SEC Betting Roundup: Kentucky vs Alabama Top Matchup This Week

Arkansas vs Auburn Also on Tap Saturday

It’s another strong week of Southeastern Conference games, with several solid games on Tuesday and Wednesday. Saturday’s card is especially strong with several games involving two ranked teams.

Right now, Alabama would have to be considered the surprise team of the conference. Before the NCAAB season started, the SEC basketball conference odds on the Tide were +800. Now they’re one of the top two or three teams in the SEC.

Tuesday, Jan. 3 GAMES:

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Tennessee Volunteers

Date, Time & Streaming: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 7 pm ET
Location: Thompson Boling Arena (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Streaming: ESPN2

A solid game to begin the week, as No. 21 Mississippi State (11-2) visits No. 7 Tennessee (11-2). The SEC basketball conference odds on this game should see the Volunteers favored by close to 11 points.

The total is going to be low, with both NCAAB teams among the best in the nation defensively. The Vols rank No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Bulldogs are No. 6. The difference here is offense. Tennessee Volunteers ranks No. 53 in adjusted offensive efficiency, while the Bulldogs are No. 142. If the total comes out 116 or higher, the under is worth a look.

LSU Tigers vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date, Time & Streaming: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 8 pm ET
Location: Rupp Arena (Lexington, Kentucky)
Streaming: ESPN

Another decent game here, with LSU (12-1) visiting No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats (9-4).

The college basketball point spreads will see Kentucky favored close to double digits despite the record difference being in LSU’s favor.

The Tigers have played a woefully soft schedule so far. Kentucky has done more against better competition so far but the Wildcats’ woes at the free throw line is a cause for concern.

Kentucky is shooting 65.9% from the line, which is No. 307 in the country. LSU isn’t much better at 68.9%. Still, if the SEC basketball conference odds have Kentucky -12 or less, the Wildcats are worth a look.


Wednesday, Jan. 4 Matchups:

Auburn Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs

Date, Time & Streaming: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 6:30 pm ET
Location: Stegeman Coliseum (Athens, Georgia)
Streaming: SEC Network

No. 20 Auburn Tigers (11-2) takes to the road for a game with Georgia (10-3) to begin Wednesday’s play. The SEC basketball conference odds will have the Tigers favored by close to 7 points.

The Tigers are a much better defensive team than the Georgia Bulldogs and have played a much tougher schedule. Georgia defends the 3-pointer well but the Tigers don’t shoot a lot of 3-pointers, as they don’t hit them well. The Tigers are worth a look with a point spread of Auburn -8 or lower.

Missouri Tigers vs Arkansas Razorbacks

Date, Time & Streaming: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 8:30 pm ET
Location: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Streaming: SEC Network

Missouri (12-1) visits No. 9 Arkansas Razorbacks (11-2) in the late SEC game on Wednesday. The Razorbacks should be favored close to double digits.

Missouri Tigers have played a weak schedule so far, helping the Tigers pad their stats. The Tigers can score but they’ll be facing one of the top defenses in the country here. Missouri is No. 4 in adjusted offensive efficiency but Arkansas is No. 5 on defense.

The Razorbacks are No. 35 offensively, while Missouri is No. 150. The Tigers do force a lot of turnovers but Arkansas does a good job protecting the ball. Arkansas should win by eight or more points.


Saturday, Jan. 7 More Games:

Kentucky Wildcats vs Alabama Crimson Tide

Date, Time & Streaming: Saturday, Jan. 7, 1 pm ET
Location: Coleman Coliseum (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
Streaming: ESPN

No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats visit No. 8 Alabama in the key game of the day. The Wildcats were the NCAAB preseason favorites in the SEC basketball conference odds but the Tide is playing better of the two right now.

But the teams have comparable statistics. Alabama Crimson Tide ranks No. 19 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 15 defensively. The Wildcats are No. 17 on offense and No. 30 on defense. A big difference between the two is strength of schedule each has played.

The Sagarin college basketball rankings have Kentucky at No. 156. Alabama has played the sixth toughest schedule in the country.

The Wildcats are more of a ‘name’ team than Alabama and the Tide is worth a play if the line is Alabama -4.5 or less. Alabama does have better numbers if the teams were to meet on a neutral court. If these two were to meet in the NCAA Tournament, the March Madness spread would have Alabama favored by 2.5.

Mississippi Rebels vs Mississippi State Bulldogs

Date, Time & Streaming: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2 pm ET
Location: Humphrey Coliseum (Starkville, Miss.)
Streaming: CBS

The Rebels visit the Mississippi State Bulldogs for an instate rivalry game, where points figure to be tough to come by.

“The Bulldogs will be favored about 5.5 points and the total will be right about 120.
The Rebels are a decent offensive team, ranking No. 99 in adjusted offensive efficiency.”

But they’re better defensively, where Ole Miss Rebels is No. 51 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Both squads defend the 2-pointer well and neither is that impressive shooting 3-pointers. If the number comes out at 118 or lower, the under is worth a look.

Arkansas Razorbacks vs Auburn Tigers

Date, Time & Streaming: Saturday, Jan. 7, 8:30 pm ET
Location: Neville Arena (Auburn, Alabama)
Streaming: SEC Network

A great matchup between a pair of ranked teams. Arkansas has slightly better numbers but with the Tigers at home, they are likely to be favored by a couple of points with the total in the upper 130s.

Both teams are solid offensively, but stronger on defense. Both teams struggle to hit 3-pointers and both defend it well. That could bode well for those looking to take the under.


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