On the heels of three consecutive Quad 1 victories, Kentucky is on course because the postseason nears with the Wildcats (19-9, 10-5 SEC) on the cusp of 20 victories and Auburn coming to city Saturday for an SEC conflict. The Tigers (19-9, 9-6) are additionally on the precipice of 20 wins however making an attempt to emerge from a funk of six losses over their final 9 video games.
Successful at Rupp Enviornment will likely be a tall order for the Tigers, who final gained a street recreation on Jan. 21 in opposition to South Carolina. Auburn is 0-4 away from residence since then however nonetheless presents a problem for the Wildcats, who’re 8-2 over their final 10 SEC video games.
The matchup to observe on this recreation will likely be Auburn middle Johni Broome in opposition to Kentucky middle Oscar Tshiebwe. Broome leads the Tigers in scoring and blocks 2.5 photographs per recreation, which is third within the SEC. Broome’s two-way manufacturing has been important for the Tigers this season amid poor outdoors capturing and the loss off entrance courtroom stars Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler from final season.
The important thing to UK’s current surge is guard Antonio Reeves, who’s averaging 15.1 factors during the last 14 video games whereas taking up an elevated workload. But it surely’s solely inside the final 4 video games that Reeves has entered the beginning lineup amid accidents to Sahvir Wheeler and CJ Fredrick. With out these two rotation gamers, the Wildcats are lean on depth however nonetheless lengthy on expertise. 5-star freshman wing Chris Livingston is the reigning SEC Freshman of the Week and has begun discovering an offensive rhythm this month.
watch Kentucky vs. Auburn reside
Date: Saturday, Feb. 25 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Rupp Enviornment — Lexington, Kentucky
TV: CBS | Stay stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App (Free)
Kentucky vs. Auburn prediction, picks
Newest Odds:
Kentucky Wildcats
-5
Auburn’s solely SEC street victories are in opposition to Ole Miss, LSU and South Carolina, who’re the league’s three worst groups. The Tigers have misplaced their final 4 on the street, and that is the flawed time to be taking part in at Kentucky. The Wildcats have salvaged their beforehand sputtering season and may come nearer to assuring themselves of a bye to the quarterfinals of the SEC Match with a win right here. Prediction: Kentucky -4
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