KenPom, BartTorvik predictions for Kentucky’s next three games

With the upset over Tennessee and a dominant second half vs. Georgia, Kentucky lastly has some momentum rolling and it couldn’t come at a extra excellent time. The Cats’ subsequent alternative for a Quad 1 win is every week from Saturday vs. No. 2 Kansas. If Kentucky takes care of enterprise earlier than then, it units up among the best atmospheres in Rupp Area in latest reminiscence. I get chills simply fascinated with it. However, there are two video games earlier than that, neither of them straightforward.

On Saturday, Kentucky hosts a Texas A&M workforce driving a seven-game successful streak, and on Tuesday, the Cats journey to Nashville to play Vanderbilt within the always-weird Memorial Health club. We’ll have loads to say about every opponent and matchup within the coming days, however what are the pc fashions predicting?

First, a have a look at the place the Cats stand. Proper now, Kentucky is No. 40 within the NET, the NCAA’s rating system/sorting software; No. 33 in KenPom; and No. 73 in BartTorvik, one other ranking system. The Cats are nonetheless on the surface of the AP and Coaches High 25s.

Now, let’s see what KenPom and BartTorvik are saying concerning the subsequent three video games.

Texas A&M Aggies

Sat., Jan. 21, 2:00 p.m. ET, Rupp Area (Lexington, KY), ESPN

The Aggies are driving a seven-game successful streak and are second within the SEC standings behind Alabama. Buzz Williams’ squad has overwhelmed Florida twice, LSU, Missouri, and South Carolina. The wins over Missouri and South Carolina, groups that each beat Kentucky, have been by a mean of 24.5 factors. The Aggies are High 50 in offensive effectivity however battle in opposition to three-point capturing groups. 4 of the 5 groups which have overwhelmed A&M this season (Murray State, Colorado, Boise State, Wofford) have outshot them from the three-point line. Saturday can be a great time for CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves to get scorching from the surface.

KenPom: Kentucky 73, Texas A&M 68 (66% probability of successful)

Torvik: Kentucky 71, Texas A&M 70 (53% probability of successful)

Vanderbilt Commodores

Tue., Jan. 24, 9 p.m. ET, Memorial Health club (Nashville, TN), SEC Community

The Commodores are 2-3 within the SEC up to now, shedding at Missouri (85-82), at Tennessee (77-68), and to No. 4 Alabama (78-66) Tuesday night time in Nashville. They began SEC play with an additional time win over South Carolina and final weekend, upset then-No. 15 Arkansas 97-84. Vanderbilt scored 63 factors on the Razorbacks within the second half, which is type of nuts.

That mentioned, they have been dealt some dangerous information this week. Vanderbilt’s main scorer and rebounder Liam Robbins is out 4-6 weeks with an ankle sprain. That ought to make subsequent Tuesday simpler, however Kentucky is just 1-3 in true highway video games this 12 months and unusual issues can occur in Memorial Health club.

KenPom: Kentucky 72, Vanderbilt 70 (57% probability of successful)

Torvik: Vanderbilt 72, Kentucky 71 (44% probability of successful)

Kansas Jayhawks

Sat., Jan. 28, 8:00 p.m. ET, Rupp Area (Lexington, KY), ESPN

Kansas’ additional time loss at No. 13 Kansas State preceded Kentucky vs. Georgia on ESPN Tuesday night time, giving the BBN an opportunity to take a look at the defending nationwide champs. It was solely the Jayhawks’ second lack of the 12 months, the primary coming to Tennessee within the closing of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Ochai Agbaji, David McCormack, Remy Martin, and Mitch Lightfoot are gone from final 12 months’s workforce that misplaced to Kentucky by 18 in The Phog and rebounded to win the title. Freshman guard Gradey Dick is second on the workforce in scoring (14.7 PPG) behind junior ahead Jalen Wilson (20.8 PPG). Senior guard Kevin McCullar Jr. transferred in from Texas Tech and is averaging 10.2 factors and seven.2 rebounds per recreation.

The Jayhawks are powerful, successful 4 of their final six video games by 4 or fewer factors. They’re additionally actually good on the highway, going 3-1 in true highway video games and 3-1 at impartial websites. Earlier than coming to Rupp, Kansas takes on two extra ranked groups, internet hosting No. 14 TCU on Saturday and enjoying at No. 21 Baylor on Monday. A win over the Jayhawks can be huge in some ways. It might add one other essential Quad 1 victory to Kentucky’s resume, create a landslide of momentum heading into the meat of the convention schedule, and sure convey even essentially the most skeptical followers again on board as we glance towards March. Rupp higher be rocking.

KenPom: Kansas 73, Kentucky 70 (42% probability of successful)

Torvik: Kansas 73, Kentucky 69 (32% probability of successful)