NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Saturday, Jan. 23, 4:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Arena: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
Line: Kentucky (-5.5)
The Vanderbilt Commodores look to have finally put their SEC struggles behind them, as the 11-7 team has won three straight games after dropping their first three of conference play.
That being said, all three of the wins came against teams currently in the bottom half of the SEC standings. Next up for Vandy is their first showdown this season with the preseason SEC favorite Kentucky Wildcats, who are coming off a blowout win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Against Arkansas, Kentucky finally looked to be the dominant team we expected them to be coming into the season, but the Wildcats have shown that they are far more vulnerable this season than they were a year ago. Skal Labissiere had arguably his best game of the year, so John Calipari and Co. will hope that he has finally moved past the freshman wall he seemed to encounter.
Just because they’ve fallen to No. 23 in the country does not mean Kentucky is not the elite team we expected them to be this preseason. The talent on this roster boasts more potential than the talent on any other team in college basketball. The Wildcats are still one of the overwhelming favorites to win the national championship, as they should be.
Vanderbilt might have to play their best game of the season if they want to pull off the upset. Against the Tennessee Volunteers, Vanderbilt’s defense looked absolutely fantastic in the first half but struggled in the second, allowing 51 points. If the team from the first half of the Tennessee game shows up on Saturday afternoon, the Commodores could win in Lexington.
Unfortunately, Vandy is 1-4 on the road this season, while Kentucky remains undefeated at home. Vanderbilt puts up a fight in the first half, but they’ll falter in the second and fall to the Wildcats in Rupp Arena.
Prediction: Kentucky 72, Vanderbilt 65
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