Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky Wildcats vs Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 01/03/26

Coleman ColiseumESPN
Kentucky
9-4
Kentucky
Today
Alabama
10-3
Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide
Google News

Kentucky vs Alabama Pickswise Expert Predictions

Point Spread Pick
Alabama -4.5(-120)

SEC play commences in a big way on Saturday when the Kentucky Wildcats head to Tuscaloosa to play the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Wildcats have been all over the place this season with a 9-4 SU record, but they have won 4 straight following their pitiful showing against Gonzaga – including wins over Indiana and St. John’s. UK has battled injuries all year, and while Mark Pope’s staff continues to monitor G Jaland Lowe’s nagging shoulder injury, the Wildcats are starting to look like a complete team with Mohamed Dioubate and Jayden Quaintance officially in the rotation.

Alabama is 10-3 SU, having won 3 in a row and 7 of its last 8. The Crimson Tide’s losses have all come against top-10 teams per KenPom’s metrics – Purdue, Gonzaga, and Arizona – while their best wins came against St. John’s, Illinois and Clemson. They beat Kentucky 3 times last season, scoring 96 points in each game in the process and covering every spread. 

Kentucky hasn’t played in a true road game since its 96-88 loss at Louisville on November 11, which is concerning heading to one of the better home-court environments in the SEC. Also concerning is the fact that the Wildcats haven’t played any game since before the holiday break; don’t be surprised to see UK start slow because of that. Alabama was able to get back into groove on Monday with a 102-78 win over Yale, so the Tide should be ready to go at Coleman Coliseum on Saturday afternoon, where they are top-25 nationally in scoring and turn the ball over just 9 times per game. 

The Wildcats’ defense will certainly improve now that Quaintance is part of the rotation, but I still don’t see that being enough to limit the Tide at home. Bama’s offense can be unstoppable when it’s hitting perimeter shots, with its 2nd-ranked efficiency (KenPom) and abundance of reliable three-point shooters. Furthermore, Labaron Philon, who missed the Yale game, is expected to return to action for Alabama. I certainly wouldn’t talk you off a 1-unit play on the Tide ATS. 

Kentucky vs. Alabama prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide -4.5 (-120) at the time of publishing. Playable to -5.5.

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Sam Avellone

Long-time suffering Browns fan born and raised in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area who now resides in SEC country. University of South Carolina alum. Sports handicapper for close to 10 years with a primary focus on NCAAB while enjoying NFL, PGA, NCAAF, NBA, and Soccer. For Sam Avellone media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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