Kentucky basketball looks to keep Kansas in freefall: Predictions, odds, how to watch

Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe. (Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports)
Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe. (Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Kentucky basketball is on a hot streak at the right time, facing Kansas on a three-game losing streak. Both sides will look to make a statement on Saturday.

The two winningest programs in college basketball history will square off on Saturday in a vibe check for both programs.

Kentucky has won four games in a row. With a fifth, they’d have their longest win streak of the season and a statement victory over the No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks.

Kansas has lost three games in a row, a rare losing streak that Bill Self and company will be eager to end. The head coach has only ever lost three in a row just four times in 20 years. He has never lost four games in a row with the Jayhawks.

This is also the final SEC/Big-12 Challenge with the teams locked at 2-2 in the series, though UK holds an all-time 24-10 advantage.

So there’s plenty on the line. Who has the edge?

Kentucky vs. Kansas odds

Kansas opened as a 1.5-point favorite over the Wildcats, despite their home-court advantage. However, by Friday night Kentucky had gained an edge with the spread at 2.5 points in their favor on FanDuel.

The over/under for the game was at 140.5 on Friday evening.

Kentucky vs. Kansas prediction

The issue for UK is stopping Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick, the dynamic duo that has powered the Jayhawks all season.

Wilson leads KU with 21.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Dick is coming off a 24-point effort against Baylor and is shooting 43.7 percent from beyond the arc this season.

Of course, Kansas will also have their hands full trying to slow down Oscar Tshiebwe, who is averaging 16.6 points and 13.9 rebounds this season. His 37 points against Georgia on Jan. 18 were a career-high. He also had 24 rebounds in that game, which astonishingly wasn’t a career-high.

So who will come out on top in this one?

It’ll be a tight battle but Rupp Arena will be rocking and Kentucky will hand Kansas their fourth consecutive loss.

How to watch Kentucky vs. Kansas

Date: Saturday, Jan. 28
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Rupp Arena
TV Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN | FuboTV

How to listen to the radio broadcast for Kentucky vs. Kansas

Fans in Kentucky can tune into the UK Sports Network with Tom Leach on the call.

For hoping to hear a friendly voice on the Kansas side of things, check out the Jayhawk Sports Network.

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