Kentucky
Ole Miss basketball vs Kentucky: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds
OXFORD — Ole Miss basketball will try to slow down another elite offense.
No. 23 Ole Miss hosts No. 12 Kentucky on Tuesday at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion (6 p.m. CT, ESPN).
The Rebels (16-6, 5-4 SEC) have an impressive road victory against No. 4 Alabama. Kentucky (15-6, 4-4) profiles similarly. The Wildcats have the No. 2 scoring offense (87.2 points a game) in the SEC, behind Alabama. Even if starting point guard Lamont Butler, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, can’t play, Kentucky still has five players averaging at least 10 points.
Here are three things to look for during the game:
Amari Williams brings a Johni Broome-like presence for Kentucky
The Rebels struggled to stop No. 1 Auburn’s star center, Johni Broome, in their most recent game. Kentucky center Amari Williams brings a similar presence.
Williams, a 7-foot senior transfer from Drexel, averages 9.0 rebounds per game, second in the SEC to Broome. He is a big reason why the Wildcats are No. 4 in the SEC in rebounding as a team.
The Rebels allowed Broome to score 20 points and get 12 rebounds. Although Williams (10.3 points per game) is not the elite scorer Broome is, they must box him out consistently. Ole Miss is No. 15 in the SEC in rebounding; that is a weak point Williams could exploit.
Ole Miss must stick tight to Koby Brea on defense
Senior Kentucky guard Koby Brea can hurt defenses in an instant.
Brea has started just three games this season, but when he comes off the bench, teams must be aware of his location at all times. He is shooting 46% (56 made) on 3-pointers, second-best in the SEC.
The senior transfer from Dayton has made at least one 3-pointer in each game this season.
Missouri sharpshooter Caleb Grill, the only player in the SEC who shoots 3-pointers at a higher percentage, hurt Ole Miss this season. He scored 22 points and made five 3-pointers against the Rebels.
Will Sean Pedulla stay on fire shooting the basketball?
Part of the reason Ole Miss was able to keep the score close against Auburn was because of senior point guard Sean Pedulla. He scored a season-high 29 points on 10-for-16 shooting, and as usual, he was a marksman from the 3-point line. He shot 3-for-6 from deep while also creating midrange looks and getting out in transition for layups.
Pedulla has scored at least 15 points in each of the Rebels’ past five games.
Ole Miss vs Kentucky prediction, picks
Ole Miss 76, Kentucky 78: Ole Miss is coming off a close loss against No. 1 Auburn. Kentucky is coming off an emotional home loss to John Calipari and Arkansas. The Rebels’ elite defense should keep Kentucky’s offense below its scoring average, so this will be all about Ole Miss’ offense doing enough to have a chance late.
Ole Miss vs Kentucky odds
Lines from BetMGM. have not been posted yet
Ole Miss vs Kentucky injury updates
Ole Miss should be at full strength. Senior guard Matthew Murrell has been banged-up all season but played through nagging injuries against Auburn.
Kentucky point guard Lamont Butler’s status is important to monitor. Butler, who has a shoulder injury, did not play Saturday against Arkansas, and his status is in doubt for the game against Ole Miss.
How to watch Ole Miss vs Kentucky: Time, TV channel, live stream
Ole Miss and Kentucky tip off at 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Feb. 4. ESPN will broadcast the game. Streaming is available via Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_