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After a jump from 18th to 12th in the latest Associated Press poll, the Kentucky Wildcats will put their credibility to the test in Tuesday’s road test against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Kentucky (12-3) has started SEC play with two wins to one loss, while Georgia (9-6) has done the opposite of one win and two losses.
While the Bulldogs have faced two ranked teams (Auburn and Tennessee) since their SEC slate began, the Wildcats haven’t faced near that level of talent. In just the third true road game of Kentucky’s season, achieving victory will most likely be easier said than done.
Analysis
Kentucky is 1-1 on the road so far this season, winning at Louisville and losing at Alabama. They’re also 1-2 in neutral site games, defeating North Carolina but losing to both Duke and Seton Hall. That leaves a perfect 10-0 record at Rupp Arena, but Tuesday night’s game will be far from West High Street in Lexington, KY.
Kentucky’s lack of rebounding was becoming a serious area in need of attention before Saturday’s game against the Vanderbilt Commodores. However, behind 12 boards from Reid Travis and eight from PJ Washington, the Wildcats rediscovered their rebounding niche by winning the glass via a 38-21 margin.
The Bulldogs will likely be tough to move around in the paint, ranking 51st in the country for rebounding margin. While offensive production from Travis & Washington has recently dipped, their presence controlling the glass will be significant at both ends of the floor.
Over the last month, Ashton Hagans has blossomed as the team’s point guard. While shooting guard Tyler Herro has also had his moments scoring the rock and playing excellent off-ball defense, it’s been Immanuel Quickley’s scoring as the team’s sixth man that has been a difference maker since SEC play began.
In a tough road environment, Quickley’s scoring will be priority off the bench.
UK vs. UGA Stats to Know
| Kentucky Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| Points/Game | 80.9 (#25) | Opp Points/Game | 68.7 (#98) |
| Assists/Game | 14.3 (#97) | Opp Assists/Game | 11.7 (#68) |
| Total Rebounds/c | 38.1 (#63) | Opp Total Rebounds/Game | 28.2 (#1) |
| Assists/FGM | 0.511 (#203) | Opp Assists/FGM | 0.469 (#64) |
| Assists/Turnover | 1.034 (#137) | Opp Assists/Turnover | 0.774 (#48) |
| Effective FG % | 54.5% (#48) | Opp Effective FG % | 49.7% (#145) |
| Free Throw % | 75.2% (#40) | Opp Free Throw % | 69.7% (#169) |
| Three Point % | 34.6% (#155) | Opp Three Point % | 38.0% (#317) |
| Two Point % | 55.7% (#39) | Opp Two Point % | 45.3% (#29) |
| Shooting % | 49.1% (#18) | Opp Shooting % | 42.5% (#99) |
| Shooting Efficiency | 1.169 (#25) | Opp Shooting Efficiency | 1.051 (#120) |
| 3PM/Game | 6.1 (#305) | Opp 3PM/Game | 8.4 (#256) |
| 3PA/Game | 17.7 (#326) | Opp 3PA/Game | 22.1 (#162) |
| FTM/Game | 18.6 (#4) | Opp FTM/Game | 10.6 (#26) |
| FTA/Game | 24.7 (#24) | Opp FTA/Game | 15.2 (#19) |
| Off Rebounds/Game | 10.2 (#60) | Opp Off Rebounds/Game | 7.6 (#88) |
| Def Rebounds/Game | 25.2 (#67) | Opp Def Rebounds/Game | 18.7 (#2) |
| Off Rebound % | 35.3% (#16) | Opp Off Rebound % | 23.2% (#52) |
| Def Rebound % | 76.8% (#52) | Opp Def Rebound % | 64.7% (#16) |
| Blocks/Game | 5.5 (#14) | Opp Blocks/Game | 2.6 (#55) |
| Block % | 9.4% (#11) | Opp Block % | 4.6% (#55) |
| Steals/Game | 6.7 (#115) | Opp Steals/Game | 5.6 (#89) |
| Steals/Play | 8.4% (#115) | Opp Steals/Play | 6.7% (#66) |
| Turnovers/Game | 13.9 (#201) | Opp Turnovers/Game | 15.1 (#63) |
| Turnovers/Play | 16.7% (#187) | Opp Turnovers/Play | 18.7% (#59) |
| Georgia Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| Points/Game | 77.3 (#74) | Opp Points/Game | 73.2 (#192) |
| Assists/Game | 14.6 (#87) | Opp Assists/Game | 12.1 (#96) |
| Total Rebounds/Game | 41.6 (#9) | Opp Total Rebounds/Game | 36.2 (#217) |
| Assists/FGM | 0.550 (#94) | Opp Assists/FGM | 0.460 (#52) |
| Assists/Turnover | 0.905 (#224) | Opp Assists/Turnover | 1.034 (#214) |
| Effective FG % | 52.6% (#109) | Opp Effective FG % | 45.2% (#21) |
| Free Throw % | 72.5% (#97) | Opp Free Throw % | 69.5% (#157) |
| Three Point % | 33.1% (#214) | Opp Three Point % | 30.8% (#51) |
| Two Point % | 54.2% (#78) | Opp Two Point % | 44.5% (#21) |
| Shooting % | 46.5% (#73) | Opp Shooting % | 39.4% (#22) |
| Shooting Efficiency | 1.115 (#101) | Opp Shooting Efficiency | 0.981 (#24) |
| 3PM/Game | 6.9 (#244) | Opp 3PM/Game | 7.7 (#184) |
| 3PA/Game | 20.7 (#238) | Opp 3PA/Game | 24.9 (#287) |
| Off Rebounds/Game | 9.4 (#98) | Opp Off Rebounds/Game | 10.3 (#313) |
| Def Rebounds/Game | 28.2 (#10) | Opp Def Rebounds/Game | 21.7 (#63) |
| Off Rebound % | 30.2% (#71) | Opp Off Rebound % | 26.7% (#184) |
| Def Rebound % | 73.3% (#184) | Opp Def Rebound % | 69.8% (#71) |
| Blocks/Game | 6.5 (#2) | Opp Blocks/Game | 2.7 (#60) |
| Block % | 9.7% (#7) | Opp Block % | 4.7% (#61) |
| Steals/Game | 5.8 (#223) | Opp Steals/Game | 7.0 (#273) |
| Steals/Play | 6.7% (#259) | Opp Steals/Play | 8.2% (#240) |
| Turnovers/Game | 16.1 (#332) | Opp Turnovers/Game | 11.7 (#298) |
| Turnovers/Play | 18.9% (#305) | Opp Turnovers/Play | 13.6% (#327) |
Bettings Trends
The Wildcats opened as a touchdown favorite at Georgia, as oddsmakers are giving the road team a seven-point cushion. Unfortunately, Kentucky is 6-9 against the spread this season, while Georgia is 10-5.
- Kentucky is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games
- Kentucky is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kentucky’s last 6 games
- Kentucky is 1-1 ATS in its last 2 away games
- Kentucky is 5-6 ATS in its last 11 games following a win
- Georgia is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Georgia’s last 7 games
- Georgia is 6-0 SU in its last 6 games at home
- Georgia is 1-0 ATS as an underdog at home this season
- Georgia is 3-2 ATS in its last 5 games after losing
Prediction
The Wildcats have fallen behind by double digits early in each of their previous two games. While they’ve managed to rally back and win both, they also were at home and didn’t have the additional challenge of dealing with a road crowd. On Tuesday, sound execution out of the gate will be necessary at both ends of the court.
Though Hagans, Herro and Quickley have handled most of the team’s offensive load since SEC play began, this matchup will call for both Travis and Washington to hold their own in the painted area. Along with effectively rebounding the basketball, both big men will need to assert themselves on offense.
Kentucky is plenty good enough to win, but should face a few bumps before the clock hits zero.
Final Score: Kentucky 72, Georgia 68