The two truest blue-blood basketball teams step on the court today in Lawrence, Kansas for a battle of the ages with No. 5 Kansas ready to ball with the No. 12 ranked Kentucky basketball team.
Each team is stepping out of conference play today for the Big 12/SEC Challenge and the spotlight of ESPN GameDay returning to arenas for this matchup. The top broadcast team of Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, and Holly Rowe will call the game.
It’s a matchup of the two winningest programs separated by just three games. Kentucky’s lead shrunk after last season and now has 2,343 all-time wins while Kansas sits at 2,340.
Kentucky basketball vs Kansas a battle of the all-time winningest teams
Kentucky has won eight NCAA championships and Kansas has three. Even the Final Four appearance record is tight with Kentucky having been to 17 Final Fours while Kansas has appeared in 15.
Kentucky and Kansas.
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 29, 2022
Saturday, the two all-time winningest programs in men's college basketball meet again. pic.twitter.com/CbBMkBv7KF
Despite the importance and excitement, the real question is how many players will Kentucky have available to suit up to play. TyTy Washington has been sidelined with an ankle injury, Damion Collins and Jacob Toppin along with Washington didn’t practice on Thursday. Sahvir Wheeler has been knocked out games against LSU and Auburn by hard screens but is healthy.
It broke by KSR’s Jack Pilgram about Noon that Washington is dressed to practice and will try to play. We have to wait and see.
The wounded warrior Wildcats fought to the end on Tuesday night pulling out an 82-74 victory over Mississippi State.
"“We have to do our stuff better than they do their stuff because it’s really similar. They take 20 threes a game. They shoot them at a high percentage, especially a couple of the guys that they know to get them off. They do a great job. Bill’s always done a great job of creating post areas for people to score so that they get easy baskets. They play really fast. They’re running dribble drive. This is the ultimate challenge going to Allen Fieldhouse. They’re a top-five team.”"
Lawrance and its crazed fans will be rocking the historic Allen Fieldhouse tonight. Legendary UK coach Adolph Rupp played at Kansas under “Phog” Allen, the namesake of the venue.
Calipari also has also seen a few games there as well when he was an assistant for the Jayhawks under Ted Owens and Larry Brown from 1982-85.
He was on the sidelines the last UK won 72-53 in Lawrance but as an assistant on the Kansas staff. On December 10, 1983. Joe B. Hall was the UK coach and won with the twin towers of Sam Bowie and Melvin Turpin, Kenny Walker, Jim Master, and Dickey Beal.
Today’s team will need all its parts just like that team did. Oscar Tshiebwe coming off his 21 points and 22 rebound performance against Miss St, will need that again today. He should be able to dominate the paint. If he gets in David McCormack’s head and limits him that limits KU forcing points to come from the wing where Keion Brooks, Toppin, and company can present challenges.
Kellan Grady nailed the pair of 3-pointers in overtime to seal the Cats win. He will need to play big today and his experience should help. Davion Mintz will likely see a lot of minutes as well depending on Washington’s status.
If ever there was a game they needed Toppin this is the one. His high octane energy and ability to guard any player on the floor would be a game-changer.
Wheeler needs to be disruptive without committing fouls and do what Cal wants him to do and lead the Cats. Make steals, stall the opponent’s offense and make good things happen.
No team has been able to or can shutdown Kansas stud Ochai Agbaji, who might win the Wooden Award as the best player in college basketball.
Kentucky basketball vs Kansas Odds and Betting
WynnBet’s College Basketball Odds has Kentucky as a 5.5 point underdog. The over/under has been set at 152.5 points and the Moneyline has Kentucky +190 while Kansas is -240. The point totals are Kansas with 79 points and Kentucky scoring 73..5 points
Kansas is projected by most as a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed while a win would boost UK into a No. 2 for now. Lots for better to think about.
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Kentucky vs Kansas Prediction Today
The last time these two schools met was last season in the Champions Classic in Indianapolis where the Jayhawks won 65-62.
Kentucky holds a 23-10 lead all-time in the series but has lost four of the past five matchups with the lone one in 2019 in which UK won 71-63 in Rupp in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. They have played 11 of the games on neutral floors.
For UK historians Kansas was the opponent back in 1976 when Rupp Arena was dedicated which the Cats won 90-63.
The Jayhawks have won four straight home games against Kentucky. The last battle at The Phog occurred during the 2016 Big 12/SEC Challenge, with Kansas taking a 90-84 overtime victory.
Deciding who to pick is tough. If Kentucky’s roster is depleted and can’t play it will be a long day. If they are available and can compete UK has a shot to win. For now, with the unknown, I have to be realistic and assume everyone is not healthy.
Let’s hope for a full Kentucky roster and 40 minutes of down to the wire excellent basketball where the refs keep their whistles from tweeting.
Hopefully, my pick is wrong.
My Prediction: Kansas 70, Kentucky 64
What Channel is the Kentucky Basketball Game On
Today’s game will be on ESPN. Tipoff is set for 6 pm EST.
Kentucky versus Kansas Live Stream
Today’s Kentucky game can be streamed live on ESPN.
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 Upcoming Schedule
Kentucky steps out of conference play to tangle with Kansas in the Big 12/SEC Challenge today and then it’s back to the SEC grind for 10 more regular-season games starting on Wednesday hosting Vanderbilt. Here’s a look at their schedule for the next five games.
February 2 Vanderbilt 7 PM SEC Network
February 5 @Alabama 8 PM ESPN
February 8 @South Carolina 7 PM
February 12 Florida 4 PM
February 15 @Tennessee 9 PM