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Kentucky basketball vs. South Carolina live stream: Odds, channel, prediction

By Mike Phillips

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 09: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots gives instructions to his team against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena on February 09, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 09: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots gives instructions to his team against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena on February 09, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Kentucky basketball is set for its final regular-season matchup against South Carolina.

The college basketball season certainly feels different with Kentucky nowhere near the NCAA Tournament bubble. Expectations were high for the Wildcats entering the season with some predicting they would end up as a top seed in March Madness, but a disastrous performance in the non-conference slate has left Kentucky in a bad position.

John Calipari’s team has been unable to sustain success, failing to maintain more than a three-game winning streak all year long. That performance, combined with an underwhelming effort in SEC play, leaves Kentucky at 8-15 entering their regular-season finale.

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Simply put, there is no path to the dance for the Wildcats short of winning the SEC Tournament. The hope had been that Kentucky could build some momentum ahead of the event in their final SEC games but a two-game skid has tossed some cold water on that notion, meaning a win today would at least get the Wildcats back on the right track.

The good news for Calipari’s team is that they have a winnable home game today against a team that has been worse than them in South Carolina. The Gamecocks are just 6-13 on the season and 4-11 in SEC play, including losses in seven of their past eight games.

Most of those defeats have been non-competitive as well, with South Carolina’s last four losses coming by double digits, including a 101-73 demolition by Arkansas earlier this week. With very little to play for here, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Gamecocks mail this one in ahead of the SEC Tournament.

How to bet and watch South Carolina at Kentucky

    • Date: Saturday, March 6
    • Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
    • Location: Lexington, KY
    • Venue: Rupp Arena
    • TV: ESPN
    • Live Stream: WatchESPN
    • Line: Kentucky -8 (OddsShark)
    • Prediction: Kentucky 75, South Carolina 62

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