The Kentucky basketball continues its Monday night string of non-conference opponents when they take the Rupp Arena court tonight against Central Michigan as the seven-game homestand is nearing an end. Here are the odds, lines, how to watch, and our prediction.
The Wildcats (5-1) have rolled over five opponents in the confines of Rupp Arena and tonight its former UK assistant coach Tony Barbee bringing his Chippewas to Lexington but this time as the opponent’s head coach.
Kentucky ranked No. 10 in the Associated Press poll and No. 13 in the Coaches Poll has gotten steadily better game by game despite coach John Calipari never having a completely healthy roster to select from.
After getting Lance Ware and Jacob Toppin back for Friday’s 86-52 win over North Florida they were without Davion Mintz for the second straight game and Keion Brooks was pulled just before tipoff with an undisclosed illness.
The upside is that players like Bryce Hopkins and Daimion Collins have gotten much-needed playing time. Hopkins still continues to adjust while Collins is making his case to see a significant amount of playing time. He got his first start in place of Brooks and looked good crashing the glass along with Oscar Tshiebwe.
Central Michigan is the opposite of Kentucky winning just one game with four losses. The Chippewas lone victory came in dramatic fashion when Jermaine Jackson Jr. made a go-ahead layup at the buzzer helping CM down Eastern Illinois 62-61.
He leads the Chippewas by averaging 13.6 points while shooting 44% from the field and 44% from the three-point range.
Losses have come to Missouri 78-68 to open the season and followed by getting crushed 99-66 to DePaul. They went to Las Vegas and took on No. 1 ranked Gonzaga and didn’t fare any better falling 107-54 and then losing a close 76-69 battle to Bellarmine University from Louisville.
Barbee came to Kentucky for the 2013-14 season and has served a variety of roles for Calipari. But no matter the title he was ultimately responsible for game planning, scouting opponents, and helping Cal plan the practices and game approach.
Kentucky basketball vs Central Michigan Odds and Betting
WynnBet’s College Basketball Odds has Kentucky as a 30.5 point favorite. The over/under has been set at 148 points and the Moneyline is Kentucky -110 while Central Michigan is +110. The point totals are Kentucky scoring 89.5 points and Central Michigan 58.5
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Kentucky vs Central Michigan Prediction Tonight
Kentucky is solid at nearly every position led by Tshiebwe averaging a double-double 13.6 points and 16 rebounds a game.
Down on the block, Tshiebwe will have another big body to bang against with Harrison Henderson standing 6-foot-11 and 240-pounds, he averages 10.8 points and grabs five boards a game.
UK has stability and leadership with Sahvir Wheeler running the offense and has really adapted to the Calipari offense only turning the ball over once last game. Wheeler averages 11.8 points and 9.2 assists per game.
On the wing, he has graduate transfer, Kellan Grady, to stoke down shots with ease.
But the biggest leap in play has been TyTy Washington who has stepped up his game since the opening loss to Duke that saw him struggle.
Look for Washington to continue his emergence as Calipari has had to teach fewer in games thanks to players like Wheeler doing that on the court and in the huddles. Collins also looks like a force that teams in the SEC will have to prepare for.
Let me take Kentucky 89, Central Michigan 54
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 second time in less than a week, and the second in four years Big Blue Nation 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 last week against Albany was the same situation and is only available through an online streaming broadcast. Never fear we have gone through this before during football season remember how we had to do this against Chattanooga.
Kentucky versus Central Michigan 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 will take the next eight days off and won’t return to the court until December 7 when the home game stretch comes to an end facing Southern University. Here’s a look at their schedule for the next five games.
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
December 22 Louisville 6 PM ESPN
December 29 Missouri 7 PM SEC Network