Alabama Crimson Tide vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/18/2025

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, January 18, 2025

Venue:  Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY 

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Alabama +2.5, Kentucky -2.5; Over/Under:  179.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Alabama +2.5, Kentucky -2.5; Over/Under:  179.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Alabama +2.5, Kentucky -2.5; Over/Under:  179.5 points

Alabama Crimson Tide:  14-3 (3-1) (4th place, SEC)

Kentucky Wildcats:  14-3 (3-1) (5th place, SEC)

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Alabama Crimson Tide:  4-1  last 5

Kentucky Wildcats:  4-1  last 5

Alabama is entering this game with a 14-3 record overall, a 3-1 record in conference games, and they are 4-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Ole Miss Rebels in their last game. Aden Holloway led the team in points per game in that game with 15 while Mark Sears was next on the team with 11. Mark Sears led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Grant Nelson led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 42.6% from the field, 25% from 3-point range, and 73.1% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 89.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 77.2 PPG against them. Alabama has an ATS record of 9-8 this season and their O/U record is 8-8-1.

Kentucky is entering this game with a 14-3 record overall, a 3-1 conference record, and they are 11-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Texas A&M Aggies in their last game. Jaxson Robinson led the team in points in that game with 22 while Andrew Carr was next on the team with 13. Lamont Butler led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Amari Williams led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 46.2% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 77.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 88.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 74.6 PPG against them. Kentucky has an ATS record of 9-8 this season and their O/U record is 9-8.

The current betting odds have Kentucky listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Kentucky has looked really good in their games this season with their 14-3 record overall and their 3-1 conference record which has them right near the top of the SEC. They have looked great on their home court too with their 11-0 home record. Meanwhile, Alabama has looked really good in their games this season with their 14-3 record overall and their 3-1 conference record which also has them right near the top of the SEC. They have been a great road team so far with their 4-1 road record, but they did lose some momentum in their last one as they are coming off a home loss to Ole Miss. They looked terrible in that game and their offense couldn't get anything going. Kentucky has won 2 games in a row though and they do have some momentum on their side now. They are coming off a good win over Texas A&M in their last one and they are going to bring their best effort for another ranked team. Both of these teams are top 10 teams in the nation and have looked like it all season, but the home advantage will play a big factor in this game for Kentucky. Alabama has looked great in road games this season with some really good wins too, but they are coming off a bad loss at home and haven't really played many of the good teams in the SEC so far. Kentucky has been tested a lot more over their 4 conference games and have the advantage here on their home court. The best way to place a bet here is on Kentucky to cover the spread in this game. 

Alabama Kentucky Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, January 18, 2025 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Kentucky 92 Alabama 86.

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Alabama Crimson Tide: 6-2 ATS off a loss against a conference rival. 12-5 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses. 26-18 ATS vs. good free throw shooting teams - making 72% of their attempts or more. 8-3 OVER when the line is +3 to -3. 24-14 OVER after playing a home game. 31-14 OVER versus good shooting teams - making 45% of their shots or more.

Kentucky Wildcats: 14-24 ATS off a home win. 18-27 1H ATS as a home favorite or pick. 11-26 1H ATS off a home win. 53-31 OVER in all games. 33-13 OVER as a home favorite or pick. 13-4 OVER versus up-tempo teams averaging 62 or more shots/game.

Alabama Crimson Tide:  None.

Kentucky Wildcats:  None.

"I think we should all be pretty concerned, to be honest with you." - Nate Oats on the team’s offense lately.

“You know you’re really blessed as a coach when you have great students. What I mean by that is our guys want to learn. When we point our guys in a direction, our guys go. Like, it’s unbelievable. That sounds so simple, but it actually doesn’t happen in basketball with very many teams.” - Mark Pope after his team’s win against Texas A&M in their last game. 

G. Nelson 

C. Omoruyi 

L. Philon 

M. Sears 

J. Stevenson

L. Butler 

A. Carr 

O. Oweh 

J. Robinson 

A. Williams

PPG: M. Sears (18.6)

APG: M. Sears (4.5)

Reb/G: G. Nelson (8.6)

PPG: O. Oweh (15.4)

APG: L. Butler (4.7)

Reb/G: A. Williams (8.6)

Coaches:

Alabama Crimson Tide: Nate Oats (6th season)

Kentucky Wildcats: Mark Pope (1st season)