point win. They suffered a similar fate on Wednesday night at Missouri, falling behind 12-0 before losing a high-scoring game.

Alabama is 14-12 Against the Spread (ATS) this season and 3-3 ATS at home in SEC play. The over his hit in three straight games and six of the last nine. The game against Kentucky went over as the Tide covered as ‘dogs.

Kentucky is 5-1 ATS this season as an underdog away from Rupp Arena, with four outright wins. Their most recent win as a double-digit ‘dog was at Tennessee.

Kentucky vs. Alabama: How to Watch, Listen

• Date, Time: Saturday, 6:00 p.m. EST
• Television: ESPN (Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes, Dick Vitale)
• Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
• Online Radio: iHeart
• Satellite Radio: Sirius 84 (UA Radio) or 191 (UK Radio)
• Live Stats: StatBroadcast

You can also follow the game via our new LIVE BLOG on the website, which will begin an hour before tip-off, or join the conversation on KSBoard

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