The Kentucky basketball team returns to the Rupp Arena court Monday night in the middle of its seven-game homestand. Here are the odds, lines, how to watch, and our prediction.
After dropping their opening game of the 2021-22 season against Duke 79-71 on November 9 in the Champions Classic, the Wildcats began a run of seven games against some less than high-profile teams. So far they have won three straight over Robert Morris, Mount St. Mary’s, and most recently sunk Ohio Univesity on Friday night 77-59.
Kentucky (3-1) ranked No. 13 in this week’s AP and Coaches Poll will welcome Albany as the next team that coach John Calipari will use to prep his team for December matchups with Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Louisville.
Kentucky and Albany have only met once before and that was in 2015 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Classic where No. 2 Kentucky won 78-65
Kentucky basketball welcomes Albany to Rupp and should easily usher them out
The Great Danes (0-4) are in the Bluegrass for three straight games. They fell 77-64 to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, slip over to Lexington to play UK, back to Richmond to play Eastern Illinois on Wednesday. Those two games are part EKU Invitational.
Albany coach Dwayne Killings discussed the trip south to the Commonwealth as noted by Yahoo Sports.
"“Looking forward to this extended road trip we are about to embark on,” Albany coach Dwayne Killings said prior to the trip. “… This trip will give us a chance to continue our growth process, compete at a high level and also get to spend some time together outside of the Capital Region. We are looking forward to a fruitful trip in Kentucky.”"
Just how long they can hang with Kentucky is still to be seen, but they are only averaging 59.3 points a game while giving up 70.3.
Matt Cerruti leads Albany with 12.3 points a game knocking down 9 of 17 from 3-point range. The only other player to average double figures is De’Vondre Perry with 12 points and 5.3 rebounds a game. Jamel Horton chips in 7.3 points, 2.8 boards and had handed out 10 assists.
Expect Calipari to turn up the defensive pressure as part of this learning and tinkering fact-finding mission. It could be a big game for TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler picking off passes and starting runouts since the Great Danes average 16.5 turnovers per game.
Kentucky basketball vs Ohio Odds and Betting
WynnBet’s College Basketball Odds has Kentucky as a 27 point favorite. The over/under has been set at 136 points with Kentucky scoring 81.5 points and Albany 54.5 points.
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Kentucky vs Albany Prediction Tonight
We learned what can happen when Oscar Tshiebwe gets into foul trouble, which happened less than two minutes into the Ohio game. Then his backup Daimion Collins picked up two right after that. With Lance Ware sitting due to an injury Calipari had to go small.
It took some adjustments but the others picked up the slack as the Big Blue starters accounted for 70 points.
For the season, Tshiebwe and Washington lead the Cats in scoring at 13.8 points per game. Big O also averages 16.5 rebounds per outing. They are also getting 13.5 from Keion Brooks Jr. and Sahvir Wheeler has become very comfortable running the UK offense and 11.0 points and 8.5 assists a game. He only had one turnover against Ohio.
Tschiebwe wasn’t happy sitting on the bench for the entire first half on Friday which should serve as a learning 18 minutes of what teams will do all year long against him. Look for a big bounce-back game from him.
Washington continues to evolve into the player we know he can be and should also elevate his game against the Bobcats.
Let me take Kentucky 95, Ohio University 55
What Channel is the Kentucky Basketball Game On
Sorry, Big Blue Nation this is a game that is not on traditional television which will be the first game in four years fans can’t just turn on their TV and tune in.
Every Southeastern Conference school has been assigned multiple SECN+ and ESPN+ games this season by the conference and its television partners.
The Wildcats’ game against Albany will be available through an online streaming broadcast only. Never fear we have gone through this before during football season remember how we had to do this against Chattanooga.
Also, be aware this will also be the case the following Monday against Central Michigan.
Kentucky versus Ohio Live Stream
Today’s Kentucky game can be streamed live on SEC Network+ or WatchESPN+.
As a refresher, this means that if you have a cable subscription that includes the SEC Network you can still watch the game online through SEC Network+. The same is true if you subscribe to ESPN+.
Tipoff is set for 7 pm EST.
Kentucky over the airwaves
For the radio enthusiasts, our stellar team of Tom Leach (play-by-play), Mike Pratt, and Dick Gabriel (sideline) will have the call on the UK Sports Network. They can be heard at 840 AM around Louisville and in the Lexington area at both 630 AM and 98.1 FM. If you are outside these areas check your local statins or you can always listen online at www.UKAthletics.com
Kentucky’s Next Game and Schedule
Kentucky’s next game will be November 26 against North Florida. Here’s a look at their schedule for the next five games.
November 26 North Florida 7 PM SEC Network
November 29 Central Michigan 7 PM SEC Network+/ESPN+
December 7 Southern University 7 PM SEC Network
December 11 at Notre Dame 5:15 PM ESPN
December 18 Ohio State in Las Vegas 5:15 PM CBS