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How to watch Kentucky Wildcats (15-5, 5-3 in SEC) at West Virginia Mountaineers (16-4, 5-3 in Big 12)
Game Time: 7:00 pm EST on January 27th
Location: WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, WV
TV : ESPN
Online Stream: You can stream the game online or on a mobile device using WatchESPN.
Replay: UK Basketball Live and WatchESPN
Odds: West Virginia opened as a 9-point favorite. The line has fluctuated from 8-10 points. KenPom projected the Mountaineers to be 8-point favorites.
Prediction: According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, West Virginia has an 81.4% chance of victory, marking Kentucky as heavy underdogs on the road. KenPom projects a 79-71 win for the home team and gives Kentucky a 23-percent chance of winning in Morgantown.
Kentucky will travel to West Virginia for a primetime matchup for what is undoubtedly their toughest test of the season.
Prior to Tuesday, the Wildcats had dropped two straight to unranked teams South Carolina and Florida.
However, Tuesday saw the Cats claim victory over Mississippi State to avoid head coach John Calipari’s first 3-game losing skid in his entire Kentucky tenure.
Everyone who watches college basketball knows not only is West Virginia a tough place to pull out a win, but so is getting the ball past half court against head coach Bob Huggins.
This Kentucky team is certainly prone to careless turnovers and Saturday night will have to be their most efficient of the season to have any chance at a victory.
Their defense will also have to be sound, as the Mountaineers are averaging over 81 points per game.
I look for Kentucky to play hard in this game. That sounds pretty dull, but it means more than what it seems. Tuesday night Rupp Arena had a fight-vibe to it. Every possession, you felt 3-4 Wildcats wanted it more.
If that feeling can become contagious and have everyone involved Saturday night, there’s a chance of an upset.
Kentucky will also have to make shots (and free throws) in order to win this game. Tuesday night Kevin Knox caught fire from deep (4-4) and PJ Washington capitalized on his aggressiveness, shooting 10-14 from the FT line.
It won’t be easy, and could even become a route against Kentucky. But the one positive aspect about these Calipari basketball teams is they always seem to play up to their more elite competition. Saturday should be nothing different.