LEXINGTON — Since rolling past Kentucky basketball via an 80-55 win Jan. 27, Vanderbilt has had a frustrating month. While it’s 4-3 since that dominant win over UK, two of Vandy’s losses since then were by one point (to Oklahoma and Missouri, respectively). The Commodores also fell to in-state rival Tennessee by four points, with Tyler Tanner‘s potential game-tying 3 glancing off the rim in the final minute.
The Wildcats also are 4-3 since that Jan. 27 matchup. They’ve managed that record under far different circumstances than the Commodores, however.
Kentucky (18-10, 9-6 SEC) bounced back to win three in a row (Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee) after its no-show at Vandy. But UK followed that with its first three-game skid (Florida, Georgia and Auburn) under coach Mark Pope.
Pope’s group got back in the win column Tuesday, topping South Carolina on the road.
He’s 1-2 against the Commodores since becoming the Wildcats’ coach. And that victory was last season at Rupp Arena, where Kentucky hosts Vanderbilt this afternoon in an SEC showdown.
While UK leads Vandy by more than 100 games (158-51) in the all-time series, and 87-16 in games held in Lexington, today will be an upset if the hosts win, at least according to the latest rankings. Vanderbilt (22-6, 9-6) is No. 21 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll and No. 25 in the AP Top 25; Kentucky is unranked in both.
Here’s what you need to know to follow tonight’s game between the Wildcats and Commodores from home:
UK and Vanderbilt are slated to tip off at 2 p.m. today at Rupp Arena.
The game between the Wildcats and Commodores will air nationally on ESPN.
Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.
Those without cable can access ESPN via streaming services, with Fubo offering a free trial.
Betting odds: Kentucky is a 1½-point favorite (+105) on DraftKings, which set the over/under at 155½ points (-110). The moneyline is Kentucky -115, Vanderbilt -105.
Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.
You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
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