The Kentucky Wildcats (18-8, 7-6 SEC) will be looking to get revenge on the Alabama Crimson Tide (21-5, 10-3 SEC) for the 102-97 defeat last month in Rupp Arena.
Find out who wins in our Kentucky vs. Alabama prediction. Can Alabama bounce back from a two-game losing streak? Can Kentucky overcome injuries to key starters?
Kentucky vs. Alabama Betting Preview
All Kentucky vs. Alabama odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
- Spread
Alabama -8.5 - Moneyline
Alabama -395, Kentucky +310 - Over/Under
178.5 Points - Game Time
Saturday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m. ET - Location
Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Ala. - How to Watch
ESPN
The last time Alabama was at home they hosted the top-ranked Auburn, coming up short in a 94-85 loss. Entering Saturday, the Crimson Tide are 10-2 at home, while Kentucky has been struggled on the road with a 2-5 record this season.
Both teams are near .500 this month, as the Wildcats have split six games, while the Roll Tide are 3-2.
Kentucky is out of the SEC regular season title with a 7-6 conference record, while Alabama could keep within striking distance of Auburn.
Prediction for Kentucky vs. Alabama
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they will most likely be without their starting guards Jaxon Robinson (13.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) and Lamont Butler (12.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 rebounds) in Tuscaloosa.
Robinson has missed the last three games with a wrist injury, while Butler has missed the last two games after aggravating the injury against Tennessee earlier this month.
As for the Tide, they are currently on a two-game losing streak with defeats to Auburn and Missouri. In those games, the Roll Tide averaged 91.5 points but an average of 102 points.
Those two games have been part of the consistent trend this season for Alabama — scoring at will but no resistance on the defensive end. It’s a matchup that features two teams who are virtually identical.
However, Kentucky is a diminished unit, with two of its top three scorers unlikely to suit up. The Wildcats possess more depth when fully healthy, but that has been challenged the last few weeks.
Three-point shooting will be a monumental factor in this one, as Alabama attempts 29.6 shots beyond the arc per game (shooting 34.6% from deep), while Kentucky attempts 26.4 from downtown per game (shooting 38% from deep).
The Crimson Tide will go as far as Mark Sears takes them. The fifth-year guard is coming off a 35-point performance on the road against Missouri.
KEEP READING: SEC Tournament Projections
Sears will have to continue this type of production with Alabama taking on a Kentucky team — even without two of its best players — who can match Alabama’s scoring output.
In terms of betting, take the over without hesitation and expect the short-handed Wildcats to cover the spread. This will be a classic shootout, but ultimately, injuries to key players are too much for Kentucky to overcome in a valiant effort.
Prediction: Alabama 94, Kentucky 89
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