The Big 12/SEC Challenge kicks off this weekend, and the best matchup features a pair of college basketball blue bloods. The Kansas Jayhawks will travel to Rupp Arena to take on the Kentucky Wildcats in a battle of top-25 teams. Kansas enters this game as the 9th ranked team in the country, while Kentucky is one spot ahead at number eight.
Kentucky is playing great basketball right now, and have won five straight games. The Wildcats are near the top of the SEC race and have a 15-3 overall record. Kansas has struggled a bit of late, but they are still atop the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks come into this game with a 16-3 record. Kentucky is -6.0 over Kansas in this prime time matchup.
Kansas Still Making Adjustments
The Kansas season took a dramatic turn when they lost center Udoka Azubuike to injury. Azubuike gave the Jayhawks one of the best low post players in the country, and Kansas has had to find a way to adjust without him. Kansas is still outscoring teams by more than eight points per game, but their offense isn’t scary anymore. Head coach Bill Self has also been unhappy with his defense, as his team is allowing more than 70 points per game.
Dedric Lawson has done his best to make up for the loss of Azubuike. The junior post player is averaging 19.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game in his first season in Lawrence, Kansas. The Jayhawks also have one of the best shooters in the country in shooting guard Lagerald Vick. Vick is shooting 46 percent from the three-point line this season but sometimes struggles to get shots. Kansas will have to find a way to score points to keep up with the Jayhawks.
Kentucky Making a Run
The Kentucky season got off to a slow start this year, but they are flying high at the moment. The Wildcats once again have an extremely young roster, but they have plenty of talent. Kentucky is outscoring teams by close to 13 points per game this season, and they have been terrific on defense in SEC play. The Wildcats are also almost impossible to beat at Rupp Arena, posting an 11-0 home record so far this season.
Freshmen guards Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro seem to get better each time out and are carrying the Kentucky offense. The duo has combined to score better than 28 points per game this season, and they are almost impossible to stop in transition. Transfer center Reid Travis should be able to matchup with Lawson for Kansas, and the Wildcats have a much deeper bench. If the Wildcats are making shots on Saturday night, it could be a rough night for the Jayhawks.
Take the Wildcats at Rupp Arena
This game seems like the perfect time for Bill Self to remind the world just how good of a coach he is. The Jayhawks have been one of the best programs in recent seasons, and he will have his team ready for this challenge. The problem for Kansas is that Kentucky just simply has too much talent, and they are playing their best basketball of the season. Expect this one to be close throughout, but the Wildcats will pull away for a comfortable win. Bet the Kentucky Wildcats -6.0 over the Kansas Jayhawks.
