While it will be tough to duplicate the jubilant 107-79 drubbing of Tennessee on Saturday, the Kentucky basketball team has moved on and now embarks on a rough road to haul as the crux of the Southeastern Conference awaits starting Wednesday at Texas A&M.
All of Big Blue Nation would love to watch the UK team that shot 70 percent from the field and was over 80 percent at times. The shots falling from inside and behind the 3-point arc and fast-break points were as dominating and complete performance from a John Calipari team as we have seen.
While it was nice we have to be realistic and just hope this team has now found its identity, chemistry, and confidence to dominate teams in a complete game fashion the remainder of the season. If they do then a deep NCAA Tournament run is very realistic.
Reed Arena in College Station is no easy place to play and the surprising Aggies (15-2, 4-0) are undefeated at home this season sitting and coach Buzz Petersen will have his time ready for the Cats.
Kentucky basketball heads to College Station to face surprise Texas A&M squad
Past Cats to feast on the Aggies have included Immanuel Quickly, Tyler Ulis, and Nerlens Noel. Ulis and Quickly each dropped 30 points back in 2016, Quickly pumped in 11 baskets with 8 coming from 3-point range, Ulis handed out 11 assists and Noel blocked 7 shots in one game and grabbed 14 rebounds in the other in 2013.
Will some of those records be broken on Wednesday? I’d say that is a real possibility.
No. 12 Kentucky (14-3, 4-1) leads the all-time series with the Aggies 11-4, and since joining the SEC in 2013 Texas A&M has dropped 8 of the 10 games between the schools. In the current stretch both UK losses have come in College Station with a 79-77 overtime loss in 2016 and an 85-74 defeat in 2018.
However, this is a different A&M team that has been one of the Cinderella stories of the league so far. The preseason media poll had Kentucky in first place and the Aggies No. 12 just ahead of Vanderbilt and Georgia.
Kentucky associate head coach Bruiser Flint knows what has led to the Aggies success.
"“Really good guard play,” Flint said. “One of the things they’ve done is they’ve won a lot of close games. They have guys who can make plays when they need them. They get after you defensively, they put a lot of pressure on you offensively. It’s one of the more balanced teams in the league. It’s going to be tough down there. This is going to be a challenge.”"
So how does game look to odds makers and ourselves, and how can you watch and listen?
Kentucky basketball vs Texas A&M Odds and Betting
WynnBet’s College Basketball Odds has Kentucky as a 7.5 point favorite. The over/under has been set at 144.0 points and the Moneyline is Kentucky -340 while Texas A&M is +260. The point totals are Kentucky scoring 75.5 points and the Aggies 68.5.
Kentucky has covered the spread 11 times in 17 this season, and has hit the over eight times.
The Aggies are 7-8-1 against the spread this year, and have exceeded the over 10 times.
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Kentucky vs Texas A&M Prediction Today
The Aggies come into the game winning their past eight games and having only losses to Wisconsin and TCU, both on neutral floors.
They are a guard heavy team with five of the top seven players play the position.
It is a team that averages 76.0 points due to 47 percent field goal percent shooting due in part from 37 percent from long range. They play tight defense at the other end, as they have held opponents to 41-percent shooting while also grabbing 10.8 steals.
Quenton Jackson fuels the Aggies by averaging 12.9 points on 47-percent field goal shooting including 39 percent of his 3-point attempts connecting. He also adds 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
Kentucky will need to play well at both ends facing an A&M squad that averages 76 points while defensively holding opponents to 40.8 percent shooting while swiping 10.8 steals per game.
The Cats are averaging 84 points a game thanks to Saturday and are even stingier on defense allowing opponents to shoot just 39.9 percent and tally 63.1 points.
Oscar Tshiebwe is averaging 16.5 points and 14.9 rebounds a game and has snatched 12 or more rebounds in 7 of the last 8 games. Sahvir Wheeler drops in10.3 points and 7.3 assists per game; TyTy Washington, who earned SEC Freshman of the Week for the fourth straight week adds 14.5 points, 4.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds a game; Kellan Grady (11.8) and Keion Brooks (10.3) round out the double figure scorers while Davion Mintz is right behind at 9.1 points.
My prediction is Kentucky 78, Texas A&M 72.
What Channel is the Kentucky Basketball Game On
Today’s game will be on the SEC Network.
Kentucky versus Texas A&M Live Stream
Today’s Kentucky game can be streamed live on SEC Sports.
Tipoff is set for 8:30 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 heads to face No. 2 Auburn on Saturday for a marque match-up and another statement game for the Cats. Here’s a look at their schedule for the next four games.
January 22 @ No. 2 Auburn 1 PM CBS
January 25 Mississippi State 9 PM SEC Network
January 29 @ No. 7 Kansas 6 PM ESPN
February 2 Vanderbilt 7 PM SEC Network