Kentucky and Vanderbilt are almost ready to tip off, and both the Dores and the Cats are heading into this one a little banged up. But despite Kentucky riding a 5-game heater, the experts are all leaning one way in this SEC showdown.
The Cats are winners of five straight, but the analytics community doesn't see a sixth win coming easy tonight on the road in Nashville.
The Numbers hate the Cats tonight
For starters, our friends over at FanDuel have Kentucky as +6.5 underdogs. That is a significant number for a team playing this well, but the trend continues across every major prediction model.
Here is how the experts see it playing out:
- TeamRankings: Has Vanderbilt winning with a 3/5 confidence rating.
- ESPN BPI: Favors the Dores heavily, giving them a 67.3% chance of winning.
- KenPom: Projects the Cats losing on the road, 83-76.
- EvanMiya: Says the Commodores win a close one, 83-78.
- Bart Torvik: Has Vanderbilt winning in much easier fashion, 85-73.
- HaslemMetrics: Predicts an 81-74 Commodores win.
The Cats are getting swept across the board by the major analytical players.
WBN prediction
As for me? I hate to agree with the computers, but Memorial Gymnasium is a hard gym to play in when you struggle with communication. The Cats have battled that bug all year long, and with a funky lay out it may be too much for them.
I think Kentucky goes on the road and battles, but "Memorial Magic" strikes again—this time in favor of Vanderbilt. I see the Commodores running away late as the Cats struggle with turnovers against that pressure of playing in Memorial.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 79, Kentucky 66.
If that holds true, the pressure ramps up immediately. There is a big one in Arkansas looming this weekend. As for how you can watch the game?
How to watch Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt
- Time: 9:00 PM ET
- Location: Memorial Coliseum in Nashville, TN
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming options: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV
- Radio options: Stream live at UKAthletics.com or on iHeartRadio via WLAP 630.
- Local FM/AM Stations:
- Lexington: 98.1 FM / 630 WLAP
- Louisville: 840 AM WHAS
- London: 103.9 FM WWEL
- Hazard/Pikeville: 101.1 WSGS
- Madisonville: 93.9 FM WKTG
Series history favors the Cats
Kentucky comes into Nashville losing the last road meeting 74-69. Before last year, though, Kentucky had rattled off 8 straight wins at Memorial. Overall, Kentucky is 158-50 against the Commodores.
Who wins tonight?