Ole Miss basketball vs Kentucky: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds

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OXFORD — Ole Miss basketball will try to slow down another elite offense.

No. 23 Ole Miss hosts No. 12 Kentucky on Tuesday at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion (6 p.m. CT, ESPN).

The Rebels (16-6, 5-4 SEC) have an impressive road victory against No. 4 Alabama. Kentucky (15-6, 4-4) profiles similarly. The Wildcats have the No. 2 scoring offense (87.2 points a game) in the SEC, behind Alabama. Even if starting point guard Lamont Butler, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, can’t play, Kentucky still has five players averaging at least 10 points.

Here are three things to look for during the game:

Amari Williams brings a Johni Broome-like presence for Kentucky

The Rebels struggled to stop No. 1 Auburn’s star center, Johni Broome, in their most recent game. Kentucky center Amari Williams brings a similar presence.

Williams, a 7-foot senior transfer from Drexel, averages 9.0 rebounds per game, second in the SEC to Broome. He is a big reason why the Wildcats are No. 4 in the SEC in rebounding as a team.

The Rebels allowed Broome to score 20 points and get 12 rebounds. Although Williams (10.3 points per game) is not the elite scorer Broome is, they must box him out consistently. Ole Miss is No. 15 in the SEC in rebounding; that is a weak point Williams could exploit.

Ole Miss must stick tight to Koby Brea on defense

Senior Kentucky guard Koby Brea can hurt defenses in an instant.

Brea has started just three games this season, but when he comes off the bench, teams must be aware of his location at all times. He is shooting 46% (56 made) on 3-pointers, second-best in the SEC.

The senior transfer from Dayton has made at least one 3-pointer in each game this season.

Missouri sharpshooter Caleb Grill, the only player in the SEC who shoots 3-pointers at a higher percentage, hurt Ole Miss this season. He scored 22 points and made five 3-pointers against the Rebels.

Will Sean Pedulla stay on fire shooting the basketball?

Part of the reason Ole Miss was able to keep the score close against…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ole-miss-basketball-vs-kentucky-110809023.html

Author : The Clarion Ledger

Publish date : 2025-02-03 11:08:00

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